On Friday 22nd February Christina McKelvie, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, and SNP Councillor Peter Craig visited the Larkhall District Volunteer Group (LDVG) to hear more about their work in the area.
LDVG was formed in 1994 as “Avondale Careline” and provided friendly chats on the phone to elderly, disabled and housebound people. While this core service remains, the work and facilities of the LDVG has evolved far beyond this. They offer room hires (including a hall), and a community transport minibus service which can be hired out by other local groups alongside running a busy calendar of regular events themselves.
Councillor Peter Craig was able to offer links to the dedicated Community Engagement team in South Lanarkshire Council to help support the work being carried out by the group.
Christina said: “The wide variety of services being offered by the Larkhall District Volunteer Group never ceases to astound me. Never content to rest on their laurels they are constantly innovating, for example, they are now hiring out their kitchen for use by local businesses or groups.
“I look forward to working with the group to help them continue the high-quality services to huge number of people who benefit from them.”
Peter said: “I have been working with the Larkhall and District Volunteer Group since I was elected 12 years ago they are mainstay in voluntary work Larkhall and the surrounding area, and I look forward to helping them continue their good work well into the future.”
Sandra McCrory, Manager of the Charity said: “We were delighted to have Christina and Peter at our facilities to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities of the LDVG in the future.
“It was great to hear recognition of the value we are able to provide to the Council with our lunchtime club in our partnership with Social Work. We look forward to continuing to work closely with all the local elected members in Larkhall.”