Govan walking group hailed as a highlight of the week by Care Home Residents

A Govan social enterprise has partnered with a local care home to provide much-needed exercise, stimulation and entertainment for residents.

Article Source: Oakminster Healthcare
Last Updated: 11 September 2024 14:00

‘Meet Me in Govan’, a project by Invisible Cities, hosts weekly walks which have become a staple in the wellbeing calendar for the residents of Florence House. Every week residents from the care home take part in the walks, which are open to residents and community members, exploring the rich history the area has to offer. Trips have previously included the Govan Stones, Govan Shipyards and Elder Park.

Residents from Florence House view the group walking activity as a highlight in their weekly wellbeing calendar as it provides the residents with a regular link back to community, social interactions and gives them a chance to meet other people who live – and visit – the community.

Jennifer, aged 54, resident from Florence House said: “I really look forward to going to the Meet Me in Govan walks every week, for a lot of us it’s become the highlight of our week.

“We love getting out into the community and reconnecting with the places we’ve grown up and made memories in, and the added benefit is getting a chance to meet with other people on the tours – usually people with interesting and different backgrounds from us.

“Come rain or shine the walks go ahead; when it’s nice outside we tend to go round some of the historic sights in Govan and when it's raining – which in Glasgow is more often than not - we still manage to meet with the group and do a walk but it’ll be inside. We’ve done The Glasgow Science Centre and Sunny Govan Radio tours in the past when it’s been raining.”

The close partnership between Florence House and Invisible Cities was highlighted when Meet me in Govan celebrated its second anniversary at the care home, with celebrations including birthday cake, party hats, balloons, as well as lots of laughs.

Meet Me in Govan is a project run by Invisible Cities in collaboration with Govan Community Project, providing guided walks around the local area. The walks are filled with titbits of information, entertaining stories and importantly a genuine community connection.

The guides who lead the walking groups, ‘Walk Leaders’, come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and have experienced vulnerabilities including homelessness.

Invisible Cities who run the local Meet Me in Govan project, provide training programmes designed to lift the recruits out of social hardship and provide them with a job and an active role in society.

Michaela Ditrichova from Invisible Cities said: “We recognise how important our walking groups are for the local community in Govan.

“Consistency is the key - for many people coming along on a regular basis it’s one of the only sociable touchpoints they have throughout their week, and we know from feedback how valuable it is to those who attend.

“In just two years we have provided walks for over 600 people, I'm really proud of that. We are keeping the rich history of Govan front and centre of Glasgow’s heritage while providing entertaining, sociable experiences for people in the community and people who want to learn about the community.”

The Meet Me in Govan walks cover a range of topics on a six-week rotation, including: housing, work, culture and community, youth and education, immigration and languages, and sports and wellbeing.

Established in 2022, Meet Me in Govan is part of the Invisible Neighbourhoods programme in collaboration with the Govan Community Project.

Aileas Pringle, Community Development Worker, Govan Community Project said: “Our walking group has not only been incredibly important for telling Govan’s history, it has also been a valuable space to bring together diverse members of the community, who might not otherwise meet one another, to share their stories. The walks are incredibly important to our community members, and we are thrilled at the positive impact they are having on the regular walkers.”

Florence House is part of the Oakminster Healthcare Group which owns and operates five care homes across Glasgow.

Florence House offers nursing and residential care and has specialists available to support those living with dementia, who need palliative care, respite care and those under the age of 65 who require care home support.

The home can provide care for 55 residents with a range of care requirements.

For further information please visit: oakminsterhealthcare.co.uk

For further information on the Meet Me in Govan programme visit: invisible-cities.org

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Scottish dancer to appear in The Red Shoes in first tour stop in Glasgow

The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to reveal the full cast and tour dates for Matthew Bourne's double Olivier award-winning, smash hit production of The Red Shoes.

Braehead Shopping Centre is your place for festive fashion, food and fun this Christmas

Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!

Solasta Residence supports Beatson Cancer Charity through festive giving tree initiative

Solasta Residence in Glasgow has launched its first Giving Tree in support of Beatson Cancer Charity.

The Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow unveils exciting new programme for 2026

The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow is set to light up 2026 with a thrilling year of music, theatre and comedy.

Wingstop UKI opens its doors at Silverburn

Leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has turned up the heat on its dining line-up with the official opening of Wingstop UKI, bringing even more flavour and choice to guests.

90s pop icon joins the cast of Mean Girls

Faye Tozer to star alongside Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners in the award-winning musical Mean Girls, coming to the King's Theatre in Glasgow from Monday 29th June!

DF Concerts & Events launches The DF Academy

DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.

Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with new book Elephant

Dr Gillian Shirreffs launches the 12 Days of Christmas with Beatson Cancer Charity this month.

Popular lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas opens at Silverburn

Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, has welcomed much-loved independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer Oliver Bonas.

Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival

The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!

New film on resistance to Home Office raid on Kenmure Street to be released next year

Scottish distributor Conic has acquired all UK and Ireland rights for Everybody to Kenmure Street, a new documentary about Glasgow's community resistance to a Home Office raid in 2021.

Sean Batty joins Glasgow businesses to champion choose local at Christmas cry

STV presenter visits Glasgow West End's Business Improvement District to highlight the vital role that local people can play in the the final festive push.

Everyman presents Nationwide preview screenings of Sentimental Value

See the highly anticipated new comedy drama before anyone else, with preview screenings at Everyman cinemas nationwide.

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!

Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025

Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.

University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse

Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.

Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness

Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.

DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events

DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.

Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!

Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow

With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!

A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season

Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi

Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.

Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December

Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.

Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced

Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!

Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled

The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.

Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow

Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.

Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas

Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!

Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow

Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.

From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt

Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.