GREC NEWS Equality when you really need it Registered Scottish Charity: SC 001823 Produced by: www.grecgraphics.com
COMPLIMENTARY
ISSUE 38, 2010
jj Special 25th Anniversary Edition jj
Inside:
GREC's 25th A Grand Day Out Scotblood Drive The Hairy Bikers GREC Graphics' News Barcelona Case Conferencing Farewell Quiet Cup 'Me-Time' Counselling Volunteer Awards & much more...
The Anne Frank Awards 12010 | GREC NEWS
ISSUE 38, 2010
W E L C O M E
Issue No.38 has arrived! This 'special' 25th Anniversary edition comes to you as an 'electronic' Magazine. We are aware of increasing print costs and feel that providing this magazine as an email and online edition was the most cost effective way forward. What is inside for you? Well there are GREC events and reports from throughout the year including our 25th Anniversary evening held at the Robert Gordon's University on the 6th of September (see page 12); the Give Blood campaign that GREC helped to organise in conjunction with ACVO, the Quantum Foundation and Scotblood (see page 4) and The Anne Frank Awards held at Pittodrie earlier this year (see page 8) plus lots more. Its been a good year for GREC Graphics, who celebrate operating for 5 years this year (see page 14), with 2 new assisstants helping out: Amber from Canada and Ralph from Aberdeen (who has taken a lot of great photos & designed some of the pages for this issue) - both very capable and a real help to me (Richard). We are now well settled at our new Union Street location & we have continued to work with a lot of great companies and individuals (old and new) throughout the Northeast & beyond. Do feel free to pass on your comments and any future event details, articles, etc. for the next issue to the Editor at:
INSIDE: GRAMPIAN RACIAL EQUALITY COUNCIL
03: A Grand Day Out
04: Scotblood Donations 05: Grampian Police: Adult Support & Protection 06: Public & Participative Art / Notes of Thanks 07: Poem - The Waiter / Your Rotary Needs You! 08: The Anne Frank Awards 10: GREC Graphics & The Hairy Bikers
Contact GREC Main Tel: 01224 595505 Email: info@grec.co.uk Web: www.grec.co.uk Just for fun - can you ďŹ nd Santa hidden inside this issue?...
25th Anniversary of GREC "Thank you to everyone involved with GREC over the years!..."
12: GREC's 25th Anniversary 14: 5 Years of GREC Graphics 16: Anne Frank 2011 18: Case Conferencing - A Success Story 19: Poem - Feather / GREC's Bilingual Health Link Worker 20: Barcelona / Rainbow 18 21: GREC's AGM / Volunteer Awards 22: In Memoriam - Alex Clark 23: Farewell The Quiet Cup 24: 'Fit Like?' - Doric Parrots 25: GREC's Employability Co-ordinator 26: Aberdeen Works Pipeline Team 26: 'Me-Time' Counselling
Email: Richard@grecgraphics.co.uk Thank you.
A small selection of photographs taken from various GREC events.
If you require this newsletter in an alternative format or language - please advise us. Please note: All views expressed throughout this document are the views of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reect the views of GREC. If you would like more copies or know someone who would like to be added to the mailing list for GREC News, please send details stating how many copies you would like, your name, organisation, address, telephone number and send to:
GREC, 41 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 5BN t: 01224 595505 e: info@grec.co.uk 2 | GREC NEWS
Friday 13th August 2010
In Old Aberdeen
GREC members and volunteers on the Brig ‘o’ Balgownie - can you spot Ron?
August 13th and once again it was time for the annual GREC Away Day, an event enjoyed by staff, volunteers and invited guests alike. This years theme: ‘A Tour Of Old Aberdeen”. It was a lovely warm day, and we started by meeting for coffee and a blether at Zeste café in the University campus. After refreshments we were treated to a tour of the Town House and Old Aberdeen by our very knowledgeable and amusing guide - then off for a picnic in the botanical gardens.
In the afternoon we were met by our second guide and escorted to the next venue: St. Machar Cathedral is an ancient building full of beautiful stained glass, arches and sculptures and situated in the shade of leafy Old Aberdeen. From there we walked through Seaton Park which was a peaceful and traffic-free route leading to the Brig ‘o' Balgownie. One of the most ancient routes in Aberdeen, it dates from 1320. The day was a great success and we went our seperate ways tired, but entertained.
