Give a Dog a Bone’s 2022 Round Up

Dec 22, 2022 | Seasonal, Latest News

two people with dogs standing at the front door of Give a Dog a Bone Troon Community Space

 

As this year comes to a close, we would like to thank you all for your continued support of the work that we do!

 

In 2022 we have:

  • Helped people over 60 to afford a companion animal.
  • Had over 12,500 visitors through the doors of our three Community Spaces (that’s a lot of cuppas and biscuits!).
  • Hosted over 200 people aged 60 or over on activities, such as daytime disco, chair yoga, art club, mindfulness, singing for wellbeing, and language lessons, at our Community Spaces and online via Zoom.
  • Hosted over 90 Group Dog Walks in Shawlands and Troon.
  • Hosted and participated in several live events, including our 80s Night at the Ferry, the Dog Lover Show, the Big Family Festival, Dumfries House, and lots of educational and promotional talks across central Scotland.

 

Image taken in our Troon Community Space, image is of two people sitting, looking at the camera. One of them is holding a small, white dog on their lap

 

Reviewing our Year

Give a Dog a Bone founder, Louise Russell, won two prestigious awards this year – she was recognised as a Pride of Scotland Community Hero and presented with a Special Recognition award at the People’s Pet Awards. Both awards celebrate Louise’s work tackling loneliness for older adults and homelessness for animals.

We’ve worked with amazing charity partners, funders, and corporate volunteers, who have supported us in providing life changing services.

We’ve widened our reach and grown our audience both in person and online, letting more people know about Give a Dog a Bone… and an animal a home and the work we do to tackle loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and our Companionship in the Community project. We want to support as many adults over 60 as possible, by helping them to afford a companion animal or to help them access free activities and companionship at our Community Spaces in Central Scotland, so we’re continually spreading the word.

 

Mindfulness in our Troon Community Space - group of poeple siting at a table practicing mindfulness led by Lynne. Theres a small, apricot coloured dog sitting beside the group.

 

We’ve been measuring our impact using online and in-person surveys and we are so pleased to share that we are helping to reduce feelings of loneliness for over 60s through animal and human companionship! We are giving adults over 60 access to free activities that they wouldn’t have been able to try otherwise, and we are boosting people’s confidence to get out into their community and make new friends.

Our Pet Food Banks have supported many individuals with a supply of free pet food when it’s been required! These are available at each of our Community Spaces and anyone of any age can access this service.

We’ve had lots of wonderful new and handmade items donated which we’ve been able to sell in our Community Space shops and amazing prizes donated for our fundraisers throughout the year.

 

Man sitting in chair looking at small black, white, and tan terrier type dog with his front legs pointing up in the air - doing a trick.

 

All of this has certainly kept our small team of staff and volunteers very busy this year and it’s been excellent!

Again, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has visited our Community Spaces, spread the word about our work, chatted with us at an event, and supported our charity in any way. It means so much to us and enables us to continue our work.

Have a wonderful festive season!

Group Dog Walk

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