ACVO News April 2022

ACVO NEWS

NEWS FROM ABERDEEN'S THIRD SECTOR

APRIL | 2022

acvo.org.uk

ACVO News

CONTENTS

4 Police Scotland joins forces with Camphill School Aberdeen to upcycle abandoned cycles

April 2022

22 new exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery celebrates 150 years of VSA

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28 John Mitchell of Money Guiders Network shares how the programme is connecting those who support others with money worries.

4 News from you and other networks 36 Volunteering The latest from Mike Melvin and Volunteer Aberdeen 38 Volunteering Opportunities

P.32

VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE TO STAND OUT FOR DENIS LAW LEGACY TRUST Guest piece and ACVO short film premiere

by Lewis Walker

44 Funding The latest funding news and opportunities 48 Vacancies Latest opportunities from the third sector in Aberdeen and beyond 58 Events Find out what's happening soon and how to submit your event

Comms and Marketing Officer – Denis Law Legacy Trust

Not on the mailing list to receive ACVO News Direct to your inbox every fortnight? Sign up here.

Scottish Charity No: SC036845

NEWS

ACVO News April 2022

4

News from you and other networks

On yer bike:

Police Scotland joins forces with Camphill School Aberdeen to upcycle abandoned cycles

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ACVO News April 2022

NEWS

A new initiative between local charity, Camphill School Aberdeen and Police Scotland will see lost and stolen bikes recovered from across the city put to good use through the organisation’s rental scheme which provides green transport for staff and volunteers.

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amphill School Aberdeen provides day and residential support to 95 children and young

people with learning disabilities and complex additional support needs across three campuses in the west of the city. It recently launched a campaign to raise £10 million over the next 10 years to expand its services to even more vulnerable children and young people.

The charity’s on-site bike repair is a key part of their integrated approach to helping students gain confidence, learn new skills and reach their fullest potential – often achieving outcomes their families never thought possible. Bikes that cannot be reunited with their owners will be donated by the police to the charity and put through an ‘MOT’ at the workshop before being distributed to staff and volunteers throughout the estates.

The partnership is also in the early stages of exploring how the bike share initiative can be expanded to other parts of the city.

Camphill School Aberdeen’s sustainable development and social enterprise lead, Nicolas NinoRamirez, said: “Our partnership with Police Scotland, is an exciting next

step in our programme to expand our involvement with the circular economy.

We know that donating the bikes will make a big difference at Camphill and are proud to be able to help.”

Building strong working relationships with organisations throughout the region is a critical part of that. The donation of bikes will not only ensure our pupils can develop new skills but by providing green transport options to our staff and volunteers also helps us to continue our concerted efforts to significantly reduce our carbon emissions across our three estates.”

Constable Mark Irvine from Police Scotland’s North East Crime Reduction Unit, said: “Unfortunately bike theft continues to be all too commonplace with many bikes being stolen to order by organised crime gangs. Around 60% of all bike thefts occur when the owner didn’t secure their bike, either forgetting to or thinking that it was safe. “

Police Scotland has already donated 30 bikes to the charity, with more to come.

The partnership builds on an initiative with local charity Stella’s Voice which sees Camphill School Aberdeen upcycle hundreds of bikes each year which are then shipped to Moldova and donated to children who are the victims of human trafficking.

Sergeant John McOuat from Police Scotland’s Westend and Hazlehead Community Policing Team, said: “It is great to be able to put the bikes from our lost and found department to such a worthwhile cause. We do everything we can to ensure lost or stolen bikes are returned to their rightful owners, however where this cannot be done either through bikes not being claimed or identified, we are delighted to be in this partnership with Camphill School Aberdeen, as a way for something positive to come out of a criminal offence which can have a very real impact on victims – some of whom rely on their bike as their main means of transport.

Sustainability is a core focus of Camphill School Aberdeen, which has been supporting vulnerable children and young people across the north of Scotland for more than 80 years. Its FRUVER refillery shop, which minimises the use of packaging, sells organic produce reared and grown on the estate, crafts made from recycled materials such as alpaca wool from their own alpacas, and the use of ebikes and an electric van used to distribute goods from the store to homes on the charity’s Murtle Estate.

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ACVO News April 2022

6

Looking for new premises for your third sector organisation in Aberdeen?

ASH Scotland

Scotland's #Tobaccofree Charter eNews spring newsletter out now

Mental Health Aberdeen offers space in their newly renovated Union Street HQ

Mental Health Aberdeen, who recently celebrated their 70th year in operation, are calling all local third sector organisations who are looking for new office accommodation in the city centre.

With approx 2,000 sq available, the building was originally built as two magnificent townhouses (221 and 223 Union Street) which were occupied as

The latest eNews for supporters of Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation has just been released by ASH Scotland.

private residences until 1882 when Watt and Grant, a much loved Aberdeen

As part of their commitment to creating healthier, happier, and wealthier communities and towards a tobaccofree generation, the newsletter brings you the latest news, resources and training opportunities from ASH Scotland and their supporters.

After use as a multi-purpose office site with the various retail units on Union

The latest edition features details from No Smoking Day on March 9th where over 120 organisations got behind the campaign, news of their small grants scheme as well as information about their organisational development programmes in the form of Free eLearning modules and IMPACT smoking and mental health training.

Read the newsletter now at https://bit.ly/3tQ7T0i and sign up to receive future editions direct to your inbox at https://bit.ly/36vbxE1

shopping destination, opened their doors providing the best clothes and goods in the area. The luxury department store ran for 99 years until it succumbed to changing shopping trends, eventually closing in November 1981.

Street, Langstane House has been revitalised as a charity hub, and will be occupied only by third sector organisations who support the most vulnerable in our local community. Mental Health Aberdeen are occupying the bulk of the premises and Homestart Aberdeen have also taken residence on the second floor of the three storey office.

If you are a local third sector organisation who is looking for new accommodation please contact g.kinghorn@mhaberdeen.org.uk for more details.

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ACVO News April 2022

NEWS

Ditch Debt with Dignity:

Quiz evening fundraiser, Saturday May 7th

"Social housing ends homelessness" Sign the petition from Shelter Scotland to demand more social housing for Aberdeen According to Shelter Scotland's recent campaign, "When it comes to ending homelessness in Aberdeen, our council leaders should be bricking it."

As well as working to support people struggling with bad housing or homelessness with the help they need, through advice, support and legal services, Shelter Scotland also campaign relentlessly to achieve their vision of a safe, secure, affordable home for everyone. And so, ahead of the local elections in May, they have released a series of petitions to encourage the local leaders of every major Scottish city to keep their promises to build much needed social housing.

About the issue, Shelter Scotland said "right now, hundreds of households in Aberdeen, including children, are trapped in temporary accommodation, often in cramped, unsuitable conditions, and some of them have been living like this for more than 100 days. Local councils in Scotland can’t ignore this housing emergency any longer.

"With local elections around the corner, it’s time to raise our voices and remind our leaders that they already have a plan to build safe, affordable, permanent social housing. Now they just need to get on with it.

"Adding your name to our petition can help us make enough noise so local leaders in your city can hear how important this issue is. Your voice counts. Sign the petition today to demand council leaders pledge to build."

Details of the petition for Aberdeen, and further details of Shelter Scotland's campaigns can be found at - act.scotland.shelter.org.uk/social-housing-aberdeen

The team at Ditch Debt with Dignity are pleased to announce details of their forthcoming quiz evening fundraising event.

About the event, Karen Bain, Operations Manager said "We are delighted to be hosting a fun evening to raise awareness and funds for Ditch Debt with Dignity.

The evening starts at 4pm and consists of a quiz followed by a disco with raffles, prizes and stovies also on offer, taking us through to 9pm.

"It takes place on Saturday 7th May at Union Kirk (previously Soul Casino).

Tickets cost £15 per person with team numbers ranging from 4-6 per team.

"We really hope that you and your team come along and enjoy the fun, we can’t wait to see you there!"

Tickets can be purchased for the event online at https://bit.ly/3DmobRB Founded in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2014, Ditch Debt with Dignity is a registered charity with a mission to provide free, non-judgemental, confidential, professional advice and support to people who are privately struggling with their finances. Find out more at ditchdebtwithdignity.com

ACVO News

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April 2022

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Rising need in Aberdeen communities sees local charity open new support hubs

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urrently run from their Summer Street premises, Aberdeen Cyrenians' Direct Access is the first point of contact for anyone who is homeless or threatened with homelessness or who needs support with essentials like food, clothing and fuel poverty.

Since opening, the service has helped thousands of individuals and families on a regular basis.

During the pandemic, Direct Access continued to provide essentials such as food, toiletries and clothing; advocacy, support and information to secure temporary and permanent homes; poverty support including benefits advice, IT access and skills training; as well as social support.

Direct Access will continue to run from Summer Street but will also be run from their premises in Victoria Road, Torry and from new premises in Woodside.

Scott McDougall, Direct Access Service

allow us to help more people in their

Manager said, “Moving to locality-based

community.

delivery is a huge step forward for us.

We are engaging with key stakeholders

We know of people who walk into the

and community groups in Woodside

city centre from areas such as

and Torry to understand what they see

Woodside and Northfield, so part of the

as any gap in service in their community

reason for this change is to bring our

where Aberdeen Cyrenians could

services to their communities and

support.”

ensure we are accessible for anyone

Direct Access Torry is planned to be

who needs our help.”

open from late April with Direct Access

“Direct Access operates as a one-stop

Woodside following in May.

shop, with no wrong door; service users

The service runs with a mix of staff and

are referred both internally and externally to appropriate services as required with no need to repeat their story - something service users have told the organisation that they find uncomfortable.”

Chris Bennett-Taylor, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Cyrenians said, “We are pleased to be able to be expanding the footprint of Direct Access which will

volunteers and Aberdeen Cyrenians are always looking for new volunteers to support.

Volunteering opportunities can be found at weareac.org/volunteering.

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ACVO News 10 April 2022

Anti-social calls drop to “almost zero” as youth hub hailed The multi-activity Mastrick Youth Hub in Aberdeen has been hailed as a great success by all partners involved having been nominated for several awards.

