Pioneering Aberdeen sensory service benefits from Council funding boost
29 March 2018
A unique project to provide vital support to visually and hearing impaired children and young people is amongst a range of good causes which will benefit from this year’s Aberdeen City Council budget.
North East Sensory Services (NESS) welcomed Co-Leaders Cllr Douglas Lumsden and Cllr Jenny Laing to its city base to mark the charity’s £15,000 award made at the Council’s annual budget meeting earlier this month.
The funding will be used to support the Young Peoples’ Sensory Service (YPSS), which offers the only tailored provision of its type in Scotland and is led by project co-ordinator Diana Daneels.
Graham Findlay, Chief Executive of NESS, said: “YPSS works with children and young people with both hearing and sight impairments and has been running successfully for over eight years. It’s a critical project in that it works with the youngest members of the community who are dealing with the daily obstacles associated with their serious sight or hearing loss.
“The service plays a vital role in preparing these young people for the rigours of life and when appropriate we move individuals on to other in-house support such as our employment service to provide them with the basic preparatory, employability skills and to source, where possible, job opportunities.”
YPSS offers a range of opportunities to our young people that they might not otherwise have and works with them individually and in small groups in a relaxed social setting.
Cllr Lumsden said: “We’re delighted to have been able to support NESS as part of the Council’s budget setting process and are fortunate to have been able to visit and find out more about the great work being done.
“It is an innovative approach and is invaluable to the young people it supports and their families. The Council’s contribution is an example of the way we wish to work in partnership to deliver the best possible outcomes.”
Those supported by the service range from birth to the age of 19, with NESS working alongside an array of local professionals such as teachers and social workers to tailor care for each individual.
Cllr Laing said: “It has been really beneficial to learn more about the work being done in Aberdeen through YPSS and we’re proud to be recognising the excellent work being done by awarding funding.
“This is one of a wide range of fantastic charities, groups and initiatives the Council will be supporting in the year ahead both through the general budget and the Common Good fund. Each of these will make a valuable contribution to our communities.”