Dates-n-mates members and staff receive the SSSA ‘Courage to Take a Risk’ Award from The Minister for Childcare & Early Years, Mark McDonald MSP.
Left to right: Mark McDonald MSP, Kim Murphy, Stacey Murray,
John Paul Moffat, Sheryl Walker (Project Manager), Lesley Miller,
Piotr Wojtalewski, Sally Magnusson.
A local social care charity has been presented with two prestigious awards within one week.
C-Change Scotland’s project Dates-n-mates won the Courage to Take a Risk category of the Scottish Social Services Awards. They also found success at the Scottish Charity Awards, winning the Pioneering Project prize.
The charity has received praise as it is Scotland’s first national dating and friendship agency run by and for people with learning disabilities. The project aims to reduce social isolation, increase self-esteem and build confidence among some of the most vulnerable members of society.
John Paul Moffat, who is both a director and member of Dates-n-mates said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive these awards. Dates-n-mates transforms the lives of its members simply by giving people with learning disabilities the opportunity to make friends and find love. I feel so proud that our work has been recognised by the Scottish Social Services Forum.”
