VSA 2021-22 Annual Report

2021 - 2022

Annual Report

Shaping a Better Future V SA.O R G.U K

Together we are shaping a better future for vulnerable children and adults

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

CONTENTS WELCOME LETTER ........................................................................................ 4 OUR VISION .................................................................................................... 6 IMPACT IN ACTION......................................................................................... 8 HOW WE HELP VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS.............................. 10 OUR SERVICE OVERVIEW .............................................................................. 12 OUR PEOPLE, OUR WORK ............................................................................ 14 CHILDREN, FAMILY & EDUCATION SERVICES .............................................. 16 ADULT & COMMUNITY SERVICES ................................................................. 24 MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING SERVICES................................................. 28 LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICES.................................................................. 34 CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF VSA ............................................................... 36 OUR PATRON .................................................................................................. 40 COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING .............................................................. 48 PHILANTHROPY & INCOME GENERATION ................................................... 50 VOLUNTEERING.............................................................................................. 56 OUR COMMITMENT TO THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY.................................... 60 VSA’S JOURNEY TO NET ZERO ..................................................................... 62 FINANCIAL SUMMARY..................................................................................... 64 THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SUPPORTERS............................................ 66 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT....................................... 67

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Welcome!

Throughout its 150-year history, VSA has faced a tumult of global challenges that exist outside the charity’s realm of influence – from war and pandemics to international recessions and societal change.

Mrs Maggie Wilson Chair of the Board of Trustees (Until June 2022)

Mr Kevin Shand Chair of the Board of Trustees (Co-Opted June 2022)

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We have faced each and every one of them with the same vision in mind: to ensure the wider VSA family – residents, friends, supporters, families and staff alike – are as safe and secure as can be and that the services they need are provided to ensure they live their best of lives.

Leading the Board of Trustees and working with the executive leadership team of this inspiring charity has been both an honour and a privilege. My three year tenure as Chair came to an end in June 2022, and I am delighted to share with you that fellow trustee, Kevin Shand, was co-opted as Chair by the Board at our June meeting. Kevin’s appointment will be formalised at our AGM which is due to be held in October 2022.

The pandemic has proven that - together with the people who use our services, employees, volunteers, partners and stakeholders - we are strong, flexible and resilient. The Board of Trustees and I, are proud of everything we have achieved for vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond.

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

A LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR This next year heralds the start of a new era; social care and the delivery of social care is changing. With the implementation of the Scottish Government’s National Care Bill and the way in which it is funded evolving, I believe the time is right to hand over to new leadership to take the organisation forward and ensure VSA continues to do whatever it takes for vulnerable children and adults who so desperately need our help and support.

The past 12 months have been no different and we remain absolutely true to our founding vision: to help those most in need who may not receive the care and support from others in society.

As we emerge out of the dark shadow of Coronavirus, we know there are still significant challenges ahead before this chapter in our history is complete.

However, there are huge positives to look forward to and we have some significant projects ahead that will ensure society’s most vulnerable people who require our help will receive the best care possible to ensure they live their best of lives. Whether the people are residents in our care homes or rely on our services at their own homes spread across the community, we are there to support them. Last year alone we provided 31,200 hours of care and support in people’s own homes.

Across all of our education, children, families, adult and community services we helped change the lives of over 11,700 people.

None of the life-changing work we do, would have been possible without the tireless dedication of our partners, supporters, volunteers, and of course our amazing colleagues across VSA; who together work tirelessly to advocate for and provide the best care, opportunities, environments and experiences people need to live a meaningful, happy and healthy life.

As ever we remain prepared for the challenges ahead and grateful for all the support and hard work of those who helped us navigate the stormy waters that we hope are now firmly behind us.

The work, of course, is never over; there is always a new obstacle to overcome, a new way to work to make life better for the VSA family and new financial challenges in our midst. But we remain resolute and focused. We are here to help people who need our help the most live the best of their lives now and in the future.

