National, leading social care charity Cornerstone turns 40!

National leading social care charity Cornerstone kicked off its 40th anniversary celebrations with a little help from the 1980 Dr Who, Tom Baker, at the newly opened Cornerstone Tardis Coffee Box!

Article Source: Cornerstone
Last Updated: 9 March 2020 17:31

Since being first established by Nick Baxter in 1980, Cornerstone has grown from being a charity that primarily served the North East of Scotland to becoming one of the largest care providers in the country. The charity has supported tens of thousands of people over the last 40 years including adults, children and young people with a variety of needs such as learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, Asperger’s and those in need of elderly care.

Interim Chief Executive of Cornerstone, Hazel Brown, explains: “The pioneering work of Cornerstone has been fundamental in changing the face of the care sector over the last 40 years. Our founder Nick Baxter was at the forefront of providing a solution to the then hospital closure programme, believing that people with learning disabilities, should not simply be able to live, but thrive, within their local communities. Guided by that vision, we continue to strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to play an active part in their own community.

“By adopting and promoting a person-centred, creative approach to care we have replaced traditional, institutional establishments with amazing homes such as Cornerstone’s Baxter View in West Dunbartonshire and The Waterfront in Argyll and Bute. We are able to support people in their own homes and communities by offering a wide range of vital services that have been developed in response local, identified need and demand. It is this unique offering that is allowing us to transform lives”.

During 2018 – 2019, Cornerstone worked with 19 health and social care partnerships across Scotland, and 117 residential services to deliver high quality care and support. With a focus on increasing social inclusion and reducing loneliness as well as improving health, independence and wellbeing, Cornerstone teams work closely with the people they support to set goals and ensure the high quality care and support they need to live a meaningful and valued life is available to them - where they need it, when they need it. This could mean anything from the provision of specialist Cornerstone residential accommodation on a full-time basis for people with more complex needs, to just a few hours befriending a week to help an individual build confidence and make friends. It could be after school care for children with disabilities or day care support for older people with dementia or one of the many

Cornerstone services available across the country like Cornerstone Connects, Shared Lives, Supported Living or Growing Together.

The Cornerstone Tardis Coffee Box is a newly opened social enterprise within the Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire branch of the charity. The Coffee Box Tardis sells tea and coffee to the people of Glasgow, with all profits going towards providing a quality service for the people Cornerstone support. It is typical of the pioneering approach adopted by Cornerstone, which has seen the charity often lead the way in the social care sector - responding creatively to need and demand. The Cornerstone Coffee Box also aims to raise awareness of the conditions, disabilities and challenges that many of the people Cornerstone support face and will provide them with valuable experiences and learning opportunities.

Cornerstone will be hosting many exciting events for people to get involved with during 2020. Many branches across Scotland will throw a birthday party on Friday 22nd May, during Scottish Learning Disability Week. Here, local communities and the people Cornerstone support will have the opportunity to get involved in marking the significant anniversary, discuss future hopes and aspirations, and raise vital funds that will continue to help transform lives across Scotland for years to come.

Hazel Brown concludes: “Looking to the next 40 years, we will ensure that Cornerstone remains at the forefront of the social care revolution: influencing government, holding decision-makers to account, and making sure our voice, and the voices of those we care for, are heard. Through working together with the people we support, our key partners, stakeholders and fundraisers we must rise to the considerable care sector challenges that lie ahead and meet them head on. We will continue to work hard to find creative and innovative solutions that will help transform lives and deliver exceptional care to the many people we support in communities across Scotland”.

You can keep up to date with what’s happening at a Cornerstone service near you by checking out our Facebook page or by visiting www.cornerstone.org.uk

Image Credit: Martin Shields Photography

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership

Edinburgh International Book Festival and Celtic Connections unveil major new partnership bringing together Scotland's most celebrated writers and musicians!

Beatson Cancer Charity announces amazing total for Glasgow Santa Dash 2025

Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that the Glasgow Santa Dash 2025 has raised more than £100,000 to support people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.

University of Glasgow launches first Virtual Reality kiosk for Museums in the Metaverse

Imagine visiting a museum and being transported inside the glass cases, to virtually examine artefacts at astonishing proximity and from every possible angle. This is now reality.

Jock and the Beanstalk panto stars support Social Bite Festival of Kindness

Pavilion Panto stars headed to Social Bite's Festival of Kindness on Vinicombe Street to encourage Glaswegians to donate gifts and funds to support people experiencing homelessness this winter.

