Editor – At the beginning of 2026, Cowal Elderly Befrienders faced a very challenging time. Unprecedented demand had stretched our resources to the limit, and the funding landscape was looking very bleak. Future funding by the HSCP was uncertain and many of the usual sources of financial support were, themselves, struggling to help charities like ours. It was a very difficult time when we had to reduce staffing and restructure our service within the new financial constraints.
Thankfully, we were able to secure enough funding to continue our services, although ongoing fundraising is still a priority. All charitable organisations are facing the same issues and, like us, many will have had to work with reduced funding overall. During these months, our staff, volunteers and clients have responded very positively, doing all they can to ensure that we continue to provide a service aimed at alleviating loneliness and isolation for older people living in Cowal and Bute.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank all those organisations, groups and individuals who have done so much to support us over the years, but especially in the last few months. There are too many people to name individually, but there has been incredible support throughout the Cowal Peninsula and the Isle of Bute. The way people have rallied to support us has made us realise just how important this service is to the people living here. Donations made have often left us feeling quite emotional, not just because of the amount given, but the very moving stories accompanying those donations. So, whether you have donated this way, attended one of our fundraising events, or dropped your spare change in one of the collecting boxes, we cannot thank you, the people of this area, enough.
We will be doing some more fundraising activities in the coming months and look forward to welcoming you to those events.
