Newcastle based charity Cornerstone have set up a new initiative which will give people living with learning disabilities a chance to try a range of new activities.
The Welcome Project operates weekly and is possible due to a £3,000 grant from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund. People with disabilities and carers across the city will be able to try out everything from arts and crafts to cookery.
The money is being used to pay for the extra equipment and facilities needed to put on these sessions and this adds to wide range of community projects that Cornerstone currently offer.
These include the Corner Kitchen Community Café, the Benwell Bridge Food Pantry, their Preloved Shop and an emergency food bank. All of these projects can be vital to people living on the bread line in the North East.
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Amy Proud is the operations manager at Cornerstone and she has spoken about the work being done with the Welcome Project and the difference that the funding from Newcastle Building Society will make.
“Through the Welcome Project, we’re providing our learners with the chance to take part in activities and experiences which most of us would take for granted, but which might otherwise not be available to them, and it’s been a real success so far.
"The sensory elements we introduce each week give learners the chance to experience new tastes, smells and textures, and their response is wonderful to see. As well as giving learners the chance to try new things, our Welcome Project is also helping them make new friends and increasing their confidence.
"They’re always excited to be going home to show their families what they’ve made each week, while their carers are also really keen to be part of the sessions we’re putting on. Any charity will tell you that finding funding is a real challenge at the moment and takes an awful lot of time out of their day, so being awarded this grant by Newcastle Building Society will make a big difference to our service in lots of different ways."
Joanne Mercer, chief internal auditor at Newcastle Building Society, has given her thoughts on the project after she recently visited Cornerstone.
“This is a terrific project that touches on lots of different areas and ideas, and the positive impact it’s having with learners, carers and families is very clear.
“We’re always keen to support the work of charities in our home city and it’s great to be able to add Cornerstone to the long list of local organisations that we’re helping to deliver their invaluable services in our city communities.”
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