Glasgow art cafe which is 'lifeline' for older people in funding plea

Shortly after being treated in hospital for a broken back, the 80-year-old’s husband passed away.

““I was at my wit's end,” she says. “This is my company. It’s something to look forward to.

“They’re helping the community in a lot of ways. They’re keeping us out of hospitals, keeping us from sitting lonely and being miserable.”

Rosie Reid at Impact Arts' Craft Cafe in Govan (Image: Impact Arts)

The Craft Café is run by community arts charity Impact Arts, who were named South Arts Champion in the regional heats of the 2025 Glasgow Community Champion Awards.

The team is on its way to the grand final of the awards, run by the Glasgow Times in association with Vertu and supported by Glasgow City Council and Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust.

Chief executive officer Fiona Doring says: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the regional heat - this award is an acknowledgement of the amazing people and communities we work with who embrace participation in arts and creative activities, no matter their previous experience.

“We see every day how creativity changes lives, and this recognition shows how powerful that can be.”

Impact Arts is calling on the public and local businesses to donate to the Craft Café through the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

For one week only, from December 2 at midday until December 9 midday, every pound donated to the project through Big Give will be doubled.

With Craft Café facing a substantial gap in funding, Impact Arts is aiming to raise £7500 for the project which, if successful, will be matched by pledgers (Stagecoach and Elder Park Housing Association) and an anonymous champion assigned through Big Give, for a total of £15,000.

Described by one member as an “antidote to loneliness”, Craft Café has been running since 2010 and currently operates three days a week, 50 weeks a year at Elder Park Library in Govan.

Members can explore painting, crafting, knitting and various multimedia art projects. They can also enjoy free hot drinks and snacks, chat and make new friends, take part in local community art and climate action projects, and receive health and wellbeing support with help from external partners.

Govan has one of the lowest life expectancies in the UK. Since 2010, Impact Arts has been tackling poverty and loneliness in the area by hosting this creative community for the over-60s.

Around 40% of Craft Café Govan members live in the top 0.5% most deprived streets in Scotland. Some of them have little or no family or neighbours to call on for company or support.

Fiona explains: “Craft Café is more than simply an arts project. It is a vital lifeline for older people living in Govan who face increased isolation at this time of year.

“Each Craft Café workshop brings joy in later life, improves wellbeing and builds a sense of community.” 

The charity’s  head of development Neil Young says: “Craft Café is a truly inspirational creative space for older people based in or close to one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas.

“The fundraising environment remains a challenge for charities, with the public or trust funding we receive not fully funding the programme in its entirety. Your donation, however big or small, will make a huge difference to the programme’s sustainability, directly making a difference to the lives of the older people we work with.”

Rose Reid sums it up.

“I don’t know what I would do without it now,” she says, simply. “I would miss it. I think it’s a worthwhile cause.”

To donate, click here: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS000005nAmYYAU