ACVO News April 8th 2021

ACVO NEWS

NEWS FROM ABERDEEN'S THIRD SECTOR

APR 8 | 2021

acvo.org.uk

CONTENTS

6 Aberdeen Climate Action online event for Earth Day 2021

10 New online support and employability course from Aberdeen Foyer

ACVO News 3 Apr 8 2021

21 Easter Egg Hunt to raise money for Grampian Autistic Society

4 ACVO Updates Find out what's been going on with our team here at ACVO 6 News from you and other networks 18 Volunteering The latest from Mike Melvin and Volunteer Aberdeen 20 Funding Opportunities, updates and news from and for the third sector 22 Health and social care updates Updates from ACVO and our health and social care partner organisations

14 Lindsay Webster of Aberdeen in Recovery joins us this fortnight to talk about the REACH Advocacy Practice Award

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

24 Vacancies Latest opportunities from the third sector in Aberdeen and beyond

Scottish Charity No: SC036845

ACVO UPDATES

ACVO News 4 Apr 8 2021

ACVO Updates The latest from our team.

WE WANT YOU TO JOIN OUR BOARD!

Join the ACVO Board to support and represent the third sector in Aberdeen

ACVO is looking for energetic, passionate people to: ACVO is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for Aberdeen City.

ACVO provides support, learning and development opportunities for people and organisations through their programmes of work - whether you want to know more about volunteering; setting up and running a third sector organisation; or using social enterprise as a model to deliver social good, the interface is your local starting point.

be part of supporting, involving and representing the work of the third sector in Aberdeen champion the important work the sector does contribute to the strategic direction of ACVO

If you believe in the value of Aberdeen’s third sector and if you would like to be part of ACVO’s

We have over 20 years experience working in Aberdeen as the central hub of knowledge relating to the local third sector.

vision for the sector, we have a chair for you at our boardroom table.

Board members are expected to attend 6 meetings a year and may be asked to represent ACVO and the sector at some strategic meetings.

Our Board meetings are held alternately at lunchtimes and evenings in Aberdeen.

If you are interested please follow this link to complete a skills analysis and application form.

News 5 ACVO Apr 8 2021

ACVO UPDATES

Hope Counselling Find Success with ACVO’s Funding Tips A-Z Graeme Rae of Hope Counselling got in touch recently to share the fantastic news that, with the use of ACVO’s Funding Tips A-Z, they have managed to boost the success rate of their applications.

G

raeme said, “I have found A to Z essential in giving me an insight into what makes a good application and fit for a funder.

"Since we started to use the A to Z, our success rate has more than doubled.

“The big advantage of the A to Z is that it is free, user friendly and readily accessible, fits all sizes and kinds of charities/fundraiser and there is real wisdom and experience that the lies beneath the words. This material is a cornerstone to building competency of the fundraiser.

“There are other sources of material from bodies such as the Fundraising Institute but they come at a price which can be out of reach for many people and are they not as user friendly” The Funding Tips A-Z was written by ACVO Funding & Sustainability Officer Alison Chandler and is packed with tips, pointers, prompts, suggestions and challenges for you to use as you go about your work to make your organisation sustainable, with each letter of the alphabet representing an area of the overall grant-seeking task.

“We found what really helped was using the A-Z along with a spreadsheet we developed which allowed us to score the suitability of funders in accordance with advice given in the resource. It really has helped us a lot and I’m confident that in using the A-Z we will continue to see success with our applications” added Graeme.

Graeme has very kindly shared his spreadsheet template which can be accessed here and adapted to meet the needs of your organisation.

ACVO’s Funding Tips A-Z is available to access now at acvo.org.uk/funding-a-z Have you found success with A-Z or found it useful in helping to guide you when applying for funding?

We would love to hear your thoughts, get in touch with andrew.davidson@acvo.org.uk to share your comments.

ACVO News 6 Apr 8 2021

NEWS

News from you and other networks

Get together this Earth Day to talk about Aberdeen's green spaces Corra Foundation

Join Aberdeen Climate Action and Hope for the Future, on Earth Day 2021, for a panel discussion focusing on the importance of creating and maintaining urban green spaces in Aberdeen (and beyond!)

A

berdeen Climate Action have been working with Hope for the Future to organise an event with local MPs and MSPs to discuss the value of

This event also brings members of the community together with their local politicians including Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, to set out their

green spaces and to set out their vision for nature in our city.

