FRIENDS OF SEAVIEW TRUST NEWSLETTER

No 4 May 2016

Sorry folks it has been a wee while since our last newsletter, but lots has been happening, and we hope to bring everyone up to speed now. A number of our readers will be new and we warmly welcome them

The Seaview Trust was formed in 2013 and its objective is to support and enhance the service given to children and young people in the Unit. Over the 3 years we have had very generous

financial support from organisations such as the Lottery, Radio Forth, Robertson Trust, Ryvoan Trust and John Lewis to mention only a few, plus numerous individual donations. We have assisted with the creation of the sensory room and built the sensory garden, and funded the Mosaic at the front door. We are delighted to have received funding from the R.S Macdonald Trust for our gardener/horticultural therapist Michelle who has already made herself at home, and performed wonders with the garden involving the children in very innovatory ways .We Include a description of what she has been doing in her own words .Margaret and Maureen are of course still regularly contributing to the big garden making sure it is looking colourful and their voluntary work is much appreciated.

RECENT CHANGES AT THE UNIT

December 2015 saw many changes at Seaview. A decision was taken by the Council to merge the respite service of Seaview with the residential service of our sister Unit Hillview.

Many of the familiar faces from both staff teams who had worked for the Council for many years left, and those remaining formed a new team operating from the existing Seaview building, with Karen Japp as the Unit Manager. During this time members of the Seaview Trust met with senior members of Council staff, to make sure the interests of staff, parents and of course the children were being fully considered.

Open Day Wednesday 15th June

The Trust and the staff are holding an Open Day from 10 to 2.30 pm, so that parents and

supporters can see the garden and meet the committee. There will be tea, coffee and cakes, and a raffle. We very much look forward to seeing you at the Open Day.

From our gardener;

“My name is Michelle Mcguire and I am the gardener/horticultural therapist at Seaview. I have studied landscape management and horticulture for 5 years and have gained a BSc in Horticulture.

I have been working in the sensory garden at Seaview, and over the Easter holidays worked with 2 groups of children making scarecrows, planting seeds and making plant labels. We all had a lovely time.

Throughout the coming months there will be big changes in the sensory garden, with the installation of a colour changing solar feature, planting grasses and introducing colour, shape, touch and smell through the planting.

I have many exciting ideas for the Seaview garden in the future, and hope the children and some of the staff can get involved. I am very much looking to continuing with my work at Seaview. “

Fundraising event

We were thrilled to learn that we are being supported by staff from KPMG and the Bank of Scotland, who are undertaking a walk in support of The Seaview Trust on the 14th May, along the Rob Roy Way.

We have been persuaded that we need to set up a website, to make it easier for supporters to donate either for this walk or future events. And are now researching this option.

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Friends of Seaview Trust’s committee comprises

Chair; Marilyne MacLaren –marilynemclaren@btinternet.comSecretary/Treasurer Christina Burnett—Christinaburnett@live.co.ukEmma Hamilton –emmalou28@msn.comJanette Tait –janettetait45@gmail.comIn attendance Jackie Macneish –jackie.macneish@edinburgh.gov.uk

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If you would like to help the Friends we would be very happy to hear from you. Maybe you have a good idea for fund raising, or could volunteer to help with one of our events, the newsletter, or the sensory garden. Do please contact us!