Project to help vulnerable kids
Leading property companies have come together to support an urgently needed building project for a children’s charity in Kinross-shire.
Their joint investment has supplied half of the £5.5m needed to make it happen.
If more investment comes in, a brand new Seamab School is planned, ready to open in early 2025.
The collaboration of top Scottish developers, architects, planners, engineers, landscape designers and surveyors has been formed to plan and deliver a new school for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable youngsters who need special help because of the trauma, abuse or neglect they have encountered.
Seamab’s skilled staff provide a package of 24-hour specialised care, therapeutic support and tailored education to meet each child’s individual needs.
The project for Seamab Care and Education is seen as a rare opportunity for the property industry to put its time and expertise into a physical asset that will make a profound difference to the lives of young people who have had a severely traumatic start in life.
Led by Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group and chair of Seamab, alongside Alastair Wallace of Thomas and Adamson, the group has secured planning permission for the new school and has now passed the halfway point of its £5.5m fundraising target.
It is now urging contractors and supply chain companies to get involved so that the technical specification can be progressed, and the project can be delivered.
Alastair said: “Seamab is an unapologetically small charity, and so deserving of our support. Seeing the work they do and the children they care for is incredibly moving. Simply put, they need a new school.
“They currently exist in an old residential property that is no longer fit for purpose. Creating a better environment with well-designed educational and play spaces is what we as an industry can do and why we have come together in a genuinely collaborative effort.
“We are looking for contractors and materials suppliers who can offer either or both financial support or contributions that will see the plans come to reality.
“It clearly contributes to any charity benefit programme a company has in place, but, in this case, the return on investment is delivering a better start in life for many young children. It’s something we all want to do.”
The property companies that make up the design team are Chris Stewart Group, Thomas & Adamson, Thomson Gray, Rybka, Will Rudd, Harrison Stevens Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, Davidson Chalmers Stewart LLP, 3Dreid Ltd and LBA – Architecture + Design.
Anyone wishing to help should contact ksmith@seamab.org.uk