Members of a Renfrewshire charity have gained certificates to strengthened its services.
Two members of Shopmobility Renfrewshire have completed a human rights advocacy course.
Karen Miller, office manager and funding officer, and Councillor Kenny MacLaren, chair of the board of trustees, undertook this intensive training organised by REACH Advocacy over several weeks.
The training culminated in both receiving an SQA certificate in Advocacy Practice.
This achievement marks an expansion of Shopmobility Renfrewshire's services to people with mobility disabilities.
Karen Miller said: "It will be a great benefit to the charity that we have people with qualifications in Human Rights Advocacy Practice, and it will help us to better represent anyone in Renfrewshire with a mobility disability.
"We have been using our advocacy skills to help with a range of issues, to ensure that anyone in Renfrewshire with a mobility disability has access to the same economic, cultural, and social events as everyone else.
"We have also found the training extremely useful when carrying out accessibility surveys and are working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council’s roads team to instal new dropped kerbs where they are required."
Shopmobility Renfrewshire has grown its offerings over the past few years, providing not only mobility equipment hire but also repairs and social inclusion events.
The skills from the human rights advocacy training will support their work within various networks to ensure that the voices of people with mobility disabilities are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren said: "The training from REACH Advocacy was first class.
"It was very intensive and made you think about the implications of human rights legislation and how it had impacted on your previous life experiences.
"I was delighted both Karen and I passed the course and received our certificates from the SQA and I’m looking forward to Tommy completing the course successfully and helping to boost the advocacy support we can offer."
Volunteer and board member Tommy Higgins is currently undertaking the same course.
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