Care provider raises £2,000 to build new greenhouse for residents

Generous donations of over £2,000 have enabled a housing development in Stirling to install a brand-new greenhouse, after it was destroyed by gale force winds last year.

Blackwood’s Blackwood Forth Valley Care and Support development, which provides integrated accommodation for people with physical disabilities, held a special ribbon-cutting celebration followed by an afternoon tea party to mark the official opening of the upgraded, fully accessible greenhouse.

The money was raised by dedicated Blackwood employee Jenny Gardner, who sold jars of jam for the cause, the ingredients for which she took the time to hand-forage herself.

Ms Gardner believes the greenhouse is a fantastic addition to Broom Court. She said: “The greenhouse has kept the tenants busy and allowed them to grow their own nutritious vegetables.

“When it was destroyed and I saw how devastated everyone was, I knew I wanted to raise money to fund a new one, and what better way than by selling delicious homemade jam. After all, who doesn’t like jam.

“We are very grateful to all those who kindly contributed towards the cause. Thanks to everyone pitching in, we have now been able to go above and beyond for the customers at Broom Court and they are absolutely delighted with the new greenhouse and are excited to get back to gardening again.”

The jam proved to be very popular with Blackwood employees across the region as more than 350 jars sold in a few months.

The remainder of the funds were donated by Dobbie’s Garden Centre, the local Orange Lodge, a small private trust fund and raised through the Blackwood Christmas raffle.

Edinburgh-based charity, Blackwood, has more than 1,500 homes throughout the country helping those who are living with a disability, older people or those living with sensory impairments to live more independently.

The charity works in 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, and although widely dispersed, has embraced the challenges of taking housing and care into innovative areas at a time when funding is increasingly limited.

Blackwood also continues to push the boundaries of technology to allow property adaptions which make a difference to people living with disabilities.

click here for more details or to contact Blackwood Forth Valley Care and Support