DF Concerts & Events celebrates a year of sustainable and inclusive events

DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.

Full casting announced for Scottish premiere of Single White Female at the Theatre Royal Glasgow

Full casting has been announced as rehearsals begin for the Scottish premiere of Single White Female coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in June!

Celebrate the New Year with a sparkling experience at The Ivy Glasgow

With toasts to celebrate the new year breaking around the world, the experience is not to be missed!

A sweet partnership bringing locally produced, sustainable ice cream to the SEC in time for a packed winter events season

Equi’s Ice Cream, the award-winning Scottish, family-run ice cream maker, is announcing a major new partnership as the official ice cream supplier of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow.

Teenage Cancer Trust units in Glasgow receive festive surprise from Aldi

Young people receiving cancer treatment in Glasgow have been treated to a surprise delivery of festive goodies from Aldi, helping them celebrate the holiday season away from home.

Step into Christmas at Dalmeny Park with special festive menus and afternoon teas this December

Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.

Big Fat Bingo of The Year shows announced

Christmas is coming in fast, and hot on its heels is the surreal, off-kilter period between Xmas and NYE... Bongo's Bingo have got just the tonic to help see out the final days of 2025!

Scottish jazz talent in tune as award winners unveiled

The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.

Anna Campbell Jones launches small batch Scottish botanical rum distilled in Glasgow

Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.

Best burger in Scotland is now available in Glasgow for Christmas

Glasgow's Winter Wonderland gives visitors a taste of the festive season with foodie highlights including Scotland's best burger!

Award winning Rickshaw & Co launches its festive menu in Glasgow

Rickshaw & Co has launched its festive menu, bringing bold Indian and Bangladeshi flavours to December in Partick.

From plate to print: Kirsty Wark celebrates artistic legacy of great aunt

Glasgow Print Studio is thrilled to announce the release of a new limited-edition print by journalist, TV presenter and writer Kirsty Wark as part of their Call & Response series.

The festive knockout you can not miss at Oran Mor!

This December, Glasgow's Oran Mor premieres Morag Fullarton's new theatre production, 'It's a Wonderful Life... Mostly'.

10p pizzas from Civerinos as Deliveroo marks 10th Scottish anniversary

Raise a dram to a decade of Deliveroo: Civerinos and Deliveroo launch 10p pizzas to celebrate 10 years of feeding the people of Scotland.

Glasgow Fort serves up a slice of Home Alone magic with year long cheese pizza competition

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with Leopardo Pizza to launch a Home Alone-inspired competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a year's supply of Kevin McCallister’s favourite cheese pizza.

Lidl launching free gift wrapping stations across the UK

Lidl has unveiled its first-ever ‘Lidl Wrapped’ - a celebration of some of the nation's favourite buys, brought to life as limited-edition Christmas wrapping paper

Glasgow Fort joins forces with local charities to support people who feel lonely at Christmas

Glasgow Fort has teamed up with local charities to help raise awareness of the support they can provide to people of all ages experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at Christmas.

The Tron Theatre announced new season for 2026

Tron Theatre is delighted to announce its brand-new season of work for Spring/Summer 2026.

This weekend Glasgow shoppers can win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift

This Sunday visitors to VEGA's Christmas Market have the chance to “unwrap the city” and win the ultimate Glasgow Christmas gift worth over £1,000!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes two new stores for the festive season

City centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries has expanded its retail line-up this December with the arrival of two new stores, offering visitors even more choice in the run-up to Christmas.

Glasgow Film Festival supports 50 next generation filmmakers across three star studded talent labs

Lab mentors and partners include Oscar-winning and nominated directors, leading animation studios, and executives from Netflix, BFI, Aardman, and Curzon.

Caledonia Gladiators launches most exclusive seat in Scottish sport in aid of GCH Charity

Scotland's basketball franchise Caledonia Gladiators has launched a unique new VIP experience – thought to be the most exclusive sporting seat in the country – in aid of charity.

Shipbuilding heritage, tall tales & Scottish cuisine make a tasty tune

Since launching in 2019, the Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner events held at Glasgow's Mharsanta restaurant have repeatedly sold out.

Dr. Gillian Shirreffs Book Signing for Elephant at Waterstones Byres Road

Gillian Shirreffs has raised over £30,000 for charity through her writing, and she'll be signing copies of Elephant on Saturday 13th December at Waterstones Byres Road.

Silverburn unwraps a festive December of entertainment

Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has unveiled a packed diary full of events this December, as guests get ready for Christmas.