Our recent Summer BBQ was an amazing success with 150 people turning out to enjoy the sunshine, burgers and conversation! For many it was a first opportunity to meet up and get out in a long time and the conversation and company were the main focus of the day.
In addition, despite this not being a fundraising event, a raffle and tombola meant £579 was raised on the day which will all go to supporting Centre Users. There was also a chance for many to visit our new Welcome Area and Tech Hub, both completed during the pandemic.
Forth Valley Sensory Centre CEO, Jacquie Winning MBE said:
“They say fortune favours the brave and the BBQ event, designed to welcome Centre Users, Staff and Partners back and provide a thank you to volunteers for all their hard work over lockdown went even better than we could have hoped.
“To see people meeting up, enjoying the time outdoors, relaxing and having fun was a wonderful thing. For many people it was their first venture out to a busy event for almost 18 months and I imagine there would have been a degree of trepidation, however, I picked up a very positive, atmosphere and a degree of excitement. I’m optimistic that people now will feel encouraged and confident to start coming back to the Centre over the next few weeks. Feedback for the new Welcome Area, Tech Hub and Wall Mural was also extremely positive. It says a lot that even the rain held off until the event was over!”
The event was supported by Malcolm Allan Family Butchers in Larbert who donated burgers for the BBQ. Asda Falkirk and Grangemouth who provided rolls and tombola prizes, Morrisons Falkirk provided rolls, cakes and diluting juice, Tunnock’s provided a selection of their famous Scottish treats including Caramel Logs and Teacakes and last, but not least, guests enjoyed lashings of Irn-Bru courtesy of maker A.G. Barr.
The objective of the day, for Centre Users, volunteers, staff and partners to all reconnect was easily met. Sara Burns and Kim Grant where able to talk at length about their new Energy Redress and Employment Projects respectively while Linsey Stocks was able to talk about the return of our various social groups for deaf and blind people over the coming weeks.
Volunteer Co-ordinator Caroline Storey is to retire in September so took the opportunity to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who have worked so hard over the last year to keep spirits up despite the pandemic. To help them enjoy the day, staff and other, ‘irregular’ volunteers stepped in the manage the various activities, with Asda’s Community Champion Margaret Bradie looked after the raffle and Tombola, alongside Board Vice-chair Laura Cluxton and Falkirk Council Sensory Team member Mhairi Thom. Chair of the board, Pat Reid together with Trustees Clare Boland, Teri Devine from RNID and Terry Robinson, and NHS FV Audiologist Jen Nicol welcomed guests as they arrived. James Adams, RNIB Scotland Director was on hand to speak to visitors about RNIB post Covid services. Glasgow City Cllr Robert Mooney, Chair of the Blindcraft Trust and Scottish Government Assisted Communications Team enjoyed a tour of the Centre. Stephen Kerr MSP spent time speaking to Centre Users about their concerns and thoughts and finding out about our Climate Change and Employability projects. It was great to welcome representatives from other Centre Partners, Blind Veterans UK and Sign Language Interactions, who provided BSL support throughout the event.
“By all measures the day was an out and out success. Thank you to all those who came along and made it possible. We really hope that our “fit for the future” Sensory Centre, will be able to host many more in the coming months.”
The Centre’s own Lesley Stark was delighted to be one of the raffle winners too! For more information on our groups, classes, energy project, employment work, volunteering and fundraising visit the various pages on our website or follow us on social media @FVSensoryCentre
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