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ituated in the car park of Tesco Aberdeen Woodend, the session is ran in partnership with the supermarket itself, Denis Law Legacy Trust and its Streetsport programme, Police Scotland, Aberdeen City Council, Developing the Young Workforce and AFC Community Trust.

The project has been nominated for Aberdeen City Council’s Star Awards; YouthLink Scotland’s Youth Awards and is also a finalist in the Chief Constable’s Excellence Awards, testament to the work involved and the innovative approach to setting up what’s though to be Scotland’s first Outdoor Youth Hub. Like many original Streetsport sessions, it’s in a targeted location to reduce antisocial behaviour among young people

in the area, something partners have said has been achieved.

John McOuat, Community Policing Team, said: “The work delivered by the Team involved in delivering the Youth Hub has been second to none. Not least the youth workers, Stuart Neil of Tesco and the young people themselves. The number of reported youth related antisocial behaviour calls in the immediate vicinity has dropped to almost zero since the Hub has been up and running.”

Key to the success of the Hub has been the relationship between partners and young participants that has grown from strength-to-strength with each passing week.

Stuart Neil, Store Manager at Tesco Aberdeen Woodend, said: “This project has been something that I’ve personally

been very passionate about and it’s been fantastic to see such a remarkable response from all of the kids who enjoy our new space. We wanted to really address the root of the problem with anti-social behaviour and for me, that started with speaking to the youths about what they wanted and trying to see things from their perspective.

“We’ve worked very closely with local police services and the council to get the hub up and running and so far, the feedback from the community has been fantastic. Another key aim of the project is to really support these young people, inviting youth workers to the hub to speak to them as well as invite people to come along to offer training and provide them with new skills, as we understand the importance of having positive role models to help give them the tools they

News 11 ACVO April 2022

need for everyday life”.

Karen Philip, Employer School Coordinator, Developing the Young

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of them that are dedicated to helping young people across the city.

“At the Hub, for example, we’ve had five

Workforce (DYW) North East, said: “DYW bridges the gap between employers and education to help all young people find fulfilling careers. Two of our Employer School Coordinators, who are linked with schools local to the Hub, are delighted to

pupils from Harlaw Academy who organised a Christmas event involving a night of music, hot chocolate, tray bakes and even gingerbread decorating. The amazing mural backdrop was also a volunteer creation and has gained loads of

attended partner meetings.

respect in the community.

“They hope to feed into the partnership’s activities by helping them to foster links with local employers, both to support the activity sessions and to raise awareness of work, training and volunteering opportunities for the young people. The Employer School Coordinators also report back into their school networks, so that all

“One of our longstanding Streetsport volunteers, Jenna, regularly attends the Hub sessions and was recently nominated for Young Volunteer of the Year at this years’ Aberdeen Sports Awards which is great recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in”.

those involved in supporting the young people can adopt a joined-up approach.”

Finding a common theme among young people is often a barrier to conversation or

Many youth programmes like Streetsport

to gaining initial rapport and trust. One thing the Hub has found that brings both

rely heavily on the good work of volunteers and this one is no different.

young participants and youth workers together is food.

Mastrick Youth Hub welcome a consistent number each week with well over 150 hours of volunteering being recorded so far and recognition through the Saltire Awards.

Hannah Clews, Streetsport Development Officer at Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Volunteers are such a huge part of our programme and we’re lucky to have a bank

Wilma Smith, Aberdeen City Council Community Learning and Development, said: “They have enjoyed getting involved in making food such as a BBQ, hot chocolate, fudge, noodles, smoothies and more.

“Building on this we have been successful in securing funding from the Trades Widows Funds Charity for cooking

sessions at CFine’s Cook at The Nook where they will learn how to make healthy and cheap alternatives to the food and takeaways they love. They’ll be able to socialise with their friends in a safe and welcoming environment and can enjoy the meal they cook with their friends and youth workers”.

The importance of maintaining a presence and growing on relationships made in areas which contain high youth anti-social behaviour is paramount to its future legacy, something John McOuat recognises.

He added: “As we move forward Police Scotland continue to be actively involved in the Hub and local officers will look to build positive relationships with those who attend. Many of the young people are reluctant to acknowledge or even speak with officers for a variety of reasons but we’ll be visible at the Hub when we can, taking time to talk and get to know those present which in turn will allow our young people to get to know their local 'bobbies'”.

News 13 ACVO April 2022

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The Grampian Group announces Craig Stirrat as new CEO Grampian Housing Association and its subsidiaries conclude successful recruitment process

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raig Stirrat has been

“It is my job to ensure that our tenants,

through the creation of the role of

announced as the new chief

customers and the communities we

Neighbourhood Officer. With smaller

executive officer of the

serve as well as the talented people in

areas, staff are able to get to know

Grampian Group

the Grampian Group remain at the

tenants better and services can be

(comprising Grampian Housing

forefront of our business and I look

tailored to the needs of tenants or

Association, Let’s Choose Leasing and

forward to continuing to drive the

neighbourhoods based on their

TLC Housing Maintenance).

Group to deliver excellent customer

feedback.

Craig, who has been Grampian Housing

focussed services and value for money

A new approach to digital services is

Association’s chief operating officer

affordable homes.

since 2018, will step up into his new

“At a time when many households are

role at the beginning of April 2022.

facing the challenges of an increased

Abhi Agarwal, Chair said: “Craig’s

cost of living, I will aim to ensure that

appointment as CEO is testament to the

tenants feel they are being listened to

great talent we have within the

and that we do what we say we are

Grampian Group.

going to do to help them, for instance by

“We conducted a rigorous recruitment process during January and February and were delighted by the response from many high calibre candidates.”

Having joined Grampian Housing Association in 2014, as director of business development, Craig has considerable knowledge and experience across many aspects of social housing and social care.He was previously head of service with Aberdeen City Council, director of of a national body and more recently a director with Fife Housing Group.

Commenting on his appointment Craig Stirrat said: “I am delighted and honoured to be entrusted to the position of CEO of Grampian Housing Group.

being implemented for those who wish to access services in this way.

It is people who make an organisation and the Grampian Group is committed to being a great employer through continued investment in learning and development and sector leading

improving the quality and energy

initiatives around wellbeing.

efficiency of homes including through

Grampian is the largest housing provider

renewable energy and assisting with

based in the North East of Scotland,

access to fuel support funds to tackle

serving over 3,600 social rent and mid

fuel poverty.”

market rent households, along with over

“As a charity with a strong moral compass and values underpinning this, the challenge to do better and more for those we are here to help has never been more important.”

1,000 factored owners and almost 500 sharing owners throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. It has a substantial development programme of new build homes and is committed to adding 600 properties to its portfolio by

Craig’s appointment comes at an

2024 to play its part in addressing

important time for the Grampian Group

significant unmet housing need in the

as it moves forward in 2022 to launch

area.

the “Grampian Deal”, a customer first initiative being developed in liaison with tenants to deliver great service, great results and great value for money.

Services have already been redesigned

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Local Voluntary led charity Future Choices are desperately appealing for new volunteer drivers to join their team If you have spare time on a Tuesday from 9-4 and want to help transport vulnerable people from their homes across the city of Aberdeen to Future Choices' charities social inclusion base at Inchgarth Community Centre, then back home again after a day of fun, the organisation would love to hear from you.

Getting vulnerable members out of their homes is what drives Future Choices to do all they can to break down those barriers of social isolation.

ACVO News April 2022

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Would you like to understand more about domestic abuse?

Grampian Women's Aid release details of their latest series of training sessions As part of their work to help to raise awareness of, and develop services for, women who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, domestic abuse, Grampian Women's Aid host regular training sessions and are pleased to share details of their April - June plans.

Forthcoming sessions include: An Overview of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act, 2018; The Dynamics of Domestic Abuse; and OWN MY Life Taster Session for

You must have a D1 driving licence & be under the age of 70.

Agency Professionals.

Without volunteer drivers, the charity struggles to function and to bring its members together for this vital service.

their knowledge – you can find out more about our training and book your place

If you feel you can help, please contact David Forbes on 07821700046 or email info@future-choices.org.uk

by women, for women, to provide women and children who are at risk of

Open to the public and to professionals and to anyone interested in expanding here: http://grampian-womens-aid.com/training/ Grampian Women’s Aid was founded in 1977 as a registered charity. It was set up domestic abuse with a safe and friendly place to turn to for support, information and, if necessary, refuge accommodation.

As part of the Women’s Aid network, they also work to change attitudes and the legal system and campaign to bring the issue of domestic abuse from behind closed doors and have it recognised as a crime.

News 15 ACVO April 2022

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Charities supporting charities:

Cairns Counselling donate laptops to make a difference to the lives of students in Kenya

A

berdeen based third sector

work directly with schools and families

the decision to generously present us

organisation, Cairns

and Kenya to provide support that

with 18 Dell laptops for our college and

Counselling, recently

ensures children and young people living

university students in Kenya!

announced that they will be working in

in the country have the opportunity to

partnership with the Gathimba Edwards

work toward brighter futures.

“We are incredibly grateful to Susan and

Foundation to distribute much needed

About the donation, Susan Will, Funding

to. These laptops will make a big

Coordinator at Cairns Counselling said

difference to the lives of the students

Cairns, which offers counselling services

“Due to the reconfiguration of the

we support who require a laptop to be

to those in need, offers a a safe place

charity's counselling service going back

able to complete large parts of their

where people can talk to a trained

to being more office-centred, Cairns

coursework.”

counsellor about the difficulties they

Counselling no longer need all the

face in life with no fear of being judged.

laptops they were granted through the

To find out more about Gathimba

They work with around 25 volunteer

Communities Recovery Fund.

counsellors who each provide between

“We are delighted that the laptops will

involved, visit

three and six counselling sessions per

support the fantastic work of the

gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org.

week. During the pandemic, and the

Gathimba Edwards Foundation!"

social restrictions that came with it, they

Cairns Counselling’s mission is to give

Receiving the donation at Cairns

understanding, support and compassion

Counselling HQ in Aberdeen, Kayleigh

to adults in need across the Aberdeen

Paterson, Charity Development

area. Through the provision of

Executive at the Gathimba Edwards

counselling they aim to encourage,

Foundation noted the huge impact the

empower and enable their clients to live

donation will have: “We are so

more fulfilling lives. Find out more at

delighted that Cairns Counselling took

cairnscounselling.org.uk

digital equipment to students in Kenya.

found themselves in the situation where people needed their services more than ever but there was an immediate need to adapt their usual face to face delivery.

