The project to create a 'memory garden' for people in Dunblane received a welcome boost recently when Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) staff lent a hand to clear trees and bushes from the site.
This initiative, in the Braeport area of Dunblane, aims to convert a rather overgrown and recently abandoned garden area, originally designed to be used by young children, into a dementia-friendly garden which can be used by all, with an emphasis on people with memory loss who attend the Memory Cafe which takes place weekly in the adjacent Braeport Community Centre.
Three members of SSEN's South Caledonia Region came to the site, bringing with them all of the equipment needed for the task and set about clearing away the overgrown trees and bushes as well as giving the site a general 'spruce-up'. All of this was possible thanks to SSEN's 'Be the Difference' scheme which gives every member of staff a day away from their workplace to help a local charity or good cause.
Willie Glen, who is based at SSEN's Perth depot, explains more:
"Be the Difference is all about supporting good causes in the local community, and so when we were approached by Dunblane Development Trust to see if we could help, we had no hesitation in saying "yes." The dementia garden is a fantastic idea, and something that will make a real difference to those living with dementia and their families, and so we were only too happy to lend a hand."
On the day Willie was joined by his colleagues Duncan and John, who set about clearing away the overgrowing trees and branches, with the cuttings put through the mobile chipper for use in the garden itself.
Speaking after the work was completed, Douglas Thornton from Dunblane Development Trust said:
"Working with limited funds, our Development Trust volunteers were delighted when SSEN's tree squad offered to remove the overgrown willow trees in this garden. The guys did a great job. Many thanks to Willie and his colleagues."
To learn more about Be the Difference, please click here.