Support from local businesses helps ‘Makers’ flourish
Fundraising and donations from local businesses have helped our ‘Makers’ community hub in Alloa flourish since it was launched earlier this year. It was officially opened in February by Maureen Watt, Minister for Mental Health, and has been hugely popular with customers, who enjoy the cafe’s delicious menu and browsing in its shop area and gallery. Money raised has also helped to fund the creation of an outdoor kitchen garden for Makers in its grounds, work for which is due to start in June.
One of these companies, Alloa based SG Pro Cleaning, once again partnered with us on their annual Golf Day, which many other local businesses participated in and supported. A total of £6,107 was raised from the event, which this year was held in St Andrews on The Duke’s Course.
We also received £20,000 from the Morrisons Foundation, which has helped to fund the refurbishment of the space. Makers was previously run by ‘Reachout with Arts in Mind’ and taken on by us at the end of 2017.
An additional £4,000 was received from Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ Alloa fund, which raises money through the sale of the supermarket's carrier bags.
Jill Ferguson, our Service Manager for Central Area commented: “We are already seeing great outcomes for both the local community and the people with autism and learning disabilities who work at Makers. It provides great opportunities for individuals to build social confidence and learn vocational skills whilst directly experiencing a workplace environment.”
“With our kitchen garden due to open in June we are excited to get more of the people we support involved in growing produce for the café, and we will be working closely with Gartinny Nurseries, Scottish Autism's plant nursery in Coalsnaughton, on this aspect of the venture.”
Jill continued: “We couldn’t be happier with the reception Makers has received in the community and want to thank our customers for their support. Our busy cafe looks to use locally and socially sourced produce, and offers a range of breakfast, coffee and lunch options. There is also a shop and gallery area within the café, showcasing the work of the many talented artists and makers that Scottish Autism supports within Central Area Services at our Art Opportunities project.”
“These opportunities help autistic people and those with learning disabilities to lead full and enriched lives, becoming valued members of the community they live in. Makers also has a space to accommodate events and workshops for community groups, and we welcome any ideas or opportunities to support or get involved in what is going on in our local community. ”
Our Fundraising Manager, Karen Wilson, said: “Without the support and fundraising efforts of these local organisations, Makers would not be flourishing in the way that it is. We’d like to send them and all our other fundraisers an enormous thank you for their support. This is Scottish Autism’s 50th Anniversary, and Makers helps to demonstrate how autism services are evolving, supporting autistic people and their families from childhood through their whole life journey.”
Karen continued: “If other businesses would like to get involved we would be extremely grateful - Scottish Autism is a charity and would not be able to run initiatives like Makers without support.”
For more information about Scottish Autism visit www.scottishautism.org or phone 01259 720044.
