Now the winter seasons is here, our focus has turned to making improvements to the centre to make it the best it can possibly be. This has been our busiest season yet! We have hosted 60 schools and thousands of people on SU holidays, SU weekends and various church and youth groups. We at Lendrick Muir, are passionate about working with young people and whilst there is a lull in visitors, it is time to get improving. We take huge pride in giving our guests the best experience possible and when we see room for improvement we try our upmost to make it happen.

It is however, a race against time before schools return at the beginning of February!

Improvements made

Not all the improvements need an empty site. So, much of the work continues throughout the year. We have been able to erect a Kota which has been a huge hit providing an alternative meeting space and a fantastic indoor bonfire site.

Have you spotted the new signs directing you around the site? Or have you seen the lights lighting up the main house and its car park?

There has been the replacement of furniture and decoration of several public rooms. The Kids Play Area needed upgrading – so we did!

Some changes might not be so obvious. But many of the lights have been upgraded to LEDs which has brightened up so many rooms and saved our electricity bills! Ever thought you could do with a more powerful shower? Well, the water system has just been re-pressurised and it has made a tremendous difference!

Improvements to come

This winter, we continue our plans to refurbish a third of the toilets  and showers building on the fantastic improvements from last winter. This includes a new ensuite in Glendevon unit and the Cleish corridor and two new bathrooms in Ochil. Doing work on the top floor of an old building does not come without its challenges!!

Not only this, but by next summer we plan to have a new Low Ropes Course!

The Office team are also hard at work introducing a new booking system to make the process of organising an event with us as smooth as possible.

Improvements we would like to make

We also have on our radar the replacement of the Adventure Golf Course and building an Activity Base. But this will require further funding. We are hugely grateful for the Lendrick Muir Development Appeal of 2015 which raised just over £92, 000 because so much of the above would never have been achieved without it.  If you feel able to GIVE towards this work your contribution would be gladly appreciated.

Motivation

It is true to say that some of the work at Lendrick Muir is not the most glamorous, particularly in the winter season. But as a staff team, when we receive feedback such as below from the Team Leader of an SU holiday, it is easy to find our motivation and know it as a real privilege to do what we do.

“For some of the young people at the event the week was an opportunity to help the truths of the gospel and the identity of Jesus take greater root in their lives and this was seen in the way they responded in group time. A couple of days after the event, one of the parents sent a very encouraging email thanking us for the care her daughter had received and the friendships she had made. The parent was eager to book up for 2018 and make a deposit.”

Lend a hand?

Our Facilities team works tirelessly over the winter months. However, this work would never be completed without the amazing team of volunteers who help. If you have time to spare and are a trained tradesman or enjoy decorating or a keen gardener, we would love to HEAR FROM YOU.