CEB works tirelessly to support older people in Dunoon and the Cowal peninsula through group activities including reminiscence, crafts and singing. The group also support individuals and groups of older people to go out for coffee and lunch and they pay home visits too.
The group was presented with the award, sponsored by PSR Scotland, at the Age Scotland national awards ceremony in Glasgow.
Many of the older people who are helped by CEB are living with dementia and the group visits them at home, as part of their valuable work to tackle loneliness and isolation in the community.
The service offered by CEB provides much-need respite for carers, giving them an hour or two a week to take a break from their caring responsibilities.
"We are delighted to receive the Age Scotland Patrick Brooks Award for Partnership Work. We don't ever really put ourselves forward for accolades as we have a small team and we just like to keep our heads down and get on with 'the work' so we were completely surprised to have been nominated.
"Partnership work in the Covid era has certainly been more of a challenge and we often feel like we only do partnership work.
"Our partners are the older people referred to us who help us run the project, the statutory services in the council, the homecare agencies who care for many who we support, and all the other projects, community groups, and organisations we work with to help keep older people active and contributing to their communities across Cowal and Bute.
"This award is really for everyone in the community - but we would like to dedicate it to our lovely friend and colleague Ann Fitzpatrick, who passed away in March. Working with us, Ann did so much to support older people in Cowal throughout the pandemic."
"I am delighted to present this year's Patrick Brooks Award for Best Working Partnership to the Cowal Elderly Befrienders for the work they do to support older people and carers in their community.
"The respite they offer carers is a lifeline for those who have challenging responsibilities, giving them some breathing space while knowing that their loved ones are being taken care of.
"During the pandemic, CEB rose to the occasion and offered help to older people who were unable to leave their homes and since restrictions have eased the group has continued to make a real difference to older people in the area.
"Congratulations to all involved on this well-deserved achievement."
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