GRECNEWS NEWS 33| |GREC
Photos by Ralph Blair
Scotblood Promts Great Turnout at Citadel On March 11th 2010, the Blood Transfusion Service with the support of ACVO, GREC and the Quantum Foundation, held a Voluntary Sector Blood Donation Drive at the Aberdeen Citadel in the Castlegate, Aberdeen. Despite the inclement weather a very respectable ninety nine potential donors were welcomed to the session with seventy three units of blood collected. Thirty eight of those attending were donating for the very first time, with fifteen lapsed donors coming back after more than two years. Claire Auton, Donor Recruitment & Publicity Officer for SNBTS commented “I think the sense of community support and enthusiasm displayed by everyone involved speaks volumes for the positive impact of yesterday’s session”. 4 | GREC NEWS
“The day felt more like a celebratory party than a clinical, medical routine.” Jeannie Felsinger - GREC Director
www.scotblood.co.uk
Why is Adult Support and Protection Police Business? Grampian Police welcomes the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 which introduces measures that allow councils to identify and protect adults at risk of harm who may be outwith the scope of other legislation, safeguarding their interests. For too long we have been aware of persons suspected of being at risk, but without evidence of being the victim of a specific crime, Police powers have been limited. The new legislation now empowers Local Councils and the various agencies, including the Police, and most importantly provides powers to the Courts to instigate measures to better protect adults at risk of harm by safeguarding their wellbeing and interests. Who are 'adults at risk?' The Act defines 'adults at risk' as individuals, aged 16 years or over, who: • are unable to safeguard themselves, their property, rights or other interests; • are at risk of harm; and • because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than others who are not so affected. The presence of a particular condition does not automatically mean an adult is an "adult at risk". Someone could have a disability but be able to safeguard their well-being etc. It is important to stress that all three elements of this definition must be met. It is the whole of an adult's particular circumstances which can combine to make theM more susceptible to harm than others. What is meant by 'harm'? For the purposes of the Act, 'harm' includes all harmful conduct and, in particular, includes: • conduct which causes physical harm; • conduct which causes psychological harm ( e.g. by causing fear, alarm or distress); • unlawful conduct which appropriates or adversely affects property, rights or interests (e.g. theft, fraud, embezzlement or extortion); and • conduct which causes self-harm. Police Officers are used to responding to certain incident types such as those involving domestic abuse, child protection and other public protection issues. Adult protection is taken equally seriously. Adults are more recognised now and police officers will examine more closely all the elements present in the incidents they attend to ensure that the appropriate agency acts effectively, undertaking their particular responsibility and at the same time ensuring pertinent information is shared with relevant partners to allow them to do their job effectively. Where does harm happen? Harm can happen anywhere. It could be at home, at work, in a hospital or care facility. You may have witnessed this or have been a victim yourself. You may feel you need to talk about this or report it, but may be fearful of what might happen. We understand it can often be difficult to report concerns to Police. However, you can be supported by speaking with GREC staff, your G.P, Council Adult Protection Officer, employer, hospital staff or contact Grampian Police directly on: 0845 6005700. If it is an emergency call: 999. You can contact: Aberdeen City Adult Protection on: 01224 765220. (Out of hours on: 01224 693936); Aberdeenshire Adult Protection on: 01651 871246 (Out of hours on: 08458 400070) Moray (24 hours) on: 03001 230897 Care Commission on: 01224 793870 Translations of the Act and supportive materials are available on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/care/adult-care-and-support/legislation/Resources. Inga Heyman is the Adult Protection Co-ordinator at Grampian Police and can be contacted on: 01224 305080. 5 | GREC NEWS
Public and Participative Art Are you interested in some new social activities? How about getting connected with others who share your interests and concerns? Then Public and Participative Art may be just right for you. How about joining an introductory session to find out what are art-led participatory processes? Come explore activities in which you will work with others to create art works that can bring out and reflect your interests, concerns, identities and points of view. We are artists and curators with many years of experience in carrying out Public and Participative Art. Our introduction to and activities in Public and Participative Art will give you insights on common approaches in public art combined with intercultural perspectives. You will also learn how to develop constructive engagement and collaborative actions. The venue can be a place of your choice. The programme is free of charge, supported by Peacock Visual Arts. Please contact: Jay Koh on: 07543966281 for further details.
Notes of Thanks GREC would like to thank Layla and Martin Kelman for their generous donation of a new Toshiba laptop to GREC. Also, to Kit and Teresa Wong-Hui for their kind donation of £100 towards the work of GREC. On behalf of everyone at GREC we would also like to thank Unite - Aberdeen Educational Branch for their very kind donation of £100. Your support is more vital than ever and will help GREC in our work with Aberdeen’s diverse communities. We have a good relationship with Unite and other trade unions and look forward to continuing to work with you.