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Our Vision “TO BUILD A STRONG AND C A R I N G C O M M U N I T Y. ”

Our Values P E OP L E W H O A R E IN N E E D OF OU R S E R V I C E S A ND SU PPO RT W IL L B E AT T H E H E A RT OF OU R POLI C I E S , P L A N N IN G AN D W OR K

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W E W I LL W OR K T O P R OV I DE T H E B E ST C A R E T O ME E T T H E N E E D S OF P E OP LE W H O U S E OU R S E RV I C E S

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

W E W I LL E M B R A C E, P R OM OT E, A N D F O S T E R PART N E R S H I P S T O D E LI V E R OU R S E RV IC E S I N T H E M OS T IN C L U S IV E WAY F O R IN D IV ID U A L S IN OUR CARE

W E W I LL R E SPE C T A N D VA LU E T H E P E OP LE W E W OR K W I T H - T H OS E W H O N E E D A N D U S E OU R S E RV I C E S , PA RT N E R OR G A N I S AT I ON S , V OLU N T E E R S A N D S TA F F - T R E AT I N G T H E M W I T H K I N D N E SS A N D D I GN I T Y

Our Mission “TO PROVIDE THE BEST OF CARE TO ENABLE THE BEST OF LIVES; SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO FULFIL THEIR POTENTIAL.” 9

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C H I L D R E N & Y O U N G A D U LT S S U P P O R T E D AT L I N N M O O R RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL & CAMPUS

118

A D U LT & L AT E R Y E A R S I N L I F E RESIDENTIAL SERVICES L O C AT E D T H R O U G H O U T ABERDEEN

PA C K A G E S O F C A R E PER WEEK THROUGH C A R E AT H O M E SERVICE

Impact in Action M E N TA L H E A LT H & W E L L B E I N G RESIDENTIAL SERVICES L O C AT E D T H R O U G H O U T

10 TRAINEES SUPPORTED AT E A S T E R A N G U S T O N FA R M 10

ABERDEEN

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

OVER

11,700

25

NEW CITY CENTRE M E N TA L H E A LT H FA C I L I T Y O P E N E D

OVER

OVER

2,750,0

SERVICES PROVIDED

0

HOURS OF CARE PROVIDED

637,728

EASTER A N G U S T O N FA R M REOPENED 11

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

CHA N G I N G L I V E S O F V U L N E R A BLE CHILDR E N A N D A DU LT S F O R O VER 150 Y E A R S As a leading social care charity with over 150 years of experience, we have always been at the forefront of providing vital care and support to vulnerable children and adults living across Aberdeen and beyond. We support people through some of the most challenging times they have ever experienced, and we help them take control of their lives for a brighter and better future.

Every day we change lives by supporting a person's physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being through a wide range of health and social care services, such as residential services and community outreach programmes.

We support vulnerable children and adults who are living with: • Mental health diagnosis • Learning disabilities • Loneliness and isolation • Living with life-long conditions such as dementia and Parkinson's • Complex additional learning and additional support needs • People who are in recovery from addiction • Living in extreme poverty (including fuel poverty) Despite the tremendous challenges that a child or an adult can face, it is amazing to see that by providing proper support, care, experiences and opportunities how much it can change a life.

Across all of the services we provide, we promote equality, inclusion, diversity and support for BAME communities.

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OVER

25

• Linn Moor School & Campus

SERVICES

• Rowanlea Adult Services

PROVIDED

• Easter Anguston Farm

CHI L DR E N, FAMI LY & E DUCATI O N SE RV I CE S

• Additional Support Needs Advisory Project (ASNAP) • School-Based Mental Wellbeing Counselling Services (until March 2022)

• Friends for Life Club

AD ULT & MENTA L H E A LT H SERVI C E S

• Crosby House

• Craigton Grove

• Ruthrieston House

• Arrdeir House

• Broomhill Park

• Westerton Crescent

• Cloverfield Grove

• St Aubins

• Delayed Discharge Service

• Northfield Lodge

• VSA Connect

• Mountbatten House

• Care at Home

• Outreach

• Mercat Bookshop run by volunteers

OTHER SERV I C E S

• Volunteering and Corporate Volunteering • Behavioural Support Strategies • Self Directed Support

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• Fuel Fund Support Grant • Crisis Fund Support Grant • Workplace Mental Wellbeing Awareness Training

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Our Services Every vulnerable child and adult deserves an opportunity to get the help, care and support they need to realise their dreams and reach their full potential.

