Cornerstone News Winter 2010/11

www.cornerstone.org.ukScottish Charity No.SC004780

Three Decades and Counting!-Cornerstone was one of the Scottish pioneers of what came to be called “care in the community”, providing support in ordinary houses in ordinary communities for people who in the past were all too often consigned to long stay hospitals and institutions.

Initially called the Cornerstone Society for the Mentally Handicapped, Cornerstone was established in Aberdeen in 1980 by a group of social work professionals and parents who were concerned about the then lack of support in the community for people with learning disabilities and their families.

Cornerstone has since grown to be one of Scotland’s leading charities and throughout 2010 we have been celebrating our 30th anniversary. It has been a busy 12 months full of events and fundraising activities to mark the occasion. As a special birthday present for the organisation we welcomed golfing champion Richie Ramsay as our new patron. He is very happy to support Cornerstone during this important milestone in the charity’s history.

Highlights throughout the year have included TASK parties across the country, sponsored walks, coffee mornings and cheese eating challenges to name a few. Our main fundraising initiative for the year was the 30:30 Challenge kindly sponsored by Ledingham Chalmers and everyone who took part was really creative whilst raising lots of money for Cornerstone.

Our History of Social Care Exhibition launched at the Scottish Parliament and then moved on to Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. It showcased the changes and developments within the social care sector over the past 30 years and the exhibits included personal stories, archived materials, photographs, art-work and other items that represent 30 years of our historyand highlight the changes in social policy over the last three decades.

reflecting on 30 years of care and support

Awesome Endurance

Annual ReviewsThis year three reviews were held accross Scotland giving the families and friends of the people we support, our corporate supporters and members of the community the opportunity to reflect on the past year and to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

In Aberdeen we welcomed the ‘Sweet Adelines’ who peformed a few songs, before presenting Cornerstone with a cheque for £5,828.48 which they raised at a recent charity concert. In the West of Scotland we were entertained by ‘The Airdrie Angels’ who sang and danced their way through Abba’s Dancing Queen. The final review held in Dundee incorporated extracts from the History of Social Care Exhibiton.

www.cornerstone.org.uk

East Dunbartonshire TASK group held a “nearly new” sale and tombola in August. The event had a ‘star’ appearance from Maureen Carr who plays ‘Theresa’ in River City. Maureen’s brother Richard is supported by Cornerstone and she kindly took time to chat and be photographed with some of the people we support. The TASK members all had a great time organising and participating in the sale, and they raised over £450, which was used to fund their 30th birthday party in October.

Maureen and Richard share a joke

TASK

Cornerstone is very proud of Gary Wilson, a young man we support, who completed a 141 mile hike from Coatbridge to Aberdeen as his 30:30 Challenge. Gary was joined by two of his support workers as they walked for seven consecutive days, stopping off at our Dundee office and to have dinner with our Chief Executive, Edel Harris, in Stonehaven on the last leg of their journey. Gary and his team were joined for the last few miles by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Peter Stephen, Maureen Watt MSP and other supporters before reaching the finishing line at Ledingham Chalmers’ offices in Rose St. All three still managed to attend a celebration disco that evening which had been organised by the Aberdeen TASK Group. Well done for such a heroic effort!

Cornerstone’s6th Annual

Cycle ChallengeThe Cycle Challenge, kindly sponsored by BG Group, kicked off in September following launch events at Duthie Park in Aberdeen and George Square in Glasgow.

The challenge was launched by Scotland’s well known bicycle stunt team, The Clan, who showed off their dare-devil skills at the start of our family fun day in Aberdeen. The activities on offer catered for all ages and included face painting, a bouncy castle, an inflatable obstacle course, crazy bikes challenges, and a children’s drawing competition.

At the Glasgow launch we were delighted to welcome Nicola Mimnagh, the recently crowned Miss Scotland, who helped us celebrate by cutting our 30th birthday cake. Nicola said, “I was delighted to be invited to take part in Cornerstone’s 30th birthday celebrations and the Cycle Challenge Launch. The charity carries out wonderful work for the people of Scotland and their anniversary is definitely something to be celebrated!”