With a grant from the Communities

the team for choosing GEF to gift these

Edwards Foundation, the work they carry out in Kenya and how you can get

Recovery Fund, the organisation were able to purchase a number of laptops to enable their volunteers to work remotely and to continue their mission of providing understanding, support and compassion to adults in need across the Aberdeen area.

However, due to the ongoing move towards restoration of face to face service delivery, Cairns Counselling no longer had the need for the laptops themselves but knew that there would be other third sector organisations in the city who could put them to good use.

Cairns took the decision to work in partnership with Aberdeen based Gathimba Edwards Foundation who

Kayleigh Paterson, Charity Development Executive at the Gathimba Edwards Foundation, receiving the donation of laptops by Susan Will, Funding Coordinator at Cairns Counselling.

ACVO News 16 April 2022

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Charlie House Celebrates North East Mums in Style Local Charity Charlie House hosts their first large-scale in-person event in almost 3 years

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n Friday the 25th of March, local children’s charity Charlie House welcomed around 300 guests to their

first annual Fizz & Fashion Friday event in 3 years raising over £13,000 towards their work. Charlie House supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, in the North-east of Scotland.

Perfectly time ahead of Mother’s Day, this is the seventh Fizz & Fashion event, which had been postponed twice due to COVID-19 restrictions. Held at The Chester Hotel and hosted by Kevin Littlejohn of Right Here Productions, guests enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment and fashion, alongside a glass of fizz and delicious two course lunch.

Fizz & Fashion Friday is as much about celebrating the families supported by Charlie House as it is about enjoying the fizz. During the event, two special catwalks gave mums supported by Charlie House services a rare opportunity to take centre stage,

no self-confidence, especially body confidence. [Fizz & Fashion] helped give me a confidence boost by pushing me out of my comfort zone. I don't get time to pamper myself often.”

Another of the mums joining the charity ahead of Mother’s Day said, “I wanted to do something fun and exciting just for me!”

Tracy Johnstone, Chair and Founder of Charlie House said, “There was a real buzz in the room at this event, everyone seemed to be delighted to be back, enjoying the fizz and each other’s company. Most importantly, it gave us the opportunity to recognise why Charlie House exists – for the families we support. It was beautiful to witness each brave mum as they strutted their stuff today.”

Build Appeal to raise £8m for the project and is very close to reaching the halfway point thanks to the generosity of the people of Aberdeen, and beyond.

Speaking of the support she has received, one of the mums volunteering their time at the event said, “{Charlie House} helps in so many ways, from the activities they offer to feel included and give us a break from normality, to little pamper packs in the post to make us feel special. And certainly not least, the emotional support, it really has been an important aspect of our lives. We are really looking forward to the specialist support centre opening.”

Charlie House would like to acknowledge the incredible support

“We are delighted with the support we have received from guests at this event and would like to say a huge thank you to them for turning out and making this another amazing year of Fizz & Fashion!

We couldn’t be more proud of the work we do to support North East mums.”

from sponsors Scott James & Associates

All funds raised from the event will go directly to Charlie House and support local families.

production and Abermedia for taking

and Maritime Developments Limited, Style for Your Shape, Hamish Munro and RR Make Up for making the mums feel special, Right Here Productions and The Chester Hotel for hosting and AV duties, Reach Video for video incredible photographs throughout the day, Preloved & Privileged for donating

modelling the latest day and evening

The dream of Charlie House has always

raffle prizes, Compass Print for printed

fashion by Style for Your Shape and

been to build a dedicated support centre

materials and finally, stallholders 13 23

shoes and accessories from Hamish

in Aberdeen so that families do not need

Jewellery and Tipsy House candles.

Munro.

to travel over 100 miles from Aberdeen

Speaking of her day of pampering and limelight, one of the mums said, “I have

to receive the support they need.

In 2018, Charlie House launched the Big

Find out more about how you can support Charlie House at charliehouse.org.uk

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ACVO News April 2022

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Charlie House supported mums model eveningwear from Style for Your Shape – Photography by Michal Wachucik of Abermedia

Look Again Creative Entrepreneurship Showcase opens to the public The Look Again Project Space in St Andrew Street will open its doors for the first of two Creative Entrepreneurship Showcases.

Founder and Chair Tracy Johnstone attends Fizz & Fashion Friday – Photography by Michal Wachucik of Abermedia

The Showcase is a celebration of the talent and creativity of the alumni who took part in the Creative Entrepreneurship course during 2020 and 2021, presenting exciting new fine art, fashion, ceramics, and illustration from practitioners across Scotland.

The course supports ambitious creative start-ups and small businesses to turn their ideas into reality and grow their customer base. It is delivered through a partnership between Look Again, Gray’s School of Art and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group at RGU. The showcase includes a vibrant mix of creative entrepreneurs from a range of backgrounds including upholsterers, ceramicists, graphic designers, book binders, illustrators, digital designers, fashion and textiles designers, painters and photographers.

The Creative Entrepreneurship Showcase exhibition opens fully to the public on Saturday 26 March until 23 April.

Find out more at lookagainaberdeen.co.uk

Charlie House supported mums model daywear from Style for Your Shape – Photography by Michal Wachucik of Abermedia

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ACVO News 18 April 2022

Local Cancer Charity Set To Turn Heads With First Clan North Catwalk Show North-East charity, Clan Cancer Support

Alana says, “Our first Clan North Catwalk

on show and refreshments at the end.”

will be putting fashion into fundraising

Show is all about engaging with the local

this Spring when it hosts its very first

community in Crimond but also gives us

Tickets for Clan North Catwalk Show are

ClanNorth Catwalk Show. The fashion

the opportunity to raise funds to help

show will take place at Peterhead

support those affected by a cancer

Leisure and Community Centre Theatre,

diagnosis in the North-east. Our new

Balmoor Terrace, Peterhead on Saturday

Peterhead Clan retail shop opens in April

23rd April at 7pm.

so it’s great to be able to promote the

The models for the event will be made

opening of the shop and show off the

up of Clan clients, staff and volunteers who will be hitting the runway in the latest fashions from Peterhead ladies boutique Blush & Blu and clothing from the new Clan Cancer support retail shop

offerings we will have and build

£12.50 each, £6 for anyone aged 14 and under, plus £0.50 booking fee and can be purchased by visiting https://bit.ly/3saEBZ6 Alternatively contact Clan’s fundraising team by calling 01224 647000 or email fundraising@clancancersupport.org.uk

community recognition of the local Crimond Clan support centre. The support centre is there to provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by a

which opens in Peterhead in April. Other

cancer diagnosis.”

local organisations gifting their time and

Alana continues, “We are looking forward

skills to support the show include

to a fun-packed evening. There will be an

Nescol fashion students, Makeup by

arrival drink included in the ticket prices,

Morgan & hair by Emily and Paul of The

raffles, games and much more. There will

Gym, Aberdeen.

also be an opportunity to buy the clothing

Fedcap call for skills partners Fedcap Employment and Fedcap

Their purpose is to create opportunities

Scotland are standalone businesses that

for customers by designing and delivering

form parts of the experienced not-for-

innovative, sustainable solutions and

profit organisation, The Fedcap Group.

creating measurable changes for those

They deliver solutions to build

who are socially disadvantaged.

communities through a blend of local

They are looking for leading skills

The experience and ability to respond

frontline professional teams and like-

providers to join their existing partner

to priority sectors needs such as

minded supplier network, using

framework who can support them on their

hospitality, retail, manufacturing,

innovated tested ideas both developed

existing contracts and future

locally, nationally and internationally.

opportunities across Scotland.

If you are interested in working with

They particularly welcome expressions of

Fedcap, please complete an expression of

Delivery of sector-based work academies with strong employer links.

Supporting of individuals with qualification gaps to help improve their basic skills.

‘green’ jobs and emerging industries.

interests from providers who have

interest form which can be found here

experience in delivering support, with a

If you would like to find out more about

strong focus in achieving skills, accredited

Fedcap Employment or Fedcap Scotland

qualifications and employment outcomes

please visit our website at

for individuals and employers. This

fedcapscotland.scot/

includes but not limited to: Qualifications to help individuals secure employment and/or further enhance and develop their skills to support in-work progression.

ACVO News 22 April 2022

A n e w e x h ib it io n a t A b e r d e e n A r t G a l l e r y m a r k i n g t h e 1 5 0 t h a n n iv e r s a r y o f A b e r d e e n A s s o c i a t i o n o f S o c ia l S e r v ic e , k n o w n l o c a l l y a s V S A , o p e n e d t o t h e p u b lic o n S a t u r d a y 1 2 t h M a r c h .

Since 1870 Aberdeen Association of Social Service (VSA), has stood next to the people of the city, offering care, support, and vital services to vulnerable people in our communities. To mark the organisation’s 150th anniversary, this exhibition, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, explores VSA’s role in the history of social care in Aberdeen.

Alexander Nicol, a former Lord Provost of Aberdeen (18651869), was inspired after his term in office to establish an organisation that could help change the lives of people living in poverty across the city for the better. Every Lord Provost of Aberdeen serves as President of VSA. Lynne Clark, who has curated the exhibition for VSA, gathered together 150 stories from archives across the city as inspiration for the exhibition’s themes. Aberdeen Cares highlights the impact of human kindness through poignant and inspirational personal stories, archival photography, documentsByand objects associated with care giving in Sonya Bunggi Aberdeen.and Liceria S

News 23 ACVO April 2022

NEW EXHIBITION AT ABERDEEN ART GALLERY CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF VSA

The exhibition’s themes include: The origins of the Aberdeen Association of Social Service: its early campaigns to raise awareness and donations for those most in need in the city.

