GREC’S LANGUAGE CAFÉ: PROMOTING INTEGRATION, COMMUNITY AND BELONGING IN ABERDEEN
Discover GREC’s Language Café: a welcoming space for migrants, refugees, and New Scots in Aberdeen to practice English, build social connections and create a sense of community
The team commend our wonderful Governance and Development Officer Sandy Mathers as we mark this special milestone of two decades service with ACVO TSI
The latest developments from ACVO and updates from our team
News from ACVO Members and other local and national third sector organisations
The latest from Mike Melvin and developments from Volunteer Aberdeen
Funding news, announcements and the latest opportunities to get funded!
Year 4 of the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund is now open! Apply now for up to £15,000 to help support your community-based project in Aberdeen City.
Celebrating20YearsofService:
This September we celebrated Sandy Mathers completing 20 years of service at ACVO as our esteemed Governance Officer
Sandy was one of the first individuals in post (along with Mike Melvin) as the concept of a Third Sector Interface called ACVO was coming into being, formally being a Standing Committee under VSA.
Within 10 minutes of accepting the job offer, Dundee had also been in touch to offer him a similar job, so that was a very narrow margin for us here in Aberdeen, perhaps it was just meant to be.
At his staff celebration (which included an enormous chocolate cake!), Sandy mentioned that he had worked in the VSA building three times in his career and his current office was in fact the office where he was originally interviewed for the post at the newly formed ACVO, 20 years ago.
We were delighted to hear that Sandy honestly believes that this has been his happiest time in employment, and he has really appreciated being part of a group of people encouraging and fighting for third sector organisations. Sandy’s sense of humour and candid
approach to many of ACVO’s challenges have benefitted the organisation tremendously and we owe much to his expertise and knowledge base and his experiences working for and closely with OSCR, our national regulatory body
A man of many talents, Sandy is also an accomplished fiddler and does many live events as a performing musician, we often hear him taping out tunes on his desk and were delighted when he took to the stage for a set at Celebrate Aberdeen a few years ago in his ‘Blue Boys’ sunglasses.
Mike Melvin, Volunteering Services Manager at ACVO TSI said, “Sandy has been and continues to be the most wonderful colleague and good friend. The third sector and volunteering in Aberdeen would not be what it is today without all the great work and tremendous dedication Sandy gives. I don’t think there is anyone else in the whole of Scotland who knows so much about good governance and certainly no one who can make the subject of Constitutions so interesting! It is a great pleasure to work with Sandy Congratulations on 20 years at ACVO Sandy and here’s to many more”
Paul O’Connor on behalf of the ACVO Board said, "It is with great pleasure that we recognise the outstanding contribution and long-term service Sandy has given to ACVO, spanning an impressive 20 years!
“Sandy has supported hundreds of organisations and thousands of Aberdeen's third sector volunteers and professionals, with concise and expert advice that allowed organisations and communities to thrive!
“Not only has Sandy delivered the most impressive support, but he is a talented musician who's well known and respected across the city's music scene and beyond. It must be said with an equally impressive moustache!
“On behalf of the ACVO board and Aberdeen's communities, may we express our gratitude for the difference that you have made for so many people. Perhaps another 20 Sandy?”
Maggie Hepburn, ACVO Chief Executive added “An organisation is only as good as the people in it, and ACVO are very lucky to have had Sandy’s wealth of knowledge and experience all of these years, and working alongside him I am grateful for his support, kindness, curiosity and sense of fun! Thanks so much ”
Torry&Cove:
£100,000offunding
Local community groups and third-sector organisations in the Torry and Cove areas of Aberdeen are encouraged to apply for a share of £100,000 offered by the Community
& Coast Fund to help bring impactful projects to life Managed by ACVO TSI, Aberdeen’s Third Sector Interface, on behalf of ETZ Ltd, the Fund offers grants of up to £3,000 or £10,000 for capital projects that will benefit the local communities and is now open for applications as of September 30, 2024. These projects can range from purchasing essential equipment to developing new initiatives that enhance community spaces or preserve local heritage
Following the application process, local residents will be invited to have their say via a public vote, allowing the 16,000+ community members in Torry and Cove to choose which projects they would like to see funded This democratic approach ensures that local priorities are reflected, with decisions driven by the people who live and work in these areas
Carole Monnier, ETZ Ltd Community Lead, said: “The Community & Coast Fund is a great opportunity for local groups to develop projects that make a real difference. By putting decision-making in the hands of the community, we ensure that the funding directly supports what matters most to local residents We hope to see some exciting ideas and initiatives emerging from this process which will, in turn, help inform our ongoing wider activity in support of local communities "
The Fund aims to foster community growth while addressing key priorities such as biodiversity, net-zero targets, wellness, jobs & skills and preserving local heritage. Projects that focus
on supporting children, young people, families, and older people are particularly encouraged to apply in this first year of the Fund
Maggie Hepburn Chief Executive of ACVO TSI, said: “Securing funding is often a significant hurdle for local groups and we are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity for project support ACVO has a proven track record of distributing funds to a wide range of community organisations across Aberdeen and we consistently witness the transformative impact that well-funded projects can have We look forward to reviewing the applications for the Community & Coast Fund and learning more about the innovative initiatives proposed to benefit the residents of Torry and Cove ”
Applications are open to third-sector organisations and unconstituted community groups based in or operating within Torry and Cove There are two levels of grants available and groups can apply for grants of up to £3,000 under Level 1 or £10,000 with Level 2, to support capital spend for projects
Applications will close on Monday November 4th at 12noon with the public vote opening after the assessment process
Applications for Year 4 of the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund are now open!
The team at ACVO TSI are thrilled to announce that as of October 2nd 2024, the fourth year of the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund is open for
applications with local groups invited to apply for up to £15,000 to support projects in the City.
The Fund is dedicated to supporting grassroots projects in the local area, with the initiative having already transformed the lives of individuals within our communities by distributing nearly £2 million to 223 city-based projects during the previous three rounds
In March 2024, the Scottish Government reaffirmed its commitment to mental health and wellbeing by allocating an additional £15 million across Scotland to the Fund for 202425 This significant investment aligns with the ScotGov Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy published last year, emphasising the importance of supporting impactful community-based initiatives
Claire Shaw, Funding Officer at ACVO said, “ACVO is delighted to be managing the distribution of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government for a fourth year The Fund has supported so many innovative projects over the last three years that have improved the mental health and wellbeing of communities across the City This year we are doing things slightly different in that we have a closing date rather than offering grants on a first come first served basis I’d urge everyone interested in applying to carefully read the Fund guidance before starting their application.
“The whole team at ACVO take great pleasure in being able to distribute grants to organisations working within our local
third sector and seeing the huge positive impact the money has for people living within our local communities ”
This year, the Fund continues to support community-based projects that address social isolation, loneliness, suicide prevention, poverty, and inequality, while prioritising prevention and early intervention
A total of £565,039 is available for projects in Aberdeen City and local groups can apply for two levels of funding: Level 1 (up to £3,000) and Level 2 (£3,001 - £15,000) Level 1 applications opened on September 25th 2024 while Level 2 applications opened on October 2nd. Both levels will close for applications on Thursday November 7th 2024 at 12noon.
Applicants must complete an online application form, accessible after passing an eligibility checker on the application webpage Guidance documents are available to assist applicants, and the form allows users to save and return as needed
Those interested in applying can attend the ‘I'm Fine Festival’ hosted by Aberdeen City Libraries and Healthy Minds Aberdeen at Aberdeen Central Library to hear more from ACVO’s Funding Officer Claire Shaw on Wednesday October 9th The morning session runs from 10 30 - 11 30 (book at https://bit ly/imfine-am) or you can come along from 17.30 - 18.30 for the evening session (book at https://bit.ly/imfine-pm)
Claire is also running an online workshop the same day at 14:00 - 15:00, book your place via bit.ly/cmhwfund-9oct
Find out more and start your application now at
Aberdeen Cash First Project
The Cash First approach forms part of the Scottish Government’s response to financial hardship and their aim to reduce the need for emergency food provision.
