Beannachar, an Aberdeenshire-based charity supporting local adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs, has received a welcome funding boost following the latest round of awards from the SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund programme.
The charity provides both day and residential services and offers young adults a range of vocational workshops designed to promote practical skills, social inclusion and personal development.
The £3,388 grant will support Beannachar's Land and Garden Workshop through the purchase of a woodchipper, two lawnmowers and two cordless strimmers. The Land and Garden Workshop is one of the community's most popular, providing hands-on learning opportunities in organic growing, grounds maintenance and environmental stewardship. The new equipment purchased with the grant will help students to develop practical employability skills, confidence and independence through meaningful outdoor work and training.
Michael Darrer, Business Manager, says the funding will make a significant difference to the opportunities the charity can provide to those who live and work there.
He said: “The new equipment will allow more young adults to participate safely and meaningfully in practical gardening and land-based activities, helping them grow skills, confidence and experience that can support their future development.
"The woodchipper will also help us take a more sustainable approach to managing our gardens and outdoor spaces at Beannachar by allowing us to recycle green waste into woodchip for paths, mulching and composting on site. We are extremely grateful to the SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund for supporting our project.”
Carol Bradburn, Head of SafeDeposits Scotland added: "We were impressed by the clear community benefit and positive impact this project will have for adults with learning disabilities in and around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It was clear that the Land and Garden Workshop already provides valuable opportunities for skills development, inclusion and wellbeing, and we are delighted to support Beannachar in expanding these further with this grant.”
The SafeDeposits Scotland Community Fund supports projects that make a real difference at a local level, promote sustainability, social inclusion and stronger local communities. It is made available by SafeDeposits Scotland, the country’s only not-for-profit tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Additional information about Beannachar is available at www.beannachar.org.uk