L'ARCHE INVERNESS

NEW WORKSHOP RESOURCE TRAINING CENTRE

L'Arche Inverness is part of the wider international federation of L'Arche communities founded by Jean Vanier in 1964 in France.  There are currently 127 communities in 27 different countries around the world.  L'Arche Inverness has just celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, having been established at Braerannoch in Drummond Crescent in 1975.

We currently welcome and support 17 people with Learning Disabilities across 5 homes in Inverness.

We also provide day activities and work training to 16 people in our current workshop centre at Braerannoch.  Our current activities include a woodwork workshop, a candle making workshop and a garden project.

The needs and demands for our current workshop are changing: our current members are growing older; we are currently being asked to provide a service for younger people with significant disabilities in and around Inverness; we have to meet Care Commission requirements and Disability legislation.  Our current buildings are no longer satisfactory.  We must build a new Workshop Resource Centre that will continue to provide Skills, Training and Support for People with Learning Disabilities in the Highlands.  The three main activities will continue but in a setting that will meet the needs of the trainees more appropriately.

Our proposed new workshop will include space to welcome 25 people and accommodate a retirement project for ageing people with disabilities as their needs change.  We are confident that the service we will provide is essential for people with learning disabilities in order to enable them to move on to employment opportunities in the wider community of Inverness.

Robin Sykes, Director

L'Arche Inverness

CAMERON HOUSE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS GROUP

Cameron House is a Church of Scotland purpose built unit for people with dementia accommodating 30 residents.

When residents are admitted to Cameron House it is usually the beginning of a long and sometimes difficult period in their lives and the lives of their relatives.  We try as best we can to make this their home and to encourage relatives to remain as involved as possible.  In most cases we are able to keep residents here when the time comes for terminal care and to this end we liaise with the Highland Hospice, GPs and district nurses to give the best care possible.

Having dementia affects every aspect of the person's life both physically and mentally.  Increasing memory loss is a major problem and because of this our residents need to be escorted everywhere they go when out of the building.  One of the major impacts of dementia is that there is a high incidence of depression and apathy/anxiety and restlessness is commonplace.  It is therefore vital to provide structure and variety to their day to try to break this cycle.

The Cameron House Circle of Friends Group exists to help the residents to retain the fullest quality of life.  We need a vehicle to take residents out of the home for a variety of leisure outings as well as hospital appointments etc.  Currently we are using a minibus that was purchases in 1996 with £20,000 raised by the Friends Group, staff and supporters.

DISABILITY SNOWSPORT

Disability Snowsport (formerly known as the Uphill Ski Club) is a charity that provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in skiing and snowboarding.  Our activities which are coordinated from our office and adaptive ski school on Cairngorm Mountain take place in the Highlands, throughout the UK, Europe and N. America.

Fun, laughter, achievement, greater mobility, increased self confidence, improved coordination and being able to enjoy the mountains alongside the able bodied are just some of the benefits of our work.

For thirty years using specially trained instructors, volunteers and adapted equipment we have applied exceptional know-how and adaptability to enable those with a disability to experience the joy of skiing.

Eleven years ago we set up a small ski school in Scotland operating out of a hall in Nethy Bridge and using the Lecht Ski area.  Thanks to the generosity of the trusts and the people of the Highlands we now have a specially built adaptive school on Cairngorm Mountain catering for all ages and all disabilities.  Most days throughout the winter we can acess the beginner slopes at the top of the mountain which are ideal for our clients.  This winter we shall be opening a satellite centre at the Lecht which will provide more opportunities for people with a disability to enjoy snowsport.

To run our activities on Cairngorm Mountain and at the Lecht we have an urgent need for a specially adapted minibus to make our activities accessible to everyone.

ROSS-SHIRE SPECIAL NEEDS PLAYSCHEME

Our Service

RSNP runs school holiday playschemes, a weekly Youth Club (for secondary age), two after school sports clubs (funded by Ross & Cromarty Sports Council), and pre-school transportation to a specialist playgroup in Inverness's Birnie Centre.

Proven Need

Our groups are fully subscribed.  Discussions with parents/professionals tell us our services are required and not provided by anyone else in Ross-shire.  Evaluations from families, staff and, most importantly young people tell us the independent activities, outings, stimulation and friendship provided by RSNP groups are beneficial and much enjoyed by our users.  (Families also report enjoying a little respite).

Our Users

RSNP Playscheme, Youth Club and Sports Clubs currently cater for 67 young people from Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, Tain, Fortrose, Cromarty, Strathpeffer, Beauly, Dornoch, Bonar Bridge and Brora - a wide geographical area.  Hence transport is a lynchpin of our provision.

The Difference a Highland Cross Grant Would Make

Because RSNP covers a wide area or rural Ross-shire, transport is a key issue.  Young people are transported to our Youth and Sports Clubs from central drop off points and the bus journey forms a popular part of the social experience.  This transport provision enables RSNP young people, previously isolated by both disability and geography, to enjoy independent social opportunities with their peers.

However, RSNP's minibus now requires to be replaced.  Hence the application to Highland Cross to purchase a new suitably adapted minibus, to enable us to continue to provide the independent social contact opportunities RSNP young people deserve and currently enjoy.