ACVO will co-design the Cash First Project in Aberdeen alongside partner organisations with the aim of breaking the cycle of repeated financial crises. There are hopes that the project will also reduce reliance on food banks within Aberdeen City, positioning them as a last resort for emergency help.
The Scottish Government recognise that the main reason why some people are compromising on food is insufficient and insecure incomes. A human rights approach
is needed to ensure that everyone can afford an adequate diet This will require a co-ordinated rightsbased plan to improve the response to crisis, as well as preventative actions to secure household incomes for the longer term The Cash First approach aims to tackle these concerns and reduce the need for emergency food provision across the country
Those in poverty have a much more challenging and often un-dignified experience when trying to access food
There are many barriers in place for those in poverty when accessing food and essentials in crisis. It can often be a lengthy process accessing food banks; finding your local food bank, awaiting a professional referral, the costs and time associated with travelling to and from the food bank, not forgetting the time it takes an individual to initially seek help due to the stigma and embarrassment
that can be associated with accessing emergency food. A process that often then must be repeated again in anything from a couple of days to a week later.
Providing emergency food banks can also be challenging and complex for the third sector; especially due to the heightened pressures during the cost-of-living crisis
Food bank teams need to fight the ever-growing demand for emergency food whilst facing a reduction in their food donations and funding to cover essential running costs They have hopes and dreams to expand their services in line with the needs of the community but don’t have the space, time or capacity to be able to do this due to the unpredictable nature of emergency food provision
“The Scottish Government recognise that the main reason why some people are compromising on food is insufficient and insecure incomes. A human rights approach is needed to ensure that everyone can afford an adequate diet. The Cash First approach aims to tackle these concerns and reduce the need for emergency food provision across the country.”
Food parcels and in-kind support cannot solve poverty and food insecurity, but raising incomes can. Cash first provides people directly with money or pathways to money when they are facing crisis, alongside adequate advice and support which is fundamental to a Cash-First approach
Cash First will look to streamline and support existing referral pathways to ensure those in poverty are improving their access to ‘wrap-around support’ to prevent future hardship. This will include advice regarding benefits, housing, employment and health.
Why Cash First?
Cash First provides people directly with money and/ or pathways to money when they are facing crisis –this can be through vouchers, cash payments or direct payments.
It offers flexibility and choice for people to decide what their immediate needs are and choice in what they wish to spend the money on; that might be purchasing the essentials, buying school shoes for their child, or paying an energy bill.
Cash First can be an effective and dignified form of support for people facing financial crisis
The Aberdeen Cash First Project
ACVO is co-designing the Aberdeen Cash First project alongside partner organisations with the aim of breaking the cycle of repeated financial crises. There are hopes that the project will also reduce reliance on food banks within Aberdeen City, positioning them as a last resort for emergency help
A high proportion of those accessing emergency food banks within Aberdeen City are single males from the age of 18 to 45 - with a number of those from the demographic facing repeat crises when in receipt of Universal Credit.
The Aberdeen Cash First project will focus on this demographic by establishing a flexible crisis fund to those facing financial emergency. The crisis fund will offer flexible options via vouchers, cash payments or direct payments – for example, to household utility suppliers.
Get in touch
Future updates surrounding Cash First will be available on the ACVO website at acvo.org.uk/cashfirst but please get in touch with Amy Duncan, Cash First Network Co-ordinator, at amy duncan@acvo org uk, if you have any further questions surrounding Cash First or our Aberdeen project.
Many of our readers attended the Promise event back in June and there you will have seen
our #KeepThePromise in Aberdeen Campaign display boards which highlighted just some of the work being done around The Promise in Aberdeen These boards have recently been on display at the Aberdeen Vaccination Centre within the BonAccord Centre and have just recently moved to Marischal College They will be on display at Marischal College until mid-October.
You can find out more about the campaign and hear stories from the local organisations involved at acvo.org.uk/keepthepromise If you have a venue that could host these boards please get in touch, we’d love to keep the tour going!
VisitfromKevinStewartMSP
ACVO Funding Officer, Claire Shaw, and myself hosted Kevin Stewart MSP and his assistant Blair Fulton on Friday 6th September. We had a great conversation about the current Promise work within the city and Kevin was able to add his experience of work across Scotland
He tells us that he hears very positively about work in Aberdeen and it’s great to hear that our third sector is being noticed at Scottish Government level. Kevin raised a motion in The Scottish Parliament recently to mark The Promise celebration event ACVO hosted over summer to highlight the third sector work in being done in Aberdeen to #KeepThePromise
You will likely all know already about the recent launch of the Plan 24-30 to help us move forward and take the final steps towards working to #KeepThePromise.
Whilst the plan still focuses on the same five foundations ie Voice, Family, Care, People & Scaffolding there is a great deal of focus on what we need to do now to make sure we do keep the promise made by 2030.
These awards celebrate and recognise the efforts and achievements of our local care experienced young people in S3 to S6 and those who have gone on to achieve beyond school The session was led by Larissa Gordon, Virtual Head Teacher, who was so proud of the achievements of every single one of “her kids” and that pride was so obvious for all who were there. A lovely presentation from both Shona Milne (lead officer for Education) and Graeme Simpson (lead officer for social work) also added to the warmth of the afternoon. I sat with a few folks from one of the local schools and one very proud mum who was drawn to tears as 2 of her children won awards for their efforts
One of my abiding memories of the afternoon will be of a young person approaching Forrest Templeton (who recently retired from the Young People’s Rights Service) challenging him to a game of archery. Our conversation was forgotten and he was off to the Archery area. Despite the rain he and the young person who obviously really rated him as a person were off for their archery challenge I was left standing, totally forgotten
If you haven’t already had a look or you would just like a refresh have a look at the Plan 24 - 30 website (plan2430.scot/what-is-plan-24-30) which gives a useful refresh. It is entitled “Reflect, Refocus, Reset”. This is a good refresher and to help get folks starting to think about where we are now and what we need to do next You can also easily get from there to the actual plan itself and have a look through
Something I would suggest you take a look at and get your team involved is the section around ‘Understanding progress’ This will give you a chance to look at where we are now and think about what we need next to move forward
Within this same section you can have a look at and download some ‘What matters questions’ . These are interesting to read just as questions themselves but also perhaps a useful resource for working with your wider team as an exercise or activity to get everyone involved
updates and resources
Changes to charity law in Scotland
Two significant changes to charity law in Scotland came into effect this week (1st October 2024).
These changes are part of the Charities (Scotland) Act 2023 and aim to strengthen the regulation of charities across the country.
Public Record of Removed Persons
One of the key changes is the introduction of a publicly searchable Record of Removed Persons This lists individuals who have been disqualified from serving as charity trustees in Scotland by the Court of Session. Charities can use the database to conduct due diligence checks on prospective new trustees.
It's important to note that being on this list is not the only way someone can be disqualified from being a charity trustee Other grounds for disqualification include:
Having an unspent conviction for a dishonestyrelated offence or an offence under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005
Being an undischarged bankrupt or having a Protected Trust Deed
Being removed from being a charity trustee under Scottish, English, or other relevant law
Being disqualified from being a company director
Charities should regularly review these disqualification criteria to ensure their trustees remain eligible for their roles
ACVO TSI/ Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action
Connection to Scotland Requirement
Another significant change is the requirement for charities on the Scottish Charity Register to demonstrate a connection to Scotland This means that charities must be able to show that their activities have a meaningful link to Scotland.