Over the last year being able to access green spaces and connect to nature has been more important than ever. Green

vision for nature in Aberdeen and ensure the city's commitment to tackling climate change. More speakers are still to be confirmed for what is already looking like a fantastic event.

spaces provide multiple benefits to local communities and wider society and, for those living in cities and towns, these places can provide essential places for relaxation, exercise and connecting to nature.

They will be joined by speakers from The Habitat People, Dundee Health Partnership and The Land Trust who will set out the social, environmental and economic case for prioritising green

Get involved in reimagining the role of green spaces and nature in Aberdeen!

This event is free but spaces are limited so register today!

Book your place through Eventbrite here.

The event has been funded by Green Alliance.

Aberdeen Climate Action aims to promote Scotland’s (and especially North-East Scotland’s) transition to a

space in our urban environments and strategies for how this can be achieved.

sustainable and thriving society find out more at

Net

Zero

aberdeenclimateaction.org.

Hope for the Future is a climate charity which works to equip communities, groups and individuals across the country to communicate the urgency of climate change with their local politicians.

Their vision is to see communities and their elected representatives across the UK come together to take decisive action on climate change.

Find out more at hftf.org.uk

News 7 ACVO Apr 8 2021

NEWS

Raising awareness of Restorative Justice The latest from our team.

To raise awareness of Restorative Justice in a Scottish context, the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and Community Justice Scotland have created a short animation on behalf of the Scottish Government.

A

long with the animation, an

in criminal proceedings, or have been in

accompanying survey has been created to measure the animation’s impact in raising awareness. Anyone can complete this survey, including children and young people.

You can view the animation below and complete the follow up survey here, if

the past. In addition, the impact and trauma of crime and/or harm can be long-lasting and this subject matter may evoke emotions that can be distressing.

It should be noted that this survey is voluntary and you have the option to stop completing it at any stage. Details

you would like to give your feedback.

The results of this anonymous survey will be compiled into a report to establish if the animation was successful

of further support are included in the survey.

Restorative Justice is a term that emerged in the 1970s as an alternative to

in raising awareness of Restorative Justice. This will be published on the Scottish Government Restorative Justice stakeholder website, relevant newsletters and annual reports for the stakeholder group.

The survey is part of CYCJ’s ongoing work with Community Justice Scotland to deliver the Scottish Government’s Restorative Justice Action Plan 20192023. Practice Development Advisor Pamela Morrison is leading on this, ensuring the rights and needs of children

traditional justice processes. It is a process of independent, facilitated contact between those who have experienced harm and those responsible for that harm. Restorative Justice allows those with a stake in the outcome of a crime related intervention or conflict to communicate in a safe and structured way.

Although many Western societies began using restorative justice in the 1970s, it was not recognised in Scotland until the 1990s. Much of the use of

and young people are considered and met throughout this process.

Please note that it may not be appropriate to complete this survey if you, or someone close to you has recently been involved and/or affected by crime and/or harm. For example, it may be too overwhelming to complete if you, or someone you know is involved

restorative justice in Scotland has been for low level offending and for offences committed by children and young people. In the early 2000s restorative justice services were funded by the Scottish Executive to specifically deal with offending by children and young people. Read more about Restorative Justice here

Learn how to tell your cancer story and make a difference with Macmillan Scotland

Macmillan Scotland are inviting people affected by cancer the opportunity to come together to feel confident in the value of talking about their own cancer experience.

In a session delivered over Microsoft Teams, you will have an opportunity to share your own experience, reflect on what mattered to you and to think about using your experience to influence change.

This event is for people who have or had cancer and their family, friends, carers and those left behind and takes place on Wednesday 14th April from 2pm to 3.30pm.

For those unfamiliar with Teams, a practice session is being offered before the day to make sure everyone is able to join.

To book a place email engagementscotland@macmillan.org.uk or to find out more email Ben Mudge– Macmillan Engagement Lead at bmudge@macmillan.org.uk

NEWS

ACVO News 8 Apr 8 2021

Light at The End of The Tunnel Online Event from Food Train Connects

Four Pillars to host Lip Sync Battle fundraiser Four Pillars are hosting a fundraiser for the LGBT+ community and allies.

The Lip Sync Battle will take place online on 30th April and they are now asking for participants to signup and submit lip synced videos to be aired and voted for at the event. The winner will receive £100 cash on the night.

If you would like to participate in this fun-filled event please visit fourpillarsuk.org/battle for more information and submit your interest today.

