Galloway young people have given back to their community through Leonard Cheshire’s Can Do programme.
Fifteen volunteers at Newton Stewart Activity and Resource Centre (ARC) took part to support local people and organisations during the pandemic.
Activities included making and painting planters for a supported living complex near Newton Stewart and donating toys and personalised cards to children in DGRI.
The scheme for people aged 16 to 35 with additional support needs is designed to help boost self-confidence and encourage the acquisition of new skills through community involvement.
Galloway Fisheries Trust, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group were among many organisations involved in the 12-week initiative.
ARC staff member Paula Herries said: “Can Do is so well organised and caters for many different abilities and
needs.
“The group has stretched the service users’ imaginations and boosted their confidence in their abilities.
“They have been encouraged to think of others in their community, for example choosing the toys for kids in Dumfries hospital and sending them cards.
“They have really enjoyed all aspects of the course and will definitely take something away from this.”
The programme concluded with an awards ceremony and a party at the ARC.
All Can Doers received a City and Guilds Volunteering Award in recognition of their endeavours.
One participant, Jessica, said: “We’ve done different things to what we would normally do.
“We’ve never given toys to the hospital before.
“It was fun”.
“A massive thank you must also go to the support staff from Newton Stewart ARC, without whose dedication and team effort this project would not have been such a success.”
