Glenurquhart Care Project
Glenurquhart Care Project, an inspiring example of community-led care, secured a £440,000 loan from SIS as part of a funding package required to build 12 amenity homes which will further the health and social welfare of people in Glenurquhart.
Glenurquhart Care Project (GCP) was established in response to a need for local care provision for the elderly and vulnerable in the communities in and around Glenurquhart. In 2000, they built The Glenurquhart Centre which now offers many critical services to the local community.
GCP identified the opportunity to secure the land adjacent to The Centre and build 12 amenity houses for the elderly and vulnerable. Its vision for this project is to provide a service which will assist elderly people to enjoy an enhanced quality of life while remaining in their own community. They aim to provide a safe, supportive, stimulating environment where people are encouraged to maximise their physical, intellectual and emotional potential.
These homes will not only support tenants but also support the organisation’s financial sustainability with new income generating initiatives, allowing them to safeguard their future impact on the community.
GCP’s relationship with SIS began when they took part in and won the Growth and Replication Challenge. Having secured over £1 million in grant funding for their amenity homes project, GCP approached SIS with a view to social investment covering the shortfall in project funding.
Working with the SIS team, GCP were able to secure a loan which has allowed them to complete these 12 amenity homes and change the lives of many elderly and vulnerable people in Glenurquhart. We were delighted to hear that GCP felt comfortable working with SIS and that they felt SIS operate in a way that “holds the community’s hand” through the process.
As of April 2019, the houses have been completed, the keys have been handed over and people are beginning to move in. All houses are wheelchair accessible, have a shower room, are highly insulated to reduce heating costs and have two bedrooms to allow for a carer or visiting relatives. GCP has also ensured that the homes can be adapted around the individual as their needs change. This offers the valuable opportunity for the elderly or vulnerable person to remain living in their community, rather than moving over 15 miles away for similar housing.
These homes are set to create significant social impact for the people of Glenurquhart and, having only just opened in April, are already receiving fantastic feedback from the local community. The homes will remain community owned and rented at social rent levels to ensure their purpose of serving the local community is protected.
“Social Investment Scotland are so easy to work with and seem to understand what we are trying to achieve. The process isn’t daunting as there are no huge forms to fill in and you are assisted through the entire process. Someone from SIS came to meet us and the site early on and that helped build a relationship so we always had a face to put to the name!”
Susan Clark, Project Manager, Glenurquhart Care Project