Churchgoers are preparing to welcome elderly guests to a new regular event being held in Perth twice a week organised in response to the growing cost of living crisis.
Members of Kinnoull Parish Church have arranged special events to be held in their hall every Tuesday and Friday for the foreseeable future where older members of the public can go for warmth, company and something to eat and drink throughout the day.
The idea is elderly residents who are perhaps struggling to meet rising food and energy bills or are living on their own and need to talk to someone can attend the church for food and heat instead or just engage in conversation with a friendly face.
The events have been made possible thanks to a grant awarded to Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council from the local authority’s recently announced cost of living fund.
Church elder Jack Rivett set out the details of the upcoming events at a meeting of the community council last week.
He explained the church already holds an event once a month that anyone can attend for a cup of tea and company but members wished to extend its offer in response to the current cost of living crisis.
Mr Rivett said he had successfully applied for a grant of £2500 from Perth and Kinross Council’s cost of living fund to achieve this and that the first event of its kind was being held at the church this coming Friday (October 28) from 12pm to 5pm.
“The hall will be open in the afternoon for as many people as possible,” he said.
“The intention is to open up the hall on a Tuesday and a Friday afternoon.”
Reverend Graham Crawford told the PA the next day: “We’re aware with inflation running at over 10 per cent and fuel bills going through the roof at the moment that it is going to be difficult for people.
“We know, for example, in our immediate community, 20 per cent of the population is over 65 and live on their own.
“So there could possibly be a lot of people with loneliness issues or they could have financial issues given the dramatic rises of the costs of things.
“This is really an attempt to say Kinnoull Parish Church is here for you and to serve the community.”
It’s understood the afternoon events will be further publicised in the coming days on the community council’s Facebook page plus posters put up at local shops and schools.