Themed ‘Back to the 80s’ in celebration of Cornerstone’s 30th anniversary this year’s Challenge also saw participants tour on static bikes around locations related to some significant - and some more obscure - events from 1980, the year that Cornerstone was founded. The challenge lasted 30 days to celebrate Cornerstone’s 30 years of providing care and support.

Once again this annual fundraising event was a great success involving over 20 teams cycling over 73,000 miles to raise funds for people with disabilities and other support needs across Scotland.

An awards ceremony was held at the Carmelite Hotel in Aberdeen where the winners of the onshore and offshore categories were recognised. We also took the opportunity to thank all the participants for their fantastic fundraising efforts.

Total E&P UK and Talisman Energy were the big winners announced at the awards ceremony. Teams from Total E&P UK finished in both first and second place in the offshore category with The A(lwyn) Team taking first place. As a team, they cycled over 15,000 miles.

Talisman Energy’s, team the Talisman Devils, won the onshore category with their team captain Gordon Cantlay taking the trophy for theindividual with the highest mileage. Gordon cycled over 1,350 miles.

In June, 30 people took part in Cornerstone’s 30:30 Challenge by walking part of the West Highland Way. The route from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy was completed in a record 2 hours and 40 mins and thankfully the weather stayed dry for the walkers!

The group aimed to raise £900, but surpassed that total and managed to raise a fantastic £1,500! Many thanks to all who took part and all those who supported the group.

Lady in RedNora Gourlay, a lady Cornerstone supports, celebrated her 60th birthday in August. She and her guests dined in style at a very nice restaurant. She is a remarkable person, having been diagnosed with cancer and undergone surgery, she is now well on the road to recovery. Earlier in the year she enjoyed a weekend break at a lovely hotel, bumping into Chris de Burgh who serenaded her with his famous song ‘Lady in Red’. We are all so proud of her and wish we could look so good at 60!

Theresa McGinley - Support Worker

Walk This Way - staff and the people we support in Glasgow raise funds by putting their best foot forward

“

”

Cornerstone was chosen as the charity recipient for a special concert that was held at the Music Hall in September. The Aber deen Chorus of Sweet Adelines Inter na tional is one of the top women’s barber shop chor uses in the UK and the concert marked both the group’s and Cornerstone’s 30th anniversary.

They were joined by The Granite City Chorus and local comedy troupe The Flying Pigs and raised an amazing £5,828.48 for Cornerston. We would like to congratulate them on their 30th anniversary and say how delighted we are to be sharing in the celebrations.

The Sweet Adelines hit the high notes for Cornerstone

Nora Gourlay with Chris De Burgh

In 2010 Cornerstone celebrated 30 years of providing care and support to adults, children and young people with disabilities and other support needs in Scotland. Changing Times, Changing Attitudes ‘mapping 30 years of social care’ was a travelling exhibition focusing on the history of social care over the last 30 years.

The exhibition toured Scotland’s four major cities and featured elements from the Heatherbank Museum of Social Work collection, images from Cornerstone’s history and new artwork by our artist in residence, Adam Proctor. Adam made four films for the exhibition, including an animation about Jackie Barron, a person we support, who was helped back into employment by Cornerstone.

Claire Bruce illustrated a book of memoirs from some of the people Cornerstone supports, their families and staff who have memories of living and working in long stay hospitals in the past.

This book is available to in exchange for a small donation. If you would like a copy please contact emma.taylor@cornerstone.org.uk

Mile End school in Aberdeen attended two workshops during the exhibition in Union Square, and had the task of creating an educational toolkit for other children visiting the exhibition.

Changing Times ChangingAttitudes----------------John Grant, Nick Baxter, Elaine Thomson present Nichol Stephen MSP with a painting of Cornerstone’s first service at Granton Place

After seventeen years of service to Cornerstone, Dr Jim Webster has retired as a voluntary board director for Cornerstone.

