Ballantrae Rural Initiative Care in the Community is raising funds to build a care home for local elderly people so they can stay near their families and spend the rest of their lives in the village.
Run by volunteers, the thrift shop enables BRICC to raise funds by selling community donations. Two million pounds has been raised over 20 years by a committed volunteer group, the youngest of whom is 69 years old! Rosemary Stevenson is 88 years old and founded the charity yet continues to work 7 days a week. She is responsible for driving a 7.5 tonne lorry to collect furniture from homes to sell at the charity shop. The volunteers (approximately a dozen) help locals by providing beds, fridges/freezers, zimmer frames, recliner chairs and goods for elderly people. Although volunteers have committed time and money to the cause for twenty years, it is still a challenge to run the organisation without additional funds, and most volunteers must use their own vehicles and pay fuels costs.
BRICC are in a battle against time to complete the care home with a dementia unit, and even though they have applied for planning in a large house next to the premises, costs keep rising, preventing construction. An architect and builder would greatly help them reach their goal. Rosemary was awarded an MBE by the Queen 17 years ago and has never taken a day off the project since.
Volunteers provide an assortment of goods at little or no charge to the ageing community with things such as white goods, furniture, shower and bed aids and walking aids. Additionally, BRICC hosts a plethora of fundraising events, for example there is a coffee morning every Tuesday which is open to anyone in the village and whoever comes into the shop. Freshly baked cakes are made by volunteers in exchange for a small donation to the church. The lunch club takes place fortnightly and provides a discounted two-course meal with cake & coffee for five pounds. £5 for a two-course lunch and cake and coffee. BRICC shop has a care agency which employs around 30 people who work within a 15-mile radius to provide support to the elderly and those needing help in their homes. BRICC’s ultimate goal is to keep supporting the elderly community within Ballantrae.
Twenty years ago, Rosemary recognised that Ballantrae could not provide the necessary level of support and assistance to the ageing community to allow them to remain in the town, and since then, with the support of the volunteers, BRICC has created a bubbling elderly social life. The team’s focus on looking out for the elderly, helping to clear out homes when needed and helping with shopping has made BRICC a place for people to reach out to if they need help. BRICC is always there to help a local resident with overcoming the challenges of age and will guide individuals to accessing social care from the council if needed.