OSCR considers several factors when assessing a charity's connection, including:
Whether the charity has or intends to have a principal office in Scotland
Whether the charity occupies or intends to occupy land or premises in Scotland
Whether the charity carries out or intends to carry out activities in any office, shop, or similar premises in Scotland
Whether the charity is established under Scottish law
Whether any of the charity's trustees or management are resident in Scotland
Other relevant factors
To keep up to date with the latest news from OSCR including updates to charity law, we recommend signing up to their newsletter.
OneNetwork Aberdeen
The inaugural One Network Aberdeen event, held at Pittodrie Stadium on 18 September 2024, was an incredible success with over 40 stalls holders gathering from a wide
range of local third sector organisations across the city
Organised by Celebrate Aberdeen with partners ACVO, Four Pillars, shmu, Mental Health Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC Community Trust, the event brought together Aberdeen's vibrant third sector for a day of networking, collaboration, and meaningful discussion.
Dedicated to mental health and wellbeing in the Aberdeen area, attendees shared valuable insights on supporting people in the city
The event provided a platform for people to connect, exchange ideas and form partnerships aimed at strengthening available within local communities
The positive energy in the room showcased the shared commitment to improving lives, and the work we as the third sector continue to do and provide for people living in Aberdeen.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and attended, making the first-ever One Network Aberdeen event a great success!
This year’s event, which returns for its fifth year, comprises eight award categories, the winners
of which will be announced at the celebratory awards ceremony at the Chester Hotel on Saturday, October 26th. It follows the annual Celebrate Aberdeen parade which took place on Union Street at the end of August
Commenting on both the number and calibre of award entries received, Celebrate Aberdeen board member Susan Crighton said: “The judges
always face a real challenge in whittling down the number of nominations to just three finalists for every category This year saw one of our biggest number of submissions to date, which made their task even more difficult.
“It was great to see several organisations put forward nominations for the first time this year. The submissions come from a very diverse range of charities and individuals, all of whom are doing amazing things and are deserving of awards.
“Celebrate Aber give recognition wonderful people who work in, volunteer for, and support our third sector. We are delighted that we will be shining a spotlight on some of them at our awards night ”
Thanks to the generosity and financial support of sponsors, all award category finalists and their guests, will attend gala awards event for free, so that no one is unable to attend because of cost
Principal sponsors for 2024 are energy sector operators CNR International and CNOOC International, both longtime supporters of Celebrate Aberdeen Awards. Other long-standing sponsors and supporters include Cala Homes, Aberdeen Inspired, Hampton and Breakwater Agency with Harbour Energy also coming on board as a sponsor for 2024
Grampian Opportunities in Inverurie are pleased to have been one of the organisations to receive Support in the Right Direction (SiRD) funding for 20242027 and are delighted to offer this dedicated service in Aberdeenshire and throughout Grampian
Self-Directed Support (SDS) is how Social Care in Scotland has been delivered since 2014 and the principles of SDS are that support is person-centred, and supported people and carers have choice
Self-directed support is about giving people control of the support they receive, about the life they want to lead, to be included in every stage of the journey and to enable people to find more creative, personalised, and effective ways to achieve their needs and outcomes
Grampian Opportunities SDS team can help in the following ways:
Providing advice and information about Self Directed Support and the four options
Workshops and information sessions throughout Grampian
Support before, during and after assessment and review
Help to think about your support outcomes and make informed choices
Development of a first draft support plan for your assessment
Support with self-advocacy
Peer support with respite activities
Please contact Grampian Opportunities at info@grampianopportunities org uk / grampianopportunities.org.uk/support-inthe-right-direction / 01467 629675 if you’d like any further information about this new service.
Edward Obi, Bridgebuilder of the recently registered charity Diversity Bridge SCIO, met with Kevin
Stewart, Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), to discuss the charity’s growing impact, its future plans, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration aimed at supporting ethnic minority communities in Aberdeen
Building Bridges Across Aberdeen
Registered in April 2024, Diversity Bridge SCIO has quickly established itself as a key advocate for diversity and inclusion within the city The charity is focused on building bridges across communities and raising awareness about the challenges faced by ethnic minority groups. Through initiatives like diversity awareness workshops and community events, Diversity Bridge is creating spaces for underrepresented voices to be heard A recent highlight was the charity’s participation in the Celebrate Aberdeen parade, where interviews with attendees helped spread the message of inclusivity and unity
provide a platform for ethnic minority children to engage in cross-cultural learning, helping to build understanding and shared experiences Obi emphasised the importance of partnerships with local organisations to ensure the event’s success and accessibility to all.
Challenges in Sustaining and Growing Impact
Cultural Exchange Experience for Black History Month
Looking ahead, Obi shared plans for a major event during Black History Month the Cultural Exchange Experience This session, aimed at children from low-income households, will feature cultural activities celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion. The event will
During the meeting, Obi discussed the challenges facing the charity, particularly in securing sustainable funding As Diversity Bridge SCIO continues to develop its programs - such as school holiday activities for children aged 5-14 - the charity needs consistent support to expand its reach. One challenge has been reaching newer immigrant communities and ensuring that ethnic minority groups are aware of the services available to them Obi highlighted that continued support is crucial for the charity to meet the growing demand for its services.
Collaboration Opportunities with MSP Kevin Stewart
The conversation also explored how Diversity Bridge SCIO could collaborate with MSP Kevin Stewart on initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion One proposal was to cohost community forums that examine how local policy decisions impact ethnic minority communities in Aberdeen Stewart’s influence could also help secure resources, including access to affordable venues for events, and help raise awareness about the services offered by Diversity Bridge.
Policy Advocacy for Ethnic Minority Communities
Obi highlighted key policy areas where Stewart’s support would be invaluable, particularly in improving access to essential services for ethnic minority groups and addressing systemic inequalities in employment, housing, and education. Drawing on his experience in HR, Obi emphasised the need for policies that promote workplace diversity and support marginalised communities These policy changes would significantly benefit the ethnic minority population in Aberdeen and help create a more inclusive society.
About Diversity Bridge SCIO
Diversity Bridge SCIO is a newly registered charity, established in April 2024, committed to spreading awareness about diversity and inclusion across Aberdeen Through workshops, educational programs, and community events, the charity works to empower ethnic minority communities, foster cross-cultural understanding, and build bridges that promote unity and inclusion
For more information, please contact: Edward Obi by email at edward@diversitybridge org uk
Energy business CNOOC International has donated £5,000 to Aberdeen Lads Club Community Project
(ALCCP) to equip its after-school club room, following a major refurbishment of the charity’s Tillydrone facility
The funds given will be used to furnish the recently created room with modern tables and chairs, as well as more comfortable seating and floor coverings Learning resources, games, books, and art and craft materials will also be purchased as a result of the donation.
The Lads Club after-school club caters for Primary School-aged children from the local community and beyond and provides a safe space where young people can learn, develop and build friendships
CNOOC also donated a table tennis table to the charity
Commenting on the donation, Aberdeen Lads Club manager, Angie Johnston, said: “We are so grateful to CNOOC for this incredibly generous donation and really appreciate such
fantastic support for our childcare services
“Our after-school club is a vital part of our offering and contributes hugely to the development and wellbeing of our younger children
“As well ensuring there’s additional time for them to continue to learn and develop, it also provides a setting where they can improve their social skills, build their confidence and engage in physical activities ”
Karen Lovie, senior executive assistant and member of CNOOC’s UK Community Investment Committee, said: “We are delighted to support Aberdeen Lads Club in their continued efforts to provide young people from across Aberdeen
with a safe, and welcoming afterschool club
“A vital service for the local community, working families can be reassured that their children are being cared for, supported, and encouraged to realise their full potential in a fun and educational environment.”
