AN East Renfrewshire charity is launching a letter exchange project to tackle loneliness and isolation.

Tomorrow’s Older People (TOP), which is led by Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire (VAER), set up the initiative, PenfriendER, with the aim of connecting community members with local children through regular letters in order to reduce loneliness as well as provide an opportunity to share skills and experiences.

The group has teamed up with primary schools from Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor and is now reaching out to residents who may want to take part in the exchange. 

Cllr Angela Convery played a part in developing the community-funded programme.

She said: “PenfriendER is a fantastic initiative that will bring together our community by swapping stories and sharing life experiences.

“I’m so pleased so many schools are taking part, but our goal is for all schools in East Renfrewshire to become involved.”

Claire Ramsay from the TOP team said: “We have been able to bring everything together to simply connect people through letters and it is a fantastic opportunity.”

To register your interest, email penfriendER@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0141 876 9555.

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