Deadline for submission is 10th April.

Food Train Connects is to host an online networking event on Tuesday 27th April (11.30am – 12.30pm) to ensure that as lockdown restrictions start to ease the services people rely on are still meeting the needs of the community.

The session will present the opportunity to hear about the work of Food Train Connects and share what your organisations are doing as we emerge from the tunnel of lockdown.

Many people will find that they will use services in a different way or come to rely on other sources of support as lockdown lifts, and Food Train Connects would like to discuss this to see where they can help.

They encourage any organisations or community groups, in particular those working with older people or in providing food and grocery services, to take part in the session.

More information can be found by emailing carol@foodtrainconnects.org.uk or by following this Eventbrite link to find out more.

Connects is Food Train’s newest service and is available to older people Scotlandwide.

Connects aims to connect any older person (65+) wishing a little extra practical or social support with a local volunteer eager to help in their local community.

Their Connects shopping service matches people with a local volunteer ‘friend’ who make contact weekly to collect a shopping list and go shopping on behalf of the older person.

As part of the programme they also run 'Phone Friends' which connects people for a regular blether on the telephone to check-in on wellbeing and to present an opportunity to share any concerns and a laugh or two.

Find out more at thefoodtrain.co.uk

News 9 ACVO Apr 8 2021

NEWS

Kalina’s an inspiration for young civil engineers Volunteering to inspire the next generation of civil engineers has seen Kalina Dimitrova named as the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland’s STEM Ambassador of the Year 2021.

Kalina, a Graduate Civil and Structural Engineer at Goodson Associates based in

STEM Leader Youth Steering Group, continued: “I am so proud to have been

Aberdeen, has been a volunteer with ICE Scotland for nearly 6 years now and has continued to promote civil engineering and STEM subjects to schools and young people despite COVID-19 restrictions.

“The pandemic has been a motivation to become even more involved in

named as ICE Scotland’s STEM Ambassador of the Year especially as I know how great all the Ambassadors are.

“I'm extremely passionate about civil engineering in general and I use this passion to inspire as many people as I can.”

volunteering,” said Kalina. “I have been able to do a number of virtual events to discuss with children and young people what a civil engineer does, some of the famous civil engineering projects around the world and how you get in to the profession.”

Kalina, who is also chair of the Young

ICE Scotland Director, Hannah Smith, said: “Kalina is a fantastic role model for young people and engineers alike. She’s always keen to share her enthusiasm for civil engineering, inspiring young people to find out more about a fascinating career and fellow engineers to get involved in STEM engagement.”

Kalina Dimitrova, Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland’s STEM Ambassador of the Year 2021.

ICE Scotland represents over 8,500 members, who are drawn from across the public, private and academic sectors.

Their members design, build and maintain Scotland’s critical transport, water, flooding, energy and waste infrastructure as well as educating the next generation of engineers.

GoodCall on a mission to reduce charities’ mobile phone bills GoodCall CIC is a social enterprise that builds connectivity for the third sector.

GoodCall are currently offering completely free mobile usage analysis and helpful advice to charities and social enterprises to ensure your charity is on the best plan for your needs. GoodCall want to help make mobile devices accessible and cost effective for every third sector organisation.

Since they began trading in August 2019, they have grown to support 45 third sector organisations across the UK and now manage over 800 mobile lines. They offer connections to all major UK mobile networks and on average have managed to save customers over 40% on what they have been paying for their mobiles. For West of Scotland Housing Association, this meant a significant saving of over

£10,500 across the duration of their contract.

The community interest company will return profits which a normal supplier would make straight back to the charities they support in the form of lower line rental, better equipment and hardware funds to reduce the upfront cost of mobiles and tablets. They are also creating sustainable employment opportunities for individuals who have additional support needs. You can find out more at www.goodcall.org.uk.

If this is something you would be interested in, please contact Elaine Gray on 07535 396 882 or email hello@goodcall.org.uk.

NEWS

ACVO News Apr 8 2021

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New online support and employability course from Aberdeen Foyer Aberdeen Foyer launches flexible online course to provide accredited learning, practical support and employability skills to North East families

F

oyer Families, a 16-week, programme funded by the Scottish Funding Council’s Tackling Child Poverty Fund, provides flexible support to families with children aged 0-12 who want to achieve accredited learning and employability skills. In addition to learning, the course also provides practical support and coaching to build confidence, prepare for work, learn how to budget and cook as well as other areas of personal development.

