Free daytime discos for Glaswegians over 50 years of age have been running across the city. The sessions have been set up by social enterprise and charity Weekday Wow Factor, working in partnership with Glasgow City HSCP Local Area Coordination (LAC) Teams and Health Improvement staff. The sessions give people a chance to get out and about, socialise with others and have an enjoyable, relaxed afternoon.

 Due to high demand, the discos take place in a number of locations across the city including Easterhouse, Cranhill, Darnley and Gorbals. Discos are planned for Govan later in the year.

The discos run from 11.30am until 1.30pm, during which attendees have a bite to eat, socialise and dance to a live DJ. 

Our HSCP staff help to plan and arrange the discos, publicise through our networks, help to source funding and assist on the day.

Pasna Sallis, Volunteer Occupational Therapist and Founding Director who has led the Weekday Wow Factor Service for five years said: “Daytime discos are a great opportunity to enhance physical, mental and social health and to reduce loneliness, health and leisure inequalities and ageism. My work stemmed from observations and my occupational therapy work within NHS Scotland, where I discovered the instant transformation of patients, especially those with low mood or communication difficulties with the power of music and its therapeutic effects. If you get it right for people with advanced stages of illness, you get it right for society.”

Mandy Johnstone, North East LAC Team said: “We’ve worked in partnership with Weekday Wow Factor by letting them know about the local resources which might be suitable for holding a disco and arranging meetings with other partners such as local centres to hold the events. We promote the discos through our networks and help out by manning the sign-in sheets, consent forms and we dance!”

Kenny Lang, South LAC Team said: “Following the success of the Gorbals disco that had been established pre-Covid by the HSCP and New Gorbals Housing Association, a first Darnley disco was successfully run in August. This was set up by HSCP staff and Glenoaks Housing Association. Working with local partners, we plan to hold Halloween and St Andrew’s themed discos in Govan in October and November.” 

John Harkins from our South Health Improvement Team said: “Knowing how these discos improve movement, increase activity levels and reduce social isolation of the participants, we are happy to help fund some of the transport and organisation costs across the south venues to allow more people to attend.”

Attendees at the discos have said: 
“I came alone and have made so many new friends who I spend weekends with, and I get fit and have fun in the process, it’s changed my life.”

“I’m here to make new friends and spend time with my old friends.”

“This gets us out of the house and gives us a chance to meet people.”

To get up to date information about activities visit Facebook page: Weekday Wow Factor or Twitter handle: @WeekdayWOW and leave a Message.  WhatsApp us on 07717732542 or email weekdaywowfactor@gmail.com