Winter 2024/25
Moray Reach Out helps adults with disabilities gain a real sense of purpose and pride
MRO NEWS
❄️ Winter is here! ❄️
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re reflecting on an incredible year and looking forward to a new year full of opportunities and activities at Moray Reach Out.
Our team has been working hard behind the scenes, and we’re excited to share exciting updates and heart warming news with you in the coming months.
Join us as we celebrate the season of change and continue to make a positive impact in our community together. Here’s to 2025! 🌟
MRO Garden
We’re excited to announce that the MRO Garden (Stage 2) is almost complete! 🌳 Planting took place in late November, made possible thanks to funding from Moray CAN, which supported biodiversity and the planting of native species. While there is still some hedging to be planted and a bit of fencing to finish in early 2025, the transformation of the space from a rough landscape into a wheelchair-accessible garden has been a major achievement.
A huge thank you to GC Smallworks Ltd for their outstanding work, and to our Project Manager, Jon Reeves, for his careful planning and oversight of this fantastic project.
Our General Manager, Shona, successfully applied for a grant/loan through Social Investment Scotland, which covered both the building and garden improvements. This included essential upgrades like insulation, the installation of air-source heating/air conditioning on the second floor, and the development of the accessible garden.
The plants and trees chosen for the garden aim to boost biodiversity. We look forward to seeing the garden flourish and provide a richer habitat for wildlife. Plants and shrubs along the pathways will provide nectar and foliage for insects, while seeds and berries will support garden and farmland birds. Small trees like Cherry, Rowan, and Crab Apple have been added to further enhance the habitat and wildlife opportunities.
In the lower area (Stage 3), we still have Sycamores and the seasonal snowdrops, bluebells, and daffodils. There is also scope for more planting, including bulbs and herbs, as well as the development of workbenches for potting—the ideas keep flowing!
Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature is vital for our mental wellbeing, and we can’t wait to invite you to experience the garden during our future open days and events. Stay tuned! 🌸
MRO Embroidery
🎉 This year, we’re thrilled to celebrate a major milestone—10 years of Moray Reach Out Embroidery! 🥰 Over the past decade, we’ve proudly supported adults with learning disabilities, helping them gain a true sense of purpose and pride.
From our humble beginnings, MRO Embroidery has grown into a vibrant and thriving project, offering meaningful day services, hands-on training, and opportunities to develop valuable skills. 😊
Our journey has been one of dedication, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve. ❤️
Here’s to the next 10 years of empowerment and growth! 🌟
MRO Woodwork Products Now Available Online!
We’re excited to announce that our Woodwork products are now available to order online! 🛒 Whether you’re looking for beautifully crafted wooden items for decoration or practicality, you can now browse and place your orders from the comfort of your home. 🪚
Please note that all of our woodwork products are made to order, and due to high demand and backorders, our next available delivery date is February 2025. We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to create high-quality products with care and craftsmanship.
Thank you for choosing to support Moray Reach Out through your purchase, and we look forward to delivering your items soon!
Browse and Shop now! 🪚
✨ Shop Online and Support Moray Reach Out! ✨
Did you know you can raise money for Moray Reach Out while shopping online—at no extra cost to you? 💸 With Give as you Live Online, you can support our mission simply by shopping at over 6,000 stores.
From holidays and travel to clothing and gifts, your everyday purchases can help raise hundreds of pounds for our cause! 🌍🎁
It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s a fantastic way to make a difference.
👉 Sign up today and start shopping to support adults with disabilities in Moray! Click Here!
Recent Events
Nostalgia Night
We were thrilled with the amazing support for our Nostalgia Night on 4th October 2024 at Elgin Town Hall! 🎉🥳 The positive energy and enthusiasm from everyone who attended made it a night to remember. From fun and dancing to incredible throwback tunes, it was truly a celebration with a purpose.
A huge thank you to JP the DJ for the use of his fantastic selfie pod 📷, which added so much fun to the evening, and to Elgin Town Hall for hosting the event and helping us make it such a success.
Thanks to your support, all profits from the event went directly towards helping our incredible trainees. 🙌
We’re excited to share that we’re hoping to hold another event for the public in 2025—so stay tuned for updates and get ready to party with a purpose again! 🎶✨
Gordonstoun Prep School
Moray Reach Out was honoured to be invited to Gordonstoun Prep School on Friday, 27th September, for a special cheque presentation ceremony ✨
The organising committee for the Junior Highland Games informed us that they raised an incredible £2,300 during their event in April, for each of their chosen charities. This contribution will significantly support our ongoing efforts to help adults with disabilities gain a real sense of purpose and pride through our seven projects. 🥰
Buckie Christmas Kracker
We were delighted to take part in the Buckie Christmas Kracker on Saturday, 16th November 2024!
The event was filled with festive cheer, including the official turning on of Buckie’s Christmas lights. 🎉 It was a rare Saturday opening for us, and we loved welcoming everyone who joined us to celebrate the season.
Thank you to all who made it such a brilliant day of community celebration! 🎅✨
Elgin Christmas Light Switch On
We were all set to join the Elgin Christmas Light Switch-On this year, but unfortunately, due to the poor weather, all stalls were cancelled. Our trainees at Moray Reach Out Embroidery were so disappointed to hear this news, especially after all the hard work they had put into preparing their amazing Christmas gifts!
They had been looking forward to showcasing their raffle and sweetie jar creations, but their determination and creativity shone through—good problem-solving at its best! Rather than letting the cancellation get them down, they quickly set up their Christmas stall right in their shop, ensuring they could still share their wonderful work with you.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported them by visiting the shop and buying tickets for the raffle. Your kindness and support make a big difference, and we’re so proud of the fantastic effort from all our trainees! 🌟🎁
Upcoming Events
🎉 Trainee Awards Ceremony 🎉
We’re thrilled to announce our Trainee Awards Ceremony, a special event to celebrate the incredible achievements of our trainees over the past year. 🌟
The ceremony will take place at UHI Moray and is an invite-only event, bringing together trainees, staff, and supporters to recognise hard work, growth, and success.
This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the progress our trainees have made and to honour their inspiring journeys. 🏆
Join the Moray Reach Out Family
Ready to make a positive impact? Volunteer with us: Explore our diverse projects—Buckie Recycling, Elgin Recycling, Woodwork, Embroidery, Thrift Shop, Art Yarn, Yarns. 🌈 We tailor roles to your skills, interests, and availability!
Click here for more information
Or you can become a member which helps us demonstrate our reach and impact within the community. Whether it’s attending our AGM once a year or engaging more actively, your support would mean the world to us.
We sincerely hope you will consider joining us on this journey of empowerment and support.
Email info@morayreachout.org.uk to express your interest
Support us by shopping with us, volunteering or donating/fundraising.
For more info on how you can do this, contact us now on info@morayreachout.org.uk or like our Facebook page to stay updated @MorayReachOut
Click below to be re-directed to our MRO sites for more information!
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