he on demand Community Challenge attracted great support from local companies
T
has kicked off early this year and with kind donations from Cardwell Garden
already four of the challenges have Centre, Local DIY Superstore, Whiteside
been successfully completed. Memorials, Stewarts, Tesco, Morrisons and
Launched at IBM Greenock in 2005, Poundland.
the ODC Challenge programme has helped over
20 local organisations. The challenges – in On the 17th June the third of the challenges took
schools, community centres and local place at Glenburn Primary school. Glenburn
environments - are aimed at making a difference Primary School provides a range of services that
in local communities. Achieved principally by are not available in mainstream schools, offering
employees and retirees sharing their enhanced provision for pupils who have
professional and manual skills along with additional support needs.peopleThese in clude social,
expertise to create a sustainable impact and emotional and behavioural difficulties, profound
focus on making a difference in the or complex learning needs and physical and
communities in which we live and work. sensory impairment. The IBM team undertook a
challenge at Glenburn School last year and felt it
The Greenock challenges launched was a worthwhile project so returned to carry out
on the 4th June with a nurture room more work. The team lead by Marion Struthers
makeover at Kings Oak Primary painted a large mural at the front entrance and
School, Greenock. The group of IBM inside their gazebo as well as sanding and paint-
volunteers headed up by team leader ing furniture, refreshing the paintwork at the front
Barry McGugan transformed a dull entrance and finishing off some window sills and
classroom from an uninspiring space to a posts that they started last year. Marion said “we
retreat that will enable pupils to blossom. decided to go back to Glenburn after completing
Consisting of a performing arts stage, living a challenge there last year, as we enjoyed the
room, kitchen and sensory area, the new space experience of helping the local school and the
will assist pupil development. The project will staff and children were so grateful for the work we
help small groups of youngsters who need a had done for them. Everyone enjoyed the day
balance of learning, teaching and and it was really nice to go back into the school
affection within a home-like environment knowing that we were improving on the work
as opposed to a conventional class- we had done for them last year''
room. Barry said “I heard about the
Kings Oak Blossom Room from my The final challenge of the early summer took
wife, who works there. It sounded like place at Lunderston Bay, a children's play area
a worthwhile project that would originally built by IBM over 10 years ago. The IBM
challenge our creative skills. It turned Logo is clearly visible for all to see and the untidy,
out to be a huge success. Not only did unkempt area reflected badly on IBM. Over the
we achieve an impressive result, the years the area has fallen foul to
team members thoroughly enjoyed their extensive vandalism and was no longer a nice
experience and the outcome. I am sure the area to visit. The restoration included renovating
children using it will enjoy the fantastic murals the “Wendy House, replacing damaged timber
and the mini theatre we created.” and swings, re roofing the barbeque shelter and
painting the area. The work carried out by the
The second of the challenges was a 25th Year team has once again provided the local
Anniversary Commemorative Garden at community with an area the whole family can
Ardgowan Hospice, Greenock. enjoy. The challenge attracted support from local
Ardgowan provides specialist symptom companies with kind donations from Jewson,
management and terminal care for Bankfoot Sawmills, Inverkip Sports and
people living with a life limiting illness Recreation Club and Clydemuirshiel Country
in Inverclyde, whilst supporting their Park. Project leader William Dickson said “neither
families and carers. The team the weather nor the Scottish West Coast Midge
headed up by Maureen Osborne could dampen the spirits of this team, each and
provided a country garden in this city everyone went about their tasks with enthusiasm
dwelling. Maureen said “the driving and enjoyment. A great day had by all. The team
force for this challenge was due to friends have transformed the area and provided a
and family being assisted by the hospice for pleasant place for all the family to enjoy.” The
many years.” This challenge involved making the nominated challenges for 2008 will continue
grounds of the hospice a brighter place for through till October and include
patients and visitors. Furniture was given a Garden Makeover at Larkfield View, Share
makeover to improve the outdoor seating area Project Management Skills, Tree Planting
and colourful flowers were planted in hanging and ‘Greenovation’.
baskets and pots. This worthwhile cause 21
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