Stories & Insights

From the riverbank

Stories, reflections, and practical insights from the people who make up the Verdigris community — volunteers, participants, and the team behind the programme.

Two people walking together along the River Clyde path with Dumbarton Rock in the background

Programme Spotlight

A Walk Along the Clyde: How Our Befriending Programme Is Bringing Dumbarton Together

Every Tuesday and Thursday, a small group of volunteers and residents set out along the riverbank — and for many, it's the most meaningful conversation they'll have all week.

Read the story →
A woman pausing at a garden gate speaking with an elderly man in his doorway on a Scottish residential street

Community Guidance

The Signs We Miss: How to Recognise Loneliness in Someone You Know

Loneliness rarely announces itself — here is what to look for, and what you can do when you notice it.

Read the story →
An older man standing on a hillside path looking out over the Clyde estuary with Dumbarton Rock behind him

Participant Story

'I Hadn't Spoken to Anyone Properly in Three Weeks': James's Story

After a difficult year of loss and withdrawal, one Dumbarton resident found his way back to the world through a weekly walk and an unexpected friendship.

Read the story →
Life on the Paths

Moments from the walks

A glimpse of the everyday moments that make up the Verdigris programme — the conversations, the laughter, the views.

Two women walking along the Clyde riverside path with Dumbarton Rock visible in the background

Along the Clyde, autumn 2024

Group walk through Levengrove Park, Dumbarton

Group walk, Levengrove Park

Volunteer and participant at the end of a walk by Dumbarton Rock

Fourteen months of Wednesdays

Someone in Dumbarton needs a walking companion today

A story you've read here might be the story of someone you know. Get in touch and we'll find the right place for you.

Get in touch