Royal connections: Queen Victoria was the Association’s first Patron and every monarch since has assumed the role, spanning six reigns and 150 years.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is VSA’s Patron.

Innovations in care provision: the founders of VSA knew that their support must be able to adapt to changing circumstances. In its early years the charity responded to severe winters, peaks of unemployment and a need for working mothers to access childcare.

The founders recognised the main causes of poverty as accidents, illness and lack of employment. This forward-thinking Association supported people’s emotional as well as physical wellbeing. These principles were at the forefront of its sheltered housing model.

Helping people to help themselves: objects on display include a man’s suit dating from the 1930s, and soap, a comb, shoe polish and toothpaste. In 1933 during the severe economic hardship of the Great Depression there were between 12,000 and 14,000 unemployed men in Aberdeen. To support the unemployed during this period, VSA helped with the cost of travel to interviews, buying clothes and providing items that would help people look and feel their best.

Volunteers: VSA is the only Scottish charity to be awarded two Voluntary Service Awards by Her Majesty The Queen.

ACVO News 24 April 2022

News 25 ACVO April 2022

Dr Kenneth Simpson, Chief Executive of VSA, said: “VSA has been caring for vulnerable children and adults in Aberdeen and beyond for over 150 years, and the vast history of the charity has been amazing to discover. As times have changed, so has the way we have delivered our services, but always with one ambition: to give the people of Aberdeen the best of care to enable them to live the best of lives.”

“We are so incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for awarding us a grant to help deliver this project and showcase the history of social care. I would also like to thank Aberdeen Art Gallery and Aberdeen City Council for their support in helping us present this exhibition.”

“We really hope everyone enjoys learning about our history, and if there is anyone with a story or memory of VSA we have a dedicated heritage website where you can also share your story and we would love to hear from you; please visit: heritage.vsa.org.uk.“ The exhibition runs up until 29th May 2022 at the Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Want to learn how to tell your own story?

As part of VSA’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Aberdeen Art Gallery are running a series of engagement sessions including: Creative writing workshop: Celebrating Stories with VSA Heritage April 2nd and 14th 1.30pm - 3.00pm These sessions provide a safe, friendly space for complete beginners and those who may be ‘interested-but-unsure’ to grow your writing confidence. With support from an experienced writing facilitator, you will begin to tell your tales on the page through a series of short writing exercises and leave with your own written piece. Come to one workshop or come to both – this could be the beginning of great things!

Book your place now at https://bit.ly/3Ds9wEs

ACVO News 26 April 2022

ACVO News 28 April 2022

Money Guiders Network John Mitchell, Knowledge Management Project Manager of the Money Guiders Network shares how the programme is connecting those who support others with money worries.

News 29 ACVO April 2022 What would you say to somebody thinking about joining, what benefit can the network bring?

"Money guidance or talking about money is often given as part of wider services provided by many different types of organisations and the people who work or volunteer with them..."

I think part of it is the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals and can really help with personal or professional development. No matter what learning pathway people are on, they can take part.

We provide a space for people to connect and share ideas and meet people working in similar fields and sometimes from different fields. This can allow organisations and individuals to explore new ways of delivering their work or just get a few practical tips.

It’s a bit of learning, a bit of awareness, but it's also about trying to help develop knowledge and skills, so ultimately, they can provide a better service to the people they support.

How does the network benefit people working in the third sector?

The network in Scotland is still young and growing organically at the minute which gives us scope to develop and react to the needs that arise. We work closely with third sector organisations and invite contributions from money guiders working within third sector and voluntary organisations.

For example, we have heard already in two events from the Independent Food Aid Network, who have established local partnerships to signpost people who use foodbanks to places where they can get financial help.

The network is designed to give people the support and information that can help make it easier for them to talk to others about their money worries.

It is one of four Money Guiders networks across the UK. The Scotland network is being developed by the Improvement Service, as a delivery partner of the Money and Pensions Service, who run the UK Money Guiders programme.

The network is meant to be open and inclusive, so we welcome people from all parts of the third, voluntary and public sectors; be they housing officers, energy advisors, or anyone that might be in a volunteer role where they are in touch with people who have money worries.

We want to reach as many people as possible; even if money guidance is just a very small part of what you do as part of your role. It’s maybe part and parcel of a wider service or a holistic approach that you provide to your customers or clients.

The intention behind the programme is to upskill and improve people's knowledge and skills. Some of this might be by learning from other organisations who provide guidance and support and some of that might be learning from each other.

That means what we're trying to achieve is a network where there is peer to peer learning - people are more than welcome to share what they've learned and provide that advice and support to other people.

The main way in which we do that is through a series of regular events.

Since June last year we have hosted over 20 events as well as taking part in the first UK Money Guiders networks conference.

Through networking events, workshops and information sessions we’ve covered a wide range of topics including, money guidance referrals, housing association services, energy bills, debt, benefits, online tools and calculators and, workplace wellbeing.

Part of the aim of the network is to build up a picture of what organisations are doing and what we can learn from them. We also look at different themes to concentrate on. So, this has led to sessions, for example, focused on benefits (from Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland), rising energy bills (Home Energy Scotland and Age Scotland), and many other issues that third sector organisations deal with on a day-to-day basis.

We also look at more general interest areas, such as workplace wellbeing and have been delighted that Money Advice Scotland were able to deliver a series of three workshops for the network.

ACVO News 30 April 2022 Is the programme mainly delivered online?

There hasn't been an opportunity yet to do any physical meetings for the Scotland network, so right now the programme is being delivered online but, maybe some time we can get together face-to-face.

And, right now as well as holding our events online, we also have an online community of practice developing on a platform called the Knowledge Hub. The Money Guiders network group for Scotland recently welcomed its one hundredth member, just a fraction of the overall membership in Scotland.

It’s a diverse group of people across the voluntary, third and public sectors.

There’s a discussion area, library, resource pages and videos of previous events.

Are there any kind of short term or long term plans you have or you'd like to see for the network this year?

We will continue to welcome people to join the network from a broad range of sectors. There may be some people who think it might not be relevant to their work but I’d like to invite them along to one of our sessions and listen to what people are saying. Discussions and presentations are always interesting and people can get a lot from them for their professional and personal development. There is the potential here to make new connections and meet with people working in similar roles. We may also potentially look at some physical events in the future to bring people together and continue to increase the reach of the network.

Everyone is welcome to join, but to also to suggest what they would like to see. Part of our ongoing development will involve listening to the community and hosting events on topics which are of particular interest to them, so the network remains relevant and reflecting things happening around the country. So please join in and start the conversation!

So how can people get involved in the network?

The easiest way to get involved is to go onto the website at moneyguidersscotland.org and fill in the form there. Or you can search the Knowledge Hub (https://khub.net/) to find us there too. You don't need to be a member to join an event and upcoming ones are listed in our events programme (and on the ACVO site).

Further information If you'd like someone to talk at an event or meeting about the network, please get in touch with John through the Money Guiders Network Find the Money Guiders Network online at moneyguidersscotland.org or search Money Guiders on https://khub.net/ Events programme - https://tinyurl.com/MoneyGuidersEvents Find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MoneyGuiders/ and shortly on Twitter and LinkedIn

31

ACVO News April 2022

Forthcoming Events Find out more about future Money Guiders Network Events at https://tinyurl.com/MoneyGuidersEvents

21

April 14th 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

April 28th 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The value of council funded money and welfare advice services in Scotland

Collaborative council tax collection

A summary of recent research findings on Scottish council funded money and welfare rights advice services, what they deliver and achieve.

Learn about collaborative approaches between Scottish councils and those offering debt and money advice.

This event will provide an overview of findings from the 2020/21 Common Advice Performance Management Reporting Framework. The framework aims to help ‘tell the story’ of the value of advice services, as well as provide a mechanism for councils to benchmark their performance and identify scope to further improve the impact and value for money of these services.

Hear from the Improvement Service's Senior Research Officer Cara Connachan, who will discuss the value of local authority funded money and welfare rights advice services and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work of these services. Some of the key findings from the report include: Local Authorities invested approximately £27.1m in money and welfare rights advice services in 2020/21 42% of initial contacts to services were made via web channels, compared with just 1% the previous year.

Despite an overall reduction in client numbers during the reporting year, services achieved significant financial gains for clients. Every £1 invested in money and welfare rights advice provision by Local Authorities in Scotland provides financial gains of £12 for clients.

There'll be opportunities for participants to: ask questions and to discuss how they may be able to use the framework within their own work and, network with other participants.

Find out more and book at https://bit.ly/3LyOc35

48 In this event we’ll hear from the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV) and Citizens Advice Scotland about how a set of principles that support effective engagement between those who are responsible for administering council tax and those offering money and debt advice.

It will highlight the importance of partnership arrangements between councils and other agencies, and the benefits of having debt management and debt advice services working together to improve outcomes for individuals and organisations.

It is based on the [PDF] Collaborative council tax collection guide co-developed by the Improvement Service, StepChange (Scotland), IRRV Scotland, Citizens’ Advice Rights Fife, Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Advice Scotland and the Money and Pensions Service which worked together to identify how to achieve a shared approach to council tax collection.

Presenting will be: Paul Ferguson, Revenues and Benefits Manager at Falkirk Council and IRRV Scotland member Myles Fitt, Strategic Lead ‑ Financial Health at Citizens Advice Scotland There'll be opportunities for participants to: ask questions of the presenters discuss how they may be able to use the guide within their own work network with other participants Find out more and book at https://bit.ly/3DpRxhO

ACVO News 32 April 2022

VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE TO STAND OUT FOR DENIS LAW LEGACY TRUST

BY LEWIS WALKER COMMS AND MARKETING OFFICER – DENIS LAW LEGACY TRUST

Many youth programmes in Aberdeen and

creativity sessions for young people in

beyond rely heavily on the generosity and

areas such as Torry, Northfield and

hard work of volunteers.