Dr Webster commented, “Cornerstone has supported my brother in an Aberdeen service since 1993. Having always been impressed with the support they provided to my family I was delighted to become involved. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the board and hope the fabulous work in the community continues for many, many years to come.”

Elaine Thomson,Cornerstone Chair said, “Jim Webster brought a wealth of experience to Cornerstone for almost two decades both from his medical background and as the brother of someone supported by Cornerstone. His focus was always on the people and he was totally committed to ensuring that Cornerstone lived up to it’s aim of ensuring that those we support enjoy a valued life. We wish Jim all the best in his retirement “

Cornerstone Board Director Retires

The WinnersCornerstone Supporter of the Year - Shona Murray, North Lanarkshire

Cornerstone Volunteer of the Year - Carol Baxter, North LanarkshireFamilies’ Award - Alan Bett, Aberdeenshire

30th Anniversary Award - Scott Broadley, Mark Doran & Sean Sneddon, North LanarkshireTASK Group Award - Carol Mair, Sue Taylor & Angela Clegg, Moray

Going for GoldAvery Lodge, AberdeenshireFirbank, East Dunbartonshire

Fairfield Road, DundeeCornerstone Award for Innovation - Kenneth Stirling, Ayrshire

Individual Award for Oustanding Achievement - Eric Boslem, GlasgowTeam Award for Outstanding Achievement - Hay Street, Moray

Nick Baxter Award - Aileen Hossack, Aberdeen

Cornerstone’s first Star Awards Ceremony was held at the Norwood Hall in Aberdeen on 17 September 2010. Sponsored by CNR and Shell the event celebrated the excellent work our staff and volunteers do every day, making a difference to the lives of the people Cornerstone supports.

Guests were greeted on the red carpet with a drinks reception before enjoying lunch and entertainment. Oceans 3 entertained everyone with some Rat Pack favourites, and a conga line snaked round the room to ‘New York, New York’.

Former STV news presenter, Kirsten Gove, compered the event and announced the winners of the different categories. These included a Families’ Award, as nominated and chosen by the families of people Cornerstone supports, a Team and Individual Award for Outstanding Achievement and the prestigious Nick Baxter Award, which recognised the loyal contribution of a long serving member of staff.

Cornerstone Star Awards

Cornerstone Supporter of the Year - Shona Murray, North LanarkshireShona was nominated for supporting her team to promote Cornerstone and to raise our profile in North Lanarkshire. Recent fundraising activities in the area included a Cornerstone’s Got Talent Show, a fashion show, a Cycle Challenge team raising £652, a dance-a-thon raising £218 and a team of local runners who took part in the Glasgow Women’s 10k. Those that nominated Shona said, “while all of these events are undoubtedly a team effort there is little doubt that without Shona’s encouragement, drive, enthusiasm and “can do” attitude the level of activity would be significantly reduced. Her positive attitude and approach has inspired and motivated the team around her at a time when funding pressures could have been a having a negative impact on the morale of staff.”

Cornerstone Volunteer of the Year - Carol Baxter, North LanarkshireCarol was nominated for her involvement in leading the North Lanarkshire Art Class. The class started with eight budding artists and has grown to over fifteen members. Those that nominated her said, “the class has given the people we support the confidence to make, create and sell items which they have hand crafted. Over the past few months those who attend the class felt that they did not require additional support in the class and now prefer to attend by themselves, which is a tremendous step for some of the people we support. “

The judging panel said “ Carol has clearly identified a need and has gone about creating a much valued opportunity for the people we support. It is clear that her commitment

as a volunteer has had a huge positive impact on the lives of everyone involved in the arts and crafts group. “

30th Anniversary Award - Scott Broadley, Mark Doran & Sean Sneddon, North Lanarkshire

The Cornerstone judging panel were so impressed with Scott, Mark and Sean’s support to Gary in his fundraising effort this July they decided to award them a 30th Anniversary Award in recognition of their outstanding achievement. Two of them walked with Gary 141 miles from Coatbridge to Aberdeen in seven days to raise awareness and funds for Cornerstone in our 30th year.

