Bertha Park Bulletin - Issue 2

Bertha Park 

Bulletin 

Issue 2 

Capability Scotland 

24 St John’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6NZ 

Tel: 0131 337 9876 

Email: hello@capability.scot 

Web : www.capability.scot

2 

Accessibility is 

Key 

We want to make sure these 

newsletters are accessible for you to 

read in a way you prefer. We’ve got a 

few versions ready to go but welcome 

any request for a different version. Get in 

touch if you need this in another format: 

hello@capability.scot 

Makaton and Spoken Video: 

https://bit.ly/BPIssue2 

Large Print & Easy Read: 

https://bit.ly/BP2EasyRead 

Symbolised Version: 

https://bit.ly/BP2Symbols

Bertha Park Bulletin 

3 

Welcome! 

Welcome to the second edition of the Bertha 

Park Bulletin – your regular newsletter that 

brings the latest updates on our plans to 

replace the Upper Springland campus with a 

new purpose-built facility at Bertha Park. 

What’s New? 

A lot has happened since we first shared 

the exciting news of our plans to create 

new, exemplar and enabling services and 

accommodation on the new Bertha Park 

development, putting us at the heart of the 

new community. 

In this edition, we will: 

• Update you on current progress 

• Let you know what is due to happen 

next 

• Reveal our ‘mock-up’ of a proposed 

studio flat – and explain how you can 

play an important part in helping to 

shape our plans for Bertha Park. 

• Introduce you to Jennifer Dalrymple 

who will lead our new ‘co-production’ 

role to ensure you, our staff, customers, 

and families are fully involved in the 

creation of the final design. 

• Share some of the comments and 

feedback we’ve had to date 

In addition, Brian Logan, our Chief Executive, 

has prepared a short video sharing an 

overview of the project to date and invites 

you all to view using the following link: 

https://bit.ly/BPIssue2

4


5 

What progress has been made? 

Last July, we outlined the reasons behind the planned move to Bertha Park and the 

exciting ambition we have for the project. We were delighted that the response we got 

from customers, staff and families to our plans was positive. Our strategic partners – 

including Perth and Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership, Perth and Kinross Council 

and NHS Tayside – have all enthusiastically welcomed the project. We also commissioned 

Queen Margaret University to conduct important research to ensure the project delivers 

the correct service and facilities. 

What is the latest position? 

Following the high levels of support we received for the plans, this gave us the support 

and confidence to present a case to the Capability Scotland Board in November for the 

project to move to an important next phase. The Board now want us to start negotiations 

to secure the proposed land we’d need at Bertha Park. 

What will happen next? 

A recommendation on the purchase of the land will go to the Board in April. We promise 

to keep you informed, and involved in the co-production process of all aspects of the 

building and service development of the Bertha Park Project. We will continue to issue 

regular newsletters – and we have plans for a dedicated project website where we will 

keep you updated on progress. 

What role can I play? 

Although we are still at a fairly early stage in the process, we are committed to ensuring 

stakeholders play a fundamental part in the design process and eventual move. We want 

you to share your hopes and expectations for the Bertha Park Project – it’s essential to 

the success of the project you help to shape and inform the plans. 

This will be a ‘co-production’ process – and we will outline more about this in the article 

about Jennifer Dalrymple on the following pages. 

I am excited to 

have a bigger 

room

6 

Mock-up Studio Flat 

We had lots of interest in our plan to 

create a life-size mock-up of a proposed 

studio flat and, at some 50% larger 

than an existing studio, we are delighted 

to say this has now been built in our 

theatre at Upper Springland. 

Designed by architects Anderson 

Bell + Christie, the mock-up has been 

constructed like a theatre stage set - 

the walls have been framed in wooden 

panels with minimal furniture added 

to allow customers and staff to better 

view the studio space and consider its 

potential as we work together to further 

develop and refine the final design. 

It’s an accessible, familiar and 

convenient location for Upper 

Springland customers, staff and visiting 

family members to use. The balcony in 

the Theatre Room adds the opportunity 

for a unique overhead perspective. 

The studio mock-up will become a 

key component of the ‘co-production’ 

design process of the Bertha Park 

Project – it’s been commissioned to 

provide a tangible and tactile way to 

gather meaningful feedback around the 

practical issues of creating a new home 

and importantly, your aspirations and 

ideas on what works better and best 

around this whole process. 

Initially, the focus will be on the use and 

practicalities of the space 

and how you will access 

your new home. We’d 

want to know if there 

is enough room 

for your wheelchair(s) to be stored and 

charged; if there is enough room for you 

to turn and manoeuvre in your home, 

plus any other thoughts on the layout 

and design of the living space. 

Over the development of the design 

phase, it will be used to allow you to trial 

and experiment with different features 

and personalisation such as furniture, 

door designs, colours and assistive 

technologies. 

Given the open design and venue, 

there is also the opportunity to host 

discussions and even enjoy drama 

sessions to allow you to better express 

your feelings about a new home and a 

move from Upper Springland. 

