Euro funding boost on the cards for Aberdeen disability project
30/01/08
An Aberdeen scheme which helps people with disabilities is welcoming special visitors from Europe this week.
The Crafty Things project – which provides its clients with social therapy, training and work – is hosting guests from Finland and Denmark who are keen to find out more about what the service provides.
The scheme is set to be given a cash boost from the European “Leonardo da Vinci Fund” and is now building up a partnership with three similar agencies – Bovallius Foundation in Finland, Voksenskolen Lysbro in Denmark and Adepass in Spain – to share best practice and learn from each other.
The fund is administered by the European Commission as part of its Lifelong Learning Programme.
Crafty Things organisers will tell their visitors that the project is an excellent example of partnership working, supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen College and local voluntary organisation Access to Training and Employment, whose patron is Anne Begg MP.
The project’s clients, aged 16 to 70-plus and based at Choices on Westburn Road in Aberdeen, make high-quality, individually crafted goods for sale. Crafty Things has about half-a-dozen clients and has been running for the last seven years.
James McGungle, vice-chair of Access to Training and Employment, said: “We intend to go on and continue this partnership with the aim of improving the operations and practice of our respective craft businesses.”
The Scandinavian visitors will also call in at the Town House, Aberdeen College, Newton Dee Village and during their three-day stay, and meet Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen, Anne Begg MP, and Aberdeen College’s European Projects Co-ordinator Bill Stalker.
Choices, formerly known as Aberdeen Westburn Resource Centre, is a day respite service for people with physical disabilities. The service aims to provide opportunities for social, recreational and therapeutic activities in a secure and stimulating environment. It also aims to provide respite for carers.
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.
