Inclusive darts group to benefit from Moray’s new Community Benefits Portal
A local darts group has become one of the first organisations to benefit from a new online portal designed to connect community groups with businesses delivering contracts for Moray Council.
Inspiring Darts, which supports individuals with learning disabilities and neurodiverse adults across Moray, successfully secured support after submitting a request through the council’s Community Benefits Portal.
The group, which meets at the Seaforth Club in Elgin, provides opportunities for members to play darts, develop their skills and be part of a team, while offering a welcoming and supportive environment.
Support for Inspiring Darts was provided by contractor Balfour Beatty, currently delivering a number of construction projects in the area, including the new Forres Academy building.
The group were able to buy a personal flag to help enhance their presence at events and raise awareness of the opportunities they offer local people.
The Community Benefits Portal allows community organisations and third sector groups to post requests for assistance - such as materials, equipment, volunteer time or professional expertise. Suppliers working on council contracts can then choose to respond and provide support.
The initiative forms part of the council’s Community Wealth Building approach, which aims to ensure that public investment in Moray delivers wider benefits for local communities.
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Marc Macrae, said: “This is exactly what the Community Benefits Portal was designed to do - create straightforward connections between local groups and businesses working in Moray. Inspiring Darts plays an important role in supporting adults with learning disabilities and neurodiverse adults and it’s encouraging to see this new platform already helping to strengthen opportunities within our communities.”
Jackie Lumsden, Social Impact Manager for the North of Scotland at Balfour Beatty, said: “The Community Benefits Portal provides a straightforward way for us to connect with local organisations and identify where our support can have the greatest impact.
“Inspiring Darts is doing important work to create inclusive opportunities for neurodiverse adults, and we were delighted to support the group by helping to raise their profile within the community.”
Shelley Ritchie, Founder of Inspiring Darts said: “We are extremely grateful to the Moray Council Portal for enabling a connection with Balfour Beatty, whose donation has helped Inspiring Darts fund a flag that will be used at fundraising events. Inspiring Darts is a darts group for neurodiverse adults that has been running in Moray for over 10-years, and this support allows us to raise awareness of our group, encourage community engagement and continue providing a welcoming, supportive environment for neurodiverse adults.”