Mastrick.

This is no different for Streetsport, Denis

One such volunteer is Jenna Greig who

Law Legacy Trust’s flagship programme

has been volunteering for many years

and ran in partnership with RGU, which

having initially been a Streetsport

operates week-nightly throughout the

participant while attending Northfield

year with a team of dedicated volunteers

Academy.

around the city.

She was recently nominated as Young

The children’s charity includes volunteers

Volunteer of the Year at Aberdeen’s Sports

ranging from school pupils gaining

Awards, deserved recognition for not only

leadership and coaching experience to

herself but also for all her peers too who

older business professionals who gain

dedicate several hours each week to help

respite from their everyday position to

harness more active and friendly

help give back to local communities.

communities.

Alongside staff, the team have been

Hannah Clews, Streetsport Development

integral to Aberdeen’s streets for over 15years now, providing regular sport and

Officer at Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Volunteers are such a huge part of our

News 33 ACVO April 2022

"I KNOW THROUGH PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HOW GOOD SPORT IS FOR YOU, NOT JUST PHYSICALLY BUT MENTALLY"

programme and we’re lucky to have a bank of them that are dedicated to helping young people across the city.

“Jenna, who is one of our longstanding Streetsport volunteers, regularly attends so many of our sessions and her nomination is great recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in”.

The Mastrick Youth Hub, for which Jenna and other volunteers have been pivotal at, has been hailed by the local Community Policing Team for helping to "reduce youth related anti-social behaviour calls" to "almost zero".

Other members of the team had the opportunity to speak to ACVO, the city’s third sector interface, about the work they do as volunteers and what they enjoy most about it.

Speaking at one of the sessions at Cruyff Court Neale Cooper, a free, unbookable, multi-sport arena built in the heart of Tullos, Dave said: “I know through personal experience how good sport is for you, not just physically but mentally and I think working with young people is a lot of fun too. Hopefully it makes a small difference to their lives”.

Dave, who is a director outside of his hours as a volunteer, helps portray the selfless attitude of many volunteers throughout the city, and further afield, as well as their importance to such key programmes.

Abbie, a former volunteer who progressed to become paid staff before moving on upon graduation from university, added: “Streetsport is the backbone of the community and provides kids with a safe space to come have fun, get their exercise and make friends”.

ACVO News 34 April 2022

"MANY YOUTH PROGRAMMES IN ABERDEEN AND BEYOND RELY HEAVILY ON THE GENEROSITY AND HARD WORK OF VOLUNTEERS."

Streetsport regular attracts over 400

Streetsport sessions are held across

participants in the winter and more than

Aberdeen throughout the week, 50 weeks

double that in the summer, highlighting

of the year. Denis Law Legacy Trust is

just how necessary a reliable bank of staff

always on the lookout for new volunteers

and volunteers are. 2021 finished with

and would love to hear from anyone who

more volunteering hours than ever before

may be interested. For more information

for that time of year while Nor-Dean, a

on the programme and its locations, visit

volunteer of nigh 10 years, was presented

denislawlegacytrust.org/Streetsport, to

with a 1,000hr certificate at the Trust’s prestigious Annual Fundraising Dinner for what is an unbelievable achievement.

Findlay Harkins, Streetsport Volunteer Coordinator, also discusses the programme and his gratitude for all the volunteers who turn out. You can hear from him and many others in full by watching the video produced in partnership with ACVO.

become a volunteer please visit denislawlegacytrust.org/volunteer.

35

ACVO News April 2022

WATCH THE DENIS LAW LEGACY TRUST VOLUNTEER PROFILE SHORT FILM PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACVO

ALSO AVAILABLE AT VIMEO.COM/692238445

VOLUNTEERING

ACVO News 36 April 2022

Volunteering

April update from ACVO's Volunteering Services Manager, Mike Melvin Find out more at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk

The Road to Recovery Lessons Learned from Scotland’s Volunteering Response The Road to Recovery report explores the actual and projected impact of COVID-19 on volunteering in Scotland during the pandemic and over the longer term.

The related Routemap to Improvement Report further highlights the key lessons learned and the implications to help inform Scotland’s response to future crises, and to improve volunteering in the longer term. It has also been designed to support the development and implementation of Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan which is due to launch in June and represents an exciting and tremendous prospect for volunteering both locally and nationally.

Both reflect the incredible help people are providing volunteering, the crucial difference this is making and ways we can all work together to further build on this.

The full reports, themed and summary highlights are available at: https://bit.ly/3JVN0WV If you are interested in volunteering or involving volunteers with your organisation and would like to learn more, please feel welcome to contact Mike Melvin, Volunteering Services Manager at ACVO anytime can be of any help at email: mike.melvin@acvo.org.uk or tel.: 07814902083.

Aberdeen gets set for fantastic Volunteers Week 2022 National Volunteers Week celebrates the millions of incredible volunteers throughout the country who do so much good for people and our communities.

It is a time to: Recognise the essential contribution volunteers make in our communities.

Give special thanks and recognition to people who volunteer.

Promote volunteering and inspire even more people to get involved.

Mike Melvin, Volunteering Services Manager at ACVO said ‘Volunteers Week is the perfect time to say thank you to all the tremendous volunteers in Aberdeen and across the country who provide so much help, support and make such a positive difference for people and communities. Along, with all the great volunteer involving organisations in Aberdeen, ACVO is delighted to join in national Volunteers Week and say a big thank you to all volunteers in our fantastic city.’

How to get involved: Volunteers Week 2022 Website: volunteersweek.scot has lots of great updates, ideas, links, resources and downloads to help thank volunteers and celebrate Volunteers Week.

Thank You Volunteer Messages: ACVO is planning a special Volunteers Week ‘Thank You Volunteers’ feature in ACVO News of thank you messages from organisations to their volunteers Please email any message for your volunteers you wish to include as part of this to: mike.melvin@acvo.org.uk Social Media: join in with the Volunteers' Week campaign in Scotland by using the official #VolunteersWeekScot hashtag on social media and also tag in @Aberdeen_ACVO and @VolWeekScot on twitter and we will be sure to retweet to help spread the word.

News 37 ACVO April 2022

NEWS

Support for charities and good causes: Employee Volunteering Made Easy

Social Good Connect have recently had a surge of employees signing up to Social Good Connect who are looking to volunteer for local causes.

It’s brilliant to have more businesses joining Social Good Connect – which means more skilled volunteers (and even bigger impact!) making it easy for your organisation to connect with the business community.

So, if you have volunteering opportunities that you are looking to fill- now is the time!

Behind the scenes they have a team of passionate individuals who will be encouraging volunteer employees to take up your opportunities.

Create and upload volunteering opportunities Start receiving applications from enthusiastic, skilled volunteers!

Joining SGC is a no-brainer for businesses and charities.

You have happier staff if they’re invited, through work, to get involved in fulfilling activities outside of work. People feel satisfied by giving something back, as well as gaining new skills from their volunteering roles to take back into the workplace.

For more information please visit socialgoodconnect.org/for-non-profits/

So why should your charity get involved?

You save time, money and effort in volunteer recruitment You gain access to a new audience of volunteers with a wide range of professional skills across all sectors You’ll increase your networks and sources of help and support for your charity’s aims How does it work?

Free sign up to Social Good Connect Set up your organisation profile

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Each year, outstanding examples of Volunteering are recognised and celebrated through the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Created in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service shines a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups.

Equivalent to an MBE, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award granted to local voluntary groups in the country.

Nominations are now open for the 2023 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service *(the closing date for submitting a nomination is 15th September 2022). Full details are available at https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/ and https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/aboutnominating/ ACVO and The City of Aberdeen Lieutenancy / Aberdeen’s Vice Lord Lieutenant Andrew Lawtie are delighted to offer further guidance regarding the Queens Award for Voluntary Service / making a nomination and can be contacted via ACVO at email: volunteer@acvo.org.uk

Volunteer Members needed for the Disability Equity Partnership The Disability Equity Partnership works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those with disabilities break down barriers.

Their aim is to solve challenges and improve quality of life; focusing on accessible transport, buildings, services and information.

Examples of projects they have been working on include the City Centre Masterplan, webpage and information accessibility to reduce barriers and improve access to information, goods and services.

If you would like to be part of this partnership and make a real difference in the city, please email equality_and_diversity@aberdeencity.gov.uk or phone or text 07767 353 006 for an application form or for further enquiries.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

ACVO News 38 April 2022

Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau Ambassadors The latest from our team.

Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent charity that provides individuals with impartial, confidential, free advice on a range of issues including benefits, debt, employment and consumer issues as well as influencing social policy locally and nationally.

The role of Ambassador is to cultivate links with community groups and companies by meeting with key individuals, giving talks to groups and using social media, with the aim of recruiting and widening the community of Supporters for Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau.

The aim of the Supporters for Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau is to raise awareness of the Bureau’s work, encourage new volunteers and to help raise funds to support the Bureau. By taking on this role you will be helping to make life better in Aberdeen.

For more details please contact Nikola Will at email: Nikola.Will@aberdeencab.casonline.org.uk or telephone: 01224 569757.

Community Connectors – Suicide Prevention Project – Community Planning Aberdeen This is an opportunity to directly inform and collaborate with agencies working to reduce suicide in Aberdeen. Community Planning Aberdeen* is working to improve mental wellbeing and has a project focused on raising awareness of how we can all make a difference to reducing suicide.

Improving mental wellbeing is a priority within the North, South and Central Locality plans and our communities through their Plans have identified ideas that could help reduce suicide and improve mental wellbeing.

We now need COMMUNITY CONNECTORS to help make sure the development of this project and the ideas for improvement continue to be informed by and are linked back to our communities.

As a Community Connector you will be the “connection” between the reducing suicide project and your community. You will be supported to provide updates to your Locality Engagement Group (LEG) or Priority Neighbourhood Partnership (PNP) meeting. For more information about the role of a Community Connector and the support that we will offer, please visit https://communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Community-Connector.pdf A fantastic opportunity to help and make a difference for the community. All help is greatly appreciated.