We work to change and improve the lives of children, young people, families, adults and people in their later years in life. We do this by supporting people from birth to end of life across a wide range of social care services.

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Our People, Our Work People are at the heart of VSA, and we are proud of the impact our highly-skilled staff make each year. We value the contribution our employees make and acknowledge and understand the value they add to our business.

Without our fantastic team, we would not be able to change the lives that we do. Our employees are important ambassadors for VSA, and that is why we recruit individuals who exemplify our core values and have the skills, attributes and talent to help us change lives.

VSA has always been proud to invest in our staff to ensure that our team can deliver outstanding care for the vulnerable people who use our services. At VSA we are honoured to be a fully-accredited SQA Qualification Centre, enabling us to deliver a programme of continuous professional development and provide people with an opportunity to pursue a career in care. We are proud to be an equal rights and opportunities employer.

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280 NEW EMPLOYEES RECRUITED

3 7 6 O C C U PAT I O N A L H E A LT H C O N S U LTAT I O N S U N D E R TA K E N F O R S TA F F

35 EMPLOYEES ACHIEVING Q U A L I F I C AT I O N S T H R O U G H OUR MODERN APPRENTICE PROGRAMME

270 BEHAVIOURAL S U P P O R T S T R AT E G Y TRAINING SESSIONS COMPLETED

385 TRAINING COURSES D E L I V E R E D T O S T A F F, INCLUDING CHILD PROTECTION AND FIRST AID

8 0 % O F S TA F F H A D A LIFESTYLE CHECK

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

WE ACHIE V E D INV E S T O R S I N P E O P L E P LAT IN UM A CCRE D ITAT I O N For nearly 30 years, Investors in People has been recognised internationally as a leading people accreditation.

Commenting on the award, Dr. Kenneth Simpson, Chief Executive of VSA, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the highest Platinum status from Investors in People; it is a credit to all of our colleagues across VSA. “People are at the heart of VSA, and we have always been proud to invest in our staff to ensure that our team can deliver outstanding care for the vulnerable people who use our services.”

Bonnie Clarke, Interim Chief Executive of Remarkable, the organisation licensed to deliver Investors in People in Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for VSA; congratulations!

Investors in People recognises organisations who are truly committed to their people, continuous improvement and customer service. We have supported VSA since 2002, and we’re delighted to see their ongoing dedication recognised with this Platinum award.”

cHerRies Awards VSA were thrilled to have won the “Tremendous Learning and Development” category at the 2022 cHerRies awards. This award recognises excellence in the fields of human resources, training and recruitment.

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Children, Family & Education Services

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CHI L D R EN AND YOUNG AD ULT S SUPPORT ED AT L I NN M OOR R ESI D ENT I AL SCHOOL AND CAMPUS

9 ,2 4 0 QUALIFIED TEACHING HOURS

33 6

HOURS OF D E D I C AT E D S P E E C H & LANGUAGE SESSIONS

1,477 SCHOOL COUNSELLING SESSIONS PROVIDED

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NEW ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS ONLINE TRAINING PROVIDED

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Across our children, young people, family and education services we provide mental, emotional, social, and practical care and support.

We support children from birth into adulthood and across our services we help children and young people gain confidence and independence so that they can realise their potential plus lead happy and healthy lives.

SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELLING For a number of years, VSA provided a school-based counselling service, offering pupils one-to-one sessions to cope with a wide range of social and economic issues such as bullying, self-harm and family separation.

In 2022, when reviewing services in the city, Aberdeen City Council transferred the service to another provider who have a wider infrastructure to meet counselling professional standards. Counsellors supported 287 children across 3 schools.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS ADVISORY SERVICE (ASNAP) ASNAP’s aim is to help staff have a better understanding of children who may need additional support or children who experience difficulties in managing and integrating into the learning environment.

During lockdown, many of the early years’ settings were closed or unable to allow visitors to their settings.

