OAPs can also depend on the service staff to assist in form filling and making inquiries to a range of agencies and organisations on their behalf, and the annual report from the senior officer in charge of the initiative indicates another year of high demand for the scheme.

“At the beginning of the financial year on April 1, 2003, the service had 427 service users,” said service manager Major Jim McCluskey.

“After referrals from the social work department and removals from the service for various reasons, the year-end figure was 394 service users. During the past year staff made at least 24,000 home visits in the course of their duties. Another 400 visits were made in a monitoring exercise and pastoral visits were also made to service users while in hospitals or nursing homes.

“During the year staff in the course of their duties covered in excess of 90,000 miles.”

Major McCluskey added, “During the year the Salvation Army Community Care Service (Angus) has tried to remain relevant to the community in which we exist and to the members of the community that we exist to serve.

“The highlight of the past year was the surprising choice of the service by the BBC to highlight the Salvation Army report, The Responsibility Gap. This involved an explanation of the service we provide and an interview with a service user. We were also privileged to host a visit by the Scotland Council of the Salvation Army who held their meeting in Forfar’s Council chamber.

“All in all the past year has been a busy one with many new challenges, opportunities and experiences coming our way,” said Major McCluskey.

“We have been encouraged by the letters, cards and phone calls which would indicate that our service users are happy with the service they receive from us.

“This should, however, only encourage us to a greater determination to improve what we have to offer and this will be our goal for the year which lies ahead.”