An Edinburgh-based education project for young adults with severe communication needs will be building a special sensory garden after winning £5,000 in a national award.
Teens+ was awarded the funding by financial mutual, OneFamily, through its Foundation Community Awards. The yearly awards provide game-changing opportunities for community organisations, groups and projects across the UK.
The education centre in Ravenscroft has more than 40 specially trained staff who help 30 students to develop life skills through individual learning plans. The project aims to offer continued education to young adults from the age of 17 who have fewer opportunities in the working world.
The project will use the funding awarded to create a garden for students and staff that will be used as an outdoor learning environment. Students will grow produce, learn about nature, and have a place to relax in a sensory area with herbs and calming, tactile plants.
Teens+ was nominated for a Community Award by Catherine Reid, a OneFamily customer and mum to Liam, who attends the centre. Teens+ was one of 41 organisations presented with an award in the latest round.
Jane Ansell, CEO at Teens+, said: “Receiving this award marks a milestone in our journey as we celebrate our 10th birthday this year. The new garden is a dream come true for our students and staff! We’re thrilled to have won and want to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us – the money will make a big difference to the lives of local people.”
Karl Elliott, marketing director at OneFamily, said: “The wellbeing garden will be a really valuable resource for Teens+ so it’s fantastic to be able to kick-start the project with this funding.
“Our Community Awards go right to the heart of what being part of a mutual society is all about, directly benefitting our customers and the causes closest to their hearts.
“Our next round of Community Awards is set to launch in Autumn 2017 and we’d encourage our Edinburgh-based customers to get involved and nominate a cause that’s important to them.”
Through its Foundation, OneFamily redistributes a proportion of its profits back to its customers, to help them to help their families, their communities and those they care about most. In 2016, 100,000 people directly benefited from Foundation Community Awards.
Over a five years period, OneFamily aspires to make £5 million available through its Foundation, helping to improve the lives of its customers, their families and communities.
For more information please visit: https://www.onefamily.com/your-foundation/
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