Their nomination said “Gary has Autism and I believe the goals Gary has achieved in three years would never have been possible if it wasn’t for the time and dedication of this team of people. I call them the musketeers because they have supported Gary out of his shell. On top of everything they do for Gary everyday, they

all trained together for the sponsored walk to Aberdeen to help Cornerstone. I think they are amazing Cornerstone Super Stars. “

The Star Award Winners

Families’ Award - Alfie Bett, AberdeenshireAlfie was nominated for the families’ award. Those that nominated him said, “we believe that Alfie is not only an excellent support worker, but a family friend as well. Mondays and Tuesdays wouldn’t be the same without his cheery hello as he comes in the front door. Alfie deserves to be recognised as a shining star for Cornerstone.

The judges said of Alfie “ He stands out as being a complete spectrum of everything that Johnny requires. He shows compassion, empathy and a complete understanding not only to Johnny, but also to his mother and extended family. “

TASK Group Award - Carol Mair, Sue Taylor & Angela Clegg, Moray The judges said, “this nomination shows that great teamwork makes things happen. This team definitely go the extra mile to make sure people can access their local TASK meeting. We feel that the members of the TASK Group get a lot from their meetings and this would not be achieved without the commitment of the staff involved who support the group and assist them to achieve their aims.”

Cornerstone Award for Innovation - Kenneth Stirling, AyrshireKenneth was recognised for his innovative work with Coffee Corner. Having recognised there was a lack of facilities in the local area and a lack of opportunities for the people we support in North Ayrshire he started Coffee Corner. With little support and no additional funding he managed to get the cafe up and running. The cafe now supports ten people with learning disabilities enabling them to learn valuable skills and gain confidence. Plans are being developed for the cafe to move to new premises so it can expand to support more people. This is inspirational work and a great example of a creative solution to an identified need.

Team Award for Outstanding Achievement - Hay Street, MorayOur Hay Street service has been recognised because of the outstanding care and dedication they consistently give. Those that nominated them said “Hay Street has a really friendly, family atmosphere with helpful staff whose priority is the care and well being of the people living in the home. The people we support have a very busy social calendar and this is all thanks to an excellent team.

Hay Street to me illustrates what Cornerstone aims for in that it is a safe place to be, but most of all it is a “home” in the best sense of the word. “

Nick Baxter Award - Aileen Hossack, AberdeenAileen’s long service demonstrates her commitment to Cornerstone and the people we support. She pioneered Person Centred Planning (PCP) and encouraged Cornerstone’s management team to adopt this. She became a trainer, mentor and facilitator of PCP within Cornerstone. Way back in the 1980’s she was invited to undertake external PCP related work, involving educational establishments with people in transition from child to adult services. She is held in very high regard as a skilled and devoted professional, Aileen is a great reminder to us all of the values we should strive to meet.

Individual Award for Outstanding Achievement - Eric Boslem, GlasgowEric has been recognised for his excellent work in our Glasgow services. Those that nominated him said “ Eric started his job in challenging times, but the minute he took up the post, positive changes became evident. Eric is very hands-on and is always available to help, yet strives to empower his Team Leaders to work as a team across the area and supports them as they manage their services. His attitude is inspiring; his philosophy seems to be that it is up to each one of us to turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one, although he does not underestimate the challenges that face his services and his staff. “

Eric’s efforts ensure 22 people living in Glasgow today receive the outstanding care and support Cornerstone is so rightly proud of.

About Me.....Hi, my name is Gary Wallace and just under 2 years ago some of my support team helped me start my “About Me” in the form of my first photo diary.

