A GROUP of older ladies who became “great friends” after forming a weekly Zoom call during the Covid-19 pandemic have met up for the first time.
The group, fondly referred to as the ‘Blethers’, was set up by Glasgow’s Golden Generation (GGG), a charity that works to alleviate poverty, isolation, and loneliness.
After speaking every Friday via Zoom, the group met today in the flesh at the launch of the GGG & Sky Up Digital Hub, based at the charity’s Fred Paton Day Centre, in the West End.
Helena Sommerville, 79, from Carntyne, said: “The Friday blether has been an absolute lifeline for me, particularly during Covid when I couldn’t meet up with anyone or go to my usual clubs.
“It was great to have human interaction at that time, and even though it was online it was something I looked forward to each week, and I still do.”
Eight of the ‘Friday Blether’ regulars were treated to an afternoon tea on Friday.
Helena added: “I was put in touch with the charity through my local church, and I was lucky enough to receive an iPad and some data. I was given a doorstep visit to show me how to use it and join the weekly Zoom call before I was introduced to the other ladies.
“We chat about everything and anything. We help each other with our problems, we get on well and most importantly we have a laugh.
"I’ve made such great friends in these ladies, and I am delighted to have now met up with them all in person. We’re always looking for new members and new friends.”
The meet-up coincided with the launch of the new Sky Up Digital Hub - a place where older adults can get support with all things digital.
Nicola Oritis, head of communities, Sky, said: “The older generation is one of the most at-risk groups of being digitally excluded. Our Sky Up programme will see £10 million invested around the UK and Europe to level up communities and ensure no one is left behind in a digital world.
“As part of this initiative, we are absolutely thrilled to have been able to host the Blethers meet-up, launched in partnership with Glasgow’s Golden Generation and the first of its kind in Scotland.
“Hosting this wonderful event is a fitting celebration of what we hope to achieve with GGG, enhancing their digital inclusion work with support from Sky volunteers, tech donations and Sky Up free wi-fi through Sky Connect.”
The Sky Up Digital Hub is now open to support older adults in Glasgow with their tech needs. Visit glasgowgg.org.uk to find out more.
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here