Volunteers from LifeScan help out at Inverness gardening project
Staff from medical technology company Lifescan have given a helping hand to a gardening project which benefits adults with learning disabilities.
Employees took part in a staff giveback scheme over two days at the Inverness Botanic Gardens to help the Garden-Recycle-Organics-Wildlife (GROW) project.
The project provides a sympathetic environment for adults with a learning disability using horticulture therapy to deliver training and work experience which goes towards improving trainees’ levels of independence, social inclusion, health, and happiness.
Ewan MacKintosh, High Life Highland’s facility manager for Inverness Botanic Gardens, said around 20 LifeScan volunteers mucked in on site on both occasions.
“Two of our regular GROW project volunteers, Rob and Brian, are employees at LifeScan," he said.
"Thanks to their suggestion about bringing their work team to help for the day, we were able to collaborate and achieve more than what we could have ordinarily done in months.
"The generosity of local businesses and the wider community towards Inverness Botanic Gardens is astounding, and anything contributed to our projects is gratefully received."
All LifeScan full time employees benefit from paid time off to volunteer with an organisation of their choice.
Alison Grant, a team leader at LifeScan, said the team was delighted to have supported the GROW project, carrying out gardening and landscaping tasks.
"Everyone involved really enjoyed the experience and were collectively happy to help support the Inverness Botanic Gardens in-house team," she said.
"It was a pleasure to work alongside their regular gardeners and learn about how the GROW project, in turn, supports the local community.
"Care is one of LifeScan’s core values. LifeScan cares for the people it serves, and for the communities it exists in. LifeScan embraces this commitment by encouraging employees to get involved and give back to their local communities where possible."
Steve Walsh, High Life Highland chief executive, said: "As a charity, High Life Highland is always positively astounded by the generosity of local businesses and members of the public in giving back to its community projects.
"It is heart-warming to know that LifeScan employees have volunteered their time and effort towards bringing the Inverness Botanic Gardens to life during its busiest time of year."
He added the GROW Project welcomes volunteers throughout the year.
Anyone inspired to get involved should call in at the Inverness Botanic Gardens, or send an email to Inverness.Botanics@highlifehighland.com.