£
Thanks to Hector Mackenzie for very generously donating his training fee (including travel expenses) back to GREC. We are truly humbled by your kind gesture and the money will be put to very good use, thank you very much from us all. A very special thank you from everyone at GREC to Graham Millar (pictured left) who received a Special Recognition Award recently for his volunteer work at GREC. Graham, who was a Volunteer Tutor for 10 years, teaching English to students at GREC, has retired. On behalf of all those who have benefitted from your hard work and everyone who knows you - we all wish you well and all the best for the future. 6 | GREC NEWS
The Waiter Deep within the dark recesses of the torturedSelf Pandora’s legacy Can lay , brilliantlyDormant. It Flickers and fades And Flickers and fades But I wait Wait Wait I wait Silently, cautiously – I wait The flicker will brighten It will become more confident It will become strong It may fade now and again But I wait I will wait I wait Just wait Sarah L. Campbell
Your Rotary Club Needs By: Ron Falconer, Caseworker at GREC
This was my year as President of the Rotary Club of Aberdeen Balgownie, a post I held until the end of June. Our club meets every Thursday at 6.30 pm at the Mains of Scotstown restaurant, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Despite appearances, Rotary is not just a club for middle aged men ('grey hair or nae hair'). We are not a secret society, meetings are open and anyone is welcome to attend as a guest to see if they are attracted to the ethos and principles of Rotary. We are keen to attract new members, male and female, to join us in raising funds for worthwhile causes locally and worldwide. Rotary members are enthusiastic, fun-loving and active volunteers who give their time and talents to serve communities both at home and overseas. Please come along to our next meeting or have a look online: www.balgownie-rotary.org.uk
you 7 | GREC NEWS
photos by Ralph Blair
Anne Frank Awards 2010 The GREC Anne Frank Awards 2010 were held on Friday 28th May at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen - with around 90 people attending. These annual Awards which promote inclusion and diversity, received eleven entries from Primary and Secondary Schools throughout the Grampian region. The event was opened by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Peter Stephen, and was hosted by Vicky McKenzie, GREC vice-chair. A short summary of each entry was read out by the judges, Hatton of Fintray Primary played their ‘Anti - Racism’ song live and Kemnay Academy's 'Global Rock Video' was screened. Angus the Bull made an appearance and the tours of Pittodrie were very much enjoyed. A big 'thank you' to police secondee at GREC, Sergeant Nicky Jones (pictured), for organising this years Awards. Each school received a framed Certificate of Achievement, the winners and runners up also received a glass award and the winners took home the bronze Anne Frank statue for a year. The Gordon Schools in Huntly were the winners. Their entry included the work of the ‘Anne Frank Group’, questionnaires and interviews with pupils and teachers regarding their experiences of discrimination and how they think the school currently deals with these issues and how the school could improve. The two runners up were Heathryburn Primary School in Aberdeen, who ran a multi-cultural week involving the whole school, and Forres Academy, Forres. Part of their entry involved two sixth year pupils who had visited Auschwitz delivering a lesson to the younger years - sharing their thoughts and experiences. See page 16 for launch details of the 2011 competition. 8 | GREC NEWS
Visit: www.grec.co.uk for more photos from the day.
Our thanks go to the sponsors for this years awards:- K10 Solutions, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, The Royal Dutch Consulate, Costco and Aberdeen Football Club.
Runners-up Forres Academy receiving their award.
Recycled Bamboo Banners by: GREC Graphics call: 01224 576796
Runners-up Heathryburn Primary receiving their award.
Hatton of Fintray Primary with Angus the Bull.
Sponsored by:
GRECNEWS NEWS 99| |GREC
Dinner with The Hairy Bikers TV’s Hairy Bikers Simon King and Dave Myers headlined this year's Buchan Food Festival entitled ‘Buchan’s Larder’. As part of the festival which also included photography & art competitions, market stalls, a history talk, a marathon and open door days, etc a dinner was also held by Peterhead & Buchan Tourism Initiative on September 17th at the Waterside Inn, Peterhead. The delicious 4 course meal (all of the food supplied was from local producers who were also attending the dinner) was served by the diligent Waterside staff, with friendly Manager Jurgen Kruijt at the helm. Then it was time for Si and Dave - The Hairy Bikers. They kept the gathered diners laughing for well over an hour with their amusing tales of TV, home-life & culinary antics during their many years together as best friends. Si’s re-enactment of various personal accidents and incidents (including one with his leg in a cast as he tried to use a public toilet) made for great comedic performances and Dave’s enthusiastic re-telling of the events made them all sound like they had just happened yesterday. Some of the stories may have been unbroadcastable, but the overall event was certainly in good taste! Then they had a question and answer session one of the questions asked from the audience was ‘what is the best way to cook lasagne?’ to which Si replied GREC Graphics Design Manager, Richard with Si & Dave ‘in an oven’. The group chairman, Mike Chandler, said he was "delighted" that the TV personalities had agreed to come to the Blue Toon, giving a major boost to the revamped event. Another idea which has been given the go-ahead by the group is the creation of a 'Food Heroes of Buchan' Book. This will feature local entrepreneurs in the food industry - whether fi sh producers, fi shermen, farmers, butchers or bakers, etc. Full details can be obtained by popping into Peterhead Projects offi ce in the town's Broad Street. GREC Graphics' Richard Foster works closely with the Peterhead & Buchan Tourism Initiative and various other organisations in the area and having designed & printed the Logo, Tickets, Posters and Website for the festival was delighted to be invited to the dinner and to meet The Hairy Bikers. ‘I had a thoroughly good time, it was an enjoyable, well organised event and it was great to meet Si & Dave - they come across as they do on TV as likeable & easy to talk to. I look forward to being involved next year as I’m sure this festival is going to grow year on year.’ In association with:
10 | GREC NEWS
11 | GREC NEWS
GREC’s 25th Anniversary
Cutting of the cake at GREC’s 25th anniversary celebration.