For further details please email: LocalityPlanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Silver City Surfer Volunteers – Silver City Surfers The latest from our team.

Silver City Surfers assist people 55 years and over to learn basic computer skills 1-to-1 in a social setting.

We have a brilliant team of volunteers that help and are currently recruiting new volunteers.

There are a range of opportunities available such as Computer Tutor Volunteers to assist people learn basic computer skills, Hospitality Volunteers to make sure that people feel welcomed, have someone to chat to and who will make them a tea/coffee whilst they wait to get on to a computer or have a break from the computer and Admin. Volunteers to come in and help file, collate and enter details of numbers of attendees, and print off forms that are needed for the smooth running of sessions.

A great opportunity to help and make a positive difference in a friendly and supportive place.

For further details please contact us at email: silvercitysurfers@gmail.com or web.: http://www.silvercitysurfers.co.uk

News 39 ACVO April 2022

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Cancer Research UK Aberdeen Race for Life Volunteers The latest from our team.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who want to help beat cancer sooner. Our Race for Life events are back, and we are looking for support at our events to help their successful delivery.

The Aberdeen Race for Life takes place on Sunday 12th June 2022 (the event site is based at Linx Ice Arena, Kings Links, Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen, AB24 5NR and the route for the event/race goes along the beach esplanade).

We have great volunteer opportunities for people to come along to help marshal, cheer and support the event manager in the delivery of the event. There is a role for everyone, whether you want to be cheering participants over the finish line, volunteering in the admin tent to support on the day sign ups or if you would prefer to be out on the course to ensure participants are going the right way, there is a role for you.

A fantastic opportunity be part of a major event to help to beat cancer. For further details please contact Emily Stubbs, Area Event Manager at E Mail: Emily.stubbs@cancer.org.uk or tel.: 07787 668 495.

Grampian Pride 2022 Volunteers – Grampian Pride The latest from our team.

Grampian Pride (which takes place on Saturday 28th May 2022) is going to be a really exciting, important and fun event positive and colourful - so a great way to spend a few hours and volunteer.

Volunteers are an important and integral part of Grampian Pride and all volunteers at Grampian Pride will receive excellent support, induction for each role you undertake and will receive special rainbow lanyards plus free food and drink. It’s not just rewarding but exciting and extremely important too! Help us make a fantastic Pride event for the entire community and get those warm fuzzy feelings knowing that you’ve helped to make it happen!

Volunteer opportunities at Grampian Pride include: *Parade welcomers *Parade guides *Parade stewards *Venue decorators *Pride Village Stewards *Key volunteer leads *Parade litter pickers *Leaflet distributers *Wristband distributers *Venue support *Site build *Site decoration *Site stewards *First aid volunteers (to assist British Red Cross First Aiders on site) *Survey taking *Litter control *Site de-rig support *Venue support *Event and Awareness Support *Site build support *De-rig support In return for your amazing help not only will you gain the experience of being involved in a large and major event and receive training, we’ll also make sure that you’re fed and watered throughout the day for FREE and you can also get free tickets (for yourself and a guest) to the EXCLUSIVE Grampian Pride VIP After-Party!!

For more information and to volunteer please contact volunteer@grampianpride.org or register to volunteer at https://www.grampianpride.org/volunteer/

ESOL / CELTA IELTS The latest from /our team./ TEFL Tutors – GREC-Grampian Regional Equality Council We are looking for qualified English as a Second Language tutors (ESL) to join a volunteer opportunity to support asylum seekers who are currently staying in Aberdeen. The project aims to provide an opportunity to engage individuals who arrived in the UK with no recourse to public funds, to develop their English language skills and support their mental health through a difficult life transition.

As a volunteer English tutor, you will have the opportunity to practice your skills assessing students and expanding your teaching experience. This is a great CPD opportunity for ESOL tutors to draw new teaching strategies based on relevant language needs and share best practice with other professionals.

The project includes diversity training and will follow a teaching program specifically designed for refugees and asylum seekers to improve their overall language skills and knowledge of the UK. Volunteers will deliver the classes in the city centre and are welcome to join other activities planned to enhance opportunities for integration with other non-native English speakers involved.

For further information please contact Adriana Uribe, Language and Integration Developer at E Mail: auribe@grec.co.uk or telephone 01224 595505.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

ACVO News 40 April 2022

Donations Assistants – Somebody Cares The Cares latest our who team.

Somebody is afrom local charity furnish homes, provide clothing, baby equipment, toys and food parcels to those in need within our city and shire. Through referral from many local support services, charities, social workers and the local councils, clients are able to access our services completely free of charge.

By demonstrating empathy and support, our aim is to provide a helping hand to those who are facing challenging times, by offering hope and providing then with essential and practicable items which they otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase. Our greatest wish is that after receiving our support our clients can gain confidence, flourish and begin to escape the poverty trap.

We work with men, woman and children from many different backgrounds, and our services are accessed by many support services including Aberdeen City Council, Cornhill Hospital, Grampians Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Children’s 1st, Turning Point Scotland, Langstane Housing, Shmu, Children and Family Services, Social Bite, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and many medical professionals.

We fund our charitable work by selling some of our donated items at our very busy retail megastore at Hazeldene Road, Aberdeen. (Old Dobbie’s building). The Megastore has many gems and bargains and has a strong local clientele who visit the store on a regular basis. We are looking for volunteers to help us sort through many of the donated items ready for sale. We are flexible with hours and days and are looking for enthusiastic people with a heart for making a difference to join our friendly team.

A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Alison Topley, Chief Operating Officer at email: volunteer@somebodycaresscotland.org or telephone: 01224 460700.

FRESH Volunteers – Fresh Community Wellness The latest fromisour team.

Fresh Community Wellness a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future.

Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants.

All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk

Support at Home Volunteers – RVS: Royal The latest Service from our team.

Voluntary (Grampian Services) As part of our Supporting you at Home and Supporting your Recovery services we help clients who have recently been discharged or due for discharge to settle back home and in the community.

Your role as a Support at Home Volunteer will be to offer valuable support for clients who require help with any of these services: -Home Visit: you will provide a friendly chat/visit to someone who is lonely/isolated.

-1-1 Garden Visit; 1-1 Assisted Walks: weather dependant! You can provide social companionship or encourage mobility.

-Shopping: you can help get shopping for someone who is unable to do their own shopping or take someone shopping (depending on mobility) to encourage mobility and socialisation.

-Transport: taking someone to an appointment.

All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

For further details please contact the RVS Grampian Team at E Mail: grampiansupport@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or telephone: 01224 937110.

News 41 ACVO April 2022

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Veterans Community Support Volunteers – Legion Scotland (North of Scotland) Volunteers are essential to Legion Scotland’s ability to support veterans in the community. We are currently recruiting volunteers for the Legion Scotland Veterans Community Support Service.

Trained and supported volunteers will be matched with Armed Forces veterans to provide a befriending relationship in the community – this could take the form of a regular social visit to relieve isolation and loneliness, or to provide assistance with more specific issues at other times. Excellent training and support is provided and volunteers will be PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) checked prior to contact with clients as well. This is not a personal care or advisory service.

A tremendous opportunity to volunteer with Legion Scotland and support veterans. All assistance makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

For more information please contact Emily Clark, Veterans Community Support Coordinator – Scotland North, Legion Scotland at Email: e.clark@legionscotland.org.uk or tel.: 07876 202437.

Volunteer Befrienders – TLC Befriending Service Thecan latest from team.

Everyone feel lonely andour isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship.

This year, in response to the crippling effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples wellbeing (physical, emotional, social and mental health), that the pandemic has only exacerbated, TLC have responded to this need and developed a befriending service to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many in our city.

Our aim is that our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers will not only provide a lifeline to people, in the form of friendship, but also a helping hand to reconnect to the community, bringing joy and passion back into people’s lives.

If you would like to be a beacon of hope to someone in need, please do apply to join our team.

For further information please contact Jonny Astill, Development Manager at email: jonny@tlc.org.uk or tel.: 07859 771292.

Details also available at: https://www.tlc.org.uk/befriending

Volunteer Kilties-Aberdeen Kiltwalk 2022 Join our Kiltie team for the Aberdeen Kiltwalk 2022! You’ll be supporting thousands of walkers across our 26-mile route whilst also having fun, making friends and creating memorable experiences that will last forever.

The Aberdeen Kiltwalk 2022 takes place on Sunday 29th May 2022 and is an incredible event for Aberdeen. Our events wouldn’t be possible without the help of our fantastic network of volunteers – the Kilties! They support our Kiltwalkers as they raise millions of pounds for causes all over Scotland, help deliver our events, keep our walkers’ spirits high and of course, add a touch of Kiltwalk magic!

With nine roles to choose from, there really is something for everyone! You could be checking our walkers in at one of our start venues, helping them re-fuel at one of our Pit Stops, keeping them motivated along the route or giving them a cheer as they cross the finish line. Or you might prefer to walk, cycle or drive as one of our Back Marker, Lead Bike or Driver Kilties.

If you would like to learn new skills, meet new people and have a truly rewarding experience, then apply to become a Kiltie Volunteer today!

A fantastic event and volunteer opportunity to be involved in. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details and to sign up to be a fabulous Aberdeen Kiltwalk 2022 Kiltie Volunteer please visit https://www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/volunteer or contact Debbie Chisholm, Volunteer Manager at email kilties@thekiltwalk.co.uk

ACVO News 44 April 2022

FUNDING

Funding Funding news and highlights from ACVO Funding Officer, Claire Shaw

National Lottery Community Fund Closures and Funding Review Following a delay due to COVID-19, The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) started the process of reviewing their funding offer and developing new programmes. The aim of the review is to ensure that they make best use of National Lottery funding to support communities to thrive in future.

As part of this work, the Community Led and Improving Lives programmes will close to applications from Friday 30 September 2022 and the new portfolio will launch in early 2023.

National Lottery Awards for All, Young Start and Scottish Land Fund are not part of this review and will remain open to applications.

