HARD-WORKING team members at Leuchie House are benefiting from a new cosy staff room, thanks to a Scottish interior designer and local businesses.

The national respite centre, based near North Berwick, which supports people living with long-term conditions such as multiple sclerosis, hopes to provide a space for staff to take breaks so that they can continue to provide specialist nursing, physio and occupational therapy.

Interior designer Katy Corstorphine designed the room with a ‘secret garden’ theme, inspired by the grounds of Leuchie.

Katy is owner of Imaginarium Interiors, which transformed the new staff room free-of-charge so that the charity could spend all fundraised money on the house and its guests.

This kind gesture is part of the businesses’ IMAGINARIUM Foundation, which covers the cost of projects through all profits from mainstream commissions.

Katy wanted to create a space which would provide the Leuchie staff “a little respite of their own” and described the project as a “magical”.

She added: “What a joyous opportunity to work with the incredible team at Leuchie and design a space, just for them, which I hope might echo in small part, some of the peace and happiness that they impart upon their guests at Leuchie House.

“I cannot think of anywhere more magical to do a project like this than at Leuchie with its amazing mission and its extraordinary people, without whom none of that magic would exist!” 

Local businesses also offered services and supplies to get the project over the line, including blinds and installation free of charge from Coast to Coast Blinds and donated plants from Dunbar Garden Centre.

Other features include a statement piece electric fire, courtesy of Flames of Haddington, SMART dimmer lights, coffee bar and air-purifying plants.

Showcased on the wall are three works of art by North Berwick artist Ali Blevins, a former primary school teacher who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2017.

Ali is a long-term supporter of the charity, having raised thousands of pounds through art exhibitions and auctions of her work.

Georgia Murray, care assistant at Leuchie, said: “The new staff room has been great for the whole team.

“The room looks totally different and more people are using it now.

“I love working here and having this gorgeous room shows how much we are looked after.

"The fire is so cosy and I start my shift again happy and relaxed.”