On 6th September, members and friends of GREC gathered to celebrate a quarter century of promoting racial harmony. The event was hosted by The Robert Gordon University and was held in the School of Health & Social Care, Aberdeen. Guests were greeted by a welcoming committee and by the sounds of African drums, then after a brief refreshment, an introduction by Chairman, Philip Muinde in the lavish dining room.
“
a superb evening with very convivial company and excellent food at an interesting and unusual venue
”
Keith Jones, Vice-Chair Grampian Housing Association 12 | GREC NEWS
A delicious supper was provided by the wonderful staff from The Light of Bengal Indian restaurant. Throughout the evening guests were entertained with live music performed by Aberdeen's Music School, and speeches delivered by Professor Robert Moore, Lewis Macdonald MSP, Jeannie Felsinger, Brian Adam MSP and Sybil Semple. The evening was hailed as a great success. Here are a few of the comments made by guests.
“
I was most impressed with the whole evening and wish to thank all those involved in delivering a very fitting tribute to the work of GREC over the last 25 years
”
Cllr Fergus Hood, East Garioch
“
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for being invited along to the celebrations and having a thoroughly enjoyable evening
”
Christa Reid, Grampian Police
GREC’s 25th Anniversary
Robert Gordon University September 6th 2010
Photos by GREC Graphics, special thanks to Ralph Blair. 13 | GREC NEWS
5th
Anniversary
GREC Graphics have worked with a variety of clients over the last 5 years including: NHS Grampian, Grampian Police, Aberdeen City Council, Victim Support, Inspire, End2endfootball, Peterhead Projects and many more. We are now seeing more private clients coming on board realising that a smaller design studio can offer high quality designs, at reasonable prices, more so than some larger agencies. We have had work from Ski Instructors, Florists, Photographers, etc and have targeted this with our bespoke trade Flyers & Calendar for 2011 (please contact us for copies). A special thank you to Ralph Blair, who has been volunteering with us since March 2010, his work has gone from strength to strength - he also takes some very good photos. GREC Graphics are always keen to help Designers gain employment - by volunteering with us they get a portfolio bursting with high profile clients. Design Manager, Richard Foster, encourages this and as well as assisting 1st year Aberdeen College Student, Debbie Ritchie and continuing to work with Ralph, he is looking forward to working with a recently graduated Freelancer and an RGU Student Placement in 2011 - call the design team now...
T: 01224 576796
A nniv
5th ersary
www.grecgraphics.com GREC Graphics' Design Manager, Richard Foster (right) and Volunteer Assistant Designer, Ralph Blair, (left) on an assignment at Pittodrie. Photo by Noor Mohd-Nor. 14 | GREC NEWS
Dear All,
Amber Dalcourt, GREC Graphics Volunteer
Above: samples of GREC Graphics' work
My last day with GREC Graphics as a Volunteer Designer before I left for a full-time design job was way back in the Summer (July 2nd, 2010), but I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for the great time that I had here over the 5 months I was volunteering. Not only did it give me something to do during the week, but I was made to feel like I truly was a part of the team. In a place whose work truly counts for something on a grander scale than ‘what’s the bottom line?’, I appreciate that my opinions were heard and that my work was contributing to something much larger than myself. Not being one for good-byes, I offer only ‘until we meet again’, which I trust will be sooner than we think. I am a Media Generalist & Freelancer, with over 10 years experience in graphic and web design, whose passion for animation and technology has led to a versatile skill set and many wonderful opportunities. I’m currently writing for A Creative Journal and one of the proud partners of Evil Ink. Please visit: www.evilink.ca
Amber Dalcourt.
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Web Designer
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Due to increase in workload GREC Graphics are looking for a qualified Web Designer or ideally a qualified Graphic Designer with web experience. Initially this post is on a voluntary basis only. If you can spare 1 or 2 days a week and have a portfolio bursting with wonderful websites - give Richard an email with your details: Richard@grecgraphics.co.uk or Telephone: 01224 576796 to arrange an informal chat, thank you.
