New kitchen in Leith supports school leavers with learning disabilities

Moving into a new building wouldn’t be complete for Edinburgh Charity Teens Plus without a fresh sparkling fully-accessible kitchen.

The project, which currently supports 21 school leavers with learning disabilities in full-time further education, moved into its new McDonald Road base in Leith last month.

They’ve now officially opened their new kitchen in the space, which was made possible by a £15,000 donation from rugby children’s charity Wooden Spoon.

Ambassador and former Scotland rugby international Roger Baird unveiled a plaque at the completed suite earlier this week.

He was presented with a “bouquet” of wooden spoons decorated by students.

Simon Pearce-Madge, head of service at Teens Plus, told STV News: “A kitchen’s not just a place for us to cook with the people that we provide support to.

“It’s very much about them being able to build relationships, peer networks, and develop their opportunities.”

Students in Leith have adapted well to their new surroundings after moving from the charity’s former base in Musselburgh.

Centre manager Sarah Anderson said: “It’s just been a much bigger space, it’s allowed the students to really make it their own as well.

“It’s just went really well, everyone’s coped really well with the transition to the new space and I think everyone much prefers it.”

Students and staff alike at Teens Plus are looking forward to getting more use out of the kitchen as they continue to settle into their new home.

Wooden Spoon funds numerous projects to support vulnerable and young people across the UK and Ireland.