Dumfries and Galloway students give back to their communities

A dozen students, from the college’s Stranraer campus, took part in Leonard Cheshire in Scotland’s ‘Can Do’ programme – and were recently awarded for their hard work with coveted City and Guilds certificates. 

The Can Do programme is delivered by the pan-disability charity Leonard Cheshire and is designed for 16-35 year olds who have additional support needs, focusing on skills development and community involvement. The activities were picked by the participants and shaped into an engaging schedule by the Can Do co-ordinator for Dumfries and Galloway, Olivia Robinson.

During this programme, the Can Do participants, or ‘Can Doers’ took part in a wide range of activities, including an online Mixed Martial Arts fitness session, a Viking day at Kirkcudbright Galleries and building squirrel feeder boxes. As one Can Doer explained; “The Can Do programme is amazing and helps people to learn new skills and knowledge about the community.”

Bethany , another Can Doer, had high praise for the programme. “It’s a great opportunity to get people outside and meeting others. The best bit was learning different things- I’ve learned to boost my confidence.” 

During their day out in Kirkcudbright, Vikings “Cathbad” and “Hrefna” from Wordsmithcrafts CIC provided the Can Doers with an authentic day of traditional storytelling, jewellery making and learning, with a tour around the Galloway Hoard; a vast collection of Viking and Anglo-Saxon artefacts discovered just a few miles away from Kirkcudbright.

The Can Doers enjoyed a fantastic presentation from volunteer Catherine Steyn who explained the life-changing impact of guide dogs. The project also benefited from a number of other community volunteers – including Jane and Helen who delivered a beautiful flower arranging session. The Can Doers then gave back to the community, giving their flower arrangement to a person of their choice. 

Volunteer Angus Hoban  created squirrel feeder box kits which the Can Doers built and painted. The Can Doers donated these completed boxes to the East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group to help the local red squirrels. Not only did volunteers get involved, but businesses in the area were eager to help out too- namely Jewsons, who kindly donated hardware, and Borders Sign and Design, who donated high quality Perspex to the Can Doers- both for the squirrel boxes. Through these community involvements, the Can Doers were able to experience both sides of the world of volunteering and were able to learn how important and impactful it can be to offer your time and skills to the community.

Olivia, Can Do Coordinator, said “It was a privilege to work with this amazing group of young people. The students produced some brilliant new ideas for activities to do as part of their Can Do project. It was great to see the students trying new things and learning new transferable skills which will help them in other areas of life.

The student’s chose a variety of lovely ways to give back to the community throughout the project, from giving their flower arrangements to a loved one to making and donating squirrel feeder boxes to help the local red squirrels. A big well done to the young people, they’ve worked hard for their certificates. Thank you also to all the amazing partners involved in this project - it wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

David Miller, Chair of East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group, said:

"We are really grateful to Can Do for making these feeder boxes which will help the group immensely in their ongoing work to help maintain red squirrel populations in south west Scotland. 

"We have really enjoyed our Zoom sessions with Can Do members and they came up with some really thought-provoking questions which kept us on our toes!  We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the future."

Media enquires

For further information or interview requests please contact Isaac Corrick (Marketing and Communications Officer) at isaac.corrick@leonardcheshire.org or 07711 188 161.