As well as its after-school club, Aberdeen Lads Club also runs two early years nurseries, junior and senior youth clubs, and a number of holiday clubs It also offers a range of family support initiatives
For more information about Aberdeen Lads Club visit www.aberdeenladsclub.org.uk
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Pamella Cumming as the new Health Promotion Manager for the Aberdeen and Shire regions.
With over 30 years of experience in education and school engagement, Pam brings a deep
commitment to improving the lives of those affected by asthma and allergies. Pam, who took early retirement from her role at the University of Aberdeen, embraced the opportunity to focus on her well-being during her time off She enjoyed sea swimming, aqua Zumba, and reconnecting with friends, using the time to recharge “Sometimes in life, we have to look after ourselves before we can look after others,” Pam reflected This period of rest and reflection ultimately reignited her passion for helping others, leading her to join the foundation. Having lived with asthma since childhood, Pam has a personal connection to the cause "I was shocked to learn that three people die from asthma every day, and 90% of those deaths are preventable It’s even more alarming that one child is admitted to
the hospital every 20 minutes for an asthma attack," she said "I’m excited t work toward reducing these figures an supporting schools in my community t improve school attendance and education outcomes for youngsters w asthma."
In her new role, Pam will deliver asthm awareness training to adults, young people and children with asthma and engage with local businesses and schools to raise awareness and improv health outcomes for people living with asthma "I’m thrilled to re-establish my connections with schools and return t what I love most engaging with young people and making a difference in their lives "
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, welcomed Pam to the team, saying, "Pam’s background in education, paired with her personal experience with asthma, makes her an ideal fit for this role. Her passion and drive will
Vicki McGrain, Head of Services and Health Promotion, added, "We are excited to have Pam onboard Her expertise and enthusiasm will greatly enhance our efforts to promote asthma awareness and reduce preventable asthma-related incidents "
Pam’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation in its 15th year of operation as it continues its mission to improve the lives of individuals affected by asthma across Scotland, helping them to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives
To find out more about Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s life-changing programs and initiatives, or to sponsor asthma and allergy workshops in schools, please visit their website at www asthmaandallergy org uk, email info@asthmaandallergy org uk or call 01224 973001
Charlie House in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, the Santa Run
raises vital funds to support children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and will take place on Sunday, November 17, at 5:25pm
Kicking off Aberdeen’s Christmas parade celebrations, the run will see participants tackle a 1km route starting from Holburn Junction, heading down Union Street, onto Union Terrace, past His Majesty’s Theatre and finishing outside the Aberdeen Art Gallery, where they will receive their medals
Open to all abilities, including wheelchair users, participants must be aged 16 or over to register themselves. Those aged 15 and under must be registered and accompanied by an adult throughout the event
Santa suits and bib numbers for attendees, as well as festive hats for participating pooches, can be collected from the check-in station at Fountainhall
Church, formerly known as Queens Cross Church, Albyn Place, from 3:30pm until 5pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024
Ticket prices start at £10 for children and wheelchair users, £15 for adults and £7 per pup Full details on ticket options for families and four-legged friends are available on the Charlie House website.
Charlie House event organiser, Katie Bremner, said: “We’re so excited for this year’s Santa Run! What better way to start your Christmas festivities than by dressing up as Santa and running through the city centre with your family and friends! It is important to us at Charlie House that our activities and events are accessible to all and the Santa Run is the perfect event for all abilities and the whole family to enjoy
“Our mascot Charlie Dog is especially excited for the Santa run as, for the first time, we’re inviting four-legged friends to join in the fun! Every penny raised by our Santa Claus and Santa Paws will go towards providing essential support and services for families across the Northeast.”
She added: “We believe in creating special memories to cherish especially at Christmas time It is a sad reality that for some of the children we support, it may be their last Christmas. We are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up to take part to help spread awareness and raise funds for our vital work of supporting families when they need us most ”
Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron said: “The Charlie House Santa Fun Run is an event I look forward to every year as it helps mark the start of the festive events programme in Aberdeen The event attracts hundreds of participants and is the ideal start to our much-loved Christmas parade, and both events are always well supported by the thousands of people who take to the streets to watch the spectacle.
“Charlie House does some great work across our city and the surrounding region – their support is a vital lifeline to so many families who benefit from their help It is therefore extremely important that we continue to support events like the Santa Fun Run, to allow Charlie House to continue delivering their muchneeded resources and services to improve the lives of children and their families
“I would encourage anyone who is willing to pull on a Santa suit to sign up and take part – your support will be very much appreciated!”
Charlie House is an Aberdeen-based charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with lifelimiting or life-threatening conditions and their families in the north-east of Scotland.
It delivers inclusive and accessible activities for families enabling them to engage socially, make memories and meet other families in similar situations, and also provides information as well as emotional and practical support for the whole family
To register for the Santa Run 2024 or donate and support the work of Charlie House, please visit:
The partnership, announced one year after Scottish Water launched its nationwide education
programme Generation H2O, will see ASC deliver a series of workshops focused on the various stages of the water cycle, including the processes involved in making water safe to drink. The workshops, which are funded by Scottish Water, will look to inspire P5 to P7 school pupils to become more responsible with their use of water, recognising the importance of conserving and protecting such a precious natural resource.
In addition to the delivery of the sessions at ASC, the programme will feature a community outreach element to ensure harder to reach groups have the opportunity to participate.
Chief Executive of Scottish Water, Alex Plant, announced the partnership at the Annual Consultative Meeting of the publicly owned utility company, which was this year held at ASC
He said: “In recent years, the increasing
impact of the climate crisis is becoming more and more apparent through the extreme weather events we are experiencing – these include drier and warmer summers which put our water resources under increasing pressure, while demand continues to rise
“There has never been a greater need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills required to protect Scotland’s water To date, we have had 667 teachers register to use the materials offered through Generation H2O, reaching 34,213 young people. We are looking forward to continuing to expand those numbers in the coming years.
“As part of this drive, we are delighted to sponsor this Water Cycle Workshop at ASC which will help school pupils across Aberdeen City and Shire build their STEM skills and become passionate about protecting one of our most precious resources Educating young people about these issues will help us to inspire a change in the way they think about water usage, and we know that they can also be very
persuasive when talking to their families about these same issues!”
Bryan Snelling, Chief Executive Officer at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are honoured to partner with Scottish Water to spread awareness of the vital importance of conserving one of our most precious natural resources.
“Thanks to the support of Scottish Water, our new workshops will allow us to engage with hundreds of school pupils from the North-east of Scotland and beyond, in addition to various local community groups, as we explore the many small changes we can make that will ultimately have a big impact on our consumption and use of water.”
The workshops will be delivered from January 2025 and are available to schools across Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Moray and parts of Angus It is hoped to involve more than 300 pupils through the workshops, with an additional 10 community outreach sessions
Teachers can register for Scottish Water’s free Generation H2O resources through the National Schools Partnership: Scottish Water Generation H₂O - For Primary Schools - National Schools Partnership
All lessons are aligned to the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and are designed to develop important transferable skills including creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking that can aid them in the future workplace.