Working in partnership with North East Scotland College (NESCOL) Foyer Families provides parents with young children the opportunity to achieve an accredited City & Guilds Extended Level 1 Certificate in Employability skills.

Courses such as REHIS Food Hygiene, Paediatric First Aid certificates and child development workshops are also included.

The Foyer also received a generous donation from International Charity, Stella’s Voice who provided cooking utensils and equipment to support the practical cooking sessions.

Foyer Families provides parents and carers with confidence and skills to: Progress into further education and employment Support a child’s development through learning and play Improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and their family Bryan Mackay, Service Manager said: “The Foyer has seen a sharp increase in the demand for our services during recent months and continues to support

people with issues caused by restrictions on movement, routine, unemployment and other fallouts from Covid-19.

Feelings of isolation, anxiety and low confidence have been heightened during times of severe lockdown and mechanisms such as Foyer Families can help connect and empower people during what is undoubtably an extremely tough time.

“Helping people remain engaged in education and learning, and encouraging confidence and positivity requires a concerted effort. Foyer Families strikes the delicate balance of providing practical and vocational learning, at a pace that suits busy families with many existing commitments".

The current cohort includes 10 individuals from the Peterhead area and runs three days a week, with childcare and digital kit provided to those that

need it. Feedback from those on the course has been extremely positive, with one individual commenting: “Aberdeen Foyer has been amazing, I've found the group and the course has helped me build confidence, taught me it’s okay to ask for help and made me realise that I'm not alone. I’ve already learned a lot, met some nice people and it’s fun too.”

For further information or to enquire about the next admission of the course please visit: aberdeenfoyer.com or contact: bryanm@aberdeenfoyer.com

News 11 ACVO Apr 8 2021

NEWS

Easter Egg Hunt to raise money for Grampian Autistic Society

Jane Jenson with “Harvey”

T

he community of Chapleton has organised a special Easter Egg hunt for residents and local visitors during the holidays with 12 eggs created by local artists.

The event which runs from the 3rd – 18th April will conclude with an Easter Egg Auction, with all proceeds going to Grampian Autistic Society.

Laura Bremner

Eilidh MacAskill with “Chapelton Trail”

Mhairi McDowall with “Buoy”

Rosy Long with “Spring Rabbits”

The works created by artists including Pauline Murray, Catriona Yates, Laura Bremner, Morag Stevenson, Jane Jensen, Rosy Long, Eilidh MacAskill, Mhairi Allan, Helen Forest, Sam Barnett, Karen Hadjitofi and Val Thomson can be found around Chapleton by following the egg hunt map which can be downloaded here Bidding is open now and closes at 9pm on Sunday 18th of April. To take part, visit Grampian Autistic Society’s Facebook event page to find details about how to place a bid.

NEWS

Community C Planning Aberdeen launch video to promote Responsible Business Platform

ACVO News 12 Apr 8 2021

ommunity Planning Aberdeen have recently created a short video to promote their responsible business platform.

Community Planning is about how organisations work together, and with

communities, to design and deliver services which improve people’s lives.

Community Planning Aberdeen (CPA) is the name given to a Partnership of organisations that come together to take part in community planning in Aberdeen. CPA sees the public, private and third sector working together with community groups to achieve the shared vision of Aberdeen as ‘a place where all people can prosper’.

There is an opportunity for the business community to contribute corporate social responsibility efforts towards lasting, transformational change by working with Community Planning Aberdeen to deliver the City’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).

In partnership with Business in the Community (BITC), they are reaching out to responsible businesses across Aberdeen who share their aspirations for better outcomes for people, families and communities, to join them in their mission.

Being recognised as a socially responsible organisation has never been more important. People are becoming increasingly influenced by environmental and ethical considerations when making decisions such as where to purchase goods and services, or even which employers to pursue a career with.

Getting involved in Community Planning Aberdeen also offers some unique opportunities for Businesses in the City. To find out more, visit communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk/business

News 13 ACVO Apr 8 2021

NEWS

Encompass Network:

Free Webinar for people affected by the EU Settlement Scheme Encompass Network are offering a free information webinar providing information in relation to women selling or exchanging sex who are affected by the EU Settlement scheme In January 2020 the UK left the EU and on 31st December 2020 the transition period ended. Any EU citizens and their family members who want to remain in

Grampian Women's Aid

An Overview of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018: Online Event

the UK must apply under the EU Settlement Scheme for either Settled Status or Pre-Settled Status before 30th June 2021.

