Barclays Boost for Capability Scotland

Big-hearted Barclays Bank staff in Edinburgh have swapped their PCs for paint-brushes and plant pots to transform residential accommodation and a garden for Capability Scotland.

The team of 13 volunteers gave up their weekend to carry out a Changing Rooms-style makeover on a bungalow used for respite care at Capability's Stanmore House School in Lanark.

They painted the bedrooms and hallway and provided all the materials, including colour-coordinated curtains, bedding, cushions, lamps, pictures and DVDs to complete the new look.

John Docherty, residential manager at Stanmore House School, said: "The Barclays team did a really good job and have brightened up the rooms so much. It will make such a difference to the young people who stay here."

The team have now moved onto their next challenge - a garden makeover for a disabled  service user in East Lothian, who has found it increasingly difficult to manage the garden which was once her pride and joy. She was linked to Barclay's through Capability's  Local Area Co-ordination Service in Haddington.

Barclays assistant manager Gillian Lambert explained: "Sandra's garden was completely overgrown so we are creating a low maintenance garden for her to enjoy. So far we've cleared over 20 bin-bags of weeds and old bricks and laid membrane to further control the weeds. We then spread bark chippings and took out 20 newly-planted patio pots. Our next step is to lay an area with gravel and install a garden seat and bird table for Sandra  to enjoy."

"Capability Scotland provide a great service across Scotland and we've enjoyed working with them immensely. Last year a team volunteered in a similar decorating project and earlier this year Barclays Commercial entered a team in Capability Scotland's Beyond Boundaries Ben Nevis Challenge. It's great for us to do something outside of work that brings together the smaller teams within Barclays Commercial."

Capability Scotland is one of Scotland's leading disability organisations and has over 60 years experience of providing services to disabled people of all ages in Scotland. It's Local Area Co-Ordination Service supports disabled people of all ages in the Haddington area of East Lothian to access advice and resources, increases opportunities and encourages community connections.