The Tall Ships Short Story will run alongside Clan’s public art trail planned for next summer, The
BookBench Trail, which will feature BookBench sculptures across the northeast, Moray, Orkney and Shetland
The Tall Ships Short Story Trail will showcase twelve specially designed BookBench sculptures in key city centre and coastal locations around Aberdeen, with the project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Event partners hope the sculptures, which can comfortably seat two adults, will provide a unique cultural experience for people of all ages to enjoy during the festival which is expected to attract 400,000 visits and 50 Tall Ships from 19 to 22 July 2025
The Tall Ships Races has been brought to the city for the first time in almost 30 years thanks to concerted effort between Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Port of Aberdeen
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said: “Clan’s sculpture trail will be a very welcome addition to the many events we have in store for the Tall Ships 2025 event when it reaches Aberdeen Not only will the
sculptures be an attraction in their own right but their auction will raise funding for a very deserving cause which all the Tall Ships partners are delighted to support.”
Kate Timperley, Aberdeen Inspired’s project manager, said: “The Clan partnership is a fantastic addition to the event programme and the funds and awareness raised will benefit so many We are sure the hundreds of thousands of visitors coming for the Tall Ships Races will enjoy discovering all the city centre of Aberdeen has to offer as they explore this special sculpture trail.”
Roddy James, chief commercial officer at Port of Aberdeen, said: “Clan’s sculpture trails have brightened up the city’s streets for many years and raised significant funds for its essential services
Aberdeen’s rich maritime heritage will provide inspiration for the artists and the Clan partnership supports our efforts to leave a lasting legacy from The Tall Ships festival ”
The sculptures will remain in their locations for the duration of The BookBench Trail which is due to run from early July until September next year
Following the completion of The BookBench Trail, one of the specially
designed sculptures from The Tall Ships Short Story will be auctioned off in aid of Clan Cancer Support The remaining sculptures will return with new stories for the Festival of the Sea in 2026.
Clan chose the BookBench sculpture, which depicts an open book, because of its lifeline listening support service which enables anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis to open up and tell their story
Fiona Fernie, CEO of Clan Cancer Support, added: “We are delighted to agree this partnership with The Tall Ships team and to have such an iconic international event featured within The BookBench Trail.
“We’ll be asking artists to submit nautically themed designs for this special project and with our region’s strong connection to the sea, we’re sure these BookBenches will be much cherished sculptures in our trail next summer ” Artists are due to be invited to submit their designs for The BookBench Trail and The Tall Ships Short Story this Autumn with shortlisting taking place in the new year.
For more information about The BookBench Trail please visit: www.clancancersupport.org/the-bookbench-trail
At their 50th Annual General Meeting, members of Grampian Housing Association (GHA)
welcomed hearing it had been another successful year Achievements in performance improvements and new initiatives in service delivery as well as a solid financial position were reported.
Following the AGM, Jim Cargill was elected by the Board as the new Chair of Grampian Housing Association, while Ritchie Johnson takes over as Vice Chair
Jim Cargill has been a Board Member since 2018 and became the Association's Vice Chair one year later He is Chief Executive of PlanSea Solutions Ltd, a local technology company deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve cost and emission reductions in the marine logistics sector. Jim has over 40 years experience in the oil and gas industry. He also served two three-year terms on the Board of Montrose Port Authority.
Ritchie Johnson has been on Grampian's Board for three years Previously Director of Business Services at Aberdeenshire Council, he has worked in Social Housing for 25 years His experience includes leading a number of
other Council services too, including social work, various corporate services and education. He also serves on the Board of NHS Grampian.
Commenting on his election, Jim Cargill said "I believe that the provision of affordable housing is key to the health and wellbeing of our communities
"Having served five years as Vice Chairman I feel I am well positioned to embrace this opportunity to become Chairman.
I am confident my extensive experience in business development roles can support the Association to deliver its strategic objectives for the benefit of tenants and customers "
Ritchie Johnson said "I have a long standing commitment to housing and all the services and values that can bring to people's lives.
"This aligns well with Grampian's vision of being recognised as a great customer focussed social landlord
"Using my experience and wellestablished local relationships I am looking forward to supporting Jim in driving Grampian's strategic direction forward."
Thanks and appreciation were expressed to Dr Abhi Agarwal who had completed his five year tenure as Chair The Scottish Housing Regulator welcomed Abhi as a new Board Member, appointed by Scottish Ministers, from 1 October 2024
Craig Stirrat, Chief Executive of Grampian Housing Association, congratulated Jim and Ritchie on their election and said "These new appointments come at a time when we are focussed on delivering The Grampian Deal , our new customer experience initiative.
"This ensures at feedback from our tenants drives service improvements and delivers on our commitment to digital participation or those who want to be able to access services in this way "
Members receiving the Annual Review at the AGM heard about the Association's successes in: practical help for tenants through its money advice, housing support and energy advice projects; launch of a new tenant and customer portal providing 24/7 access to services; building new homes for social rent at locations in Aberdeenshire and Moray; energy efficiency, including a zero carbon heating project and the launch of GOALS, a new centre of excellence for learning and development with opportunities for colleagues and tenants alike
The annual accounts were also presented and provided insights into the Association's financial standing at yearend with stable cash balances, reassuring members of it's fiscal robustness.
The Association's priorities are informed by The Scottish Government's Housing to 2040 vision and the Association is committed to creating a more sustainable and resilient future
The challenges facing the Association in achieving this are balancing the need to continue to support tenants with the cost of living crisis whilst maintaining and improving the standards of tenants' homes, providing high quality services and delivering value for money by keeping rents affordable. The Association also wants to continue to grow through its new build programme.
Aberdeen Care & Repair have been granted some funding for equipment from the Health Improvement Fund for their Early Intervention Project.
This project begins with a free survey, conducted by one of the highly trained team The questions cover
both the person and the property, expertly identifying potential issues or hazards and providing advice, and action to help support independent living both in the short term and long term The funding will be used to purchase smaller items like plug in motion sensory lights, grab rails, easy to use cups, can and jar openers, easy to read clocks, day light bulbs and long handled grabbers for picking up items. Some of these items will be offered free of charge to those individuals who are taking part where the need has been identified by the survey
The survey is considered the master key to the Care and Repair services. Identifying the needs of the client gives the framework to unlock the potential of the clients home and help them live independently for as long as possible
Many people find that the minor changes Aberdeen Care & Repair can help them with really are effective, highlighting areas of concern and signposting to services which can help Sometimes making use of other Care and Repair services that can assist with minor repairs or adaptations at a fair price Benefit checks are carried out as part of the survey and help ensure that clients are getting the finances they qualify for and helping the elderly population feel more safe and secure while living in their home
Some results of the surveys carried out the in the last 12 months identified the following:
53% of people required some kind of work at their property
35% of people were referred on to Occupational Therapy
14% of people required action in relation to safety/security
15% of people required action in relation to electrical safety
53% of people required action in relation to trips and falls prevention
36% of people had security or safety equipment fitted/provided
100% received a benefit check, resulting in 50% requiring some form of action, 25% of these required assistance to claim benefits
75% had an unpaid carer, and 26% were unpaid carers
23% felt their housing needs were not met
50% felt lonely
29% required assistance to access online services
This service is available to older people, people with a disability or long term health problem living in Aberdeen
If you would like further information or would like to arrange an early intervention survey, contact the Aberdeen Care & Repair team on 01224 625822 and select option 1
GREC’S LANGUAGE CAFÉ:
PROMOTING INTEGRATION,
COMMUNITY
AND BELONGING
FOR NEW SCOTS IN ABERDEEN
As a multicultural city, it’s important for Aberdeen to offer spaces that foster integration and connection in order to build thriving, inclusive communities for migrants, refugees and New Scots. One space in particular is the Language Café, an initiative run by the Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC).
