Leanchoil Trust appoints Jo Lenihan as full-time development officer to work towards asset transfer of former Forres hospital site
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VOLUNTEERS securing the future of one of the town’s most important buildings have made a key appointment.
Jo Lenihan has joined the Leanchoil Trust as full-time development officer to help the group work towards a community asset transfer of the entire Leanchoil site, currently owned by NHS Grampian.
Mr Lenihan said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been appointed. To be involved in such a special project at an early stage is an amazing opportunity, and I am looking forward to helping to develop a facility that will bring huge benefits to the community.”
The Leanchoil Trust was set up at the start of the year following a Forres Community Council initiative featuring community engagement that has since led to the group developing a full business plan for the 127-year-old former hospital.
Trust chairman Graham Hilditch is delighted with Mrs Lenihan’s appointment.
He said: “Jo is well-known in the local community, and has just the experience that we require to help deliver this project. With this new appointment, we are confident that we can push forward in 2021 to deliver a project that Forres and the surrounding area can be proud of.”
Mrs Lenihan is married with two children, and lives locally. She is a veteran, has recently worked for Moray Council as young carers strategy officer, and previously led a two-year project as project officer (Armed Forces Covenant), Moray and Highlands.
Mrs Lenihan is actively engaged in the community, is a trustee for the Osprey Trust and secretary of Forres Community Council.
The site extends to nine acres, and Leanchoil Trust is hopeful of creating a multi-use facility that can benefit veterans and the wider community. The trust is in talks with potential partners and hopes to make a public announcement in the new year.
Mr Hilditch said: “The next stage is to agree plans in principal with our potential partners and NHS Grampian, which will then enable us to consult with the public. All of our talks, including those with NHS Grampian, have been extremely positive to date. We will also be working on fundraising projects and speaking to other possible partners.”
Veterans care and support charity Erskine is hoping to be a part of Leanchoil’s future.
“We meet with Erskine on a regular basis,” said Mr Hilditch.
“The Erskine management team are very positive about the project. I am confident that we will have a final decision early next year.”
He added: “We need all pieces to be in place to make it happen. The site extends to nine acres, and Leanchoil Trust is only prepared to take on the complete site.”
