Crisis meetings called as Shopper-Aide reaches breaking point

It was founded in 2011 to help people aged over 60 remain in their homes as independently as possible, with the target group expected to be those who did not qualify for statutory help but were on the cusp.

This included people who found carrying heavy shopping difficult, had reduced mobility, had just been discharged from hospital, or needed help in the home for minor jobs such as clearing out cupboards or moving furniture, as well as those who just needed someone to talk to, or take them to medical or hair appointments. 

Based on the age and needs of its clients and due to the level of demand for its services, the charity has evolved over the last 13 years, setting up many more initiatives, from creating its own social groups and organising outings, to doing housekeeping for clients.

And a move to larger premises at Snipefield Industrial Estate allowed the charity, which employs 14 full- and part-time staff, to launch a laundry service, Launder-Aide, in 2022, a move that is beginning to offset some of its costs.

However, a “perfect storm” of circumstances has seen the charity, on which hundreds of people in the community rely, reach breaking point.

“Shopper-Aide is now in crisis mode with a danger of closing,” said Susan, “and each of our clients will need help, with many turning to statutory services.”

She added that most of the charity’s current clients already receive some statutory help, but they require much more than just personal care.

She said: “We became the home helps that used to do these jobs, necessary to keep people in their own homes, not just getting the food and household goods but keeping homes, clothes and bedding clean, spending time for a chat, on the phone or in person.

“All this is essential for both physical and mental health of older people. Who will take all this on if we have to close? 

“The increased loneliness and isolation will put increased pressure on health and social care services.”

Shopper-Aide, including Launder-Aide, is a unique service for Kintyre and, in 2023/24, not only helped older people but local businesses as well, with 3,390 shops completed for 117 clients, spending £296,584 within the local economy, and 2,297 laundry jobs completed for 209 customers, which includes a growing number of local businesses.

An additional £31,340.62 was spent on fuel, refreshments, supplies, and vehicle costs etc.

Housekeeping staff also helped clients in their homes 1,116 times, and there were 2,054 attendees across Shopper-Aide’s range of social groups, which includes Elderberries, an MS support group, a Parkinson’s support group, an art group and men’s only group, Garry’s Gang, in addition to others based in Carradale and Gigha.

Now appealing for support, Susan, who has had a series of meetings with local councillors and community councils, said: “Many of our usual funders have changed criteria – from older people to younger people, from revenue funding to capital funding, and others have reduced the amounts they give. 

“At the same time, Shopper-Aide has a continual growth of need from the local population as it ages and this, along with rising costs in wages and fuel etc, has brought us to the brink.

“Help is being asked for to avoid closure. In the last week, we have had new clients for shopping, housekeeping and laundry. 

“We have been developing ways of reducing costs – redundancy, reducing paid hours, sold surplus goods, taken part in events and planning future measures – but they can take time to organise.”

When the situation began to become concerning in May, the charity set up a GoFundMe campaign which can be accessed via its website at www.shopper-aide.org.uk and it continues to carry out as many fundraising initiatives as possible, including a table top sale in the SKDT Hall in Kirk Street tomorrow (Saturday September 14).

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help the charity survive is invited to attend one of two meetings on Tuesday September 17, one at 2pm in the Burnet Building, accessed from the Linda McCartney Garden, aimed at businesses and funders, and another at 7pm in the Chambers Room at Campbeltown Town Hall for the general public.