A new woman is at the helm of a charity’s team providing lifeline shopping supplies to older people across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.
Food Train has appointed Fiona Lochrin as its new regional manager, succeeding the long-serving Stephen McGinty.
And she is looking to increase both the number of over-65s supported through the charity’s shopping and delivery service, as well as its meal-making and befriending initiatives – along with the numbers of volunteers who make that possible.
Each week, the branch shopping service alone collects and delivers groceries to about 95 people locally.
Fiona brings plenty of experience to the role, having spent eight years with Food Train’s Glasgow branch, first as an area coordinator and latterly as its development officer.
Asked what attracted her to the new challenge, she said: “The volunteers!
“The service delivery is run by a team of incredible volunteers who donate their time to us three days a week to ensure our members are never without food.
“Our members tell us time and time again how much they enjoy the weekly visits from the volunteers and how important that interaction is for them. I love the fact we are a hands-on organisation and the staff/volunteers get to see first-hand the difference the service makes to people’s lives.
“My priority is to ensure Food Train grows across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire so as many older people as possible can access our available services, whether its grocery shopping / delivery, befriending, at home or meal makers.”
Food Train tackles malnutrition and loneliness – helping older people to live better lives in their own homes, by ensuring they have the food they need as well life-improving social contact.
Volunteering roles are varied – with many of them flexible, meaning people can work them around other commitments. They vary from taking shopping lists and collecting groceries, to sharing a meal with an older person or simply spending time chatting to someone. They also do not involve huge amounts of time.
Fiona added: “We would love to speak to anyone who might be interested or wants to find out more.
“We have lots of volunteer roles available. There is something for pretty much anyone – whether that’s based in the office, at the supermarket and out on the road in our vans. Our team and members would love to meet you.”
If you are interested in volunteering, please call the team 0141 887 2557 or email renfrewshire@thefoodtrain.co.uk.
Headline image: Fiona Lochrin, Food Train’s new regional manager for Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire
Photo Credit: Food Train
