East Kilbride News readers have stepped up to the plate to help local charity LEAP open its new lunch club for people living with dementia and their carers.

Laura Brock, Lesley Hill and Lynne Maguire were first to offer their time and were on hand to help at the new lunch club in Strathcona Sheltered Housing on 12 September 2024.

Helen Jilks, LEAP’s dementia services development officer, said: “I’m so grateful to the East Kilbride News for publicising our cry for help and for Laura, Lesley and Lynne for offering to help.

“We have also had another three people step forward and we are just waiting on clearance for them, so it has been a fantastic response as far as we are concerned.

“We can now offer people all of our groups, safe in the knowledge we will have enough volunteers to make the new services work for people attending.”

Laura had previously been a befriending volunteer with LEAP and didn’t hesitate to put herself forward when she learned what was happening.

Laura said: “There is a lack of support in the town for people living with dementia and I wanted to help change that.”

Lesley and Lynne had both recently retired and were looking for a new challenge, with Lesley saying “I had just decided to volunteer when I read the story and the opportunity fitted perfectly”.

Helen added: “While we are grateful to Laura, Lesley and Lynne for helping out, we could still do with a few more volunteers for our lunch club as, the more volunteers are available, the more personal support we can give to those people living with dementia.

“We also have a few places left in the group, and our other activities so, if anyone wants to join, please give me a call

To volunteer, join the group or find out more about LEAP’s dementia services, visit www.leap-project.co.uk/dementia-services or call Helen on 0141 641 5169.