Dumfries
After having received funding from the Holywood Trust, Better Lives Partnership expanded to open its third location in Dumfries in September 2021.
B2E @ Nithsdale and Annandale welcomed young people to its new workroom at Grierson House, at the Crichton Estate. The project hopes to bridge the gap between school and college or employment by providing opportunities for young people to continue to develop their skills, and confidence and get ready for their next steps. The close proximity of BLP’s Dumfries workroom to the college is well set for a partnership with some of the other educational providers and helps make transitions smoother.
At Dumfries, young people are able to receive person-centred programmes through Better Lives’ Partnerships Bridge to Employment and Bridge to Creative projects as well as access to a variety of ASDAN courses and support with Open University.
Earning our Duke of Edinburgh!
As part of our Bridge 2 Employment programme in Dumfries, we are delighted to be able to offer our young people the opportunity to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Through this award, our young people have the opportunity to gain experience volunteering, learn new skills and engage in physical activities. Our staff are qualified DofE leaders and are able to take our young people through the entire Award at a pace and means that suits them.
Better Lives at the Crichton
Our B2E@ Nithsdale and Annandale programme is incredibly fortunate to be located on the grounds of The Crichton and we spend much of our team getting involved with the amazing community, groups and local businesses on site.
We have very kindly been given use of the greenhouse and a few raised beds at The Crichton by the University of Glasgow’s Environmental Studies department. This allows us to have regular practical sessions in our Gardening ASDANs sessions and grow our own vegetables.
We have also been able to take part in pottery classes at the Clay Work Studios, learning to throw bowls on a pottery wheel, as part of our Bridge 2 Creative sessions.
We have also used the wide expanse of grounds for orienteering classes and even joined Felix from Deep Green Space to pot our sunflower seeds once they are grown they will become part of The Crichton’s Sunflower Field.
Latest News From Dumfries
Liz McWilliam
Team Officer
01387 733215.lmcwilliam@betterlivespartnership.org.uk
Grierson House, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4ZE
“We have a wonderful team at Dumfries, our young people, families and carers are supported throughout their time at BLP by all our staff. We guide the young people through the B2E programme, support them through ASDAN qualifications and the young people are encouraged to try new skills and develop their interests at BLP.
“We work with the Young People to build their confidence and social skills, we adapt our courses to suit the individual needs and work with them to achieve personal goals. If you have any questions please get in touch with me” Liz McWilliam