As a registered Aberdeen-based charity with 40 years of service, GREC works to tackle prejudice and discrimination, celebrate diversity and build positive community relations across the North East of Scotland
For seven years, the Language Café has provided a welcoming environment for migrants, refugees and New Scots to practice communicating in English, meet new people in similar situations and access essential services if necessary.
Through this initiative, GREC helps newcomers to Aberdeen integrate not only by breaking down language barriers but also socially and culturally, ensuring they have the support they need to settle in the city.
ribe, Language & Integration ent Worker, founded the Language Café 17 Reflecting on its beginnings, she shares: rst joined GREC, the idea was to produce café as this was during the time when ugees first arrived in Aberdeen ”
e idea was to hold language cafés in various ss the city, but the model soon evolved as xplains: “We realised very quickly that in localities was not going to work So, we ne language café in the city centre, and it grow from there ”
café it held at the Aberdeen Arts Centre weekly every Thursday, 11am to 3pm, m time.
The café has become more than just a place to practice English: “It’s about understanding things like volunteering in the community, accessing health services, finding a job, and much more, ” says Adriana
“We create a space where people can become friends, learn about the city, and feel like part of the community These interactions help newcomers gain practical knowledge and build confidence as they navigate their new life in Aberdeen ”
Elahe Alavi, once a long-time volunteer with the Language Café and now GREC’s Communications Assistant & Language and Integration Project Worker, says: “The Language Café is a friendly environment for everyone to meet each other.
“It’s become very popular because it’s a safe space without judgment. It’s not just a café, it’s a place where they can make friends and boost their confidence whilst practicing their English.”
The informal, friendly atmosphere of the café helps attendees feel comfortable. This is vital for those who might otherwise feel isolated.
Elahe adds: “A lot of times, those who attend have told us they are very lonely, but when they come to the café they feel lively again and connected to society ”
As well as practicing communicating in English, the café provides opportunities for participants to engage with the local community and its services Each week, a guest speaker from various organisations joins the café to share information about services available to attendees
WE CREATE A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN BECOME FRIENDS, LEARN ABOUT THE CITY, AND FEEL LIKE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
Elahe Alavi, Communications Assistant & Language and Integration Project Worker
through the group activities that GREC organise
These activities spark conversations, allowing indepth discussions amongst those who attend Su shares an example: “Today, we were given photographs of different people, and we had to guess their names, skills, and abilities
LANGUAGE CAFÉ IS A NDLY ENVIRONMENT EVERYONE TO MEET OTHER.
“We thought of different words like ‘creative’, ‘reliable’ and ‘ zany ’ which is great for building language skills with those who come along to the café ”
For many, the Language Café is a crucial social lifeline. Susan continues: “Fifty to sixty people come every week because it’s a space where they will receive a warm welcome.
“They meet people who also live in Aberdeen, they learn more about the city and they feel like they can fit in If they didn’t have this space, there’s so much lost potential for friendships and communication ”
Guillermo Medina, Language Café & New Scots Development Worker, highlights the support that GREC offers at the café: “It’s a welcoming space where people can communicate in English, but also a place where they can access support for navigating what is a new city to them.
Susan Baines, Volunteer
“We have caseworkers availabl help with benefits, or if they ha discrimination The Language C to all the services available from
Guillermo continues, describing the café: “It’s not about attend testing your grammar or sitting feeling safe, making friends and connections with people who a position as you It’s a place whe yourself without any worry ”
The impact of the café extends attend, as Adriana explains: “In who come to our café are able have learned to their families, c communities, creating a more i participation in everything they
“Aberdeen is a very mixed and spaces such as our Language C they create a sense of commun continues.
“If people are disengaged, it’s d forward – but when they do en volunteer at local organisations citizens in their communities an chance at being a part of bigger aspirations for Aberdeen as a w
Susan echoes this, stating: “If w work properly, we need to be others The Language Café pro and I am proud to be part of it
ABERDEEN IS VERY MIXED DIVERSE CITY SPACES SUCH OUR LANGUAGE CAFÉ ARE CRUCIAL BECAUSE THEY CREATE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
Looking to find out more about the Language Café? Visit grec.co.uk/language-support or email language-cafe@grec.co.uk
To find out more about GREC and the work they do, visit their website at grec.co.uk
Guillermo Medina, Language Café & New Scots Development Worker
Octoberupdate from ACVO's Volunteering Services Manager, Mike Melvin
ACVO is delighted to support the National Volunteering
Recruitment
Campaign: Volunteering for AllInspire, Support, Recruit which has launched to help support organisations boost and build the tremendous volunteering we have in Aberdeen and across Scotland which is more important than ever
The campaign includes information, free resources and top tips to help:
Inspire , with a series of inspiring volunteer stories and campaigns that highlight the benefits of
volunteering from various perspectives, offering insights
and strategies to enhance your programmes and take the next steps
Support, with resources, including good practice guides, research evidence, sectorspecific training, development opportunities, and upcoming workshops and events to further enhance your volunteer programmes.
Recruit, with resources including blogs with successful experiences, advertising guidance, and other insights to enhance your recruitment efforts and experience
The campaign further aims to enhance the volunteer landscape
in Scotland, ensuring that communities receive the support they need to thrive
ACVO is also delighted that the volunteering campaign highlights inspiring volunteer stories produced by our Comms team in partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Four Pillars
I strongly believe this is a timely and
excellent campaign that we here at
ACVO are delighted to be a key part
of. We have such amazing volunteering in Aberdeen and this campaign provides both the opportunity to share our experience of successfully building
volunteering and to further boost the vital, tremendous volunteering in our city and across Scotland
Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice expressed her great support for the
campaign and volunteering stating
‘I am pleased to support the
National Recruitment Campaign to boost participation in volunteering and create a diverse pool of vital volunteers across Scotland Volunteers play such an important role in thousands of charities, many of which simply couldn’t support people in the way that they do without the people who give their own time to help others. Having been a volunteer myself, I also know just how much you get out of playing your part and helping out ’
For more information please visit: volunteeringactionplan.co.uk
If you are interested in involving volunteers with your organisation, you can visit either the Volunteer Aberdeen website at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk/support or acvo.org.uk/volunteering to find out how we can can help.
Minister for Children, Young
People and The Promise and
Disclosure Scotland The meeting
was organised by the Scottish
Parliament Cross Party Group on
Volunteering/Volunteer Scotland.
The purpose of the meeting was
to highlight concerns to the
Minister regarding a proposal
contained in the Disclosure
(Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited
body fees and proposals for discounting: PVG scheme
consultation, to possibly remove
the current fee waiver for PVG:
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Scheme checks for volunteers scheme checks for volunteers with qualifying bodies/to move to a ‘fee discount structure’ for volunteer PVG checks instead.
During the meeting ACVO fed back regarding the situation in Aberdeen, the potential impact of any move away from retaining the fee waiver for PVG checks for volunteers with qualifying organisations and urged the Minister to retain the fee waiver for
ee
The consultation itself has received a record amount of responses (four times the average for a Scottish Government consultation), showing how important this is and the strength of feeling. A decision is expected soon.
The Cycle Access Fund is a capital grant fund, enabling organisations to support access to bikes in their community.
Providing access to a bike in an affordable, easy and convenient way is a vital contribution to reducing health and income inequality It makes our communities safer and more pleasant by reducing short car journeys This fund from Cycling UK aims to address these concerns by providing grants for the purchase of bikes for individuals and organistions
Many people in Scotland experience barriers to accessing a cycle and, with the Cycle Access Fund, Cycle UK aim to tackle different barriers and help more people to cycle
Funding is available to organisations wishing to purchase, refurbish, or repair cycles for use within their communities and applications may also be made to fund associated equipment and other relevant costs.
