Issue 4 - Spring 2023

“Once I had seen what they were
doing in Perth, I was determined to
move there and have my own front door
and key. This was the independence I
had always wanted.”
Reflecting on the move, John said: “I
cannot describe the feeling I had. Here
I was with my own front door and the
key in my hand. It was fantastic.” John
lived and worked at Upper Springland,
eventually working as part of our kitchen
staff, preparing meals and snacks for our
then residents.
John (second from left) receiving keys
to his own flat in Perth city
For decades, across the UK social care settings
have often been guilty of being institutionalised.
Upper Springland has always strived to be an
exception to this: whilst people do live with us
permanently, we have a strong focus on providing
long-term support until such a time that someone
has the skills to live independently.
John moved out some years later, into his new
home in the centre of Perth: “I remained at Upper
Springland until I became more independent. I then
got the chance to move to a flat in the centre of
Perth. I had lived in a care setting all my life so this
was a huge move for me. I carried on working at Upper
Springland even when I was living
in my flat.”
Through the years, we have been
steadfast throughout changes in
society, as well as marked changes
in our own organisation, but we’ve
continued to deliver the same
#CaringSupport for every resident
that lives with us over the past 45 years.
Grant, on the front of an older
leaflet for Capability Scotland
And what a 45 years it has been! We’ve
supported so many memorable characters
(like Hugh, always suited and booted for
the day, pictured below), people who have
met and become life-long friends, and even
people who have met and later married.
These days, Upper Springland is now four
distinct services but it continues to remain one
community of residents, staff and volunteers.
Hugh Arbuckle
5