"The balloons arrived last week and after blowing a couple up, they look great! The colours look really good and very close to our logos." Heather Crichton Information Service Co-ordinator Aberdeenshire Childcare Information Service.
Ask about our Recycled products...
"Just to say that the SAREC website looks fab, well done to GREC Graphic Design for this." Mohammed Razaq Executive Director West of Scotland Regional Equality Council Ltd.
15 | GREC NEWS
Anne Frank School Competition Launch for 2011 North-east schoolchildren are being invited to foster racial equality and diversity across the region by entering The Anne Frank Awards 2011. The competition, run by GREC, is one of the few remaining awards allowing schools to salute the moral courage of the young Dutch girl and her Jewish family who perished as a result of Nazi persecution. And it aims to promote her ethos of a world where all live in peace and harmony without fear of persecution and hatred. The initiative encourages nursery, primary and secondary pupils to contribute towards racial and cultural awareness and equality in any number of ways – via artwork, poetry and drama or the production of DVDs and videos, through to dance, cultural studies and awareness weeks. 2010 winners, The Gordon Schools, Huntly, produced a DVD and confronted discrimination. Runners-up Heatheryburn Primary in Aberdeen showcased multi-cultural food and dance and held a Fair Trade Day during a week of cultural awareness, while Forres Academy used peer-led learning to share the experience of senior pupils who visited Auschwitz. Now entering its 16th year the scheme, sponsored by organisations including Aberdeenbased commercial cleaning company Contract Solutions Grampian (CSG), rewards the winning school with a £200 prize and custody of a prestigious Anne Frank Statue for year. “We are absolutely delighted to back such a worthwhile initiative,” said Kasia Kulikowska, payroll clerk and administrator at Contract Solutions Grampian. “We have a truly multicultural staff and understand the importance of working together while embracing diversity and understanding each other’s different cultures. “A project like this is a great way of making youngsters think about the issues and how they can help communities and individuals promote greater harmony in the region.” Sgt Nicola Jones of Grampian Police is currently seconded from the force to GREC and is organising the 2011 competition. She said: “There is a lot of amazing work going on already in Grampian schools to promote diversity and equality and combat racism and this is a really positive initiative to recognise that. “Although they are called the Anne Frank Awards, schools don’t have to be studying World War II or Anne Frank to take part, it is emulating her ethos that is important. Often there are projects already ongoing in schools to celebrate multi-culturalism and we’d love to hear about them.” Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray schools have until February 25th, 2011, to submit their entries. The awards, which are also supported by Aberdeen Football Club, Costco, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and the Dutch Consulate, will be presented on March 30th 2011 at Pittodrie Stadium. For further information and an entry form contact Sgt Nicola Jones at GREC: 01224 576798, email: police@grec.co.uk or visit: www.grec.co.uk and click on the Anne Frank link. 16 | GREC NEWS
2011 Get ready for...
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
17 | GREC NEWS
Case Conferencing – A Success Story
Ron Falconer
In previous issues of GREC News I have reported on the benefit of convening multi-agency case conferencing where despite the best efforts of individuals or agencies, long term and persistent discrimination has continued to an extent where persons and families feel helpless and frustrated that nothing is being done. These referrals have the potential to cause immediate and long term harm, health issues and most distressingly affect family relationships. As the Caseworker at GREC I am firmly convinced that convening a multi-agency case conference applies best practice when dealing with these types of referrals where professionals (Police, Housing, Health, Social Work, Education, Community Wardens, SACRO, etc) meet together with the complainant, and as a group are tasked with resolving the situation. In the past year case conferencing has been used very successfully in resolving cases of long term and persistent discrimination, including;
GREC Caseworker, Ron Falconer, with a client.
• residents with learning difficulties in a block of flats bullied and harassed to an extent they were scared to venture from their homes
18 | GREC NEWS
• threats made to set a local business on fire managed by an ethnic minority family • a family of mixed race racially harassed and verbally abused by a neighbour and an attempt to set fire to their flat when burning material was posted through their letterbox. On each occasion tasks were set at the case conferences where appropriate professionals, working as a team applied themselves to finding a resolution. The outcome may take time, but a successful conclusion is the ultimate objective. One client wrote to GREC stating: ‘I would just like to say we are truly grateful for everything GREC and yourself have done for us over the past year. If it wasn’t for GREC I dread to think what state our family would be in by now and the nightmare we would still be living in. It was hard work, but to know that yourself and others at GREC were always there and fighting our corner for us made a huge difference and gave us strength to continue fighting for our lives back. We are forever grateful to GREC. If there is anything I could do to help, please get in touch, as I am more than willing to help and support GREC in anyway I can. The family is now stress free, happy and getting our lives back on track. We are a true example of your hard work. Kindest regards, with all our hearts'.
