A NEW social space aimed at tackling isolation in older adults is opening in Alloa next month.

Give a Dog a Bone opens in the old Liberal Club building on Mar Street next Monday, March 2.

The charity was started by Louise Russell six years ago and this will be their third location following two other spots in Shawlands and Troon.

Louise, who worked in the corporate world for almost two decades, decided to start the charity after a period of serial volunteering where she did everything from driving the van for Mary's Meals to collecting clothes for children in other countries.

"The main aim of the charity is tackling loneliness and social isolation for older adults," Louise told the Advertiser as she and her dad John McNulty were busy setting up the new location.

"We do that through two projects: the first part is we will help support over 60s to afford a rescue pet companion, any animal. A rescue dog, rescue cat, I have rescue hens.

"As long as the person is over 60, money is a genuine barrier and it's a rescue animal, they can apply to Give a Dog a Bone for financial support, it's a win-win as the person gets a companion and the animal gets a home.

"The second part is the community spaces. Alloa is our third space after Shawlands and Troon, and the easiest way to explain it is as a community space, with dogs and free activities for over 60s.

"On top of the free activities, anybody of any age can come in, have a free cup of tea, stroke the dogs and have a blether.

"Loneliness is not something that happens when you reach a certain age."

The huge wall mural, and paw prints directing visitors up the stairs, was done by LAW Illustrates, and includes a nod to the charity's other spaces with signposts for Troon and Shawlands.

The whole ethos is to make people feel better than they did when they came in by the time they left.

There is no charge for anything and Louise added: "We're sustained by donations and fundraising.

"Anybody who wants to donate is more than welcome, if they want to leave a £1 or two then it's up to them."

Last Friday, Give a Dog a Bone announced that thanks to a grant from the Clothworkers' Association, a stairlift would be installed at the Alloa space, enabling older adults with mobility difficulties are always able to attend.

Give a Dog a Bone open their Alloa space on March 2, with classes beginning the following week.

Anyone interested in booking a class should visit on the first week as classes are expected to fill up quickly.