MORAY Reach Out (MRO) have unveiled Buckie as the location for their new headquarters. The charity, which provides training opportunities for adults with learning difficulties throughout the region, including waste watchers and Buckie Yarns, have bought the former Cruickshank’s store building on East Church Street. In order to let the public see for themselves what plans the charity have for the building, an open day is due to be held in the premises on Friday November 16, from 11am to 2pm. Following a short welcome by MRO chairman Terry Murphy, the public will be invited to look round the building and chat to members of the team. The organisation will also hold a short AGM during the open day. Light refreshments will be available as well. Getting to the stage of finding and purchasing the new MRO headquarters has been a
long road, as general and business development manager Shona Radojkovic explained. “Back in December 2017, Moray Reach Out held a public consultation via social media and questionnaires distributed in our Buckie Yarns shop where we asked people’s opinion on MRO purchasing a building in Buckie. “Although the charity provides training services at various sites throughout Moray, it has always felt close to the Buckie community where it was founded in 1996 by parents and carers of adults with learning disabilities. “We also asked questions about what type of workshops would interest the public. “MRO received around 400 responses and 99 per cent were in favour of this bold step for a charity. “There was a good response with suggestions for workshops including crafting, beginners knitting, beginners
crocheting and spinning. “It took us some time to find the right building for us. This will be our Moray Reach Out headquarters and house several of our projects – some existing and some new. “The organisation went through a rebranding exercise in 2017 and Buckie Yarns became MRO Yarns and Crafts but due to the possibility of moving new signage was never sourced. “In 2019, the MRO headquarters will house Yarns and Crafts, a thrift shop, a brandnew spinning project and plans to provide workshops for the public. “We are looking forward to being more in the hub of the town where there will be easier access for the public to visit us and for us to be more at the heart of the community.” The open day will also provide an opportunity for visitors to the event to hear about training or volunteering opportunities and to sign up as a friend of MRO and receive regular updates via newsletter.