In 2024-25, CYCLE UK have been funded by four Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) in Scotland, which means that the Cycle Access Fund is being provided only in specific regions of Scotland. The Cycle Access Fund is available to organisations whose registered business/charity address is in SPT, Sestran, ZetTrans and Nestrans areas of operation
Funding is available in four strands:
Individuals: funding for organisations working with those that are
financially struggling to enable a cycle and equipment to be purchased for individuals from their community.
Shared: to organisations to purchase cycles and equipment that enable cycle sharing schemes such as bike libraries, pool cycles, bike subscription schemes, loan cycles and bike share schemes.
Repair: to bike repair organisations/ bike recycling centres and bike shops to repair cycles belonging to people that are financially struggling.
Recycle: to bike repair organisations/ bike recycling centres to repair cycles for donation to people that are financially struggling.
Visit cyclinguk.org/cycle-access-fund to find out more.
Opportunities
Henry Duncan Grants
Corra Foundation
Corra’s Henry Duncan Grants 2024 is for women led organisations in Scotland that support women and girls within their local communities.
Henry Duncan Grants will provide unrestricted funding of £40,000 across five years (£8,000 per year) to charities and registered not for profit organisations with a yearly income of up to £250,000. Henry Duncan Grants will support Women Led organisations whose work has a focus on addressing the impacts of gender based violence of women and girls. Henry Duncan Grants will also support Women Led Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisations who are working on issues that impact women and/or girls in their communities. We anticipate making grants up to a total of £865,000. Approximately 21-25 organisations in total are likely to receive funding In recognition of historic inequity in funding, Corra will commit 50% of this fund budget to support organisations that are led by women from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities.
Henry Duncan Grants will close for applications on 30th October 2024 at 12 noon.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team about your application, at any stage of the process, please email henryduncan@corra scot or phone 0131 444 4020 then option 2 followed by option 1.
Funding Available: up to £40,000 across 5 years Community
Applications close: 30/10/2024
Funding Available: Up to £10,000 Community Applications close: 04/11/2024
Community & Coast Fund
TSI
The Community & Coast Fund supports projects in the Torry and Cove areas of Aberdeen. With up to £100,000 available each year, the fund focuses on initiatives that promote community growth, support children, young people, families, and older people, and address goals like biodiversity, net zero, and local heritage.
Grants of up to £3,000 or £10,000 are available to apply for now, and local residents get to decide which projects receive funding through an online voting process called Participatory Budgeting.
The Community & Coast Fund is delivered by ACVO, Aberdeen’s Third Sector Interface, with over 20 years of experience supporting local organisations ACVO is managing the fund on behalf of ETZ Ltd to ensure it benefits the Torry and Cove communities ACVO has a strong track record in fund management and has previously worked with Participatory Budgeting processes, making them well-placed to oversee the distribution of grants and empower local residents to shape how spending reflects local priorities
Market Garden Volunteers
TAMS - The Allotment Market Stalls
This provides the opportunity to:
• Join in with the cultivation of a na
Main tasks involve:
• Help make and plant up our no dig
• Sowing seeds and looking
• Planting an
• Garden maintenance and DIY
The Allotment Market Stall provides good-quality, well-priced, locally grown fruit and vegetables and reduces waste. We have opportunities this season for volunteers to be a part of developing our nature friendly market garden, based at Grove Nursery, Hazlehead, Aberdeen, AB15 8LD on Thursdays 1-3pm and/or Sundays 1-3pm.
• Would suit someone who enjoys outdoors and nature and wants to be part of a community project promoting local food growing
soundfestival is an innovative festival of new music. From contemporary classical to electro-acoustic, improvised, experimental and jazz music, the festival brings together a wide range of musical styles in a variety of concerts, workshops, installations and talks across Aberdeen City and Shire. soundfestival
District Lead Volunteers
Are you or do you know someone who… can inspire and enthuse?
applies strategic and creative thinking to a challenge? could build and lead a team of key volunteers? is resourceful and energetic? believes in developing young people and volunteers in your area? could help young people in Aberdeen to develop valuable skills for life?
Admin Assistant/Co-ordinators
Third Level Foundation CIC
alongside and within Community
VolunteerAberdeen
Social Media Content Creator
Dates-n-Mates
We are seeking a volunteer to:
Assist the Communications Group with gathe
· Assist with producing and editing videos for TikTok
Work alongside the Communications Lead to develop
Assist with scheduling social media content
Think of and share innovative w
Community Engagement Volunteers
Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS)
•
Would you like to support Dates-n-Mates, a friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities, to raise awareness of our wonderful campaign and share stories on our social media platforms?
MISS (Miscarriage Information Support Service) is an early pregnancy loss charity and we provide a range of support for women and partners who have suffered a miscarriage Our support includes in person and virtual support groups, one-to-one's and a telephone service.
We currently have opportunities to help us in this through volunteering as a Community Engagement Volunteer The role would involve assisting in asp
VolunteerAberdeen
Group Coordinator Volunteers
MS Society (Aberdeen Branch)
This is an opportunity for someone who is passionate about community developm own assets to make a real difference to improving life in the Multiple Sclerosis community Our ideal
Counsellors/ Play Therapists for Children and Young People
Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC)
GREC works to support individuals who have been impacted by racism, other forms of discrimination, prejudices or inequality of society We are expanding our Counselling Service and looking to recruit more compassionate psychotherapists/counsellors to support our children & young people in Aberdeen city and shire with Play Therapy and Counselling.
Events Opportunities
Events in October
7th
Empower Aberdeen
A community fair, providing direct access to support available across Aberdeen
Join in on a day of sharing services, experiences and networking with other likeminded organisations in Aberdeen to improve the lives and homes of those living in our city/area
About the event
Scarf, is marking its upcoming 40th anniversary with this special one-day event, timed to coincide with Challenge Poverty Week The free expo will feature almost 40 not-for-profit and third sector organisations offering advice on energy efficiency, finances, housing, food banks, wellbeing, and more
Supported by Vital Energi, Poverty Alliance, and Community Planning Aberdeen, Empower Aberdeen aims to provide visitors with easy access to valuable resources and support networks
Date Mon 7 October 2024
Time 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost Free
Organiser Scarf
Venue Aberdeen Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS,
9th
Tackling Financial Disadvantage in Migrant Households
Join us for the launch of our report as part of Challenge Poverty Week 2024 Hear about our ongoing work to explore effective solutions and end cycles of poverty and inequality
Migrant Policy Scotland (MPS) and our partner organisations have gathered evidence that migrant households face considerable financial disadvantages and barriers to overcoming these which are insufficiently seen or understood in antipoverty policy measures and interventions
While a great many services and support organisations are working exceptionally hard to support service users, including migrants, the current landscape of provision is not working well to meet migrants’ needs This event will present our findings and our ongoing work to explore and design effective solutions through changes to policy and practice
Date Wed 9 October 2024
Time 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Cost Free
Organiser GREC
Venue Online
10th
Online Lunch & Learn: Effective community engagement
Join ACVO’s Policy and Consultations Officer, Alasdair Ross, for an informal lunchtime session on what to consider when engaging with your communities of people and place. We will also look at what is happening locally to strengthen the voice of communities through Community Planning
This free online member’s event will cover:
An overview of the National Standards for Community Engagement
Introduction to the local Community Empowerment Strategy and Outcome Improvement Group A quick guide to useful tools and further information
Date Thu 10 October 2024
Time 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cost Free
Organiser ACVO TSI
Venue Online
Opportunities
Challenge Poverty Week –Screening and Dialogue
Fairer Aberdeen Fund partners invite you to a special event to mark Challenge Poverty Week (7th – 13th October 2024)
The event is aimed at raising awareness of the lived experience of poverty and inequality of Aberdeen’s communities, as well as creating a space to share, consider and discuss opportunities and ideas that will help us make the shift towards a fairer and more equitable society
The event will include a combination of short films, presentations, panel Q&A, and lived experience discussion groups – a detailed programme will be shared nearer the time
Light refreshments will be provided
Inchgarth Health and Social Care Networking Event
We would like to invite you and your colleagues to our health and social gathering at Inchgarth Community Centre
Inchgarth has loads of opportunities for everyone and we have people from some of our groups happy to share information about how their group helps people.
