Last Thursday, on 12th September 2024, we at Moray Reach Out (MRO) hosted our Local Learning Exchange Day, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and organised by tsiMoray. It was an incredible opportunity for local stakeholders, social entrepreneurs, and supporters of social enterprise to learn more about the work we do at MRO, while connecting with others who share our passion for making a difference in the Moray community.
A Tour of Moycroft Recycling Centre
Our first stop was the MRO Recycling (Elgin) at Moycroft waste transfer station, where we took our visitors on a behind-the-scenes tour of our recycling operations. It was a fantastic opportunity to show how household recycling is processed and highlight the vital role adults with learning disabilities play in making this all happen. It was inspiring for our guests to see the important work our team does every day, contributing to our mission of empowering individuals and promoting their independence. We were proud to demonstrate how we combine environmental sustainability with social impact, showing how a social enterprise can benefit both the planet and our community.
Exploring Our Headquarters in Buckie
After a productive morning at Moycroft, we headed over to our headquarters in Buckie for the next leg of the tour. Here, we presented an overview of our various businesses, including our woodwork, embroidery, and craft enterprises. Within the Moray Reach Out building, the Headquarters itself takes up little space, ensuring there’s plenty room for the three projects operating there – our second-hand shop – MRO Thrift Shop (upstairs), and our two, very different wool projects, MRO Art Yarn & MRO Yarns (downstairs). To find out more and to follow our progress, check us out on Facebook or Instagram. These ventures offer valuable training and work experience to adults with learning disabilities, and it was heartening to share the pride and confidence our trainees gain through their involvement with MRO. We also discussed our financial model, explaining how we work with Moray Council to deliver contracts while balancing social empowerment and sustainability.
Networking Lunch
One of the highlights of the day was the networking lunch, kindly funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund. This provided a great opportunity for everyone to relax, enjoy some delicious food, and chat about the day’s learnings. It was fantastic to see social entrepreneurs, local leaders, and those keen to support social enterprises sharing ideas, discussing collaborations, and exchanging insights on how to strengthen the social enterprise sector in Moray. Our work at MRO served as the perfect backdrop for these conversations, reminding us of the power of community and collaboration in driving positive change.
Looking Ahead
The day wrapped up as we made our way back to Elgin, with everyone feeling inspired and energised by what we had seen and shared. We’re incredibly grateful to all who joined us for the Local Learning Exchange Day. It was a real pleasure to show how we support adults with learning disabilities by providing meaningful projects fand training opportunities. We hope our guests walked away with a better understanding of how we operate and how we’re making a lasting impact in the Moray area.
We’d also like to extend a huge thank you to tsiMoray and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for supporting this event and helping us bring people together to showcase our work and foster meaningful connections.
For those who couldn’t make it, don’t worry – we have more events like this planned in the future, and we look forward to sharing our journey with you. Together, we can continue to empower adults with learning disabilities and create a stronger, more inclusive community.
To see some informational videos; https://www.youtube.com/@morayreachout261
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