The mock-up will be a work in progress 

and evolve until all design and service 

elements have been shared and opinions 

logged. We will instruct contractors 

to alter the mock-up design based on 

consultation and your feedback, and 

you can attend as many times as you 

want. 

Our Co-production Lead, Jennifer 

Dalrymple, is currently consulting on an 

initial programme of activities based 

around using the mock-up to ensure 

customers, staff and families have a 

chance to visit and to share their views. 

Jennifer will be scheduling visits to the 

mock-up and will be in direct contact 

with you all to arrange viewings. 

Please look out for further information 

coming forward. 

I would love to 

see a mock flat


7 

During construction 

An aerial view of the room 

A room with a view 

Wheelchair storage 

We need you to help shape the future!

8 

Meet Jennifer Dalrymple 

We’re delighted to introduce our new Co-Production Leader, Jennifer 

Dalrymple. 

Although Jennifer is known to many of you through 

her previous job role at Upper Springland, her 

position on the Bertha Park Project will be new 

to everyone. 

Jennifer will work in ‘co-production’ with 

customers, staff and family members to 

ensure their ideas are embedded into 

the design proposals for Bertha Park. 

Jennifer, who has worked with 

Capability Scotland for the last ten 

years in various roles, said, “we want 

to put customers at the heart of 

everything we do and to ensure their 

voices and thoughts are heard. 

“So this is exactly what my role will 

do. The role has been created to 

work directly with customers, staff 

and family members to gather real life 

opinions and thoughts that will shape and 

influence the design and service delivery at 

Bertha Park. 

“Co-production is an inclusive approach to bring 

lived experiences into the decision making process. We 

will ensure customers, families and staff members - those who 

would like to - have the opportunity to share their thoughts with us at 

every step of the design process. 

What will 

pavements and 

roads be like into 

town?


9 

“We guarantee that the thoughts and wishes expressed by customers, 

staff and family members will be listened to and shared with the project 

board. That’s why we would love to hear any feedback on the design or 

any areas you’d like us to consider to meet your aspirations.” 

The first activity of co-production is the replica - or ‘mock-up’ - of the 

proposed residential accommodation which has been purpose-built 

in the Theatre Room at Upper Springland. All customers and staff 

across the four services including the ancillary departments at Upper 

Springland will be encouraged to visit the mock-up and share their 

thoughts. 

Due to coronavirus restrictions, drop-in times and dates for staff and 

customers will be scheduled in advance to allow each service the 

opportunity to safely visit the accommodation. Family members will 

also be invited to visit and Jennifer will make contact directly to make 

suitable arrangements. 

There will be various ways to submit feedback: verbally to Jennifer 

during a mock-up visit; by emailing Jennifer at 

Jennifer.Dalrymple@capability.scot, or completing a feedback form 

which will be available to everyone in the theatre. 

This is just the start of the co-production process and Jennifer is looking 

forward to working with you all as the project evolves. 

Will there be 

electric car 

charging points?


11 

What You Said 

Last year, everyone involved with 

Upper Springland had the chance 

to both learn about the project 

– and know that their initial 

feedback would be gathered and 

listened to. 

We were pleased to see that 

feedback was positive, inquisitive, 

and with no objection to the 

proposed move from Upper 

Springland being recorded. 

We’ve already outlined that 

there is strong support for the 

project, but there was also 

important feedback on how the 

project could be better designed. 

Those thoughts came from our 

engagement with customers, 

staff and families, via the likes of 

Comments Boxes and our research 

with Queen Margaret University 

This included: 

• A greater desire to live more 

independently, supported 

through the use of SMART 

technologies 

• Accessible outdoor spaces 

• Better access to life 

opportunities (such as creative, 

social and employment 

opportunities) 

• Smaller groups within shared 

accommodation units 

We were also delighted to 

receive backing from our 

strategic partners, these are the 

organisations that we need to 

work with to secure planning and 

to deliver the correct services. 

Counsellor Eric Drysdale, Chair of 

P&K Integration Joint Board, Board 

Member NHS Tayside and Ward 

Councillor, Perth City Centre, said: 

“The concept of a brand-new 

state-of-the-art complex to be 

built at Bertha Park is a really 

exciting opportunity. Crucially, 

the journey towards making this a 

reality will very much involve those 

who would live there or who would 

use the facilities, so together all 

stakeholders can work together 

to co-create the best living 

environment we can.” 

This initial feedback – along with 

the all the findings we take from 

the co-production work to be 

developed – will allow us to build a 

new facility that truly delivers on 

our mission to create the highest 

quality services, tailored to the 

individual needs of our customers. 

Will there be 

electric car 

charging points?

Capability Scotland delivers exemplary care, 

support, and education for disabled children 

and adults across Scotland. 

We were founded in 1946 and have always 

strived to be a major ally in supporting 

disabled people to have full equality of 

opportunity and participation as citizens of 

Scotland. 

Please get in touch on hello@capability.scot if you require this document in a different format. 

Limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number SC036524. 

Registered Scottish Charity, number SC011330

Bertha Park Bulletin - Issue 2

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?