Encompass is a Scottish network of agencies working with people at risk of becoming involved in, who are currently involved in, or who have exited selling or exchanging sexual activity/commercial sexual exploitation (CSE).

Their mission is to share and develop good practice in preventing commercial sexual exploitation, in supporting those involved in selling or exchanging sexual activity and in supporting those planning to exit/exiting.

The Encompass network are working with Just Right Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland to offer a free online webinar on the scheme. The webinar will feature inputs from the specialist staff about the EU Settlement, the processes, what is required and services available and will also respond to issues and questions that women may have.

The event takes place on Friday 23rd April at 10.30am-12.30pm. Registration is open now and can be found by following this link.

You can leave questions for the advisors to cover at the webinar here.

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 Tickets cost £10 and can be booked through Eventbrite here

GUEST ARTICLE

ACVO News

"advocacy is about standing up to injustices people may experience due to them being marginalised or discriminated against"

Apr 8 2021

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News 15 ACVO Apr 8 2021

GUEST ARTICLE

Lindsay Webster of Aberdeen in Recovery joins us this fortnight to talk about the REACH Advocacy Practice Award I recently completed the REACH Advocacy Practice Award which provided education and training in human rightsbased advocacy.

Similar to advocacy, I had a vague idea of human rights in that there were laws and a special court in Europe but other than that, I didn’t know much. The sad

fascinating and it opened up a whole new world which I never even knew existed.

The UK brought the most fundamental rights and freedoms into domestic law

I don’t know about you, but I only had a vague idea of what advocacy was and thought that advocating for someone

part of this is that human rights are meant for everyone. The founding statement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and

which saw the birth of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Some of the key rights include (this list is not exhaustive): Right to Life

rights.”

The key words that stand out for me in that statement are equal and dignity. Do we really live in a society which is equal?

Are we all treated with dignity? I fear the answer is no to both!

For fear of getting political, I shall swiftly move on! The learning I received about human rights has been invaluable.

Simply hearing and reading about our

Right not be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Right to liberty and security Right to a fair trial Right to private and family life Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion Right to freedom of expression Right to freedom of assembly and

rights (and I say ‘our’ as these are rights which every human being has) has been

association Right not to be discriminated against

meant standing up for someone and fighting their corner with them. That is somewhat true, however, the REACH Advocacy Course explained in much more detail the various different types and models of advocacy from self-advocacy to group advocacy, independent professional advocacy to peer advocacy.

In short, advocacy is about standing up to injustices people may experience due to them being marginalised or discriminated against. A human-rights based approach is about empowering people to know and claim their rights.

GUEST ARTICLE

ACVO News Apr 8 2021

In addition to these rights which are set in UK law, there are also Rights within International law which are as important including economic social and cultural

done yet, but the hope and peace that comes after makes it all worth it. One of the biggest challenges I have had to face to date, which sadly I have not been able

home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.

Yet they are the world of the individual person ... Such are the places where

rights, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to adequate housing, the right to adequate food and the right to independent living.

to overcome, is the discrimination and stigma associated with addiction. Not from individuals necessarily, but through blanket policies made by organisations.

every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without

Some of these may seem obvious and self-explanatory however, once I started reading and learning more, it was amazing how these rights are so interlinked. It became clear that where there is a breach of one of these rights, there is a breach of more.

In a life of recovery, I have had to face some really tough challenges, the shame I felt and the unaddressed trauma has taken years to overcome, and I’m still not

Doing the REACH Advocacy Course has also taught me that taking a humanrights based approach is about making sure that people's rights are put at the very centre of policies and practices. It has given me the confidence to challenge these blanket policies that have been a barrier to my recovery.

Eleanor Roosevelt famously said: “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to

concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

REACH Advocacy Scotland are a grassroots charity who believe in making rights accessible. If you are interested in finding out more about this course, check out www.reachadvocacy.net or email info@reachadvocacy.net

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News 17 ACVO Apr 8 2021

GUEST ARTICLE

VOLUNTEERING

ACVO News 18 Apr 8 2021

Volunteering Latest from Mike Melvin and Volunteer Aberdeen find out more at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk

Volunteer co-researchers wanted

Microvolunteering Day: Small Actions-Big Impact Microvolunteering Day takes place on the 15th April 2021.

Microvolunteering is ‘bite sized, on demand, no commitment actions that benefit a worthy cause.

It shows how small quick actions can make a big difference. It is also convenient you can do microvolunteering anytime, anywhere.