Feather
It dances to the air’s melody And speaks with the wind’s prose Behold my friend! Life is but a day A journey to the Way The way of bliss… Behold my friend! Your love is like a feather… It may tickle but… I will let it flow… Away, I will let it flow… Away, I will let it flow.
Illustration by: Ralph & Richard at GREC Graphics.
Your love is like a feather… It tickles and then it flows… So light and so frail…
By Faiza Nacef.
Welcome to GREC's Bilingual (Polish/English) Health Link Worker In 2010 NHS Grampian and GREC jointly appointed a Health Link Worker to support Minority Ethnic Communities in the Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Buckie areas. The need for the role was identified as a result of the regular annual involvement and consultation events held with our local ethnic communities in North Aberdeenshire. The person appointed for this 12 month project was Karolina Manczyk (pictured right) who now supports and links non-English speaking members of local ethnic communities to the appropriate NHS services. She also provides help and information to migrants who care for family members or friends on NHS services and details about the different kinds of support that is available. Karolina is bilingual (Polish/English) but she can also access the telephone interpreting service (Language Line). 19 | GREC NEWS
Jackie Walker
Barcelona
June 2010
I recently spent some time in Barcelona, the city of Antoni Gaudí - for me at least, as it was his buildings that originally drew me there. And Gaudí’s creations are magnificent, fantastical, jaw-dropping. Casa Batlló is particularly stunning, with extremely clever design features. Take the inner courtyard as an example. The apartment windows are set into these inner walls, which are lined with blue ceramic tiles - dark blue at the top, to absorb the bright sunlight, becoming lighter blue/white as they descend, so as to reflect the remaining sunlight. The windows themselves diminish in size as they ascend from the ground floor, taking into account the amount of light reaching each level from the skylight. In contrast to the Modernista architecture of Gaudí is the 4000 sq m subterranean remains of an entire corner of the Roman town of Barcino - the most extensive of its kind in the world. These date from 1BC to 7AD and were only discovered in 1931. The ruins, beneath Plaça del Rei, include a dye shop, laundry, wine store, fish factory, and a merchant’s home, complete with colourful mosaic flooring. Well worth a couple of hours.
The clever designs of Casa Batlló
Rainbow 18 - A New Restaurant/Takeaway Shop A new restaurant/takeaway shop opened on the 12th of July 2010 in the IN-SHOP (Aberdeen's Indoor Maket), they serve soup, panini and a variety of meals at very reasonable prices. Rainbow 18 also provide a buffet choice daily - so you can get away from the busy office at lunchtime and enjoy their new, relaxing environment. With their buffet choice, you can have 4 items for £5.00 or a choice of 3 items for £4.50 or 2 items for just £3.85. You can also get a free meal by collecting stamps with their free business card promotion. After each visit you will receive a stamp, once you have 5 stamps you can get a free meal or alternatively collect just 3 stamps to receive a free tea or coffee! The more you visit the more free meals you will accumulate. It would be appreciated if you could spread the word about this new business 'Rainbow 18' in Aberdeen's Market, 8-10 Market Street, Aberdeen AB11 5XN. They look forward to seeing you there. "Best wishes to Liza and the staff at Rainbow 18!" - from everyone at GREC. 20 | GREC NEWS
GREC’s AGM 2010 2nd November 2010 Woodhill House Westburn Road Aberdeen Photos by: Richard Foster
www.grecgraphics.com
GREC’s Annual General Meeting was held at Woodhill House on the 2nd of November. Vicky McKenzie chaired the meeting which was very well attended. A slide-show of GREC throughout the last 25 years was displayed on the large screen while reports were read out as the gathered audience listened to an update of GREC's activities during the last year. Everyone was also informed of GREC's intention of becoming a company limited by guarantee in 2011 and changing our name to Grampian Regional Equality Council thereby keeping the name 'GREC'.
Volunteer Awards 2010 The annual GREC Volunteer Awards were held at the end of the AGM with a presentation of a framed certificate and GREC's sincere thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers for their hard work and dedication to GREC during 2010. Senior REO, Sarah Campbell, presented those in attendance with their certificates while our Director, Jeannie Felsinger, talked about some of the areas of work each volunteer had been involved in.
