Latest news with #CapabilityScotland
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
ScotGov urged to back expansion of ASN college model
The college was founded by Capability Scotland and is supported by funding from the Scottish Government. It is the only specialist college for people with complex additional needs and offers "a tailored further education programme" for young people with additional support needs between the ages 18 and 25. Courses are available in areas such as building-based skills development, education, community access, and more. Under the existing funding arrangements, Corseford College has capacity for forty students, with all places currently allocated. Speaking to The Herald, Head of College Liz McConnachie explained that each year she has to turn down around as many applications as she accepts, and warns that there is little if any alternative provision for those who cannot be accommodated. Ms McConnachie also highlighted geographical constraints, noting that people in most of Scotland are unable to access Corseford College, making the lack of similar centres in other parts of the country an especially pressing concern. Graduate Lauren Wishart with Capability Scotland Chief Executive Brian Logan (Image: Gordon Terris) The inaugural graduation ceremony recognised thirteen students who have completed their programmes. It also saw three individuals honoured with further recognition: an Honorary Graduate Prize was given to Jamie Thomson and Olivia Turner, and a Maria Brownlie Award, given in honour of a former student who passed away last year, went to Ali Chaudhry. READ MORE Parents say lack of inclusive further education must change Families still have to fight the system for pupils with ASN Speaking after the graduation event, Capability Scotland Chief Executive Brian Logan said that parents and staff are very proud of the young people involved, and that the day had been a 'real celebration of everything that they've achieved.' He went on to explain that Corseford's unique model had been developed and made successful thanks to the 'perseverance' of staff, and called for everyone who needs it in Scotland to have the right to the same type of support. 'That transition – to move from childhood into adulthood – is really challenging and at the moment, with the exception of Corseford College, there's no real opportunity for people to continue their educational journey. That right should be there for everyone. It's about equity and about inclusion, and without the type of provision that we have that opportunity to learn and grow.' 'We have demonstrated that this model is successful, we know that there is demand for this type of provision right across the country, we get applications from other parts of Scotland which we – at the moment – can't service. We know the demand is there. We know the model is successful. Our ask is that this is replicated across the country so that everyone has this opportunity, and that we put the funding on a much more sustainable footing. 'It's unfair that there are people across the country being denied this opportunity. We think we can set up satellites based on the Corseford model across the rest of Scotland. We want to do that and we want to work in partnership with the government to make sure that it is delivered.' Despite being opened by a Scottish Government minister (Jamie Hepburn MSP), Corseford had been facing the threat of closure when pilot funding ran out this year. However, the recent budget deal between the SNP, Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrats secured a further £700,000 to keep the facility operational. Some of the 2025 graduates of Corseford College. L-R: Sophie James-Rae, Darren Fitzpatrick, Fraser McAlpine, Jamie Thomson, Ali Chaudhry, and Bryan Brownlie. (Image: Gordon Terris) During a recent session of the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children and Young People Committee, Minister for Further Education Graeme Dey revealed that the government has received a report that has reached 'broadly positive conclusions as to the impact' of Corseford's model. He added: 'I would be optimistic that we will have something very positive to say about this fairly quickly.' Asked whether ministers are planning to fund the establishment of more specialist colleges like Corseford, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'The Scottish Government has received the independent evaluation report for Corseford College and we are currently considering its content. As the Further Education Minister has indicated, there will be further detail provided on this shortly.'
