LEAP is starting 2021 the way it finished 2020 – by supporting clients through friendship calls and emergency handyperson work.

During last March’s lockdown, LEAP moved quickly to keep supporting its befriending and handyperson clients.

Now it has supported almost than 180 clients to be matched to phone befrienders, almost 130 successfully so far with another 50 waiting to be matched.

For Irene Munro and Graham Smith ­ who didn’t know each other before being matched - making pancakes was one of the first things they talked about.

The only slight issue was Graham working in cup measures, as he has only 2 per cent sight, while Irene worked in ounces.

Graham said: “On our first call I asked Irene if she had a good pancake recipe, which she had. I couldn’t see the scales, but we got there, and we now chat about everything.”

LEAP’s emergency handyperson service is just as popular, with a small team of trained staff and volunteers carrying out almost 700 jobs during restrictions to help more than 470 clients.

When NHS Lanarkshire called about Ian Macdonald being supplied with a hospital bed at home, LEAP stepped in.

Father and son Stuart, LEAP’s executive director, and Calum had both been working and living at home so were able to work together - taking appropriate safety measures – to move Ian’s old bed.

Ian said: “I have motor neurone disease and the neurological team wanted me to have a special bed. I didn’t think anything could be done but one call to LEAP solved everything.”

Liz Nelson, LEAP’s Hands on Project manager said: “We were aware Covid lockdowns could have an adverse impact on our clients so we did everything we could do keep in touch and support them.

“We intend to keep doing that and would like to hear from anyone who would like to get involved, particularly as phone befrienders to match up with our outstanding clients.”