North Region Participation Day in Perth
Participatory funding is an innovative initiative pioneered by The Richmond Fellowship Scotland as a way of handing over £80,000 of funding to the People We Support. This allows them to shape, design and control projects that help them pursue new experiences or achieve personal ambitions. Our only requirement is that the money is spent on having some fun!
On the 26th August, staff and the People We Support from our North Region were invited to Perth to attend a Participation Day based on the famous Oscar ceremony followed by a ceilidh.
Held at the scenic Fingask Castle, Oscar attendees were greeted by a fabulously decorated entrance to the venue upon their arrival, and of course a red carpet. Some of our staff and supported individuals also took the opportunity to dress up as their favourite movie heroes or villains and this really added flair to the day.
The venue was packed and once everyone had taken their seats our master of ceremonies, Ken Dinwoodie introduced the bids.
In true Oscar fashion each bid took the form of a short movie with each service explaining what their bid was and why they think people should vote for them.
Once again our Supported individuals and Staff had outdone themselves as the quality and content of these movies was excellent. A big thank you to everyone involved in the production of these videos.
After tucking into a lovely hog roast for lunch everyone moved outside to watch a falconry display. Some people even got to handle the magnificent creatures.
After the display everyone headed back inside to hear the announcement of the winning bids. There was suspense in the air as the envelopes were opened and the winners were announced.
Angus had scooped 1st Prize with their bid for a Fright Night Ball. Dundee’s bid for a Christmas party came 2nd and 3rd place was tied between Aberdeenshire’s bid for computer software equipment and Perth’s bid for a festive party.
Although some services would have been sad that they hadn’t won nobody left the event empty handed. All of our services left with a prestigious Oscar statue as well as some money towards their bids.
The day’s entertainment came to a close with a traditional Scottish Ceilidh with music provided by our in house DJ. It was great seeing everyone let their hair down and up on the dance floor.
Throughout the day Lorna our roving reporter interviewed our guests and got their comments on the day. Here is a small selection: -
“The food and staff were excellent”
“Fantastic day very in spirit and in a lovely setting"
“Absolutely wonderful day full of joy and glamour”
“When I got home my husband asked me how my day had been. I told him I had been in a castle, got hog roast for lunch which I saw being cooked and carved, had a day at the Oscars, experienced over 200 people having a whale of a time, got to see beautiful birds of prey in their natural habitat doing some amazing things, and finished up with a ceilidh, all shared with really amazing people !"
Once again a big thank you to everyone who helped to make this event so memorable and we look forward to seeing you all again at the next Participation Day.
To find out more about The Richmond Fellowship Scotland Participatory Funding scheme. please click here:
http://www.trfs.org.uk/news/418_people_we_support_receive_80_000_for_fun_outcomes
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