Our ASNAP team, therefore, in collaboration with key stakeholders, used this time to review and enhance our training modules and upskill staff.

Following this review, a new ASNAP online training course which early-year providers can now access was set up. This has been completed by 54 staff over 6 settings.

FRIENDS FOR LIFE CLUB Our Friends for Life Clubs (FFL) are designed to help children and young people living with an additional support need (ASN) the opportunity to flourish.

11 children and young people attended our Friends for Life Clubs, providing them with an opportunity to socially interact, hang out and have fun with other children and young people who also have an ASN. 19

LI N N MOO R RE S ID E NT IA L S C H O O L Linn Moor School and Campus provides specialist education and transitioning care for children and young people living with complex and additional support needs.

At Linn Moor we help prepare children and young people for their journey into adulthood. Our team of qualified teachers and professional support workers work with students on a multidisciplinary approach to develop a unique learning profile based on each child’s individual needs.

All pupils at Linn Moor follow the Curriculum for Excellence and are provided with a range of learning opportunities set out in their timetables, considering different ability levels and learning styles. Our learning profiles are designed to nurture academic abilities while working towards life skills and SQA qualifications.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Cameron has thrived since arriving at Linn Moor, all the staff have been so good to him and have played a very important role in his life. I am very sad that it is time for him to move on to his adult placement, but it will be lovely to have him closer to home and he is leaving a different boy.

JULIE STANLEY

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Scan the QR code to watch Kai’s Story 22

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Kai’s Story He is smashing boundaries all the time now we couldn’t believe we were looking at the same boy. He is so happy within himself and so content we are so grateful to VSA. ADAM MCL ACHL AN

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

EASTER A NGUS T ON FA R M Easter Anguston Farm is an educational training facility with the primary purpose of supporting adults with learning difficulties gain work experience while supporting trainees to broaden their skills and gain recognised SVQ qualifications.

The farm also has associated woodland, conservation and education areas that provide a vital and invaluable community resource.

Due to the pandemic, we unfortunately, had to close the farm due to Government restrictions ensuring our colleagues and the vulnerable people we care for were safe.

This also meant that our trainees couldn’t work at the farm, something that was a real challenge for them at the beginning of the pandemic, as it was such a huge change to their normal routine.

However, we are delighted to say that at the beginning of the year we safely re-introduced our trainees back to the farm.

L O C AT E D N E A R

75 ACRES OF

REOPENED TO

P E T E R C U LT E R

ARABLE LAND

THE PUBLIC JUNE 2021

10 TRAINEES GAINING

V O L U N TA R Y I N C O M E

RECOGNISED SVQ

PROVIDES FREE ACCESS

20 ACRES OF WOODLAND

Q U A L I F C AT I O N S 25

Adult & Community Services

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R ESI D EN T I AL FAC I LI T I ES

2,123,784 HOURS OF CARE PROVIDED

118 PA C K A G E S O F C A R E P E R WEEK THROUGH VSA CONNECT

1500 PEOPLE

SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR CARE AT HOME

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350 ADULTS SUPPORTED DIRECTLY

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Whether you are aged 25 or 95, VSA has a wide range of adult and later years in life services that provide practical, emotional, social and mental wellbeing support to help people lead happy, healthy and meaningful lives.

We have two residential care homes and two sheltered housing complexes in Aberdeen City that provide care for people in their later years who need extra care and support in their daily lives.

C A S E S T U DY Scan the QR code below to watch Maureen’s Story

Across our residential facilities, we strongly believe in providing everyone with outstanding care and support to enable each person to enjoy life every day.

We work with each individual and family on a specific care plan personalised to each resident’s needs.

We aim to support people to be as independent as possible for as long as possible.

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V SA CON NE CT & C ARE AT HOM E Our VSA Connect Service, a community-based care at home service, was launched in 2021 to provide practical, emotional, social, and mental well-being support to adults who may need extra care and support while still staying at home.

The service is designed to empower you as an individual to take control of the type of support, care and respite you want to meet your needs, lifestyle, and the way you want to live your life.

