Oakburn Park Day Care in Milngavie, run by care and housing provider Bield, has seen such a huge demand for Wee Betty’s Bistro, a restaurant style setting at the development, that they have used new funding to expand the project.

Bield successfully secured a series of grants; £5,295 from the Bank of Scotland, £4,000 from the Scottish Government’s People and Community Fund and £5,732 from the Margaret Murdoch Charitable Foundation towards Wee Betty’s Bistro.

Donna McCallum, deputy manager at Oakburn Park, said: “The funding has enabled Wee Betty’s Bistro to run twice a month instead of the original one day a month.

“The centre’s common room is transformed into a restaurant, allowing people in surrounding community or other care services, the opportunity to dine out with friends and family in a safe and controlled environment.

“The concept came about after staff recognised that people who use the Day Care service experience feelings of anxiety when they are put in unfamiliar surroundings such as restaurants, so they were determined to ensure that they could still enjoy the simple experience of dining out with their families.

“The bistro is also particularly great for the likes of birthday celebrations and family meals because the stress and hassle is taken away.”

As well as helping Oakburn Park run the service two nights a month, the funding has also enabled the development to invest in equipment to enhance the dining experience.

Donna said: “We have been able to buy a barbeque which has given a bit of versatility to Wee Betty’s Bistro, letting everyone enjoy dining outside on a summer evening.”

“With the funding, Oakburn Park has also been able to buy a record player to allow diners to reminiscence over their favourite music. This has helped create a relaxing and calming atmosphere which the diners feel safe in.”

Aileen Morton, marketing officer at Bield, said: “We are so proud of the success that Wee Betty’s Bistro has had and delighted that we are now able to improve the service even more.

“We feel that services such as these really encompass our ‘Free to Be’ ethos, meaning that service users can make their own choices about how they live their lives whilst having support there when they need it.

“We hope to see Wee Betty’s Bistro continue to grow as we feel it’s a truly beneficial service and really does play a pivotal role in enriching the lives of those who use our service.”

@BieldScotland