Open Door

The OPEN DOOR is currently funded by Big Lottery, Stirling Council, and the Stirling Community Planning Partnership. The Service aims to enable adults who have additional support needs to become involved in a variety of volunteering opportunities. It works closely with Kildean and Princes Street Day Hospitals, the Wolfcraig Training Project and other statutory and voluntary organisations. Volunteers are matched with a 'buddy', who is also a volunteer. Volunteers and buddies receive pre-placement training, which contributes to confidence and skill development. The project is easily accessed and offers flexibility, directed towards the needs of the volunteers, as well as providing ongoing support and expenses to both volunteers and buddies. Volunteering may be the first step many take in becoming involved in their communities and can be an integral part of their recovery. For further information on 'The Open Door ' Service, contact Joanne Channing, Open Door Manager or Kathy Pidgeon, Support Worker, Rachel Johnston, Support Worker, on: Telephone 01786 430000 email: opendoor@volunteerstirling.org.uk

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related link - www.seemescotland.org.uk

'see me’, is an award winning Scottish campaign to end the stigma of mental ill-health. The campaign is run by an alliance of five mental health organisations and is funded by the Scottish Executive. The campaign won Mental Health Media's "Best Public Awareness Campaign" Award in 2005, for its young people campaign.

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Learning Disability Coordinator

With funding from the Community Planning Partnership, Open Door recently employed a Learning Disability Coordinator, Madeleine Livingstone.

Madeleine, with the help of volunteer buddies, will be providing 1-1 support to volunteers as well as providing support to volunteering organisations to help make the transition into volunteering an enjoyable experience for all.

Madeleine has previously worked with Vocational Training in West Lothian as Outreach Trainer delivering Pre Vocational Qualifications to people in their own communities and with Livingston Training Centre providing support to young adults and people with learning difficulties, helping them to achieve Vocational Qualifications. She is a trained coach with experienced gained in the voluntary and corporate sector and skilled in engaging with a wide range of individuals and helping them achieve their goals.

Open Door continues to work closely with other statutory and voluntary organisations in the community, ensuring that an integrated approach is developed to break down the barriers for groups of people with higher support needs to become more involved in community life.