Our team of highly trained support staff can help you or a loved one with a variety of tasks at home, including personal care, support with household tasks, respite for unpaid carers and social interaction We also have self-funding options available for our VSA Connect Service, which allows you to pay for the support directly if that suits your budget and needs.

At VSA, we are also proud to be part of the Granite Care Consortium, which is made up of local third and private sector providers to give people access to person-centred care in their own homes.

Through our work in the consortium we delivered 31,200 hours of care from April – March.

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We have supported 171 people in the community over the past year for a range of reasons, including: Support for people in later years In life Mental health and well-being support Learning disability support Dementia, Parkinson’s, and other health-related conditions Respite for unpaid carers

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

P ER S ONA L CA RE

SUPPORT WI TH HOUSEHOLD TASKS

S OCIA L INT ER A CTIO N

RESPI TE FOR UNPAI D CARERS

29

OVER

200

ADULT S SUPPORT ED

8,736 HOURS OF CARE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR M E N TA L H E A LT H OUTREACH SERVICE

5

RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

50 PEOPLE

S U P P O RT E D I N C O MM U N I T Y T H R O U G H V S A C O N N E C T S E RV I C E

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628,992 HOURS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PROVIDED

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Mental Health & Wellbeing Services TH ERE IS A GROWIN G DE M A N D F O R M E N TA L WELL-BE ING S UP P O RT, W I T H 1 I N 3 P E O P L E IN SCOTLA ND D IA GN O S E D W I T H A M E N TA L HEALT H COND IT ION E A C H Y E A R The Scottish Government has identified mental well-being as a significant public health challenge and one of the Government’s health priorities.

There are hundreds of people waiting for a mental health residential placement or outreach support services across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and thousands more are waiting for general help from the NHS. At VSA, we support people living with a mental health condition across our residential facilities and through our VSA Connect service in the community.

Our team works with people to empower them to take control of their lives and support people living with a mental health condition, without judgment, on their journey to recovery. We provide a range of individualised person-centred support which promotes independence, peer support, and social integration.

Our recovery model is at the heart of our work; we ensure people receive the necessary support to make sure they are able to build skills that allow them to self-manage their conditions.

“Thank you to all of the team at VSA you have given me somewhere safe to sleep at night, and I can’t thank you enough for your help. The staff really care, and I can’t thank them enough.”

VSA resident We supported 200 adults during the year, including 50 living in their own homes.

Our team of qualified support workers works with each individual on a care plan that works for them and supports adults living with a range of mental health conditions, including depression/anxiety, substance misuse, paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar and adjustment disorder.

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Scan the QR code to watch Stuart’s Story 32

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Stuart’s Story Talking to someone definitely changed my life for the better. That’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I just want people to know that there is help out there. Things do get better.

S T UA RT R IT CHIE

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CHANGI NG LIV E S CA M PA I G N COMPLE T E – T HA NK S T O Y O U !

Our Changing Lives Campaign, launched in 2019, aimed to build an ambitious purposebuilt mental well-being facility in the heart of Aberdeen.

It is with great delight that we were able to open our new mental health well-being facility in the heart of Aberdeen in September 2021.

This new service is already providing vital support to people living with a range of mental health conditions, empowering them to achieve their potential. Each person’s journey is different and unique to them, and our staff are there each and every step of the way.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Mountbatten House Opened September 2021 We are extremely grateful to our generous funders, supporters and the many individuals who donated to our Changing Lives Campaign. Without their support our vision would not have become a reality.

