STAFF and clients at a day care centre in Garelochhead have been celebrating ten years of delivering person centred care and support.

Crossreach’s Oasis Day Care Centre provides a service which covers the areas of Arrochar, Luss, Helensburgh, Cardross and the Rosneath Peninsula and manager Mary Neal and her team have enjoyed celebrating their success.

Garelochhead Parish Church was packed out for a celebration service to mark the occasion.

Those present included service users, families past and present, staff, Rt Rev Derek Browning, Moderator of the General Assembly Church of Scotland, Bill Steele, convener of the CrossReach social care council, Allan Logan, CrossReach’s director of services to older people, Viv Dickenson, Crossreach’s chief executive, and Lomond North councillor George Freeman as well as guests from partnership agencies, Argyll and Bute Council and the NHS.

Following a welcome from local minister the Rev Christine Murdoch, Mr Browning said a prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, the address was delivered by Bill Steele, and Allan Logan delivered a “heartfelt and touching” message covering CrossReach’s early vision of integrated services through day care, appointment and development of staff and the service and the continued support from NHS and Argyll and Bute Council.

Mr Logan highlighted the dedication of the whole team at Oasis and the drive of manager Mary to deliver the highest standard of care, culminating in numerous achievements including their biggest to date - achieving the Care Inspectorate’s highest grade of six each year since opening in 2007.

The service concluded with a prayer of thanksgiving and dedication by Viv Dickenson, a touching rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Beth Street, accompanied by Ian Hall, and a benediction by Ms Murdoch, before all guests were invited to join staff and service users for lunch and refreshments prepared by Ursula and Oasis staff.

Manager Mary Neal said: “Having been involved in the setting up of Oasis Day Care, I am immensely proud of the level of service and the achievements obtained since opening 10 years ago. It would not have been possible without the dedication of staff, past and present, and the humbling support of many volunteers which continues today.

“Special thanks to the people who use the service, past and present, and their families, for their continued support, to the local community for their continued support and fund-raising activities, overall support from local business and organisations including events at the Anchor Inn and Garelochhead Bowling Club to the annual spring tea and Christmas celebrations from the staff and pupils of Garelochhead Primary School.”

Mary also extended her thanks to Garelochhead Parish Church for their catering facilities, technical support and flower arrangements throughout the church on the day and to all for their generous donations.

To find out more about the work of the Oasis Day Care Centre and how to get a referral contact Mary Neal on 01436 811068.