L-R: Dean Danielson, Susan Clubb, Emma Duncan, Alison McLean, Patsy Telford, Karen Stewart, Mark Murison, Ross Smith.
A charity which supports adults with learning disabilities and additional support needs has continued its 30 anniversary celebrations with the opening of a new shop and workshop in Stonehaven.
Inspire…By Stonehaven is the organisation’s second charity shop and workshop, following in the footsteps of a hugely successful service in Huntly which opened in 2016 and is now operating at full capacity supporting 22 individuals just 18 months after opening.
Such has been the success of the day service/charity shop combination the new facility has now been created at 13-19 Allardice Street, Stonehaven and the new service enjoyed its official opening by local people supported by Inspire on Friday, November 30.
The shop also joined in with the town’s festive celebrations the following day Saturday, December 1 by staying open late to coincide with the switching on of the Christmas lights, and it is hoped that plenty of donations of goods to sell will ensure the shop is well stocked throughout the festive season.
Aberdeen-headquartered Inspire started life as Partnership Housing in 1988 then became Partnership before adopting its current name in 2006. Service provision began in 1990 when three people moved from Aberdeen’s Woodlands Hospital into their new home in the city’s Fonthill Terrace – nowadays more than 300 adults are supported thanks to a range of more than 40 services in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus.
Most recently, Inspire has significantly increased its presence in Aberdeen City by becoming the provider for established services at Manor Walk and Donald Dewar Court, and has expanded outwith its traditional area to support individuals in Angus for the first time.
Commenting on the opening of the Stonehaven unit, Inspire chief executive Linda Gray said: “The Inspire…By model has positioned itself as the modern blue-print for day service provision for people with learning disabilities and additional support needs in North-east Scotland.
“It successfully combines employability-focused daily support services with the fundraising potential of a charity shop and we are delighted that the new shop has been so warmly received and well supported by the local community so far.”
To find out more, visit www.inspireptl.org.uk