Housebuilder provides welcome new home for after-school initiative

Lesley Manson and Craig Ormond at the new site

HOUSEBUILDER Mactaggart & Mickel has stepped in to help secure the future of an after-school service in East Renfrewshire.

Children have been enjoying outdoor activities as part of the Clarkston After School Service. The initiative was founded in 2014 and services had been operating at a local church hall. However, last year it was at risk of closure due to the site being sold.

Mactaggart & Mickel has granted a lease over land at Newford Grove they own for their outdoor learning facility. The site, near Williamwood High School, opened in August and has been a big hit.

Lesley Manson, owner and director at Clarkston After School Service, explained, “We needed a new home urgently and due to Covid, there was a big swing towards outdoor education and childcare provision and when I discovered the site at Newford Grove, I immediately saw its potential and approached Mactaggart & Mickel.

“The whole team has been incredibly supportive with their input and not only saved the service from closure but created something new and exciting for the out-of-school care sector. We’ve had lovely feedback from parents and children who love the peace and tranquillity and hopefully we can play our part in developing the space for the benefit of the local community. I hope and working with our out-of-school care colleagues to promote and develop the outdoor model of care for the sector.”

Craig Ormond, director at Mactaggart & Mickel, added, “Mactaggart & Mickel have a proud history of working with communities in the places we build homes. We’re very pleased to support the Clarkston After School Service by making land available and helping realise a new outdoor learning centre at Newford Grove. Outdoor after-school clubs are important for learning as well as the health and wellbeing of children. Something made only more important after the last year or so in lockdown.

“We’ve also made some of our construction team and sub-contractors available to help Clarkston After School Service hit the ground running. We look forward to supporting other similar community projects as we build much-needed new homes across East Renfrewshire.”