Employees from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) have given Maggie's Highlands a helping hand by volunteering to kick start a garden project.
The team of eight employees took a day out of their jobs to dismantle, re-shape and move three raised beds in the garden at the front entrance of the centre ready for the gardening group who have been hard at work over the past few weeks, planting the new beds with herbs.
As part of SSEN's 'Be the Difference' programme, employees are encouraged to use a day of their time to volunteer and help local charities and communities of their choice. Using manure from Norman MacIver of Knockmuir Farms, the group got their hands dirty to help the centre prepare the garden for the summer months.
Seonaid Green, Centre Head of Maggie's Highlands said: "We'd like to thank the guys from SSEN who did a fantastic job re-shaping and moving our raised beds. They will bring a lovely splash of colour to the views from the centre windows to bring joy and smiles to all of our centre visitors. By planting them up to provide herbs and salad leaves which we can use over the summer in our healthy eating classes, our gardening group can have a very positive impacton the other centre users."
"Often when people are going through cancer treatment, and when they are recovering, connection with the natural world can restore a sense of wellbeing. The new easily accessible planting spaces formed by the SSEN team of volunteers, will greatly add to the ways we can interact with nature and the outside space around the centre."
Colin Pirie, SSEN's Head of Region for the Highlands and Islands said: "The 'Be the Difference' programme allows our employees to take a day of their time to volunteer in the communities in which they live and work. This gives each and every one of us the opportunity to give back to the community when they need our help or any specialised equipment we can help provide. We were delighted to help Maggie's with their garden project this year and hope the newly positioned garden beds can have a positive impact on those visiting the centre in the coming months and beyond."
Maggie's provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie's Centres are places with professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.
Since the launch of the 'Be the Difference' volunteering programme, it has helped over 2,500 projects, with SSEN employees dedicating their time to projects that matter in their local communities.