Over-50s are making friends through Discovery Award
The Council is helping older people to make friends and enjoy new experiences through a group for the over-50s.
The Discovery Award group meets in Vennel Gardens sheltered housing complex in Irvine and was set up just over a year ago to help people combat isolation, learn new skills and enjoy social occasions together.
The Award is a fun and free personal challenge for people aged over 50 and is run by the Discovery Award Federation. It has four categories for its challenges: Service In the Community; Recreational Pursuit; Hobby or Interest and Journey of Discovery.
Irvine Locality Worker Andrea McKenzie explained:
The group was set up in May 2023 in response to social isolation and loneliness post-pandemic. The Award is open to anyone over 50 who lives in the Irvine Locality, and it provides an opportunity for people to come together, try new things and build social connections. It is delivered in partnership with Discovery Award Scotland and it consists of three levels that participants can work towards – bronze, silver and gold – and myself and my colleagues support them to work through these levels.