The organisation seeks to raise the final £500,000 needed to complete the vital project
Seamab, a charity that supports Scotland’s most vulnerable children, welcomed its Patron, Gerard Eadie CBE, to see the progress made on its new £5.5 million school.
The visit comes as the organisation seeks to raise the final £500,000 needed to complete the vital project, which is set to transform the facilities available to children from across Scotland who have experienced significant trauma.
A new school, which is currently under construction in Kinross-shire, will replace an outdated residential building that no longer meets the needs of its pupils.
It will offer modern facilities designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment where the children, excluded from mainstream schools, can begin to overcome the physical and emotional abuse suffered in their early lives as they learn.
Work on the new school began earlier this year, and significant progress has already been made. The steel framework and foundations are complete, and the building is expected to be wind and watertight by spring 2025.
This has been made possible through donations from Scotland’s business community, charitable trusts, and philanthropists, with former Seamab chair Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group, playing a pivotal role in driving fundraising efforts.
Eadie, executive chairman of CR Smith, has been a supporter of Seamab for more than a decade, helping to raise over £400,000 for the new school through an annual charity clay pigeon shoot.
Now, with more than 90% of the required funds over the line, the Fife-based businessman is spearheading the latest push to ensure the school can open on schedule in 2025, and he is inviting those interested to visit the school.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist, who visited the school alongside Fay Bancewicz, also a trustee of The Shoot Charitable Trust, said: “Seamab provides an unparalleled sanctuary for children denied a safe and loving childhood and having been part of the charity both formally and informally for many years every visit I make leaves its mark.
“Now, seeing the new school take shape, there is a real sense of optimism. We are now driving forward to raise the final £500k and I would challenge anyone not to be moved by what happens here and what is now possible.”
The 1,100m² structure will feature six classrooms equipped with smartboards, outdoor access, and quiet spaces to support emotional regulation.
A multipurpose gym and dining hall will provide the same level of facilities found in mainstream schools, giving the children opportunities for social interaction and physical development.
The design is trauma-informed to create an environment which supports staff and meets the individual needs of the children and young people who have had challenging and fractured educational journeys prior to coming to Seamab.
Seamab has been providing specialist care and education for children aged five to 18 with complex emotional needs for more than 40 years.
CEO Stuart Provan said: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from our donors and partners. This new school represents a huge opportunity for Seamab and the children we support. Our current facilities no longer meet the needs of the children, so this project will transform the way we provide care and education.
"We are so close to making these new, purpose-built spaces – designed specifically with our children's emotional and educational needs in mind – a reality, creating opportunities for our young people that were not previously possible."
Find out more about how to support Seamab by contacting Sharon O’Loan on 07585 001585 or emailing soloan@seamab.org.uk. Alternatively, you can visit www.seamab.org.uk/donate.
