Garden Makeover for Aberlour Options Ayrshire disability service

A stunning garden makeover was revealed, thanks to a transformation from a team of apprentices at Alex Begg, who also raised a staggering £1850 for Aberlour Options Ayrshire disability service at Ardfin Road in Prestwick.   The purpose-built garden was revealed at the Christmas light switch-on on Tuesday, 3rd December. 

Alex Begg chose to support the local Aberlour Options Ayrshire service due to a personal connection with Group IT Manager, James McKinnon and his family. James’s daughter Rachel had stayed at Ardfin Road before she sadly passed away and he was keen to give back to the service. 

Aberlour Options Ayrshire provides short breaks respite care for children and young people with learning disabilities, autism, or more complex physical and health needs. The residential house offers a safe homely environment where children and young people can stay giving their families and carers a break from their caring responsibilities.  

The partnership began in June 2024, with a team of apprentices* from Alex Begg driving the project forward. After meeting with the Options Ayrshire team and consulting with the young people who use the service, it was decided that the garden area was most in need of a makeover and revamp.

The young people expressed a desire for a space with fun activities but also somewhere they could relax and decompress if they were feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the service highlighted that cooking evening meals is a key activity for the young people, so a small area at the back of the garden was designed as an allotment where they can grow vegetables and herbs to use in their meals.

Thanks to the team’s hard work, the garden has been transformed. Staff and young people alike are thrilled with the results and can’t wait to fully enjoy the space in the spring and summer. The Alex Begg team also held various fundraisers, including a quiz night, to raise the funds needed for the activity set, gazebo, and other items that brought the garden to life.

Deborah Grant, Assistant Director at Aberlour said: “We are immensely grateful to everyone at Alex Begg who worked closely with our Young People’s Worker, Lindsay McNeil and team to make this happen. This is an incredible opportunity to improve our accessible outdoor play opportunities as part of our commitment to children's right to play. We are all really enthusiastic to see children's ideas come to life as their views and ideas lead this development.” 

Lindsay McNeil from the Options Ayrshire service said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the dedication and hard work the team at Alex Begg have shown. We don’t often have opportunities to provide a wish list of things our young people would like to see in the garden, so this project means so much to us. We know the young people are going to love getting out in their new garden this spring and summer."

Lyall Gorman, one of the young apprentices from Alex Begg, shared his thoughts on the project:
"It was an absolute pleasure to work with the team at Aberlour. This charity holds a special place in our hearts because one of our colleague’s daughters attended here before sadly passing away. While juggling our work commitments with the garden project was challenging, we’re so pleased with the final result. We feel enriched from learning more about Aberlour and the young people it supports."

The garden is now a vibrant, welcoming space that truly reflects the needs and wishes of the young people at Options Ayrshire in Prestwick, thanks to the incredible partnership with Alex Begg.

*The apprentices were Lyall Gorman, Rachel Alexander, Ross Lowe and William McHarg

ENDS