It is becoming increasingly popular and there are a huge range of microvolunteering activities from citizen science, letter writing, proof reading, photo-tagging, surveys, online/social media support to charities and much more.

Millions of people around the world have already helped through microvolunteering- all helping make the world a better place through bite-sized actions that make a big difference.

For further information about microvolunteering and to give it a try please visit: volunteeraberdeen.org.uk/volunteers/microvolunteering/

A team of researchers at the University of Stirling, lead by Dr Elaine Douglas, have been funded by ‘UK Research and Innovation’ to explore how concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic can impact the way older people make decisions on a day-to-day basis. They are looking for 12 people aged 50 years and over to work with them as volunteer coresearchers on the project.

Co-researchers provide an insider view to research and you would work with the research team to: review their research tools and ensure we are asking the right questions in the right way develop a new research tool to measure older people’s fears and concerns about COVID-19 review the project findings to better understand people’s concerns about COVID-19.

Becoming a co-researcher on this project will be a fun and interesting experience for everyone involved.

Taking part will also give you the opportunity to gain insight and experience in real-world research, while giving you the chance to develop a wide network of contacts with different backgrounds and contributions.

To be a co-researcher, you must be at least 50 years old and resident in Scotland – no previous experience is required.

To find out more, email Dr Elaine Douglas, Principal Investigator at elaine.douglas@stir.ac.uk

News 19 ACVO Apr 8 2021

VOLUNTEERING

Recent opportunity Pillars Charity TheFour latest from:our team.Trustees The Board of Trustees of Four Pillars are looking to recruit new trustees to ensure the Charity can continue to grow and support the LGBT+ community in Grampian.

Four pillars currently run a community hub, support and social groups, 1 to 1 support, provide volunteering opportunities and facilitate Grampian Pride.

There are lots of ideas in the pipeline for the future.

In order to achieve these we are particularly looking for people with previous experience of serving on a charity board and/or with skills and knowledge in one or more of the following: An understanding of the needs of the LGBT+ community in Grampian, PR social media , Legal knowledge, Fundraising/ event planning We would also like to hear from people currently underrepresented on our board: People with a disability People from an ethnic minority

For more information or to apply please go to our website fourpillarsuk.org/volunteer

Recent opportunity – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland TheRetail latestVolunteers from our team.

We currently have around 40 shops/ community hubs across Scotland.

Our shops and hubs help us raise funds so we can provide our services to the people who need us.

Every one of our stores relies on a team of volunteers to help run it and support our staff.

Quite simply, we cannot provide our services or raise funds without the amazing support of our volunteers.

The time, support and the work they do is vital to us and the people we help.

By helping out in one of our stores, you can make a difference to people and their families in Scotland who are isolated, scared or anxious about their condition.

For more details please email: volunteering@chss.org.uk or tel.: 0131 225 6963.

Information about volunteering with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is also available at: chss.org.uk/volunteer-with-chss/

Recent opportunity Treasurer – Aberdeen The latest from our team.Citizens Advice Bureau Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau (ACAB) seeks a volunteer Board Member with a finance background to continue the work done by our current Treasurer and play an active role in preparing the Bureau for the demands of the future.

ABOUT CAB: ACAB is an independent Scottish charity and a member of the Citizens Advice Scotland network.

The Bureau provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to the citizens of Aberdeen and its environs that is accessible and tailored to meet the needs of the community.

THE ROLE: The core role of the Treasurer is to advise the Board on all financial matters and to oversee the financial affairs of ACAB and ensure that they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice.

A fantastic opportunity to help in the important work and continued successful development of Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau.

All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

For an informal discussion of the role, please contact the Chair of the Board, Val Maehle at valerie.maehle@btinternet.com. Application by CV and covering letter.

ACVO News 20 Apr 8 2021

FUNDING

Funding Funding news and highlights from across the third sector

#ClubsInCrisis

Fund to open from 12th April Creative Scotland Open Fund:

The Clubs in Crisis Fund, administered

by Foundation Scotland on behalf of Made By Sport, offers local sports clubs and organisations the opportunity to apply for a grant to help support young people as they start to recover from the effects of the latest lockdown. The fund

will award unrestricted grants of £2,021 to clubs who match the criteria.

They are looking for applications from clubs and community organisations using sport to improve young people’s lives through one or more of the following means: Developing life skills Building strong communities Improving mental health Developing employability skills Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour Key to the fund is that it supports clubs and organisations intentionally using community sport provision to deliver wider social outcomes, not those focusing on developing and widening opportunities to participate.

