Every Lidl Helps: Keeping Thomas Stocked
Without GoodGymers like you, Thomas could go weeks without a food delivery
March 31, 2025
According to Age UK, 19% of people aged 80-84 say they have problems with shopping for groceries. This rises to 60% for those over 90 years old. Without the help of family, friends or neighbours, thousands of isolated older people have difficulty keeping their cupboards stocked.
I can honestly say I’ve never left a mission for Thomas without having learned something new or benefited from the discussion we’ve just had.
Nick, GoodGym Tower Hamlets
Glasgow born but long-time Camden resident, Thomas relies on regular visits from GoodGymers, and the occasional kindness of a busy neighbour for his shopping. He has lived an active life joining the military at 18, becoming a colour printer until technology brought his redundancy in the 70’s, and went on to start his own interior decorating business shortly after. His lifestyle now is a stark contrast to what it was since discovering his hernia, and being told to avoid exertion at all costs. Despite it all, Thomas remains overwhelmingly positive and always greets GoodGymers with a smile.
I get on great with all of the GoodGym people that come by, and they all make time for a little chat too. GoodGym has been a great benefit to me.
Thomas, mission beneficiary
I get by with a little help from my friends
Thomas is understandably frustrated from time to time, confined to shopping for the bare minimum without help. “I can only walk a little. I’m not allowed to exert myself at all, which means I’ve lost weight. Because I’ve lost weight I’ve lost strength too”. This cycle of strength loss created issues of its own, and only further restricts him from tackling a full shop by himself. Thomas doesn’t need for much, but without family nearby he’s unable to buy more than the essentials at any one time. Sadly, he’s reached out to community support programmes before however GoodGym is the only one that’s actually managed to offer help.
The reality of not being able to shop for himself is difficult. Yet Thomas says “I’m content, I still have family that visit once or twice a year”, as he explains an upcoming visit from his daughters flying from Scotland. How he was planning to chip away at the cleaning of the house to make sure the house was ready for guests was top of his mind at that moment. Thomas goes on to say how helpful GoodGym is, not only because he can rely on someone to help with his shopping, but because he’s come to enjoy a moment of engaging in conversation too - admitting to spending much of his time tackling crosswords and not seeing people often outside of the GoodGymers delivering shopping.
I spend my days differently now, mostly trying to do crossword puzzles that are very difficult. I’m partly blind too, so I’m sat here doing the crossword with a magnifying glass most the time!
Thomas, mission beneficiary
Milk, eggs, crossword, bread
It’s not just about the shopping. In fact, Thomas has had countless GoodGymers visit him over the years to which he’s always been grateful for the brief opportunity to talk some of his day away with someone happy to see him. Nick describes the value both him and Thomas have seen from his regular visits over the past year.
I’ve not only got to know my way around Lidl like the back of my hand, but have also got to know Thomas well. Thomas would be the first to admit that he doesn’t get to talk to or see many people during the week, so the sight of a familiar face arriving on a Friday afternoon gives him a chance to chat away, and over time I’ve learned that the shopping, although essential as he is unfortunately limited in his mobility so can’t walk too far, is largely incidental to the opportunity for him to have some welcome social interaction.
“I look forward to shopping for Thomas, which probably explains why I regularly sign up each week. I’m completing a task for someone who really needs it as Thomas isn’t able to get out to shop for himself, and if it wasn’t done (by me or another GoodGymer), Thomas would be without food for the week - there is a tangible benefit to doing this type of GoodGym mission. I can honestly say I’ve never left a mission for Thomas without having learned something new or benefited from the discussion we’ve just had.”
Nick, GoodGym Tower Hamlets
Get mission verified today and begin supporting isolated older people like Thomas near you.