We started my first diary on 31st July 2008 while we were on a day out to the Transport Museum and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. There were lots of photos taken that day and I love to look back on it and remember the staff that were with me and the things I did. I have had lots of great days out and they are all down in my diary for me and others to look at. When I try new activities they are photographed and put in my diary, the same as when I have new staff on with me. I like to have a photo taken of me with each member of my team so that it can go into my diary. My diary is very important to me and I love looking at it. I also love to show it to my family and friends so they can see all the great things I do and put a face to the names of the staff that support me. Some of the staff are a bit shy of the camera at times but I soon bring them out of their shell and get a picture taken with them.

My family and friends love to look at my photo diary with me so that they can see and read what I’ve been up to. They all say my diaries are great and that it looks like I have lots of fun while I’m out and about. I tell them that yes I always have fun and just wish I could have more days out every week.

I am now nearly half way through my second diary but I still like to take my first diary out with me. When we are in the car I enjoy sitting in the back and looking at the photos and chatting to my support workers about the days out and the different activities we have done.

In my new diary I have photos of my friends from Music & Dance class at college. I took part in a show on Monday 7th June with my Music and Dance class and was really excited about it. My support team got lots of photos of me in the show to add to my diary. It will be great to get the photos developed and be able to look at them whenever I feel like it.

Gary Wallace, who is supported by Cornerstone’s North Ayrshire Community Service, has been recording his activities and days out in a diary which he has decided to share with us ....

The Society of Solicitors of Banffshire held a Masquerade Ball and raised £2, 231.46 for Cornerstone.

Jayne Findlay Regional Director - North, is presented with the cheque

Aberdeen TASK 30th anniversary party was held at the Treetops Hilton and welcomed Gary Wilson to Aberdeen after his five day walk.

Services in North Lanarkshire held a Fashion Show in July with special guest Britain’s Got Talent finalist Janey Cutler.

A stall and JCB digger competition at the Longside Gala raised £730 for Cornerstone.

www.cornerstone.org.uk

A team of 28, including people we support and staff from West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow navigated zip-wires, rope ladders and treetop tunnels at Go Ape in Aberfoyle to raise funds for Cornerstone. They completed the course in fancy dress and held a raffle with prizes donated by Go Ape.

Our Easter Place service in Portlethen organised a sponsored walk as part of their 30:30 Challenge. 30 people, walked for 30 minutes along to Stonehaven harbour and back each raising £30.

Our History of Social Care Exhibition, ‘Changing Times, Changing Attitudes’ opened at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The exhibition featured a film and various archived materials.

Perth TASK Group held a Fun Day as part of their 30th birthday celebrations. It was a popular event. A local reptile shop brought along a VERY BIG snake, a couple of lizards and a tarantula. There was also Scottish music and instruments for people to try out and the day ended the day with a treasure hunt.

Our Berrybank service held a coffee morning in the local village hall raising £850. Kindness the local baker donated a large Cornerstone cake. They also had a homebakes stall, a stall selling plants donated by the Berrybank gardener and other bric a brac and raffle prizes all donated by staff.

Our Ailsa Drive service held a fundraising night with music, bingo and a raffle.

AugustJuneJuly

Our Bridgeton service had an 80’s themed party with raffles and fancy dress prizes.

Our service in Granton Place held their annual summer BBQ .

Miss Scotland, Nicola Mimnagh, helped Cornerstone celebrate our 30th anniversary with a cake and party games in George Square in Glasgow. The Cycle Challenge was also launched the same day.

For her 30:30 Challenge, Edel Harris, Cornerstone’s Chief Executive swam 1,500 meters of the Stonehaven outdoor pool every day for 30 consecutive days raising £2,400 for Cornerstone.

Well done to Lisa Japp and Debbie Connelly who completed the Womans 10k Fun Run.

A Buttery Morning was held to raise funds for our Peterhead Services with stalls, hook a duck, raffles and a bottle stall.

Our West Park Service in Inverbervie celebrated Cornerstone’s 30th anniversary by organising a disco in Stonehaven Town Hall.

Our Blackwood and Drum Road Services in Dundee held a fancy dress Halloween party.

