Calls to save 'lifeline' shopping service for older people in Renfrewshire
The Health and Social Care Partnership has decided to stop giving The Food Train £65,000 per year
Care chiefs are facing mounting pressure to reverse a decision to cut funding for a 'vital' shopping service that supports older people across Renfrewshire.
Food Train, a charity that delivers groceries to around 150 residents who struggle to shop for themselves, has been told its local funding will be withdrawn next financial year by Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
The charity warns the decision could have serious consequences for older people’s health and wellbeing—and could even cost taxpayers more in the long run.
'Short-sighted'
Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie described the move as “short-sighted,” pointing out that replacing their volunteers with home carers would be significantly more expensive.
She said: “This decision makes no sense, either financially for taxpayers or personally for the older people for whom our services are a lifeline. It’s so short-sighted.
“We estimate that if the HSCP were to try and replace what we do with home carers, it would cost the HSCP £50 per person, per week. Our service costs the HSCP £6.52
“And, given the pressure that we know social care staff are under, would they be able to provide the same level of service that our volunteers do?”
Food Train has been supported by the local authority on an ongoing basis since 2013, receiving £65,000 annually in recent years.
'Incredibly disappointing'
She added: “Week in, week out, our team is out there, preventing our members from falling ill because of malnutrition and loneliness.
"They ensure they have the food they need to eat well and company they can enjoy to live well.
“Cutting this funding will undoubtedly harm the scale at which we are able to do this, potentially increasing health and wellbeing problems among older people and pressure that places on the NHS and social care services.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that the HSCP reached this decision without any consultation with us, either about the detail of our grant or the ways in which we may be able to work together differently in order to maintain its financial support.”
Calls for urgent discussions
Volunteers like John Webster, who has been delivering shopping in Paisley for 11 years, fear the loss of Food Train will leave many older residents isolated.
"For some, we’re the only people they see all week.
"This isn’t just about groceries—it’s about human connection."
The charity is now calling for urgent discussions with HSCP, councillors, and MSPs to find a solution.
Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership has been contacted for comment.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.