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Council Countryside Ranger Service project hailed Education Initiative of the Year

An innovative project by Aberdeen City Council’s Countryside Ranger Service has been named Education Initiative of the Year at a national awards ceremony.

The Bridges Project saw the local authority team up with the Scottish Prison Service to improve the skills, self-esteem and employability of inmates at HMP Craiginches.

It was named Education Initiative of the Year at the prestigious Herald Society Awards at the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow, on Thursday [18 November]. Aberdeen City Council saw off competition from another local authority and a college.

A total of 36 prisoners took part in John Muir Awards as a part of the Bridges Project which involved producing a radio programme and short film about the initiative and carrying out a wildlife survey, building natural shelters and building a wooden bench. All participants received SVQs and John Muir Awards which were presented at a ceremony in the prison chapel.

Aberdeen City Council’s Director of Housing and Environment Pete Leonard praised the Countryside Rangers who were behind the scheme.

He said: “This was a fantastic initiative and rightly deserves this national recognition. The Bridges Project is a great example of some of the work that is so vital to the community as a whole but which often goes unnoticed. The officers involved in this project are to be commended for their hard work and commitment.”

Housing and Environment Committee convener Councillor Aileen Malone added: “It is great to see the council receiving an award on the national stage. I know the Countryside Ranger Service works extremely hard and they will be over the moon with this recognition. I am in no doubt the participants involved in this project would have taken a great deal away from it and I hope it assists them in the future.”

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