Charity Food Train announces East Renfrewshire expansion following funding boost

Vulnerable people across East Renfrewshire will benefit from grocery home deliveries as local charity, Food Train, plans to roll-out state of the art electric delivery vans across the region.

The charity provides vital practical and social help to those who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health or disability.

Food Train received £452,413 from SP Energy Networks’ £20million Green Economy Fund which was awarded to projects throughout Scotland to help pursue their green ambitions. The funding will allow the charity to replace its high carbon diesel vehicles with nine new electric models, allowing them to expand their service to two new regions. Using the electric vans, Food Train will reach more people, specifically in rural regions where its particularly difficult for older people to access public transport and shops.

The volunteer-led organisation delivers grocery shopping, library books and home cooked meals to over 23,000 elderly people across Scotland. Additionally, they offer a befriending service, connecting older people to volunteers who they can rely on for companionship whether it’s a phone call, home visit, group activities or outings.

The Green Economy Fund was created by SP Energy Networks, who own and operate the electricity grid across Central and Southern Scotland, to support projects that will help the Scottish Government reach its green targets to boost local economic growth, improve air quality in our cities and deliver a better future, quicker for our communities. The fund does this by helping projects that promote low-carbon heating, low-carbon transport, or the education of Scotland’s workforce for a greener future.

Food Train currently services seven regions across Scotland, including Dumfries & Galloway, West Lothian, Stirling, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and the Scottish Borders. With the new cleaner, greener additions to their fleet, Food Train will be introducing their services to two new regions, East Renfrewshire and Clackmannanshire. Supporting these communities is essential and with the help of the Green Economy Fund they have been enabled to do so sustainably.

Michelle Carruthers, Chief Executive of Food Train, said: “Food Train is dedicated to breaking down barriers for older people across Scotland and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our reach and help more older people to eat well and age well. We’re grateful for the contributions of the Green Economy Fund and the support of SP Energy Networks, who’ve allowed us to help more people while also reducing our impact on the environment.”

Frank Mitchell, Chief Executive of SP Energy Networks, said: “We are helping the Scottish Government deliver its vision of building a cleaner, greener Scotland. That’s why we’re supporting our communities by investing directly in projects that deliver low carbon solutions and create the local economic benefits that can come from driving to zero carbon. We’re delighted to support the work of Food Train across Scotland to pursue their green ambitions while expanding their support to even more of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

To find out more about the Green Economy Fund and the projects it supports, please visit: www.spenergynetworks.co.uk

Latest Local News

VisitScotland launches new Sketching Scotland series

VisitScotland has come up with a new way to draw attention to some of the country’s most iconic sights!

Last Updated: 2nd July 2020

Culzean Country Park is reopening on Monday 6th July

Culzean Country Park is set to reopen next week and the team are advising visitors to pre-book their admission online in advance.

Last Updated: 1st July 2020

Scottish Album of the Year Award goes digital

The Scottish Album of the Year Award is calling on music fans, artists and labels to submit eligible albums to be in the running for Scotland's pre-eminent music prize!

Last Updated: 1st July 2020

Annual Paisley festival gets ready for digital debut!

This weekend marks the digital debut of Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations as a series of virtual events and workshops will take place to mark this important date in the town's calendar.

Last Updated: 29th June 2020

Fans to relive festival highlights with a special TRNSMT takeover on BBC Scotland

Highlights from some of the most iconic performances from previous years will be broadcast for one night only on BBC Scotland and iPlayer, during what should have been the weekend of TRNSMT 2020!

Last Updated: 28th June 2020

itison announce Drive In Movies Summer (of lockdown)

itison confirm they will be returning to the stunning shores of Loch Lomond this July with Scotland's first socially distanced event, Drive In Movies Summer (of lockdown)!

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

Schools out for Summer with Clyde 1

Clyde 1 DJs, Callum Gallacher and Cassi, are celebrating the end of what has been an unusual school term with the ultimate Schools Out for Summer parties!

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

Plans for major new retail park in East Renfrewshire approved

Plans for a £15 million investment by London & Scottish Developments to transform the former site of the Nestle Purina factory in East Renfrewshire and create hundreds of jobs have been approved.

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

Beat the Street helps get East Renfrewshire moving!

The Beat the Street game that took place earlier this year in East Renfrewshire has encouraged local people to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, a new report shows.