The Courier
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
New Perth leisure pool - with flumes - in new £74m PH2O plan for Thimblerow
A leisure pool – with indoor flumes – has been added to the design for Perth's new PH2O centre. The £74 million plan for the controversial Thimblerow leisure development will be put to councillors next week. It is part of a package of measures intended to finally kickstart the long-delayed PH2O leisure centre. If approved, the existing Perth Leisure Pool would be demolished. This would allow the charity Capability Scotland to relocate its Upper Springland homes and services for people with complex and severe needs to the site off Glover Street. The new proposal also includes a £13.2m investment in the public swimming baths in Crieff and Kinross. And another £10m would be spent on turning Bell's Sports Centre into an unheated multi-use venue and removing RAAC and asbestos from the building. Councillors will be asked to vote on the package when the full council meets on Wednesday. A protest is planned for outside the council chambers in Perth ahead of the session. But council leader Grant Laing will urge colleagues to back the plan, saying every delay to PH2O is costing taxpayers more money. 'This isn't just about Perth city centre,' he said. 'It's about delivering for communities right across Perth and Kinross.' Councillors approved a new PH2O leisure centre at Thimblerow, off the old High Street, last year. But there was anger at the lack of provision for leisure swimming in the £61m plan. Officers were asked to go back to the drawing board and look at ways to include it in the mix. And two revised designs for the three-storey venue will be put to the vote on Wednesday. Councillors will be advised to opt for the more costly one, containing a larger 'fun leisure water' area with internal flumes up to 5.5 metres. The £74m package also includes: • a 25m, eight-lane swimming pool with movable floor; • a 12.5m x 8.5m teaching pool • holiday and weekend inflatables in the main pool; • an indoor play area (featuring clip n' climb/soft play or other family play activity); • a six-court games hall; • fitness gym; • flexible studio space; • a cafe. Officers predict this mix could attract 439,491 visits a year, compared to 380,143 without the leisure water and flumes. The budget originally set aside for PH2O amounts to £90m. Councillors will be told that will cover this plan, plus the bulk of the additional investment in Bell's and the pools at Kinross and the Strathearn campus in Crieff. Protesters have called for the new PH2O leisure centre to be built on the site of the existing Perth Leisure Pool at Glover Street instead. But the council says building at Thimblerow will encourage families into Perth city centre, boosting shops and businesses there. It would also allow the existing leisure pool to stay open until the new one is ready. And demolishing the old pool will free up the land at Glover Street for a mix of housing. Capability Scotland approached Perth and Kinross Council after the new plans emerged. Its supported accommodation at Upper Springland is at high risk of flooding and is showing its age. The charity had been considering a move to Bertha Park. But that plan has proved too costly. And it now wants to partner with the council and bring 60 new homes for adults with complex and severe needs, plus 230 staff, to Glover Street instead. Supporters say the site offers many benefits, including its convenience for public transport, medical appointments, shops and other attractions. The PH2O plans have been on the drawing board since 2014. They were mothballed in 2023 due to soaring costs, before the Thimblerow option emerged last year. Councillors will have to weigh whether there's enough in the new deal to satisfy campaigners, who have been demanding the council retain the existing leisure pool, reopen Bell's as it was, and keep Thimblerow as a car park. • The Courier has been campaigning for an ambitious new leisure complex in Perth that caters for all sports, including leisure swimming and curling. Talks are ongoing, which could lead to local curlers taking over the running of the Dewars Centre next door to the existing Perth Leisure Pool.
Edinburgh Reporter
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Football fundraiser nets thousands for youth disability project
The scoreboard may have shown a draw but both teams at The Big Match walked away winners with more than £21,000 raised for a good cause. Made up of keen players from across Scotland's property sector, Residential United and Commercial City went head to head with football greats Gordon Smith and Billy Davies managing the teams. Ex-Dundee United defender Darren Dods and former Hearts striker Gary Wales also stepped in to lead the players on the field as part of the event to fundraise for Capability Scotland's YouthZone project. Held in March at Spartans Football Club, the two teams battled it out in an exciting contest, culminating in a closely fought draw. The event now in its third year, spearheaded by Steve Currie, Director at Murray & Currie Property, brought together Edinburgh's property sector and football community in support of a vital cause for the third year running: Steve Currie said: 'This year's Big Match was a fantastic success, not only as a thrilling game but as a powerful fundraising initiative. 'It's incredible to see the property and football communities come together to support the work of Capability Scotland and especially the work they do to support young people and their families. 