Our Woodside Service held a fundraising race night and disco.

The Sweet Adelines held their Grand Charity Concert with proceeds going to Cornerstone. Both organisations were celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Cornerstone’s Annual Review - North was held at the Marcliffe Hotel and reviewed the last year at a local and national level, as well as celebrating our 30th anniversary.

Glasgow Services held an 80s fancy dress day.

The Lord Provost hosted a Civic Reception in Aberdeen to mark 25 years of Cornerstone’s Altonrea service in Dyce.

Our History of Social Care Exhibition opened in Aberdeen where there was a premier screening of the exhibition films in Cineworld, Union Square.

Perth and Kinross Council held a Civic Reception to mark 30 years of Cornerstone.

Our West of Scotland Review was held at The Burrell Collection in Glasgow featuring the Airdrie Angels.

Our History of Social Care Exhibition travelled to Glasgow and was displayed at the Mitchell Library.

The first Cornerstone Central Annual Review was held at Dundee University and combined extracts of the History of Social Care Exhibition with our annual reflection.

Elaine Duffy, one of Cornerstone’s Service Managers, put on her running shoes to take part in the New York City Marathon.

Elaine completed the marathon in under five hours raising £500 for Cornerstone.

SeptemberOctober

November

As you can see it has been a busy year for Cornerstone and there have been lots of events to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

Over the festive season there are plenty of Cornerstone parties and discos across the country where staff and the people we support tuck into some turkey dinner, and dance the night away.

Cornerstone would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us in 2010 and we look forward to your continued support in 2011.

December

Cornerstone held the second professional conference in Perth. entitled ‘Attracting Social Investment’.

Our Star Awards Ceremony recognised the achievements of Cornerstone staff and volunteers.

The North Lanarkshire team organised a fashion show in July to raise funds for Cornerstone. Over 100 people attended on the event including people we support, their family and friends and members of the local community.

Hazel Brown, Cornerstone’s Regional Director for the West of Scotland was compere for the night while our models, including some of the people we support took to the catwalk.

There were various stalls selling jewellery, handbags, handmade soaps and toiletries and ‘Watch us Grow’, from Cumbernauld

Oooh ah, Fashion!

The models strut their stuff

who support people with learning disabilities had a stall selling plants. Cornerstone’s Art Group also worked really hard in the run up to the show to ensure that there was plenty of stock available to sell.

The Airdrie Angels provided the entertainment dancing to ‘ Grease’ and ‘Jai Ho’, and a special guest on the night was Britain’s Got Talent finalist Janey Cutler who sang ‘No Regrets’ to close the show. The night was a great success raising £1,200 to support Cornerstone’s work in the community.

We are excited to announce the launch in February next year of our new campaign ‘Have Your Say’ . This is a national campaign across the whole of Cornerstone which will provide anybody who is involved with the organisation the opportunity to provide us with feedback. They will be able to do this in a variety of different ways including online and through questionnaires.

All the feedback received will be used to continuously improve the quality of our services. Look out for the details of the launch coming soon to your area.

Have Your Say Phones for FundsOn the sixth day of Christmas,

I gave to cha-ri-tySix Motorolas,

Five scratched iPhones,Four Sony Ericssons ,

Three Samsungs,Two Nokias,

And a Blackberry with a broken key!

Are you getting a new mobile phone for Christmas? Why not donate your old handset to Cornerstone. We’ll recycle your old mobile phone and turn it into a charity donation to help us improve the lives of adults, children and young people with disabilities throughout Scotland. In 2010 we raised over £3000 and recycled over 500 phones. Just drop off your old handset at one of our regional offices or contact linda.shaw@cornerstone.org.uk for more information.

