Charity DIY SOS appeal
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Homestart Garioch, which has been supporting families in Garioch and Formartine since 1995, has launched a major DIY SOS appeal before moving to new premises.
As the charity makes a move to its new base behind the Craigdon Mountain Sports shop in Inverurie early next year, it has become apparent that significant work is needed to the building.
The move comes as the old premises are set to be demolished as part of Aberdeenshire Council’s redevelopment of the town hall.
At the charity's recent AGM, Homestart Garioch manager Mhairi Phillip called for support as she looks to make the new building fit for purpose.
She said: “We have found new premises in Inverurie which is amazing as the town is a centre of all our work across Garioch and Formartine.
“Our new premises behind the Craigdon Mountain Sports is amazing; however a lot of work is needed to be done so we are looking to do a DIY SOS appeal.
“We are looking for plumbers, joiners and electricians, tapers, painters and decorators to help us.
“Also materials such as three by two plaster board, radiators, paint, flooring, a toilet and sink, flooring and that sort of thing to help us as we don’t have a budget for moving.”
She added about the finance struggles that the charity have faced: “The start of the year we were looking at a deficit of around £77000 with funding being cut from Aberdeenshire Council and the Big Lottery Funding also coming to an end.
“We have managed to make up our shortfall with other grants thanks to the amazing work of our volunteers and staff."
Ensuring that the building is suitable for those that come along for support is a priority for Mhairi.
She said: “We also need offices in the building so we do our support with our supervisual with our volunteers we can have privacy and maintain confidential.
“The rent is going to double the last one but is a great rent for where we are going to be.
“It is still really high and we have secured the lease for 10 years and possibility of having it for longer so really we want to make it an work space environment and fit our needs.
“We have a group of refugees and paternal mums.
“Now we are looking at starting a paternal mums mental health group .
“It is not just supporting our families and volunteers, it is also about supporting other groups within the area and this is something that we can do with these premises.”
Any help would be appreciated by the charity, she added: "If anyone want to lend a pair of hands or have any contacts within the building trade that can donate materials or someone that wants to donate towards the cost.
“We would be eternal grateful to anyone who supports us.”
Anyone willing to help in anyway should contact Mhairi on mhairi@homestartgarioch.org.uk or 07751222606.
