News

Craft Cafe Govan, our workshop for older people in the area, today had a very welcome visitor in Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollok.

Mr Yousaf chatted to members who attend Craft Cafe at the Elderpark Centre about why they come along and what makes Craft Cafe important to their lives.

He heard stories of older people who view the service as a life-line, a space to be creative and try new things, and an incentive to get them up in out of their homes in the morning.

“I’m blown away,” said Mr Yousaf, “really, really impressed.”

“What you’ve got here are older people who are energetic and have found a new lease of life.

“Many of the people I spoke to today say they’d never been involved in craft or art earlier in life, but looking at their paintings, drawings and tapestry today, you would think they were professionals.

“And more than that, many people said to me that Craft Cafe offers them a life-line; that they’d be sitting at home doing nothing, or not being as productive as they are here.

“It’s actually inspired me – having never had an artistic bone in my body, people here have shown that it’s never too late, with many creating incredible pieces of work despite not starting creating art until they were in their sixties.

“Everyone here has said what makes Craft Cafe special is the fact it’s so welcoming. We’ve got an ageing demographic in Scotland – tackling social isolation’s only going to become more and more pertinent.

“So hugely impressed, and we’re here to see how we can help and do our bit to make sure Craft Cafe continues.”

Craft Cafe Govan runs at the Elderpark Centre at 82 Elderpark Street on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you are over 60 and interested in coming along, please contact Lead Tutor Charlotte Craig on 0779308195 or email charlotte.craig@impactarts.co.uk.