IN THE heart of Possilpark, a small group of selfless, hard-working people has been delivering food, organising clubs, picking up laundry and generally looking after anyone in need of a helping hand, for almost 30 years.

The Possobilities volunteers are the glue that holds this North Glasgow charity together, explains co-ordinator Claire Nisbet.

“We would not exist without our volunteers,” says Claire, simply.

“We rely on them, completely, for everything we do and they are a fantastic group of people.”

(Image: Possobilities)

Possobilities supports adults and young people with a disability, the elderly, and families struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis, in a multitude of creative, clever and compassionate ways.

It has around 30 volunteers, who give up their free time five days a week to give back to the North Glasgow community. Many have a disability themselves.

“One of our biggest services is our Cook ‘n’ Care meal delivery project, where our volunteers deliver fresh, home-cooked meals daily to people who, for whatever reason, can no longer cook for themselves,” adds Claire.

“It’s been going since the charity started up 30 years ago.”

(Image: Possobilities)

She adds, smiling: “Back then, the volunteers were out on foot, dropping off rolls and chopped pork. Now, we have the van, and the meal is made up of three courses, for £5.50.”

The service, which has become a lifeline for many, is about more than just dropping off food, points out Claire.

“Our volunteers go above and beyond,” she says. “They show compassion and kindness, they offer support, and they show an interest in our customers’ lives.

“So if someone doesn’t answer the door, for example, they might just get in touch with the family to check everything is okay.

“They might chat on the doorstep for a bit to see how someone is feeling, if they have plans for the day – they have built up an amazing relationship with people.”

(Image: Possobilities)

Post-pandemic, and through the ongoing cost of living crisis, Possobilities volunteers are on the front line and often hear stories of real hardship and heartbreak.

“It’s bad out there,” says Claire, quietly. “We started giving out free food on Fridays and we couldn’t put it on Facebook because we just couldn’t meet demand.

“Things are really tough for a lot of people.”

READ NEXT: Life-changing Glasgow project volunteers share stories

The volunteers also run social clubs, from arts and crafts to karaoke, and a laundry service called The Steamie.

“We have started doing a new afternoon tea event on Fridays, which is extra special,” says Claire.

Possobilities won the Champion Team award for the North West area in the 2024 Glasgow Community Champion Awards heats, organised by the Glasgow Times in partnership with Glasgow City Council, Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust and St Enoch Centre.

The group will now go forward to the grand final at the City Chambers on December 4.

“We’re so delighted for the volunteers, because they are a wonderful, selfless, hard-working group of people,” says Claire, proudly.

“I have the best job in the world, being volunteer co-ordinator, but they are the backbone of this service.

“We are thankful for them every single day.”