Local Support Worker Honoured with Invitation to King’s Garden Party at Holyrood

A long-serving support professional from Real Life Options Inverurie has been honoured with an invitation to attend the King’s Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood house, in recognition of her 25 years of dedication to the local community and to people with support needs. 

Nominated by a close friend, she was left speechless when she received the invitation to the prestigious event, held on 1st July in Edinburgh. 

“I honestly thought she was joking when she first asked if we were free,” she said. “Then it sank in. She asked for our details and told us we’d be receiving an official invitation in the post. I was absolutely blown away, it’s not the kind of thing you ever expect to be part of.” 

Accompanied by her husband, the couple travelled to Edinburgh for what turned out to be an unforgettable day. “We’ve never been to anything like this before,” she added. “It was such a shock, but also a real privilege.” 

With over two decades of experience in care and support, she has worked her way up from Support Worker to Team Coordinator. Her passion lies in supporting people to live independently, build confidence, and lead active, fulfilling lives. 

“One of the proudest moments was supporting two people we work with to complete travel training,” she explained. “They went from being supported on the bus to travelling independently to their work placements. I made them both certificates, they were so proud of what they’d achieved, and so was I.” 

She credits the team around her at Real Life Options and her Locality Manager, Darren Moore, for creating a culture where inclusion, independence, and proactive support are everyday practice. “Watching staff go the extra mile to help someone reach a goal, seeing people included and supported to live life their way, that’s the heart of what we do.” 

At the Garden Party, she joined around 8,000 guests from across Scotland, all recognised for their contributions to their communities. “It was amazing to be part of such a diverse and inspiring crowd, people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. I spoke to a midwife, someone fundraising in their community, and helped a nervous lady adjust her dress in case she met the King. It really felt like a celebration of what people do for others.” 

Although she didn’t get the chance to speak with the Royal Family, she did catch a glimpse of the King and Queen. “That was enough, the whole day was unforgettable. Just being part of it was the highlight.”