The fund opens on 12 April 2021. Check the Foundation Scotland website on this date to find out more and apply.

Sustaining Creative Development

Creative Scotland is committed to ensuring that people are supported to develop excellence and experimentation in a wide range of arts and creative activity, reflecting Scotland’s diverse and dynamic cultures.

They want to ensure that the experience of the arts and creative activity benefits as many people as possible across Scotland’s communities and places. They have a key role in ensuring that Scotland’s creative workforce and businesses have opportunities to develop, evolve and flourish.

They have launched their Open Fund in a difficult context. The disruption of COVID-19 is a situation without precedent. The creative sector is facing significant challenge. They understand that you will be considering the impact of this emergency and its after-effects on what you do.

You may be thinking about new ways of working. If you aim to reach people with your work in performance spaces, for

example, you may be looking at new ways to achieve this. You may be looking at ways to stabilise your existing activity.

You may be reimagining what you do, and as part of this process, you may wish to take creative risks.

This fund is designed to support you to sustain your practice in a changing world.

Funding available for between £1k and £100k. The fund aims to enable individuals and organisations to explore ways of working that will help them to adapt and respond to changing circumstances.

the

current

There are separate funding strands for Individuals and Organisations, to ensure that individuals will not be in direct competition with organisations for funding The fund is open all year round, with no deadlines and can support activity for up to 12 months.

Find out more at creativescotland.com/funding/

Applications are open now for Aberdeen's Locality Improvement Fund!

The Locality Improvement Fund (Alcohol and Drugs) Cash to Create Healthier Communities

The Locality Improvement Fund is available for initiatives that will reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drugs in localities in Aberdeen.

Up to £10,000 is available to put your idea into action.

What is the money to be used for?

We are looking for projects that focus on: - the whole person or community - helping to build skills and resilience - involving people the project aims to benefit

Applications close at 4pm on Thursday 22nd April.

Find out more at

localityimprovementfund.co.uk or email localityplanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk

ACVO News 22 Apr 8 2021

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE UPDATES

Health & Social Care Updates

Grampian Psychological Resilience Hub

T

he Grampian Pshychological Resilience Hub was set up to directly respond to the COVID-19

This may include providing signposting to useful information and advice regarding where to access

pandemic. It is led by senior psychologists from Grampian and staffed by a range of professional groups. As of March 2021 the Hub has supported over 2750 people.

The Psychological Resilience Hub is for anyone who is struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting their psychological wellbeing. The service is

longer-term support if needed.

You do not need to have had COVID yourself as the impact of the pandemic has impacted on all of us in lots of different ways.

You may have had difficulties that were previously manageable or may have never had concerns about your mental well-being but, with the

for anyone in Grampian or Orkney.

They do not provide long-term mental health treatment. The service is not a long-term therapy service and if you or

pressures of COVID, are now experiencing difficulties coping.

The role of the hub is to help you if you are experiencing distress. We can offer

the person you are referring already sees a mental health professional please contact them in the first instance. This service is for the following types of issues: The Hub is there to provide a short course of psychological first aid (between 1-3 sessions) to help individuals manage feelings that have

some tips and techniques that can help and offer guidance and support by phone or video appointment. So, if you or a member of your family is understandably struggling right now due to the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to your life please contact the hub for support and advice.

To find out more and self refer, visit NHS

become difficult during COVID 19.

Grampian Online

"It felt good to be able to talk about how I'm feeling and just being able to understand more about my anxiety"

Coronavirus and People with Learning Disabilities ResearchWave 1 Report There are approximately 1.5 million people with learning (intellectual) disabilities across the UK. Recent data indicate that people with learning disabilities are more likely to contract COVID-19, have a more severe case of COVID-19, and are three times more likely than people without learning disabilities to die from COVID-19.

People with learning disabilities are a very diverse group; while some people need 24-hour support others have limited or no social care support. Inequalities in health, wellbeing, social isolation, employment and poverty that existed before COVID-19, along with separation from family and friends and changes to routines, may have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of Universities throughout the UK are carrying out a survey on the impact COVID19 is having on people with a learning disability and the report on wave 1 of their findings is available to read now.