What this means for you: If you have already submitted an application to Community Led or Improving Lives it will be assessed as usual.

If you already have an application form but haven't applied yet, they advise applying as soon as possible. If you're no longer going to apply or are unsure of about the timescale for this, you should contact your Funding Officer.

If you were considering applying to one of these programmes but haven't discussed this with the Lottery or requested an application form yet, you should contact them as soon as possible so the Funding Officer in your area can advise.

If you have an existing grant under one of the programmes which you wish to continue, you should speak to your Funding Officer if you've not already done so.

If you have any questions, please contact the NLCF team on 0300 123 7110 or advicescotland@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.

News 45 ACVO April 2022

FUNDING

Grants up to £1.5m for regeneration of Scottish heritage areas

Historic Environment Scotland announces the launch of its Heritage & Place Programme

A

new place-based funding programme offering grants up to £1.5m opens for expressions of interest as of Wednesday 30 March, Historic Environment Scotland has announced.

meaningful community involvement.

Schemes will also no longer need to be located within defined conservation areas, and conditions for third-party grants have been revised to ensure that requirements for funding are proportionate and provide further opportunities for participation.

aspiration of looking after their historic environment.

The new Heritage & Place Programme is an area-based funding programme that aims to contribute to the development of vibrant and sustainable places in Scotland through community-based regeneration of the historic environment.

Requirements for traditional skills training and material audits have been strengthened, and a stronger focus is being placed on developing strategies to ensure successful management and maintenance on completion of the scheme.

opportunities as well as encourage highquality, sustainable development plans for Scotland’s places.”

Heritage focused schemes that are located within conservation areas or distinctive heritage areas will be supported through the programme. Grants, which will typically be between £750,000 - £1.5m, will support a combination of activities including the repair and reuse of historic environment assets, training to strengthen local traditional skills, and building capacity within communities to value and look after the historic environment in the long-term.

The Heritage & Place Programme will replace HES’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which ran from 2007 to 2020. This follows a review that HES carried out of its grants programmes to update and streamline its existing grants through the development of a new framework to guide future investment. The Heritage & Place Programme is open to local authorities, national park authorities and not-for-profit organisations.

As part of the new programme, a twostage application process has been introduced which includes a match-funded development phase to encourage strategic, high-quality schemes with

As part of the new approach, applicants to the Heritage & Place Programme will also be encouraged to apply for area-based funding under the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Grants for Heritage programme. HES and the Heritage Fund will work together to consider applications and will be hosting joint engagement sessions in April and May for applicants to find out more about the programmes.

Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at HES, said: “Through CARS, we awarded over £52m to over 70 schemes across Scotland, bringing over 1,000 historic buildings back to life while supporting traditional skills training and encouraging community involvement.

“Heritage-led regeneration and the reuse of historic buildings have the power to transform places and generate long-term social and economic benefits.

“Schemes accepted onto the programme will involve partnerships of a local, regional and national level to revive heritage areas based on a shared vision.

Communities will be placed at the heart of each scheme to ensure their involvement throughout the process, as well as empowering them with the long-term

“By partnering with the Heritage Fund and taking a collective approach to our areabased funding programmes we hope to support applicants maximise their funding

Commenting on the announcement, Caroline Clark, Director Scotland of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “We’ve been investing money raised through the National Lottery in Scotland’s historic towns and villages for over 25 years and we’ve seen first-hand the incredible difference it has made to local communities.

“Heritage and culture give a place a unique identity, making it special for the people that live there. We’re delighted to work in partnership with HES to offer funding which will help to repair and protect the historic core of a place.

Since HES was established in 2015, it has distributed approximately £81.5m in grants using Grant in Aid provided by the Scottish Government.

Find out more at historicenvironment.scot/grants-andfunding/our-grants/heritage-placeprogramme/

FUNDING

ACVO News 46 April 2022

SSEN encourages applications for its £1m Resilient Communities Fund With this year’s funding pot increased to £1m, SSEN is urging communities across the north of Scotland to submit their applications for the latest round of its Resilient Communities Fund (RCF).

The aim of the fund is to help communities become more resilient in the face of severe weather events and prolonged power interruptions and, following the severe storms which battered the country this winter, SSEN has increased the total amount available in the north of Scotland in 2022 to £1m.

Grants are available from £1,000 up to £20,000 however, in exceptional cases, multi-year and multi-community funding up to a maximum of £50,000 will be considered.

The deadline for applications has been extended to 13 May, and the fund is looking to support projects which fall under these two categories: 1. Resilience for Emergency Events - To enhance community facilities, services and communication specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant emergency such as extended power loss.

2. Vulnerability - To protect the welfare of vulnerable community members particularly during significant emergency events such as extended power loss, through enhancing their resilience and improving community participation and effectiveness.

The SSEN Resilient Communities Fund Panel, which includes national community groups and organisations with expertise in community resilience planning, will review applications and determine which projects should receive funding, with the successful applications to be awarded this summer.

Mark Rough, SSEN’s Director of Customer Operations (North), said: “The storms which battered the north of Scotland this winter brought with them an unprecedented level of damage across our infrastructure, and as our teams worked tirelessly to restore customers’ supplies, I was greatly impressed by the resilience shown by the communities whose power supplies had been impacted.

“The additional £500,000 contribution we have made to this year’s Resilient Communities Fund in the north of Scotland, increasing our total commitment to £1million, is recognition of the important role community resilience has played in the recent storms. Since its inception in 2015, the fund has done a great deal to improve community resilience, and we look forward to being able to support our communities even further through the additional funding available to applicants this year.”

To find out more about the Resilient Communities Fund, read SSEN’s annual fund reports and apply for funding, please visit ssen.co.uk/about-ssen/ourcommunities/resilient-communities-fund/

News 47 ACVO April 2022

FUNDING

Scotland Versus Arthritis Let’s Move Together Fund now open Versus Arthritis are distributing grants of up to £5,000 to

For more information about the Let’s Move Together fund,

support people with musculoskeletal conditions, including

including how organisations can apply, please visit:

arthritis, to get active. Organisations in Wales, Scotland

Inspiring active communities (versusarthritis.org).

and Northern Ireland should be working to increase the

If you have any questions, please email

availability of exercise opportunities for people with

physicalactivityva@versusarthritis.org.

musculoskeletal conditions in local communities, to help aid recovery from the negative impact of COVID-19 and reduce the widening of inequalities in sport and physical activity. Applications are particularly welcome from groups who also support people from culturally diverse communities, disabled people, and people from lower socio-economic groups.

33% of people in Scotland have musculoskeletal conditions so we anticipate that a number of groups will be eligible.

For more information about these conditions please visit: About arthritis | Conditions, symptoms, treatments, support (versusarthritis.org)

We Are Here Scotland’s Creators’ Fund round 2 open for applications We Are Here Scotland are happy to announce that applications for the Creators’ Fund ROUND 2 are now live.

The fund aims to provide practical funding opportunities for Black and POC artists and creatives across Scotland, along with one-to-one mentorship from experienced industry professionals.

On 9 June 2021, the Creators’ Fund Round 1 not only reached its £6000 target but exceeded it. With the help of a judging panel , 7 people were selected to receive £500 each and mentoring. This fund is aimed at not only providing financial support, but also practical career advice, support and guidance.

About the fund, the team at We are Here Scotland said "We are now moving into the next phase of funding more creatives.

"In terms of challenging the inequalities within Scotland's creative industries, we need to ensure that the developing careers of BPoC artists and creatives are supported on a consistent and meaningful basis. And the Creators' Fund is a small way in which we move things forward and maintain a presence in Scotland that we hope can inspire future generations of artists, creatives and also be the start of a much-needed discussion regarding representation in Scotland's creative industries."

TIMELINE 24 March - 31 May: Creators’ Fund open for applications 31 May - 10 June: applications shortlisted 25 June: judging panel selects recipients 3 July: recipients and unsuccessful applicants notified Find out more at weareherescotland.com/creators-fund

VACANCIES

ACVO News 48 April 2022

Vacancies

Looking for a new career?

Join the team at Mental Health Aberdeen on their mission to break the stigma

If you are interested in any of these posts, please email admin@mhaberdeen.org.uk with the job title in the subject line, for an Application Pack.

ACIS, MHA’s Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service, are looking to appoint a volunteer manager, to oversee the deployment of adult volunteer counsellors in ACIS. This post will be 22.5 hours per week. This job could be full- or part-time, depending on whether the applicant is also willing to manage the volunteers for our new charity shop. The portion for the shop volunteer management will be 14 hours per week.

The successful applicant will have experience of working in a third sector setting, and experience of managing staff / volunteers.

Based in Aberdeen, salary on application.

Job share possible Only full MHA application forms will be considered, CVs may be included.

Closing date for applications:Friday 8th April at 12pm Interviews will be held: 19th to 22nd April 2022

ACIS, MHA’s Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service, are looking to appoint an additional Information Officer to join the team: 16 hrs. per week, mainly evening work, with one afternoon.

The hours of work are Mon, Wed & Thurs: 4pm to 8pm, ideally also Fri 1pm to 5pm, but applications for evenings only will be considered. It would be an advantage if the applicant were able to cover holiday or sick leave. Previous applicants welcome to reapply.

The successful applicant will have experience of working with a wide variety of people, must be able to multi-task and conversant with all Windows packages.

Based in Aberdeen, salary on application.

Job share possible Only full MHA application forms will be considered, CVs may be included.

Closing date for applications:Friday 8th April at 12pm Interviews will be held: 19th to 22nd April 2022

ACIS Youth, Mental Health Aberdeen’s children and young people’s counselling service, are looking to appoint a number of primary school counsellors to work in various Aberdeen City based Primary Schools.The hours of work will be up to 36.25 hours working in various Primary Schools with pupils aged 10+.

The successful applicants will have a Diploma level in counselling and have membership with BACP, COSCA or an equivalent counselling professional body.

Based in Aberdeen, salary on application.

Job share possible Only full MHA application forms will be considered, CVs may be included.

