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Food Train Shopping to make life better for older people
Food Train Connects is not just for Lockdown
The Food Train Connects service has been launched across northern Scotland, adding another layer to widespread community efforts to ensure people do not go without vital shopping supplies.
It is part of work by the wider Food Train organisation as part of its mission to ensure over-65s can eat well and live well in their own homes, tackling issues including malnutrition and loneliness.
The Connects service, the rollout of which began just eight months ago, sees an older person matched with a specific volunteer shopper in their area who carries out weekly grocery trips for them.
It is an extension of Food Train’s award-winning established home shopping service, with the individual match allowing the charity to support people in areas such as Moray where it does not currently operate.
Development officer Carol Anderson is leading the charge locally and is encouraging residents in Moray to spread the word among older people who may benefit from the service, or want to become involved themselves, to get in touch.
With a well-established track record of working with older people through work with other charities, she knows the difference that the service makes.
Connects - along with the wider Food Train shopping service - ensures its members can access the food needed for a good diet - and enjoy social contact as it is delivered, within all Covid-19 public health guidelines.
Development officer Carol Anderson
Carol said: “The feedback we get from people is that the service is a real lifeline, but we know there is a need to reach a greater number of people.”
“Connects is an ideal way for the charity to get involved in helping people across Moray. It removes geographical boundaries and reaches out to anyone who needs support, no matter where they live.”
“An older person who can’t get their own shopping can now have someone to get it for them. This also helps with social isolation and for them to stay connected to their community. It enables them to stay independent for longer.”
Across Scotland, Food Train’s team of volunteers and staff are now getting groceries
to about 3,380 people through both its Connects service and across the nine regions in which it’s established. That number compares to 1,905 before the pandemic.
Conscious of the demand that existed beyond the established shopping service areas, Connects was launched amid those all-time high numbers, in what was the charity’s 25th anniversary year.
The hope is that it will, in areas such as Moray, bolster not just ongoing community efforts to help those who need support as a result of Covid-19, but provide a longer-term solution to a need that existed among many older people before the pandemic took hold.
“What we offer is a bespoke one-to-one service - having your own personal shopper,” added Carol. “People can choose which shop they would like their volunteer to go to collect their messages. It’s a really tailored service.”
“It’s particularly good at reaching people in more rural areas, where access to shops is even more difficult, particularly for those who can’t drive.”
“Community groups are doing fantastic work during lockdown, which is making a real difference to people needing help. There are good neighbours doing great work.”
