In Shettleston, rising living costs and the long shadow of COVID-19 are leaving more elderly residents isolated and alone. With some of the highest reported rates of loneliness in Scotland, the community is searching for ways to reconnect its oldest members.
This rise in loneliness mirrors a national trend. The largest UK poll on belonging found that residents of Glasgow North East are the loneliest in Scotland. 40% of people in the constituency report feeling lonely always or often, making it the second loneliest area in the UK.
Amid these concerning statistics, rising daily expenses, and the loss of social spaces, maintaining social connections has become increasingly difficult for Shettleston’s elderly.
A growing sense of loneliness
Identifying loneliness in older people can be difficult, especially for those whose families are busy, who have lost friends, or who cannot afford regular outings. John Stewart, who has lived here for more than 30 years, never expected growing older in his hometown to feel so lonely.
John describes how his family are busy with their own lives, jobs, and children, leaving him with days when he does not speak to anyone.
“In winter, it’s much harder. I can go weeks without a proper talk—just a quick chat with the lassies down Greens. It can get heavy. I try not to drink as much, but that leaves fewer places to meet people.”
John copes with loneliness by walking to Tollcross Park, talking with children in his building, or visiting the local bookies. These activities provide some relief, but it is temporary.
John reflects that many older people experience loneliness and notes that it is perhaps not discussed enough.
When loneliness becomes impossible to ignore
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness has become even more visible and widespread among older residents in Shettleston, highlighting how far-reaching the problem has become.
Hugh McIntosh became the leader of Shettleston Keenagers 2.5 years ago, starting with a few locals. He and his team aim to revive the Glasgow East End community spirit, which they feel has faded over the last few years. As a leader, Hugh unites people through meetings and social events.
Hugh explains that, contrary to earlier assumptions, not everyone in the community has a family to turn to.
He recalls a moment that revealed the scale of the issue.
“At one New Year’s Day event, we had 21 people come out because they had nowhere else to go. In Scotland, that tells you something especially”
For many older people, everything changed: shops closed, people were lost, and normality never returned.
About 37% of older households in Scotland are affected by fuel poverty, defined as spending more than 10% of household income on fuel costs. This rate is higher than that among families with children. Many pensioners also live in older, less energy-efficient homes, which increases their vulnerability to high energy costs.
“The economics of it all is an absolute nightmare,” Hugh says. “People are saving energy in their homes, even during the day, just to make ends meet.”
For those facing mental health challenges and struggling to seek help, financial pressures can intensify feelings of isolation and separation from the community.
The Keen-agers response
Keen-agers in Shettleston have responded directly to rising loneliness by providing a welcoming, accessible meeting space for older residents. Hugh says the aim is simple.
“We wanted to make sure the community gets served and that our members’ lives are a lot better. We started small, with just a few of us, and worked hard to get things going again.”
Despite limited resources, the group organises regular events—such as craft clubs, bingo nights, exercise classes, and trips away—to keep residents engaged and connected.
Support from Glasgow City Council has helped with the group’s maintenance and affordability. The council replaced floors and funded free Christmas and New Year meals.
“We’ve got a great relationship with the council—they’ve helped with funding, kitchen facilities, and Christmas dinners. But budgets are tight, and more support would always be welcome.”
Shettleston Housing Association provides additional support, with an in-house housing officer available to assist older residents with housing issues. Residents do not need to navigate online systems or lengthy phone calls.
Scheduled social time and events offer clear benefits. However, their real value lies in creating welcoming spaces where residents can form routine connections.
Hugh cares for his wife at home after her stroke, and while it can be challenging, both of them benefit from the social connections he’s made through the Keen-agers group. These friendships bring encouragement and a welcome change of pace—not just for Hugh, but also for his wife, helping them both feel more supported and less alone.
“This has been a saviour for us, socially. It gives you somewhere to go, somewhere to talk, and a bit of relief from everything else.”
Ultimately, loneliness among older people in Shettleston reflects the wider challenges facing Scotland: a lack of family support, economic pressures, and a lack of accessible social spaces. Stories like John’s show how quickly isolation can happen to anyone and how rarely it is discussed.
As Hugh puts it:
“You don’t realise how bad it is until people start turning up because they’ve got nowhere else to go.”
Although it is silent, its impact is not. Listening to older voices and supporting efforts to build a community that enables connection are vital steps to ensure no one growing old feels forgotten.
If you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness or isolation, support is available here, along with the Keen-agers group.
