Leading Scottish social care organisation, Cornerstone, announced continued growth and significant developments at its annual general meeting last night at the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen.
Cornerstone has generated an annual income in excess of £36million, up more than £3million from last year, which has helped to provide support for more than 2,600 people, in 226 services, across 20 local authority areas in Scotland.
In the last 12 months the charity has completed the official opening of Baxter View, a custom-built housing complex in West Dunbartonshire, and the establishment of its first services in the City of Edinburgh.
Cornerstone has also continued to embrace the implementation of Self-Directed Support (SDS) and secured a dedicated base for its Cornerstone SDS service in the centre of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. Town centre premises have also been secured in Elgin and Peterhead, which will enable Cornerstone to provide support services to many more individuals within the communities of Moray and Aberdeenshire.
The work being done by Cornerstone has not gone unnoticed and the charity was officially recognised in June 2015, when it received 4 Star Recognised for Excellence accreditation from Quality Scotland.
Chief Executive, Edel Harris, commented: “Over the past year, we have continued to build on our foundations by extending our number of services, opening new premises and welcoming many new supporters and staff through our doors.
“Central to the success of each of these developments has been our organisational commitment to quality.
“However, whilst we have enjoyed success, the ongoing changes within the social care sector and continued cuts in public sector budgets have meant that this year has not been without its challenges.
“Nevertheless, I am pleased to report that we remain in a strong financial position to continue our work providing care and support in so many communities across Scotland.
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dame Anne Begg as our new Patron. Dame Anne joins paralympic silver medallist, adventurer and author, Karen Darke who became Patron last year, and I am sure she will likewise be an invaluable ambassador for our charity in the years ahead.”