A COMPLEX needs centre in Galashiels has scooped a national award - less than six months after opening.

Cornerstone Connects welcomes up to 38 service users each day in the former Borders College buildings on Melrose Road.

Art classes, cookery sessions and gardening groups are on offer along with crafts workshops, music, sports and drama.

As well as a dedicated team of staff the centre is also boosted by a growing army of skilled volunteers.

And, despite only being officially opened in June by para-athlete Samantha Kinghorn, the imaginative approach to providing care was honoured at the charity’s Star Awards in Dundee last week.

Centre manager Aileen Knox told the Border Telegraph: “We were delighted to have been short-listed and it came as pleasant surprise when they announced us as the winners.

“The award is testament to the hard work of everyone involved at Cornerstone - the staff, the volunteers and all of the service users’ families.” Cornerstone is one of Scotland’s largest charities and a leading provider of services for people with disabilities and other support needs.

Cornerstone was founded by Nick Baxter in 1980 when he brought together a group of parents and professionals who were concerned about the lack and quality of services available to people with learning disabilities and their families.

Over the past 30-odd years it has grown to become one of the country’s largest charities - now operating more than 120 residential services and employing over 1700 staff. This year’s Star Awards saw 150 nominations presented to the judges for the eight categories. Cornerstone Connects Galashiels won the CNR International Award for Innovation.