A group of 10 Project Managers from the Royal Bank of Scotland took a break from the office last week to improve a communal garden at Gowrie Care's Dryden Street project. The managers downed pen and paper and turned to spade, wheelbarrow and paint brush to create a vegetable garden, build and install a new cold frame as well as improve the appearance of the garden by painting the garden walls and adding some decorative features.

The work is part of the RBS Group's Community Investment Programme and Gowrie Care Ltd was chosen as a registered charity who seeks to improve the quality of life of their service users. Gowrie Care support people with a number of needs including learning disabilities, mental health problems, people who suffer from alcohol or drug addictions and those who have suffered from homelessness.


Steve Thomson, Project Manager said: "It's been great to see the enthusiasm from the service users, Gowrie staff and RBS employees. The planning and preparation was a great experience for our team. Everyone is pleased at being able to make a small difference to the Dryden St Project and we're looking forward to seeing the end result."

Ann Dickson, Gowrie Care Project Manager, said: "It's great to get the managers from the bank along. We have always put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into our garden so it's been really rewarding for the people who live here to work with people from out with Gowrie Care on this project. We look forward to lots of sunny days to enjoy it!"

In addition to the RBSG Volunteer's time, Gowrie Care received a RBSG Community Cashback Award of £500 which they will use to fund both this and future opportunities for their service users.

(GK/JM)