Lead North Lanarkshire

A MOTHERWELL organisation which helps vulnerable people access  individualised learning opportunities has received funding from the Ross and Liddell Community Bursary Scheme.

Lead North Lanarkshire is a recipient of the property management company’s fifth funding programme, which provides support to organisations all over Scotland.

The group gives people who experience multiple disadvantages - including physical and sensory impairment, addiction and homelessness - support and information on subjects that they want to learn more about, and provides all the necessary equipment and software. 

Learning co-ordinator Donna Morley matches learners and volunteers and constructs bespoke learning programmes for each programme of study. 

The main aim of the service is to enable learners to access information and allow them to be as independent as possible.

Service users learn at home using adapted equipment and special software which they can borrow for no charge from Lead for a specified period.

The funding received from Ross and Liddell will be used to purchase an Apple ipad Air for learners who find using a laptop difficult.

Donna said:

“We offer a bespoke and tailored programme to people who are interested in learning something new. Our approach gives them all the tools they need to learn and the confidence to carry on studying independently after our link-up ends.

“This funding will help us to deliver ipad training to those who find it difficult to use computers or laptops and will help us grow our resources and take on more learners."

The organisation was set up more than 30 years ago in Edinburgh by volunteers who realised that many disabled people had very little access to learning. The organisation now has hubs in North Lanarkshire, Fife, Dundee, Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray and Perth & Kinross. Friends of Lead North Lanarkshire supports the Lanarkshire learning hub by hosting fundraising events throughout the year.

Ross and Liddell specialises in property management and maintenance, as well as providing a comprehensive range of residential and commercial services, including sales, lettings, surveying and insurance.

Now in its fifth year, the Community Bursary Scheme was launched to provide support to organisations that make a vital difference in their community.

Lead North Lanarkshire is one of 31 groups to receive funding in this bursary year.

Irene Devenny, managing director of Ross and Liddell, said:

“The bursary has really gone from strength to strength and the number of entries that we received for the 2015 scheme was fantastic.

“It’s so important that organisations like Lead North Lanarkshire have access to funding sources to ensure people living with any type of disadvantage are given the opportunity to become independent learners.

“We are thrilled to offer our support and know that the funding will be put to good use.”