GHA helps spread festive cheer
Glasgow Housing Association helped to spread Christmas cheer across the city by organising over a hundred of festive events.
From trips to the panto and lunches to sending gift parcels out to vulnerable families, GHA’s Chair’s Fund has worked towards ensuring that people enjoy this time of year.
In a bid to bring people together and reduce isolation more than 130 projects were supported by the charity.
Bernadette Hewitt, the chairwoman of GHA, told the Evening Times: “The Chair’s Fund is a great way of contributing to the good work done by volunteers who work all year round in our communities.
“It was great to meet some of these volunteers and I know that their work has a lasting benefit for our communities.”
Working alongside several local organisations, activities funded by the project have included helping to set up a nativity show at Summerston Family Learning Centre, a Christmas party for toddlers at Milton Community Nursery and a trip to a panto for the Craigend Community Youth Group.
More Christmas parties were arranged for many of GHA’s sheltered complexes across the city. While Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands (GESH) hosted a party for the elderly and disabled members of the community.
Youngsters at Crookston Early Years Centre also enjoyed a trip to Queen Elizabeth Forest in Aberfoyle to buy a Christmas tree.
PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid), which organises play activities for young people in the north of Glasgow, organised a ‘Winter Warmer’ event, including an art exhibition and a performance by the young people at St Luke’s in the Gallowgate.
GHA also supported groups who reach out a helping hand to people who may be struggling at this time of year.
Pupils at All Saints Secondary School in Barmulloch delivered hampers and food parcels to local nursing homes and sheltered housing complexes and also donated carers’ bags to Marie Curie.
Family Addiction Support Service (FASS), which supports families affected by drug or alcohol use, made Christmas hampers and selection boxes which were delivered to families in Darnley, Priesthill and Nitshill.
GHA’s Chair’s Fund provides support to schools, church groups and community groups to help people take part in Christmas activities.