St Andrews Links Trust launches new ‘Festive Links’ Christmas community initiative to support isolated residents
This week, St Andrew Links Trust welcomed guests for a complimentary Christmas lunch at the Home of Golf to mark the first year of its ‘Festive Links’ initiative, supporting those at risk of loneliness and isolation during the festive season.
Held at the Tom Morris Bar and Grill, the lunch brought together 59 people from across Fife nominated by local organisations and members of the public.
Guests were welcomed with festive carols performed by a local choir, Priory Singers, and guide dog puppies-in-training before sitting down to a three-course Christmas meal complete with drinks, coffee and mince pies.
Attendees ranged from one year old to people in their 90s and included a group of 20 from the Pilgrim Care Group, a charity providing care for the elderly in St Andrews.
A further 44 people were nominated but were unable to attend in-person. For this group St Andrews Links Trust is delivering festive hampers filled with locally sourced products to their homes this week.
While Christmas is often portrayed as a time of joy, family and togetherness, the reality can be very different for many.
Age UK estimates that 1.5 million older people across the UK will eat Christmas dinner alone this year and reports that feelings of isolation are often intensified during the festive period.
Margaret Smith from Cupar attended with her two daughters and two granddaughters after being nominated by a friend at the Community in Cupar café. She said:
“The last few years have been extremely difficult for our family. We lost our home to flooding in December two years ago and I’m currently living with cancer, Christmas is a really hard time emotionally. Being able to come somewhere like this, relax, enjoy a beautiful meal, and feel included rather than out of place meant more than I can put into words.
“I thought an event like this might feel intimidating, but it was the complete opposite. We felt wanted, comfortable, and part of something really special. We talked about it all the way home and again later that night, it’s a memory we’ll treasure, and one I’ll be telling people about for a long time.”
Kath Carter, Parish Nurse in St Andrews and worker at local charity group Pilgrim Care, commented:
“Our charity supports elderly and less able people in St Andrews, when we heard about the initiative, we knew it would be great for many of the individuals that we support.
“A lot of the group are alone at Christmas, and it can be a very difficult time of year for them, they often feel it’s all too much. It’s been great to have a celebration like this, everyone seems so happy and the buzz in the room is fantastic.”
James Yule, 87, is from St Andrews and was nominated by a family member to attend the lunch. He commented:
“I’m very thankful to the Links Trust for being so generous with their hospitality, to come here and have this lunch, it’s just been wonderful.”
Laurie Watson, Director of Engagement at St Andrews Links Trust, said:
“Community is at the heart of everything we do, and the festive season gives us a unique opportunity to bring people together. By creating spaces for connection, we help turn what can be a lonely time into one filled with warmth and shared joy.
“Initiatives like this show the power of kindness and the role we can all play in building stronger, more connected communities. We are delighted with the response to its debut year and look forward to reaching more people in the years ahead.”
Inspired by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) Trust’s ‘Festive Friends’ programme, ‘Festive Links’ was launched this year to offer people struggling with loneliness a chance to enjoy good food, company and festive cheer at one of Scotland’s most iconic venues.
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St Andrews Links Trust recognises the role it can play in bringing people in Fife together. Through ‘Festive Links’, it hopes to help forge bonds that extend beyond Christmas.
The meal and hampers were aided by donations from local suppliers including The Full Range Ltd, Ivan Wood and Sons, Mark Murphy, Coney and Barrow, St Andrews Bakery, Lomond Foods, Bidfood, Clarks Bakery and Blyths of Fife.
Links Golf St Andrews provided transport which enabled seven guests to join the lunch.
