This year Apex Stranraer was thrilled to be chosen as the local Sainsbury’s charity of the year in support of the team’s Moving In project.

In 2013 Apex Stranraer secured a Big Lottery Support and Connect Fund grant to set up a foodbank and to enhance our existing ‘Moving In’ service which provides housing starter packs for those in need in Wigtownshire.

Sainsbury’s Newton Stewart has announced that Apex Scotland will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support as the new Local Charity partner for the retailer’s local store.

Apex Stranraer Personal Development Mentor, Callum Gibson, has been recognised as a Community Jobs Scotland success story as Youth Employment minister Angela Constance MSP announced funding for 400 additional places on the Scottish Government’s job creation scheme.

Staff and clients of Apex Stranraer were delighted to receive a donation from Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership’s (DGHP) Community Pride Fund for their Moving In project which aims to help homeless people when they get their first tenancy. Moving In involves making up packs of basic household items that anyone would consider necessary for starting life in a new home.

Dance Music Initiative, or D.M.I, is a contemporary and innovative group for the U-Turn 16-25 year old clients in Stranraer. The project offers a unique way to engage with young people through a medium they are passionate about. Basic audio production and turntable skills are at the forefront of the programme, but issues such as drug and alcohol awareness, and sexual health are also addressed, heightening awareness and reducing risk. Participants also obtain a holistic view of the music scene and the opportunities it offers to engage and inspire them to a positive future.

An Easter Tearoom was held at Apex in Stranraer recently to raise funds for the Moving In project which provides Home Packs of essential basic home wares to people moving into homeless accommodation in the area.

Staff in Apex Stranraer were delighted when their young Lifeskills trainees successfully completed a programme designed to improve their car maintenance skills.