Alexander Community Development (ACD) delivers a Transition to Trade programme which provides young people with the opportunities to learn trades in a safe live environment, through a six week out of school placement.

As well as this, the organisation has two community programmes named Food Distribution, which works with food banks and charities by taking delivery, organising and distributing food and key items to Dundee’s most vulnerable, and Trades for All, which offers opportunities for retired tradesmen/woman to give back and share their skills with future generations.

Stemming from over 20 years of industry experience, local man and founder, John Alexander of Alexander Decorators, established the organisation in 2019.

He said: “Helping people is a passion of mine, it’s what motivates everything I do. Having a trade has given me a career far beyond what I could have imagined and has now allowed me to give something back to the local community. By playing a part in upskilling future tradesmen and woman, we are ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is equipped to deal with future challenges.”

Kara Swankie joined the management team in March of this year, tasked with coordinating the growth and scale of the charity.

With ambitious plans within the first three years, Kara said: “When I first met John, his passion was infectious, and I knew this was something that I needed to be part of. Alexander Community Development has the opportunity to make a difference to so many lives in Dundee but more importantly, support those out there who have been making a difference for years.”

Local business consultant Carrick Management has been working with ACD since May.

Nicola Brown, development director of Carrick Management, said: “We are very excited to be involved in the delivery of this fantastic project to bring positive change in our city. Carrick Management has been very impressed with Alexander’s Community Developments intention to boost the employability of young people in the area and the subsequent impact on the local economy. It is wonderful to be contributing to a project that is aligned with our aim to have a positive impact on the local community.”

Alexander Community Development has been demonstrating its people-driven values with the food distribution services during the COVID-19 lockdown. The service is focussed on supporting the network of food insecurity groups in the city, ensuring they have access to food, transportation, storage and logistical support, which enables them to focus on providing their vital services.

Transition to Trade will launch its first cohort, which will be delivered to Dundee schools, in October. This will be delivered in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce, Breakthrough, Skills Development Scotland, Dundee Stars, YMindset, Can I Coaching and The Sporting Pursuit. This programme will also be delivered to employability services across the city in the coming months.

Trades for All is actively seeking skilled tradesmen and woman who are looking for volunteering opportunities to give back and share their skills with a new generation. This programme will deliver affordable trade services to community organisations and referred individuals, ensuring everyone has a space and comfortable space to live and work from.

Local marketing and communications firm, DLR Media, has also supported Alexander Community Development.

Managing director of DLR Media, Daniel Rosie, said: “There is vivid passion from the team at Alexander Community Development to make a real difference in the Dundee area. From our initial contact I have been blown away with their drive and vision for creating a charity that will make a real difference in the region, paving new pathways for the future generation.”

The next stages of growth for Alexander Community Development is building a self-sustaining green site at Fairfield Street, which will house the charity and significantly increase capacity for services. The site will also offer affordable space for other, similarly aligned organisations to operate from.