Healthy Working Lives

Cornerstone was asked to provide a Summer Club for sixty two children and young people with complex learning, physical and health needs in North Ayrshire. Four very enthusiastic volunteers were recruited in June for the service and alongside paid staff provided the children with a fun packed programme of activities which included days out swimming and going to adventure clubs.

www.cornerstone.org.uk

VolunteeringSummer Fun

People making waves is a website where volunteers can register and share their experiences to create a legacy on volunteering. Submissions can be by text, photo, audio tape, or anything which captures the essence of volunteering, follow this link to share your story www.peoplemakingwaves.org.uk

Making Waves

Cornerstone was awarded the bronze Healthy Working Lives award in June 2010…a great achievement! The award was presented by Dr David Cameron, Chairman of NHS Grampian, at a ceremony in Aberdeen in October. We are now working towards the silver award and hope that our staff and volunteers will continue to get involved and enjoy the range of activities taking place in each local area over the coming year.

During the summer the ‘Keeping Safe in the Sun’ campaign was promoted and a number of successful ‘Salad Lunches’ were held in offices and residential services. Those who took part enjoyed a healthy selection of food and valued the chance to catch up with colleagues over their lunch.

In September Cornerstone marked the national ‘Know your Numbers’ campaign, where staff had the opportunity to have a free and confidential blood pressure check carried out by a trained professional. Further details on blood pressure and the importance of ‘Knowing your Numbers’ can be found on the HWL page of Cornerstone’s intranet.

Physical activity was also promoted during September as our staff were encouraged to cycle in support of the Cornerstone Cycle Challenge.

Any comments and suggestions on HWL activity within Cornerstone are always welcome. Please contact your local health champion.

North: Rosy Adams - rosy.adams@cornerstone.org.ukCentral: Helen Young - helen.young@cornerstone.org.ukWest: Alison Kenna & Yvonne Robertson - alison.kenna@cornerstone.org.uk yvonne.robertson@cornerstone.org.uk

Photo CompetitionA photo competitionwas held in the summer asking volunteers to capture a moment. This is one of the winning entries, and the other two winnning photos are on the Cornerstonewebsite.

Cornerstone has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers award which is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteering management.

Investing in Volunteers

Getting to know you.... Susan Moulta Board member of both Cornerstone and Corners Turned and Chair

of Cornerstone’s Quality and Audit Committee

What did you want to be when you were growing up?When I was growing up I wanted to be a pilot so that I could travel, but unfortunately my eyesight wasn’t good enough.

What was your first job? I grew up in Blackpool and worked from the age of 14 during school/university holidays in various hotels as a waitress and chamber maid. On graduating (with a history degree) I decided I needed a professional qualification and joined the Arthur Anderson & Co. Manchester office as a trainee Chartered Accountant. It was quite daunting and a very masculine environment - the firm only employed 3 women out of a total graduate intake of 125 in the UK! Shortly after qualifying I transferred to the firm’s Geneva World Head Quarters where I managed a small internal audit team and achieved my travel ambition - I ran financial and operational audits all over the world and spent my first 5 wedding anniversaries in exotic places like Cape Town and Buenos

Aires (and the not so exotic Birmingham!).

After a career break to have my 3 children, I completed an MSc in Entrepreneurship at Aberdeen University and started my lecturing career at the Robert Gordon University. This was how I became aware of the work of Cornerstone, as I regularly invited the founder, Nick Baxter, to share his inspirational story with various groups of students.

What do you think being a Cornerstone Board Director means? I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from being on Cornerstone’s Board. I enjoy visiting different services and meeting the people we support, their families and the staff who care for them. So far, I’ve visited services in Aberdeen, Maud, Elgin, Lossiemouth, Dundee, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. I sit on the Boards of both Cornerstone and Corners Turned and chair the Quality and Audit sub-committee. I enjoy the variety and challenge of getting up to speed on the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the organisation and hope my skill set is able to add value to the Board.

Make a donation

Fundraise for us

Become a member of Cornerstone

Visit our social network pagesBecome a Volunteer

There are lots of ways you can support Cornerstone

Please visit www.cornerstone.org.uk for more informationcall 01224 256 000 or email enquiries@cornerstone.org.uk

Attend Cornerstone events