ABRDN

FAITHFUL + GOULD

MUSHROOM TRUST

AG BAIN TRUST

FG BURNETT

NHS GRAMPIAN

APACHE

GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION

NORMAN ESSLEMONT

BARRACK FOUNDATION

HARBOUR ENERGY

NYOP

BARRATT HOMES

HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND

ROBERTSON TRUST

BATCHWORTH TRUST

HUGH FRASER FOUNDATION

ROCK ROSE ENERGY

BP

INCA TRAIL TREK FUNDRAISERS

SING SING SING 2018, 19 & 20

CALA HOMES

JAMES CORDINER & SON LIMITED

SPARROWS

CAROLINE SPENCE TRUST

JANE WILSON

TIDY GREEN CLEAN

CATHY CLARK

LOCAL ENERGY SCOTLAND

TREK KILMANJARO FUNDRAISERS

CNR INTERNATIONAL

LONDON MARATHON RUNNERS

VATTENFALL

CRERAR TRUST

LUNAR FOUNDATION

VSA CHANGING LIVES BALL 2018 & 19

ENTIER LIMITED

MAERSK TRAINING

WOLFSON FOUNDATION

EV PRIVATE EQUITY

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS

Thank You! 35

Learning Disability Services LAST YEAR WE SUPPORTED 14 ADULTS LIVING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES AT OUR RESIDENTIAL HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICE, CRAIGTON GROVE. Our team of support workers support are on hand 24/7 to support tenants with a variety of tasks including money management, building links with the community, household management such as cooking, social and leisure activities, personal care and building friendships.

As part of our learning disability service, we also offer adult trainee placements at Easter Anguston Farm. Trainees on our day placement programme have the opportunity to learn a variety of skills and gain valuable work experience while working towards an accredited SVQ.

Craigton Grove is a wonderful community setting that provides you with support to live your life, the way you want to.

Our aim is that our trainees are given the skills, experience and opportunity to secure permanent or part-time employment within the local community.

We also provide support at home for people living with a learning disability through our Care at Home or VSA Connect Service.

1 85,6 4 0 Hours of Car e provided

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Craigton Grove We like living here, the staff are always nice, and they help with cooking, cleaning and lots of other things. It is also good to live here as it is so close to Easter Anguston Farm where we all work, so we can cycle or walk there.

VSA has supported all of us for many years, and we like seeing all the staff as they are always helpful when we need help with anything.

PAT R ICK & D AVID 37

A BERD E E N C ARE S CEL EBRAT I N G 150 Y E A R S OF V S A E XHI BI T I ON Collaboratively working with Aberdeen Art Gallery and Curator Lynne Clark, we launched a new exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery, marking the 150th anniversary of VSA. The exhibition opened to the general public on the 12th of March. Prior to the exhibition opening, a civic reception was held by the Lord Provost's office on the 10th of March.

A total of 110 guests joined us at the civic reception and special thanks to the Lord Provost and Aberdeen City Council for hosting the event.

Since 1870, Aberdeen Association of Social Service (VSA) has stood next to the people of the city, offering care, support, and vital services to vulnerable people in our communities.

To mark the organisation’s 150th anniversary, this exhibition, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, explores VSA’s role in the history of social care in Aberdeen.

Alexander Nicol, a former Lord Provost of Aberdeen (1865-1869), was inspired after his term in office to establish an organisation that could help change the lives of people living in poverty across the city for the better. Every Lord Provost of Aberdeen serves as President of VSA. Lynne Clark, who curated the exhibition for VSA, gathered together 150 stories from archives across the city as inspiration for the exhibition’s themes.

Aberdeen Cares highlighted the impact of human kindness through poignant and inspirational personal stories, archival photography, documents, and objects associated with caregiving in Aberdeen.

Special thank you to Aberdeen Art Gallery, Lynne Clark, and the National Lottery Heritage Trust for funding the exhibition.

In addition to our exhibition, we also launched a heritage walking tour with thanks to students for the University of Aberdeen.

A team of 6 students volunteered a total of 100 hours to research and establish a VSA heritage walking tour.

Thank you also goes to the individuals who shared their journey and experiences of support from VSA across the years.

Their digital stories can be viewed on our heritage microsite heritage.vsa.org.uk

VSA’s Heritage Project is kindly supported by

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

3 9, 777 VISITORS* *Figure provided by Aberdeen Art Gallery

ABERDEEN ART GALLERY

M A R C H - M AY 2022

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

V S A HE R I TA G E T OUR Explore the history of VSA and the city of Aberdeen by taking a walking tour through some of our milestone moments.

The tour is part of our dedicated Heritage website, heritage.vsa.org.uk - which also features memories of VSA’s history, as well as your opportunity to share your very own VSA stories and send a digital postcard to loved ones.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

In June 2022, VSA celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Our friendship with the Royal Household dates back to 1870 when our founding Patron was Queen Victoria.

We are humbled that every reigning monarch since has accepted the patronage of Aberdeen Association of Social Service (VSA) signalling their deep love and affection for the people of Aberdeen, plus their strong connection to the region and Royal Deeside.

Over the years, Her Majesty has visited the association and sent many well wishes.

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T H E N I G H T AT B A L M O R A L We were very grateful to Our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, who granted exclusive permission for us to hold our 150th anniversary ball at Balmoral Castle.

The event, which should have taken place in 2020, was held on the 6th of November 2021.

The evening was attended by 520 people, and special thanks go to our amazing sponsors; Apache, Balmoral Group, John Clark Motor Group, Lamborghini, Entier Limited, Abrdn, Diageo, Cask 88, and Nyetimber.

Special thanks to all of the companies, including Arrowdawn, Finnies the Jeweller, Hamilton, and Inches, among many others, who gifted products and experiences for our live and silent auctions.

Scan the above QR code to look back at our special evening

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM H I S R O YA L H I G H N E S S , T H E P R I N C E O F WA L E S On behalf of our patron, Her Majesty the Queen, we were very humbled and honoured to receive this personal video message from His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, to mark the occasion of our anniversary ball at Balmoral.

This was the first time in the history of Balmoral that a private event has been granted and our humble thanks must go to Her Majesty for granting permission for our 150th anniversary ball to take place at Balmoral.

Our friendship with the Royal Household dates back to 1870 when Queen Victoria bestowed patronage upon us; an honour that has been granted by every reigning monarch since Queen Victoria.

Scan the above QR code to view the message in full

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QU EEN’ S GRE E N CA N O P Y The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee.”

Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girl guiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools, and corporates will be encouraged to play their part in enhancing our environment by planting trees during the official planting season between October 2021 to March 2022.

Tree planting will commence again in October 2022, through to the end of the Jubilee year.

With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage the planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations.

As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service.

With Her Majesty the Queen being Patron of VSA, we were delighted to take part in this wonderful initiative in support of the Platinum Jubilee but primarily to support our ESG aspirations. Aberdeen City Lord Provost, Councillor Barney Crockett, and Aberdeenshire Lord-Lieutenant Sandy Manson DL came together to help plant the first of 1952 trees the charity is establishing across its facilities and a new Queen Elizabeth woodland area at Easter Anguston Farm as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative.

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In March, we were joined by Lord Provost, Cllr Crockett, and the Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, Sandy Manson, to plant trees in our Queen Elizabeth Woodland at Linn Moor School & Easter Anguston Farm.

In addition, in October 2021 we also received support from the Apache Corporation as part of their Tree Grant Programme to plant trees as part of their commitment to the global community as trees are an invaluable natural resource.

They beautify our neighbourhoods, provide habitats for wildlife, and help to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program focuses on large-scale conservation, protection of habitats for wildlife and native species, as well as the restoration and enhancement of public greenspaces. This award-winning environmental stewardship initiative is helping Apache leave a lasting positive impact for current and future generations in the areas where we live and work.

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

I’m truly delighted to see that Her Majesty’s remarkable reign is being celebrated in this way by a charity that Queen Elizabeth has supported since she ascended the throne.

LORD LIEU TEN AN T, SAN DY MAN SON DL 47

Thank You! 48

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

V S A

T H A N K S

J O I N E D T H E

U S

E V E RY O N E

I N

C E L E B R AT I N G

P L AT I N U M

J U B I L E E

O U R

PAT R O N ,

H E R

M A J E S T Y

Q U E E N

W H O

E L I Z A B E T H

T H E

O F

I I

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Communications & Marketing In 2021/22, our communications and marketing team played a crucial role in engaging with, and keeping all our key stakeholders informed about, VSA’s work and the lives we change.

During the year, we communicated with a wide range of stakeholders, including service users and their associated relatives/emergency next of kin, employees, volunteers, local and national government, public health, and local and national media outlets.

