Last week, the group proudly hosted its first Pensioners’ Christmas Lunch at the iconic Pearse Institute for more than 65 older tenants who came together for an afternoon filled with good food, laughter and companionship. 

Guests were welcomed in traditional style by a lone piper, before enjoying a festive meal served personally by staff from across Govan Housing Group’s three subsidiaries, including members of the senior leadership team. 

Entertainment reflected the vibrant spirit of the local community, with a performance from the Ibrox Primary School choir, a visit from Santa, and live music from a 1950s and 60s swing band. The event marked an important milestone in strengthening community ties, ensuring that local pensioners felt valued and celebrated during the holiday season.

In addition to tackling loneliness, Govan Housing Group has also stepped up support for families facing hardship and gathered over 200 food items for The Govan Pantry, which provides affordable food to local households. 

In a further show of commitment to local people this festive season, the group has also made a significant financial contribution to Govan HELP, a charity that supports families with children in the area by providing various early intervention services. A donation of £1,100 will help to fund extra food supplies over the Christmas period, as demand for support continues to rise across the community.

Caron Quinn, group chief executive at Govan Housing Group, said: “Christmas can be an incredibly joyful time, but for many people it is also a period of real pressure, worry and isolation. At Govan Housing Group, we believe it is our responsibility not just to provide homes, but to stand alongside our community, especially when it matters most.

“Our inaugural Pensioners’ Christmas Dinner is about more than a meal. It’s about showing appreciation and creating moments of real happiness for residents. Seeing our staff from every level of the organisation rolling up their sleeves to serve tenants is something we are truly proud of.

“At the same time, the rising demand for food support is something we simply cannot ignore. Our additional donation to Govan Help is a practical response to a very real need, and we hope it will help to ease some of the financial strain being felt by families locally this winter.”

The festive programme reflects Govan Housing Group’s ongoing commitment to tackling poverty, isolation and inequality across the community, particularly during times of increased hardship.

Viv Sawers, chief executive of Govan HELP, said: “We are truly grateful for this incredible support. With food supplies reduced so drastically, the donation from Govan Housing Group will make a huge difference in keeping the Pantry stocked for local families. It means we can directly purchase food and essential items to ensure people in our community have what they need during the festive season.”