Find out more about the study and the continued work at covid19learningdisabilities.co.uk

ACVO News 23 33 Mar Apr 24 8 2021 2021

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE UPDATES

ACVO Hosts Aberdeen’s Third Sector Mental Health & Wellbeing Forum ACVO host regular fora to support and inform the third sector, particularly as we continue to make our way through this current crisis. So much has changed and continues to do so at such a pace, that it can be difficult to keep up.

More changes are to come and things are likely to remain in flux for a while yet.

Mental health and wellbeing continues to be a very common and recurring theme. As this topic is so far reaching and multi-layered and affects so many aspects of our work, ACVO are continuing to host regular third sector forum meetings on the theme of Mental Health & Wellbeing.

We are inviting our third sector colleagues to our next one.

It is to be held on Thursday 22nd April 2021 from 10.00 am – 12.00pm, where you can:

Learn about the latest key developments at ACHSCP (Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership) and CPA (Community Planning Aberdeen) Take part in a themed discussion on the Commissioning of Mental Health Services This forum will be held over Zoom, book your place here.

An agenda will be issued nearer the time.

Meanwhile if you require any further information, then please don’t hesitate to contact Susan Morrison tel: 07814 896676 email: susan.morrison@acvo.org.uk

Useful Covid-19 Vaccination Contacts NHS Grampian in partnership with Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership are currently delivering the COVID vaccine programme, this is the largest most complex programme to be delivered in recent times.

vaccination. This includes travel support, a guided tour of the P&J Arena and the Grampian Covid-19 website which is full of information of what to expect.

If you struggle with mobility please note there are accessibility options available

best to book in advance as it is only staffed as required. Please contact Aberdeen City Learning Disability Health Duty Team on 01224 812900 or gram.cityldhealthduty@nhs.scot to book.

To ensure there is a good uptake we want to understand any potential reasons

at the venue including wheelchairs and lift access.

Download the contact list here.

as to why people may not be willing or able to get the vaccine.

Therefore they would appreciate you taking a few moments to complete this short survey.

They have also have created a contact list of information you may need to support you getting your Covid-19

A dedicated quiet space has been set up at P&J live to support people with Learning Disabilities, or those who are feeling anxious, to receive their vaccinations away from the hustle and bustle of the main hall.

You can request this on arrival, but it is

VACANCIES

ACVO News 24 Apr 8 2021

Vacancies Latest opportunities from the 3rd sector

INCLUDEM ARE LOOKING FOR A

PARTICIPATION OFFICER

(12 MONTH TEMPORARY CONTRACT)

WE CURRENTLY HAVE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR A PARTICIPATION OFFICER TO DELIVER A 12 MONTH PROJECT DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE CULTURE AND PRACTICE OF PARTICIPATION WITH THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES THAT INCLUDEM SUPPORT, IN LINE WITH THE AIMS OF THE PROMISE.

AT INCLUDEM WE VALUE AND CELEBRATE PEOPLES’ DIVERSITY AND BELIEVE THIS STRENGTHENS OUR TEAM.

35 HOURS PER WEEK INCLUDING WEEKEND AND EVENING WORKING AND TRAVELLING TO ALL INCLUDEM OFFICES ACROSS SCOTLAND

(CAN BE BASED IN ANY OF INCLUDEM’S OFFICES – GLASGOW, STIRLING, FIFE, ABERDEEN OR DUNDEE)

ANNUAL SALARY: £26,692 PER ANNUM

WE ARE KEEN TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE OF CARE AND RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING CARE EXPERIENCED STAFF WITHIN OUR TEAM. WE ARE SEEKING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS, HEARING THE VOICES OF THOSE WE SUPPORT AND ENSURING THAT THEY CAN INFLUENCE THE DECISIONS AND STRUCTURES THAT AFFECT THEM.

YOU CAN APPLY DIRECTLY ONLINE VIA THE INCLUDEM WEBSITE (WWW.INCLUDEM.ORG).

ALTERNATIVELY YOU CAN REQUEST A PACK BY E-MAILING HRASSIST@INCLUDEM.CO.UK

THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 AT MIDNIGHT.

the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 is....

nature 10th - 16th May

re your stories a h s o t like

uld and wellbeing o h t l a e w lh e a t n w e ce of nature n d m a t t r n o u p a m i bo e a

th d an

email andrew.davidson@acvo.org.uk to be part of

ACVO's Mental Health Awareness Week campaign by sharing your own, or your organisation's story.

Get in touch to find out more!

To find out more about ACVO, and what we can do to support your third sector organisation, visit acvo.org.uk