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In Memoriam
Alex Clark 22nd July 1922 - 22nd June 2010 Tommy Campbell, Regional Industrial Organiser of UNITE the UNION, recalls the life of a small man with a big heart... After a short illness Alex Clark died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Tuesday 22nd June 2010, he was 88 years old and is sadly missed by family, friends and comrades. Alex was born on 22nd July, 1922 in Virginia Street, Aberdeen, the eldest son of Alex and Evie Clark. Between the Wars times were hard for working class families. There were 13 bairns in Alex’s family, sadly 4 died very young which was not uncommon in those times and circumstances. His father argued with the local doctor that the true cause of death which should be recorded on the death certificates as ‘poverty and hardship’ but to no avail. Young Alex and his big sister Betty worked on a local paper round and the shilling they both earned was given to their mother to help feed the family as father was out of work like many thousands at that time. Alex became aware of the threat from Fascism at an early age and was a valuable member – with his bicycle - of the antifascist movement in Aberdeen. Aided and supported by the tram-workers and the unemployed anti-fascist activists they would successfully disrupt Mosley’s Blackshirt meetings in the Castlegate. During the Spanish Civil War 1936-39 Alex was involved in food collections for the Spanish Workers by arranging collection points in local shops, especially the Co-ops. He attended, with his father, socialist and 22 | GREC NEWS
communist rallies in the Castlegate and was inspired by Bob Cooney’s speeches against fascism, unemployment & poverty. As a consequence of this involvement he knew all the 19 men from Aberdeen who went to fight fascism in Spain during 1936/38. Five of these brave men sacrificed their lives on the battle fields of Spain and throughout his life Alex ensured that their bravery and commitment would never be forgotten. Subsequently he followed their example and joined the Gordon Highlanders during WWII and fought against the Nazis in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Northern Europe. He was wounded towards the end of the war. Based on his personal experience of fighting fascism in Europe and North Africa he made an excellent presentation Against Fascism and Racism at the GREC organised event on Holocaust Memorial Day in 2007. During his working life he was always an active Trade Unionist he helped organise the textile workers at The Grandholm Mills into the then Dyers and Bleachers Union. He was a member of the former national Union of General and Municipal Workers – now the GMB and was a committee member of the Union Branch and Chairman of the Retired Members Section in Aberdeen. He was instrumental in establishing the Grampian Senior Citizens Forum. Alex was very proud of his life long commitment to supporting the working class struggle for a better life for all in Aberdeen and indeed throughout the world. For full text: www.aberdeenhistory.org.uk (Magazine No.7).
FA R EW E L L T H E QU I E T C U P On 20th March 2010 The Quiet Cup Café ceased trading from within Aberdeen City Library’s media section and following a weeklong sale of stock and equipment the keys were handed back for the final time on Saturday 26th March 2010.
The Quiet Cup Café was an employability project aimed at supporting people to improve their English language skills whilst providing practical work experience. It was staffed by paid supervisors and volunteer customer service assistants. Volunteers and supervisors came from a range of national and cultural backgrounds; Philippines, Nigeria, Thailand, Poland, China, Hong Kong, Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, India, Japan along with Scottish and British Born Chinese and Filipino volunteers. In 2008 we opened up the doors to a wider volunteer audience
and Scottish, English and Irish people volunteered at TQCC. As a non-profit making enterprise the purpose of TQCC was to remove social and cultural barriers through increasing people’s confidence to integrate and develop their employability skills. It is a challenge to face difficult decisions and no more so than when such a decision will have an impact on other people and a local community. It was therefore with a heavy heart that the decision was made to close TQCC. On behalf of GREC I would therefore like to extend a special thank you to all those who had been involved in The Quiet Cup Café over the 4 years it was open (my apologies there are too many to mention by name). I would also like to say an extra special thank you to the Supervisors and Volunteers who helped in the final days of the café. Thank you!
Sarah Campbell. 23 | GREC NEWS
Photo by Fernando Weberich
“Fit like?”