'Every player, sponsor, and supporter has helped make a real difference.' Funds raised will go towards the creation of a fully accessible outdoor play area at YouthZone, Capability Scotland's service supporting disabled young people in Riccarton, Edinburgh. The new outdoor space will provide a safe and engaging environment for up to 65 children and young people and 30 adults to relax, play, and connect. Costs for the project have doubled due to unexpected issues, and so this funding will allow YouthZone to build a safer and more accessible outdoor space, complete with accessible play equipment and protective fencing. Now in its third year, the match was backed by headline sponsors Shepherds and Graham & Sibbald, with Hummel donating kits and The Spartans Community Foundation providing the stadium, changing rooms, and referee, thanks to the generosity of Chris Kirby at Hummel and Dan Gerrard at Spartans. Edinburgh's property industry has rallied behind the event, with teams made up of players from Murray & Currie Property, Simpson Marwick, Ralph Sayer, Murray Developments, S1 Developments, VALTTI Paints, Hampden Bank, Handelsbanken, Thistle Property, AH&Co Accountants, Redpath Bruce, Square & Crescent, Melville Independent, Turcan Connell, Square Foot Media, and AMA Developments. Ailsa Wallace, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Capability Scotland, expressed her gratitude to all those involved: 'We are absolutely thrilled by the support shown for The Big Match. 'The funds raised will make a tangible difference in the lives of the young people we support at YouthZone. 'This new outdoor space will help foster confidence, friendships, and independence in a safe and inclusive environment.' For over 75 years, Capability Scotland has been at the forefront of providing exemplary care, support, and education for disabled children and adults across Scotland. To support The Big Match, and for more details, visit: Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Football fundraiser nets over £21k for youth disability project
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now The Scoreboard may have shown a draw but both teams at The Big Match walked away winners with over £21k raised for a good cause. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Made up of keen players from across Scotland's property sector, Residential United and Commercial City went head to head with football greats Gordon Smith and Billy Davies managing the teams. Ex-Dundee United defender Darren Dods and former Hearts striker Gary Wales also stepped in to lead the players on the field as part of the event to fundraise for Capability Scotland's YouthZone project. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Held in March at Spartans Football Club, the two teams battled it out in an exciting contest, culminating in a closely fought draw. Capability Scotland The event now in its third year, spearheaded by Steve Currie, Director at Murray & Currie Property, brought together Edinburgh's property sector and football community in support of a vital cause for the third year running: Steve Currie said: "This year's Big Match was a fantastic success, not only as a thrilling game but as a powerful fundraising initiative. 'It's incredible to see the property and football communities come together to support the work of Capability Scotland and especially the work they do to support young people and their families. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Every player, sponsor, and supporter has helped make a real difference." Capability Scotland Funds raised will go towards the creation of a fully accessible outdoor play area at YouthZone, Capability Scotland's service supporting disabled young people in Riccarton, Edinburgh. The new outdoor space will provide a safe and engaging environment for up to 65 children and young people and 30 adults to relax, play, and connect. Costs for the project have doubled due to unexpected issues, and so this funding will allow YouthZone to build a safer and more accessible outdoor space, complete with accessible play equipment and protective fencing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now in its third year, the match was backed by headline sponsors Shepherds and Graham & Sibbald, with Hummel donating kits and The Spartans Community Foundation providing the stadium, changing rooms, and referee, thanks to the generosity of Chris Kirby at Hummel and Dan Gerrard at Spartans. Capability Scotland Edinburgh's property industry has rallied behind the event, with teams made up of players from Murray & Currie Property, Simpson Marwick, Ralph Sayer, Murray Developments, S1 Developments, VALTTI Paints, Hampden Bank, Handelsbanken, Thistle Property, AH&Co Accountants, Redpath Bruce, Square & Crescent, Melville Independent, Turcan Connell, Square Foot Media, and AMA Developments. Ailsa Wallace, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Capability Scotland, expressed her gratitude to all those involved: "We are absolutely thrilled by the support shown for The Big Match. 'The funds raised will make a tangible difference in the lives of the young people we support at YouthZone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This new outdoor space will help foster confidence, friendships, and independence in a safe and inclusive environment." For over 75 years, Capability Scotland has been at the forefront of providing exemplary care, support, and education for disabled children and adults across Scotland. To support The Big Match, and for more details, visit: For more information on Capability Scotland, visit:
