A “LIFELINE” support service for elderly people in Glasgow’s East End has celebrated its 30th anniversary. 

Hundreds of users, residents and the area’s MP Paul Sweeney descended on Alive and Kicking Springburn’s premises on Friday to reminisce about the last three decades and look forward to the charity’s future, which bosses hope will include a new or revamped centre. 

It’s a bid Labour politician Mr Sweeney would endorse, as he hopes to see the organisation become the centre of the Red Row flats revamp. 
He told the Evening Times: “It’s an institution in Springburn and Balornock. 

“I think sometimes you just don’t realise the positive impact it’s had over the last 30 years, something as simple as providing companionship for people who lost their families or partners. 

“It’s such an important beacon of hope for that part of Glasgow.”

Mr Sweeney joined manager Anne Marie Robertson Dryburgh and deputy manager Eulalia Stewart for an all-singing, all-dancing afternoon with the party going on until after 8pm.

Residents spoke of value the group brought to their lives, with many stating the club provided a vital lifeline to society thanks to the variety of activities offered to the pensioners. 

The group travels abroad a handful of times a year on holiday - all of which is paid for individually - while at home they have access to a lunch club, bereavement support and health and fitness sessions.

However, it’s not only the older members of the East End society who have been affected by the group – as Mr Sweeney pointed out in his address to the 200-strong crowd, the organisation has been a staple of the area for decades.

He explained: “We had a joke because a plaque on the wall reveals it was opened exactly one month before I was born – it’s incredible it’s been around this long. 

“I knew about it as a wee boy but now to see the work they are doing is incredible.

“They’re doing a lot of work to improve the school building [they’re based in] but it’s getting to the end of its natural life. We need to look at a place for Alive and Kicking for the next 30 years.”

The charity are keen to find new premises which can suit their goal to combat loneliness and isolation of elderly people in the community.

However, until their new home is found, the group are happy to continue serving the east end community. 

Ms Stewart said: “The event turned out really great. 

“Lots of lovely people come from these areas. It’s a deprived area but there’s beautiful, beautiful people who came to celebrate with us.”

“It’s a place for people to come so they’re not sitting in the house alone, there’s always somebody here to help them - it’s an amazing place.”