No Boundaries is a support group for people who have a disability or long-term condition and want to get out and about in their community to meet people, socialise and give & receive peer support.
The group members previously attended Craighall Day Centre but had to move on when criteria for places at day centres were changed – founder member and former Chairperson of the Craighall Day Centre’s Welfare Committee Rudy Bleau received the letter informing him of the changes on Christmas Eve last year.
Fellow member Brian also recalls hearing the news: “It was a shock, really. It meant a big change for us and there was nothing else at the time. There was a real danger that some vulnerable people would become even more isolated”.
Undaunted, the group established a new base at Royston Wardieburn and over recent months they have been working to become a ‘formal’ organisation with a constitution, mission statement, office bearers and the like. While the group is becoming ‘formalised’, however, members are keen to assure potential new recruits that the group is anything but formal!
Chairman Rudy Bleau explained: “Becoming a properly-constituted group opens more doors for us so we decided to go down that route. The paperwork takes a lot of time though and we’d like to thank EVOC, Susan Dalgliesh from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Local Area Co-ordination Team and Kirsty at Grapevine for supporting us through the process. We have charitable status now and that’s thanks to their help.”
He continued: “We’ve had to spend an awful lot of time over the last few months talking about our plans for the organisation but now we’re in the exciting position of being able to actually DO more things. The prime purpose of the No Boundaries Group is to reduce the sense of isolation that people experience and improve their mental health & wellbeing. This essentially is about building a healthier community in North Edinburgh, a place where people feel actively part of society – and have a life.”
He added: “We are an inclusive group, welcoming people aged 16 years and over – if people need any additional support they can bring a carer or personal assistant along to help them participate as fully as possible.”
The group meets twice a week at Royston Wardieburn Communiyt Centre – on Monday and Tuesday from 10am – 12noon. What happens at ‘No Boundaries’ sessions depends on what the members want.
“We meet up together to socialise and discuss topics of interest and take part in a range of activities. On Thursdays we go on outings”, said Brian. Among the places visited by the No Boundaries group are Maxi’s Stockbridge, the Botanic Gardens, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, Morrison’s Ferry Road, Eric Liddell Centre, Craighall Centre, Out Of The Blue, Café Camino, Newkirkgate Community Centre, No.1 Nicholson Square, National Art Gallery, Costa St James Centre, Drumbrae Library, Punjabi Junction and Lauriston Farm – that’s a lot of coffee!
“We hope to put reviews on Euan’s guide to help others get out and about too to accessible places. We are planning to have speakers in from a range of a projects like the Living It Up Project. The group is a place to get information and guidance too.
“There is a diverse programme and everything we do is agreed by the group collectively. We’d really welcome more members and it would be great to see more people getting involved in our activities”, Brian went on. “We’re open to new ideas and we can structure our programme to fit. We’ve got a lot to look forward to”.
For more information about the No Boundaries group contact rudy.bleau@gmail.com
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