Bird sanctuary staff baffled by Doric accent
Two Amazon Parrots rescued from Aberdeen have amazed the staff at their new home by teaching all the other parrots to speak Doric. Harley and Poppy, rescued from an unscrupulous breeder in the north-east, have been re-homed at the Island Parrot Sanctuary on the isle of Kerrera on the west coast of Scotland. They were put in an aviary with twelve other Amazon birds. Before long all the birds were screeching “fit likes” and “furry boots”. The birds even join each other in singing Ba Ba Black Sheep, Neighbours and Polly Put the Kettle On in thick Doric accents. Parrot behaviour consultant Yvonne MacMillan, who runs the sanctuary, said: “The accent is very strong. When Harley and Poppy came down from Aberdeen they were blethering away between the two of them. I knew it was English but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. At first I thought it was gibberish, then I realised they were using a different pronunciation. They were saying yin instead of one and fit instead of what. “Eventually I phoned a friend in Aberdeen and she sent me the book Teach Yourself Doric by Douglas Kynoch. Now I can understand what they’re saying, which is just as well, because all of the Amazons now speak Doric”. For full details visit: www.parrotbehaviourconsultant.com If you have a humorous story to tell - let us know at GREC News - E: richard@grecgraphics.co.uk 24 | GREC NEWS
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Welcome to GREC's Employability Co-ordinator Hello, I'm Anne McAlister, the new Employability Co-ordinator at GREC. I started at the end of July. I originally come from Northern Ireland settling in Aberdeen in 1994 with my husband Colin. I worked for 13 years at Aberdeen Sheriff Court this included delivering training to staff around Grampian and the Highlands & Islands. I then decided to move for a change of direction and worked delivering training to help people get jobs, improve their confidence and in some cases improve A photo of Anne relaxing on a well earned day off their basic literacy and numeracy skills. When I saw this job advertised I thought it was something I would love to do, and it was also part-time. This means that my part-time study for a Diploma in ‘Life Coaching’ may eventually get completed. I love finding out about other cultures and ways of life and GREC will allow me to do this. In my spare time I am a member of Soroptimist International, a service organisation helping women around the world. I am the President of the Aberdeen club for 2010 - 2011 and as such am their representative at various events throughout Scotland and beyond. I recently attended their Federation Conference in Manchester (see picture below). About one thousand women from Great Britain, Ireland, Barbados, South Africia, India, Sri Lanka and many other places attended the 3 day conference. We heard many interesting speakers including Bill Turnball, the well known breakfast time presenter who spoke about his love of Bees and his involvement with the charity ‘Bees for Development’, which promotes bee keeping in third world countries as a business with good financial returns for minimum set up costs, which is especially good for women. We also heard how our own work is helping women around the world and how by linking clubs across the globe they are able to support each other to develop the role of women worldwide. So both in my personal & professional life I hope I can help make a difference to equality issues, especially Anne & friends at the Soroptimist International conference within Aberdeen.
Become a part-time Volunteer Tutor and help people who need to learn English to get a job or improve their employment prospects. Call Anne now on: 01224 576795 25 | GREC NEWS
City Jobseekers Given Information & Tools to Find Employment HELP’S AT HAND: ABERDEEN jobseekers are being urged to make the most of the support available to them as part of a drive to get people into work. The Aberdeen Works Pipeline Team ran an employment fair at Aberdeen Market in Market Street on August 26th to the 28th to provide the unemployed with career advice and information on applying for jobs. The event aimed to provide people who are out of work with the information and tools they need to look for a job. Representatives from the team – which included: GREC, Pathways, Grampian Society for the Blind, the Council’s Community Training Unit and a number of other groups - were on hand with advice. Ailsa Duncan, project manager for Linking Opportunity and Need, an employment support agency, said events such as this one were important, given the significant number of people claiming benefits in the city. She said: “The event was to raise awareness about employment and where people can go to get help and assistance to get back to work. “There’s a whole range of services in the city to support and help people get into work. It’s an ice-breaker as well. If you can talk to somebody face to face as an introduction then it may encourage you to use other services.” There are currently 3,251 people claiming jobseekers allowance in Aberdeen, 10,170 claiming incapacity benefit and 1,680 on lone parent’s allowance. For more information on Aberdeen Works and the support available, visit the website: www.aberdeenworks.org.uk (Text above as cited: 28/08/2010 P&J Newspaper).
Are you… • From a minority ethnic community? • Living in Aberdeen? • Eligible and want to work in the UK? • Struggling with English?...
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If 'YES' contact: Anne McAlister Employability Co–ordinator at: GREC 41 Union St Aberdeen AB11 5BN T: 01224 576795 E: amcalister@grec.co.uk
‘Me-Time’
GREC’s Counselling Service for Children & Young People
The ‘Me-Time’ Counselling Service provides specific, dedicated support and counselling to children and young people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire affected by prejudice incidents, discrimination, harassment and bullying on grounds of: • Race (includes Gypsy Traveller community) • Disability • Gender
• • • •
Religion/Belief Sexual Orientation Age Transgender
Design by : www.grecgraphics.com
We have been able to develop this service thanks to funding received from BBC Children in Need.
Children and young people subjected to prejudice incidents can be extremely vulnerable. All aspects of their lives such as health, confidence, well-being, education and functioning can be affected. Me-Time is committed to changing this through providing space where children and young people can share their feelings, resolve issues and gain a greater sense of control over their lives. Counsellors All GREC’s volunteer counsellors are professionally trained and are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. They have had training and experience in counselling children and young people. Registered Scottish Charity: SC001823
Contact us: GREC, 41 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 5BN. Tel: 01224 595505 Email: mthomson@grec.co.uk Web: www.grec.co.uk 27 | GREC NEWS
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