Closing date for applications:Friday 8th April at 12pm Interviews will be held: 19th to 22nd April 2022

ACIS, MHA’s Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service, are looking to appoint a Staff Counsellor to join our current counselling team: 22.5 hrs per week, day and some evening work. Hours deployed by agreement. You will have a minimum of 18 months’ post-diploma work experience and be willing to work towards accreditation. A post-graduate certificate in supervision an advantage, but this may be obtained later.

The successful applicant will have membership of BACP or COSCA, be enthusiastic about working in Third Sector and highly adept in using Microsoft Window packages.

Based in Aberdeen, salary on application.

Job share possible Only full MHA application forms will be considered, CVs may be included.

Closing date for applications:Friday 8th April at 12pm Interviews will be held: 19th to 22nd April 2022

ACIS Youth, Mental Health Aberdeen’s children and young people’s counselling service, are looking to appoint a number of school counsellors to work in various Aberdeen City based Academy Schools. The hours of work will be up to 30 hours per week within a single Academy during school hours.

The successful applicants will have a Diploma level in counselling and have membership with BACP, COSCA or an equivalent counselling professional body.

Based in Aberdeen, salary on application.

Job share possible Only full MHA application forms will be considered, CVs may be included.

Closing date for applications:Friday 8th April at 12pm Interviews will be held: 19th to 22nd April 2022

VACANCIES

ACVO News 50 April 2022

keeep up to date with the latest third sector opportunities at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

find out more and apply

find out more and apply

News 51 ACVO April 2022

VACANCIES

keeep up to date with the latest third sector opportunities at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

find out more and apply

find out more and apply

VACANCIES

ACVO News 52 April 2022

Befriend a Child are looking to recruit a Family Support Co-ordinator to offer practical help and emotional support to the families we support who are experiencing difficulties due to being socially isolated and struggling with hardship.

The postholder will lead on setting up and delivering Befriend a Child’s new Family Support Project.

The focus of the role will be to provide support to service users, empowering them to address various challenges, reducing problems and risks as well as signposting them to organisations in their local community who can also support them.

This is a varied role and is ideal for a compassionate and non-judgemental social care or health professional hoping to make a positive impact to the lives of disadvantaged families across Aberdeen.

If you are inspired by our cause, can demonstrate success achieved in a similar role and have a passion for what you do, we would love to hear from you. The role is part time (22.5 hours a week) and based in our office at 9 Bon Accord Square, with some working from home. A full clean driving licence and access to a car is essential due to the nature of the role.

If you would like more information, a recruitment pack or a chat about this role please contact Jean Gordon, Head of Operations on 01224 210060 or jean@befriendachild.org.uk Closing date: Thursday 14th April 2022 www.befriendachild.org.uk .

Supported by a grant from the

Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund

VACANCIES

ACVO News 54 April 2022

keeep up to date with the latest third sector opportunities at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

find out more and apply

find out more and apply

News 55 ACVO April 2022

VACANCIES

keeep up to date with the latest third sector opportunities at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

find out more and apply

find out more and apply

ACVO News 58 April 2022

EVENTS

Events, training & workshops

Multi Agency GIRFEC and Child Protection training Aberdeen City Child Protection and Aberlour have released details of their Multi Agency GIRFEC and Child Protection training. All training will take place via MS Teams and there is a maximum of 20 spaces on each course, with booking made on a first come first serve basis.

Multi Agency GIRFEC Training

Assessing & Planning Training Tuesday 19th April - 09:30 - 14:00

To sign up for the following courses please email safeguardingtraining.aberdeen@aberlour.org.uk with: The title of the training you wish to attend Your name Work email address -Organisation + job title Line manager's name + email address You will receive a confirmation email and nearer the time of the training, you will be sent an invite to attend via MS Teams.

It is a requirement that you complete the e-module

This training covers how to undertake an assessment using the GIRFEC tools available, making sure all partners involved in the Child's Plan can contribute fully to the process.

Discussions and activities focus on understanding the importance of the Child's Plan and developing robust and SMART outcomes.

Multi Agency Manager’s Course – Early Intervention Training -Tuesday 26th April - 13:00 - 16:30

'Introduction to Safeguarding' before attending GIRFEC courses.

This course recognises that Managers sometimes find it

'Introduction to Safeguarding' is a video course available via

difficult to fit in time for training. This new course gives you

accessing the following link: Introduction to Safeguarding e-module (GIRFEC) | Aberdeen City Council They also recommend that you complete the 'Managing, Recording & Sharing Information' online course available in video format before attending any live GIRFEC courses.

the opportunity to update your knowledge, get a look at the kind of multi-agency child protection training front line staff in Aberdeen were completing last year, and also meet with other Managers in a multi-agency setting.

This course provides up to date information and guidance on the following topics: Children and Young People’s Mental Health Identifying and acting on early indicators of Neglect Emotional Abuse and its impact

News 59 ACVO April 2022

EVENTS

Multi Agency Child Protection Training

Domestic Abuse and Child Protection Training Monday 11th April - 09:00 - 12:30

To sign up to attend any of the following training sessions please email hbennett@aberdeencity.gov.uk

We will define domestic abuse and discuss the Domestic

with:

AbuseAct (2021). We will look at the impact domestic

The title of the training you wish to attend

abuse has on the health and wellbeing of children and

Your name

young people and discuss how to support families

Work email address

experiencing domestic abuse. We'll then move on to cover

Organisation + job title

'Safe and Together' principles professionals should

Line manager's name + email address

implement in their everyday work with families affected by

You will receive a confirmation email and nearer the time of

domestic abuse.

the training you will be sent an invite to attend via MS Teams.

Child Protection and Disability Training Wednesday 13th April - 09:00 - 12:30

Neglect Training Monday 4th April - 09:00 - 12:30

We will define what we mean by the term 'disability' before moving onto breakdown why disabled children are at a

We will explore the issue of childhood neglect in a multi-

greater risk of abuse and/or neglect than children without a

agency context. We will look at the different types of

disability. We then look over key legislation and guidance,

neglect, consider the impact upon children who have

the role of a young carer, and discuss the importance of

experienced neglect, with a particular focus on cumulative

tailored communication to fit the needs of children and

harm. We will also reflect on how we manage neglect in

young people with a physical and/or learning disability.

practice and discuss naming neglect with families.

Child Sexual Exploitation and ChildTrafficking Training Parental Resistance Training -

Wednesday 20th April - 13:00 - 16:30

Thursday 7th April - 09:00 - 12:30 We will define child trafficking, look at how young people We will define parental resistance and discuss the different

are recruited and controlled and the impact trafficking has

forms it can take. We will look at the impact parental

on their overall health and well-being. We will then discuss

resistance can have on children and professionals and

challenges around trafficking disclosures and the NRM

discuss 5 different styles of conflict management.

process. We will also look at how trafficking and sexual exploitation are linked before defining child sexual

Neglect Training -

exploitation, look at the symptoms of CSE and discuss ways

Thursday 7th April 13:00 - 16:30

professionals can support those at risk of sexual exploitation.

We will explore the issue of childhood neglect in a multiagency context. We will look at the different types of

Emotional Abuse in Children and Young People Training -

neglect, consider the impact upon children who have

Tuesday 26th April - 09:00 - 12:30

experienced neglect, with a particular focus on cumulative harm. We will also reflect on how we manage neglect in

We will define emotional abuse and look at the varying

practice and discuss naming neglect with families.

ways in which it can happen broken down by category. We will discuss how to professionally describe and prove that harm has taken place as a result of the emotional abuse.

We then compare emotional abuse with emotional neglect and look at the impact emotional abuse can have on children and young people before moving on to Dr Glaser's 4 Tier Model which aids professionals in recognising emotional abuse is happening

ACVO News 60 April 2022

Event Highlig April

05

A Climate Cafe, with Aberdeen Climate Action: Eco Anxiety 7:00PM

During this event, three short presentations will be given surrounding the different aspects of Eco Anxiety, and how to manage these feelings that people may experience as well as ways to cope.

The speakers currently lined up are: Nadine Andrews from Climate Psychology Alliance will give a talk with the title “Eco-anxiety and managing emotions”.

Laura Young, eco-warrior, zero waste advocate, environmental activist, and ethical influencer will give a talk with the title To be confirmed.

Michelle Cassar, Polymath – photographer, author, speaker and filmmaker will give a talk with the title “Helping people cope with eco-anxiety”.

Find out more The Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, which came into force as legislation on 1st April 2019, creates a specific offence of domestic abuse, strengthening the law and offering greater protection for those experiencing domestic abuse in all its forms.

This session is aimed at frontline staff who work directly with women, children and young people and who recognise that an understanding of coercive control and the new law will assist them in their work.

The training has been developed in collaboration between Scottish Women’s Aid and trainers from the Women’s Aid network.

Learning outcomes: Understand coercive control as a specific form of intimate partner abuse and the tactics and behaviours of perpetrators Understand the main components of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act and how to support women to report Apply the knowledge to their own work in supporting women, children and young people

Find out more

13

Training Webinar: An Overview of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 6:00 pm - 8:00pm

News 61 ACVO April 2022

ghts find more event listings, and submit yours free of charge at

acvo.org.uk/events

15 Find out more

18

£2 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Rosemount Community Centre

From 6pm to 9pm. Join our group of regular crafties who like to work in many different creative projects decided unanimously, sometimes following seasonal themes as Easter or Christmas decorations.

Find out more

£35 - 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm Norwood Hall

Celebrating 30 years of the charity, our event aims to provide a fun-filled Scottish evening to all those in attendance.

The event will be held on 15th April at the Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen from 7pm-11.30pm with all profits going directly to CHAS. The event programme consists of a Ceilidh (among other dancing tunes) from the amazing HipFlask Ceilidh Band, a number of fun interactive games, a silent AND live auction!

And let’s not forget a delicious buffet served amid it all.

If you wish to donate to our efforts, or buy tickets to our event, then please use the sections below to do so.

Craft Group (weekly)

Limited numbers so please email us beforehand at enquiries@rcca.org.uk

Dashing Dance in the Deen - CHAS Fundraiser

acvo.org.uk