At the start of 2020, Cornerstone started excitedly planning for a big milestone – 40 years of care! Cornerstone delivers vital services to people with a variety of physical and learning disabilities across Scotland and, since being first established in 1980, has grown to become one of the largest care providers across the country. Many exciting events were prepared for people we support to get involved with over the course of the year to celebrate this achievement.

Plans to throw a birthday party in each Cornerstone service across Scotland during Scottish Learning Disability Week were delayed by COVID-19, however as lockdown restrictions started to ease, the buzz around this big birthday started to re-appear amongst the team in our North Lanarkshire Supported Living branch. They were not a team to let unforeseen circumstances get in the way of a party and wanted to do something to provide the sense of local community that captures Cornerstone essence. The result was an online afternoon tea celebration.

A special ‘tea for two’ box was hand delivered to each of the people we support’s homes on Saturday 25^th July, full of yummy goodies such as sandwiches, cakes, and chocolate covered strawberries, which had everyone’s mouths watering! This was also accompanied with an “all you need to party” pack with games, competitions and party décor to get everyone into the party spirit.

Once all 45 of the people we support within this branch received their doorstep delivery, everyone was invited to join in on a video chat using MS Teams to catch up and of course sing Cornerstone a big ‘Happy Birthday’. The people we support raised their roofs with some spectacular singing that could probably have been heard across North Lanarkshire.

Branch Leader, Robyn Birrell said, ‘’What a team, even in such uncertain times they are forever full of ideas and devoted to ensuring the people we support really do live their best life. Seeing the people we support and colleagues smiling faces on my laptop screen that afternoon was emotional to say the least and I could not be prouder to lead the NL Supported Living Branch!’’                   

It was not quite the original plan we had in mind, but it will definitely be one to remember for all involved.