AN initiative to engage more closely with elderly men from minority ethnic communities has been launched in North West Glasgow. 

Queens Cross Housing Association's social regeneration team is working with Ageing Well group to bring interesting and information speakers to local residents, organise outings and introduce them to services they are not currently accessing. 

The group of 20-plus members meets for lunch once and week and participants learn from health and legal experts about a range of topics that are of interest to them, such as power of attorney and what to do if suffering a stroke.

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Rabeea Qureshi, project officer, said: "Men from minority ethnic communities are an extremely difficult group to engage with due to language and cultural challenges, but they need support even more because of the isolation these challenges result in.

"The popularity of the men’s group so far proves there is a need for specific support for this demographic."

She added: "Although very much an information sharing group at the moment, we want to build on the activities we do and are looking to establish a walking group and are planning visits to local historic and cultural sites."

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As well as the men’s group, under the Scottish Government funded Community Opportunities Project, Rabeea has worked with colleagues and partner agencies to deliver children’s summer and Eid parties.

She’s also organised a range of local information sessions covering topics such as health and wellbeing, financial inclusion and employability, including building on existing ESOL classes to help people improve their English language skills and she’s established a new women’s group, ‘Chat and Chai’, to support young mothers from minority ethnic communities.

Shona Stephen, Queens Cross Group chief executive, said: "Building inclusivity in the area is essential to building stronger more prosperous neighbourhoods.

"Rabeea’s efforts are really helping bring our communities together as one."

You can find out more about what is being delivered by Queens Cross HERE.