What We Do

Since 2001, we have provided over 200 opportunities of employment to candidates throughout the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire areas

History and Background

  • The Way Trust was founded in 2001 to oversee work help schemes for men and women who have difficulty gaining and sustaining employment

  • These schemes enable them to learn the necessary work and social skills so they can obtain employment on the open market

  • Aberdeen Straight-Way Limited is a landscaping company governed by the Way Trust

  • The Gateway project was another scheme led by the Way Trust that offered employment to those less inclined to external manual labour. Gateway offered work placement within a café environment. At time of writing this business is not operational but is currently being reconsidered

Vision and Mission Statements

  • To support vulnerable people, many of whom have had addiction or criminal problems

  • Aberdeen Straight-Way Limited provides experience in landscape gardening, paving, building, painting and similar practical skills, as well as team working, mentoring and instilling a work ethic

  • These people have completed rehabilitation programmes and are ready to go back to work, but find it difficult to secure employment

  • The Way Trust provides employment opportunities, offering training and experience with a recommendation for employment to future Employers at the end of their placement

Goals and Objectives

  • Candidates are proposed by charities in Aberdeen that have assisted with recovery programmes. These charities have worked with their candidates for 12-24 months and will only propose them for employment when they consider them ready

  • The objective is to provide each candidate with an opportunity to experience a regular working routine and prepare them for entering mainstream employment. This is a critical step for those who have not worked for some time and are anxious of jumping straight into full time employment

  • Straight-Way employs a general manager and full time workers to have two teams carrying out project work. The second team leader has just been appointed

  • Each team is led by an experienced landscape gardener with a full time worker and up to 2 full time candidates

  • Working hours are assessed for each candidate. If a candidate is approved for part time working then an additional candidate can be employed

Governance and Staffing

  • The Way Trust, charity reference SC031617, is founded on Christian values and is represented by seven trustees. They are also directors of Aberdeen Straight-Way Limited

  • Trustees do not receive any remuneration or expenses

  • The Way Trust are responsible for managing Straight-Way at Board level with selected directors assisting with the day to day running of the business

Facts and Figures

  • There are several charities in Aberdeen that support recovery from drug abuse, homelessness and criminal backgrounds. They each offer programmes with the intent of getting the candidates back to work. Often the thought of returning to work is too much for some. Straight-Way offers the opportunity

  • Over 200 people have been through the projects, receiving a helping hand towards mainstream employment

  • The Way Trust would like to increase the number of candidates it can reach. The second work team means a 100% increase in candidate placements