Market gifts handmade with love
Balhousie Care Group’s head office in Perth transformed into a bountiful market on Friday, October 15 with cake, soap and fudge starting everybody off on their Christmas shopping.
Staff and service users of ASC Balbeggie, Perthshire paid a visit, bringing their handmade products.
ASC consists of three specialist care facilities in Balbeggie and has its own social enterprise, under the brand name LOTUS, standing for ‘Loving our talents unique and special’.
A table laden with preserves, cakes, fudge, handmade soaps, candles and glitter glasses was presented by ASC’s activities coordinator, Anne Foulds.
The pop- up shop sold goodies, all with attractive labels declaring:‘Handmade with Love.’
There were stunning, turned and crafted wood products – chopping boards, bowls and candlesticks, plus ‘bug hotels’ of all shapes and sizes.
The wooden handiwork was all created to order by service users in ASC’s highly productive, in-house carpentry workshop, under the watchful eye of Bob Foulds, who developed the workshop from scratch in a former shed.
The project, operated like a Men’s Shed, not only shares carpentry, but life skills too. The aim is to encourage relaxation and fun.
Bob said: “The handiwork they are producing – from ornaments to kitchen utensils – is amazing.
“Service users see it as not just a place to learn, but their safe space. It’s a place where residents can let off steam or half a laugh.”
Judging for a photographic calendar took place as well at the event on Friday.
Anne explained: “We’re running a wee competition to create a 2022 calendar, with pictures taken by staff and service users, and we asked members of staff from head office to judge, selecting 13 winning images in total.
“It is certainly bringing out the competitive side here at ASC, with everyone keen to see if their entry will grace people’s home throughout the year to come.”
For more information visit www.balhousiecare.co.uk