CrossCountry, the train operator, has donated £15,500 to Edinburgh-based charity Upmost which supports adults with learning disabilities and autism.
This gives student the chance of developing new skills confidence and social networks.
This was a year long project just ended involving Upmo (which is short for upward mobility) and revolved around workshops and other support helping students to work in community cafés learning about hospitality and catering. There are now three cafés supporting students across Edinburgh – St. Margaret’s House Café, Leith Victoria Café and Drumbrae Café.
Claire Farquhar, Head of Operations at Upmo, said: “It’s been wonderful to have the support of CrossCountry to develop our community cafés and help students feel more comfortable about getting on the train. Upmo students had the opportunity to observe the catering team working on board the trains, and this gave them invaluable real life work experience which will help give improve their skills for moving on into employment in the future.
“We always value support from businesses and organisations working in Edinburgh and we look forward to working closely with CrossCountry again in the future.”
Ben Simkin, Regional Director for CrossCountry’s North East & Scotland region, said: “It’s been fantastic to help Upmo support students to feel more comfortable and confident across Edinburgh – both on and off our trains.
“Our Customer and Communities Improvement Fund is a fantastic initiative that allows organisations to bid for funding to improve their local communities. I’d urge community organisations across our network to look out for the next round of funding and apply when they can.”
Six students also successfully undertook their REHIS (Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland) Introduction to Food and Health course with Edinburgh Community Food.
In total £94,885 was awarded to five charities across the country.
The new fund will be announced soon – find out more here. www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/xc-community-hub/ccif-fund
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