Malin Group have launched their latest festive campaign, asking primary school aged children, across Scotland to put on their STEM thinking caps, and design a bench structure to gift to a local charity, Golden Friendships.
The project represents the latest in a line of STEM based activities, that the Group have run since establishing their Malin Young Engineers initiative in 2020. The Glasgow based firm carry out heavy lift and marine engineering projects across the globe, having grown considerably over the past decade. They are however aware of a limited local supply of people interested in working in this sector, and Malin Young Engineers was the result; encouraging the next generation to think about a career in the marine sector, to reinvigorate shipbuilding, re-energise the Clyde and have a positive impact on our local economy and climate to boot.
This year however, the twist is in bringing together primary school children, to design a bench that may be used by members of the Clydebank based charity, also supported by the Group. Founded in 2017, Golden Friendships is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, The Robertson Trust and many other organisations, local businesses and individuals, who together enable them to offer a wide range of activities and services to members, and the wider community, promoting social inclusion and providing greater life choices.
Many of the members that use Golden Friendships have experienced social exclusion during much of their lives due to disabilities, additional support needs, loneliness or a lack of confidence. The charity aims to build their confidence by experiencing joy and happiness with a sense of belonging by being part of the community. Members also have access to an allotment, and the gifted bench will provide a space for members to come together, rest, relax and chat.
”Being able to harness and support this talent, whilst also creating an item that will support Golden Friendships is a privilege.
Helenor FisherMalin Group
Helenor Fisher, Director of Marketing and Business Development for the Group noted, “We have been working with a number of primary classes for a few years now and it is amazing to see the energy, drive and creativity the next generation has. Being able to harness and support this talent, whilst also creating an item that will support Golden Friendships is a privilege.’
Jim McLaren, Founder of Golden Friendships noted, ‘whilst many of our members are adults, we are here to serve the local community – including local children, and run many events, from free breakfasts during half term holidays, to Halloween discos, free pantomime sessions and much more. It is therefore lovely to have the opportunity to see a design by one of these children become a bench that our members can look at and use every day. We can’t wait to see the entries!
The competition is open to all children in primary classes 1 to 6, with full details available on the Group’s website: www.malingroup.com/festivefun25