Come see what the likes of Create, Future choice, Phoenix club and Inchgarth’s men’s group have to offer, while taking the opportunities to have a tour of our fantastic and unique facilities.
There will be a chance for everyone to network at the end of the event with some refreshments provided as well. This will be a great opportunity to see what Inchgarth has to offer as Aberdeen’s largest, busiest, and most successful centre where we are also about to embark on a £5 million pound extension, allowing us to provide even more opportunities.
Date Fri 11 October 2024
Time 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Cost Free
Organiser Fairer Aberdeen Fund Partners
Venue Aberdeen Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS,
Date Wed 16 October 2024
Time 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cost Free
Organiser Inchgarth Community Centre
Venue Aboyne Place, Aberdeen, AB10 7DR
ACVO Training: Committee Skills
If you want to feel more comfortable serving on a committee, whether you’re a novice or you’re a seasoned committee veteran, then there will be something in this session for you
Led by ACVO Development Officer Sandy Mathers it’s designed to make you more confident as a committee member The session will cover the following topics;
Role of the Committee
Role of the Committee Member
Roles of the Office Bearers, before, during and after a meeting
Financial record keeping Legal Responsibilities Recruitment & Retention
Date Wed 30 October 2024
Time 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cost £11 55
Organiser ACVO TSI
Venue 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5YU,
30th
Vacancies
Administrative Assistant
Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE)
This post is a supporting and administrative role, supporting the SAFE team; coordinating meetings and events; inputting new referrals, managing the email inbox; and managing and dealing with enquiries.
CFINE operates to cooperative, or ‘Community Development’, principles which underpin and permeate the organisation and its activities The ethos and values are:
➢ inclusion, dignity, and respect.
➢ equality of opportunity
➢ collaboration and partnership
➢ mutuality and reciprocity.
➢ recognising that everyone has something to offer
➢ those affected by an issue should be integrally involved in solutions; and
➢ enterprising
To apply, please request an application form for this post by emailing sleys@cfine org Complete and return your application and a letter stating why you are suitable for this post, to Sam Leys, Business Development Manager, Operations, 2-4 Poynernook Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RW or by email to sleys@cfine.org – Closing date: Noon, October 9th 2024
Please note, that a full job description will be sent upon request for an application form
Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner (Peer)
If you are looking for a rewarding career and to work within an epic team that will help you grow and thrive, then you have come to the right place. Working within our Penumbra 365 service you can start your day knowing what you do really does make a difference!
Our brand-new Penumbra 365 Service in Aberdeen will be a single point of access for people aged over 18 who are seeking mental health, wellbeing or distress support From reaching out to our Welcome Team, people will be given the time and space to explore options that best fit their needs; there is no wrong door.
Working within a vibrant team, you will deliver a range of supportive interventions, including relational signposting, 1:1 coaching, specialised distress management planning, and Workshops on Wellbeing. Drawing on your local knowledge, strong communication skills and flexibility, you will actively seek opportunities to promote the service to all communities across the city.
Your unique knowledge and understanding gained from managing your own mental health challenges will be integral to the role. Through sharing learning from your own lived/living experience, you will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible. Within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, you will promote self-management and opportunities for improved health and wellbeing. With passion, and compassion, you will bring creativity and positivity to finding ways to empower people.
The post will be based in our North area office and across a variety of community settings across Aberdeen City, which may include Kittybrewster Custody Suite The role will work as part of an operational rota to support delivery 9am – 10pm, 7 days per week
Opportunities
Substance Use Worker – Recovery Services
Alcohol and Drugs Action
£26,413–£29,236 FullTime 37hoursperweek Permanent
Closingdate:28/10/2024 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies
ADA is an award-winning charity, delivering specialist services to reduce harms and promote recovery of individuals and families affected by alcohol and drugs use in the Northeast of Scotland
We are excited to be able to offer new Substance Use Worker roles based in our Aberdeen City Recovery Service due to a new long-term contract award and further funding announced for new innovative Project work
We are looking for candidates that have a background in Community Learning, Nursing, Social Work, Counselling, or other related field/s. To be successful you must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the needs of those affected by alcohol or drug use. Ideally, you will have experience of working with substance users and knowledge of effective interventions
PVG membership is essential for this post
To view the job description and apply, please visit: https://alcoholanddrugsaction peoplehr net/ Please note that only those who apply via the link and complete an online application form will be considered.
If you have any queries or questions please contact recruitment@alcoholanddrugsaction org uk
If you’re passionate about reducing harm and maximising opportunities for change then we need you!
Closing date: Monday 28th October 2024, with interviews to be arranged for the following week commencing Monday 4th November 2024.
Team Manager (Aberdeen) – Maternity Cover
includem
£37,602
Aberdeen
Includem requires an experienced Team Manager to lead our services based in Aberdeen on a 12-month fixed-term basis, to cover a period of maternity leave This is an exciting opportunity to join an established team that is co-located at Craigielea Children’s Centre, working in partnership with Aberdeen Children and Family Social Work.
The key responsibilities of the Team Manager include, but are not limited to:
Manage service delivery to maximise capacity and ensure compliance with contract specifications Maintain a young people focus in relation to services delivered by ensuring best outcomes achieved and recorded for young people.
Lead a team of professionals, with responsibility for all elements of people management
Engage effectively with partner agencies on a day-to-day basis, in addition to seeking new opportunities for partnership/collaborative working
About You
With proven experience of managing and supervising professional individuals delivering high quality services, you will be able to maximise service delivery resources efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of children, young people, and families With knowledge of young people policies and legislation, you will put risk enablement at the heart of your decision making. In addition, you will possess:
Educated to degree level in relevant qualification in Social Work or Social Care, or a willingness to work towards this Ability to embrace challenges, take initiative, originate action, and work well with a great deal of autonomy.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to challenge and influence a variety of stakeholders with well-reasoned arguments.
Excellent attention to detail with a focus on continuous improvement.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Worker - Full Time & Part Time positions available
Penumbra Permanent
£23,650perannumprorata(£1213p/hequivalent)
Aberdeen Closingdate:25/10/2024
If you are looking for a rewarding career and to work within an epic team that will help you grow and thrive, then you have come to the right place. Working within our Aberdeen Mental Health Service you can start your day knowing what you do really does make a difference!
Please note there are both full time and part time positions available, please see ACVO Vacancies online for more details, to download the full job description for both and to access the relevant application forms
The service provides housing and care at home support to people with mental health issues All support is provided on an outreach basis within people’s home or community. The service is available to people aged over 18, who live in Aberdeen City.
As a Mental Health and Wellbeing Worker, you will support people to:
Take control of their life
Feel safe and secure in their home
Budget and manage their money.
Access information on benefits and matters relating to their tenancy
Work with other agencies and organisations.
Utilise local facilities within their community
Learn about volunteering, education, and employment.
Explore all opportunities
Manage their medication regime
Build skills around managing and maintaining their household chores.
As a mental health charity, we really value the wellbeing of our staff. That’s why we want you to know that you’ll be joining a friendly team, who will give you a supportive environment to help you thrive in your role, including all the training you need to feel confident and equipped.
