Funding to support the PAMIS Partnership Connections Project in Stonehaven

 

 

PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) is grateful to have received almost £10,000 lottery funding to match funding previously and generously raised by customers on behalf of PAMIS through the Coop Local Community Fund in the Stonehaven area. PAMIS is the only organisation that works solely for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their family carers to ensure they have access to healthy, valued and included lives

 

The combined funding will allow the PAMIS Partnership Connections Project and other relevant groups develop more accessible spaces and places for people with PMLD. Delivery of training to promote better understanding of people with PMLD and the unique way they communicate will be a part of the work carried out.  This will assist local service staff improve ability to provide appropriate support and enable people with PMLD to participate in existing activities. The Partnership Connections Project will engage with family carers, other relevant groups and venues to consider improved access for all.

 

Brenda Garrard the project manager said,

 

“We really appreciate this additional boost to help make local areas more accessible for all and PAMIS would like to praise the flexible response of both funders to delivery of project work in such unprecedented times.  Due to the recent COVID-19 crisis PAMIS is very aware that families caring for a person with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are concerned about their relative emerging from lockdown and engaging with their community. In discussion with the lottery it was agreed that reviewing infection control and safety for people who have been shielding for a number of weeks, and remain vulnerable, will be part of the work carried out by the project. An expert group of family carers and relevant others will be convened to consider what this might look like in practice.  Findings will not only enable the safest practices to be identified but will enable others to benefit through development of a practical guide to support venues and activities. The guide will be available locally and nationally.  The availability of funding to support this work is invaluable especially given the present COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions and safety issues that have been raised. PAMIS is so grateful to the Coop Local Community Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund for enabling a flexible approach toward carrying out project work.”

 

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Director, Neil Ritch said:

 

“In these uncertain times our priority is to ensure that National Lottery money continues to flow to charities, voluntary sector organisations and grassroots groups. I would like to congratulate PAMIS on their award, theirs is an important project which showcases the vital work that’s being done in communities across the country.” 

 

“We are delighted to be working with PAMIS families on this exciting project for Stonehaven and surrounding areas. Seeing the coop local community fund dividend, created by our local customers with local coop businesses, creating such important opportunities for the young people with PMLD makes this an ideal project to support.”

Stewart Aitken, Coop Member Pioneer, Stonehaven.

 

PAMIS would again like to thank all who have contributed and made the Partnership Connections Project possible.