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

560 grassroots music venues, including 42 in Scotland, sign open letter to UK Government

42 grassroots music venues in Scotland sign the Music Venue Trust's open letter to the UK Government highlighting the need for an immediate financial support package to prevent venues closing.

Last Updated: 24th June 2020

National Trust for Scotland gardens and grounds get ready for visitors again

The National Trust for Scotland is preparing to welcome visitors again at dozens of gardens and estates across the country, as lockdown continues to ease.

Last Updated: 23rd June 2020

VisitScotland and Glasgow Life unveil new programme of webinars for tourism businesses

Tourism businesses across the Glasgow City Region are being encouraged to sign up to a series of webinars to help support their re-opening and recovery from the current coronavirus pandemic.

Last Updated: 23rd June 2020

Council announces more details on August school return

Parents across East Renfrewshire will this week learn more details about their children’s return to school in August.

Last Updated: 22nd June 2020

itison pivots to launch premium at home dining service, itison at Home

As the entire restaurant sector looks for ways to survive during Covid, itison has unveiled a new premium restaurant home dining service, launching Thursday 25th June with Ka Pao!

Last Updated: 19th June 2020

New digital service transforms communications between parents, carers and schools

East Renfrewshire Council primary and secondary school families can now sign up to a Parents Portal which aims to digitalise school processes and offer a clear insight into their child’s education.

Last Updated: 18th June 2020

Win a pub experience for your garden!

Tennent’s Lager are asking you to share your Da's best dad joke for your chance to win a pub experience in your garden!

Last Updated: 17th June 2020

Ready, set, go! East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure launch virtual sports summer sessions for kids!

With the summer holidays just around the corner, East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has launched free kids’ online sports sessions.

Last Updated: 11th June 2020

VisitScotland CEO welcomes provisional date of 15th July for reopening of tourism businesses

VisitScotland Chief Executive has welcomed today's announcement from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

Scottish Charities working together during the pandemic

Two Scottish charities have teamed up to help some of the most vulnerable people in Glasgow, Edinburgh & Fife who are struggling to cope during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

16k Dog Owners Remove over 24 MILLION pieces of litter

PAWS on PLASTIC invites dog owners to pick up 2 pieces of plastic while out walking their beloved hounds.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

Temporary road closures at rural beauty spots across Stirling

Temporary road closures will come into force at rural beauty spots across Stirling this weekend to protect communities.

Last Updated: 7th June 2020

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure launches the Summer Reading Challenge

Young readers in East Renfrewshire are encouraged to sign up for a summer of reading fun, as the popular Summer Reading Challenge returns!

Last Updated: 7th June 2020

East Renfrewshire pupils spread joy to local care home residents

Pupils, staff and families of Isobel Mair School have come together as a collective to spread kindness and combat loneliness to older people who have been affected by COVID-19.

Last Updated: 5th June 2020

Doors Open Days 2020 is going digital!

Doors Open Days, Scotland's biggest free festival of architecture, will present its largest ever digital offering this September!

Last Updated: 5th June 2020

Get ready to get SILLY!

It's almost time for this year's Summer Reading Challenge, and for 2020 it's all about funny books, happiness and having a laugh!

Last Updated: 4th June 2020

Neilston Agricultural Society receives prestigious award

Neilston Agricultural Society has been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK!

Last Updated: 3rd June 2020

Thank you to local army of volunteers

East Renfrewshire's army of volunteers who have supported communities during the Covid-19 pandemic will be recognised as part of Volunteers' Week.

Last Updated: 2nd June 2020

East Renfrewshire Council to create safe Spaces for People

East Ren Council has secured £100K of initial funding for measures across the area that will make it safer for residents to walk, cycle and wheel for essential journeys and exercise during COVID-19.

Last Updated: 1st June 2020

East Renfrewshire Council confirms phased return to schools plan

Plans for East Renfrewshire pupils in key transition phases to return to school have been confirmed by the Council.

Last Updated: 30th May 2020

Stream4Scotland adds new names to 10 hours stream in aid of Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy and ViseUp

Stream4Scotland has announced Amy Macdonald, Bow Anderson, Cameron Barnes, Hyyts, James Smith, Single by Sunday and Tide Lines will join the epic line-up for the ten hour stream extravaganza!

Last Updated: 29th May 2020

Sponsored Links

Popular Events