Day Centre for the Elderly and Homeless

In November 2003, we started to provide meals for the elderly and disadvantaged in Baku at a restaurant close to Fizuli Square. The project, managed by Dr. Larissa, provided one hot meal a week for 50 people, and also food to take away for the homeless of Baku.

Meals being served to the elderly of Baku

This project established the need in Baku for a dedicated facility for the provision of food, warmth and companionship for a very vulnerable section of the population. The Caledonian Society, BOS Şelf, the Wee Helping Hands Club and CSA supported Dr. Larissa in her desire to renovate a building provided by the Ministry of Health for this purpose.

In September 2005, the renovation and furnishings of the building financed by the Caledonian Society were completed. The new dining and kitchen facilities were opened with a celebratory lunch attended by representatives of all the donors.

Opening of the day centre for the elderly and homeless in Baku

The Caledonian Society remains committed to meeting the running costs of the Centre and to fund meals a couple of days per week. The Wee Helping Hands Club, although disbanded meanwhile due to oil projects closure, raised enough funds to keep supporting the centre. All funds are administered by CSA.

Help Needed

• Clothing for the elderly and the homeless.

• Volunteers to collect clothing and toiletries.

CSA also organised trips to BP’s Caspian Energy Centre.

In 2010 the elderly were treated to another lunch out and were entertained by a visiting Irish band.  Liza Martin's quilting group raised money to buy kitchen equipment and Trina and Derek McIntyre paid for new kitchen units.

In 2009, BP's Shaz Deniz raised AZN 1000 and after consultation with the elderly, blankets and washing powder were bought with the money.