Our work involved keeping all stakeholders informed about changes to our service provision and lobbying the Scottish Government for better support for the sector.

KEY AC T IV IT IE S INC L U DE D: L I A I S I N G W I T H R E L AT I V E S O F T H E P E O P L E I N O U R C A R E V I A T H E T E L E P H O N E , EMAIL, AND LETTERS TO KEEP THEM INFORMED AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS T H AT T H E Y H A D

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KEEPING OUR EMPLOYEES I N F O R M E D O F O U R PA N D E M I C R E S P O N S E A N D A S S O C I AT E D INFECTION CONTROL ADVICE

THREE NEW CASE STUDY VIDEOS

D I G I TA L M A R K E T I N G O F FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND PRODUCTS

MARKET AND INDUSTRY POSITIONING OF CHANGES TO OUR SERVICE PROVISION

NEW MARKETING BROCHURES DESIGNED FOR OUR SERVICES

N E W R E C R U I T M E N T C A M PA I G N S

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

SOC IAL M E D IA Across our social media and digital channels, we have seen an increase in supporters and website visits across the year.

TWITTER

3181 UP 2%

FACEBOOK

1 6 ,5 5 8

12,200 UP 9%

TOTAL SOCI AL ME D IA F OL L OWI NG INSTAGRAM

1177 UP 10%

N U M B E R O F W E B SI T E V I SI T S T H I S YE AR:

185,348

UP 6. 2% 51

Philanthropy & Income Generation As we emerge from the pandemic, a key focus continues to be developing a range of engaging fundraising experiences and products which will enable us to engage support from a diverse range of sources. We have established a strategy that will enable us to develop and grow our income.

A key part of this strategy is our supporter experience, data, and processes to ensure a strong foundation on which we can scale up by using data and insights to inform our strategy.

S U STAIN A BLE INCOM E G R O W T H While the external environment for fundraising remained challenging there were and are opportunities as well as risks associated with it.

The cancellation or postponement of organised challenge events such as Run Balmoral, The Kiltwalk, Trek Kilimanjaro, and the London Marathon was difficult for our supporters. We are grateful to those who were in a position to support us virtually, and across the year, we also had participants in London Marathon and the Virtual Kiltwalk.

As we emerge from the pandemic, a key focus continues to be developing a range of engaging fundraising experiences and products which will enable us to engage support from a diverse range of sources. We have established a strategy that will enable us to develop and grow our income.

A key part of this strategy is our supporter experience, data, and processes to ensure a strong foundation on which we can scale up by using data and insights to inform our strategy.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

London Marathon Team

£1 9,058 Raised in aid of VSA

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C O R P O R AT E

TRUSTS &

PA R T N E R S H I P S

F O U N D AT I O N S

INDIVIDUAL

FUNDRAISING

GIVING

CHALLENGES

EVENTS

LEGACY GIVING

GIF T S IN K IND The charity receives the benefit of work carried out by volunteers, the value of which is not included in these accounts. Gift in kind income represents various goods/services donated free of charge. The income is included when it can be reliably valued. Across the year we received GIK benefits to the value of £173,976.

LEGAC Y INCOM E We remain truly humbled and indebted to those people who have chosen to gift the money they have earned over their lifetime to support the mission of VSA. Over the year, we received £735,957 in legacy income, and we remain thankful for their personal generosity. We are committed to ensuring we deliver the best of care so that people can live the best of lives, and the income we receive through a legacy gift helps us change the lives of vulnerable children and adults.

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JOH N CLA RK M OT OR G R O U P G L ENEA GLE S GOLF DAY

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

John Clark Motor Group’s popular charity golf day made a welcome return this summer at the stunning Gleneagles Queen’s Course.

18 teams from across the country took on the new look “endurance” challenge of playing as many holes as possible within a marathon 14 hours!

VSA thank John Clark Motor Group for their amazing ongoing support and for making the event possible.

Glenea gles Golf Da y

£14,670 Raised i n aid of VSA

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Every Step You Take Every Pound You Raise Changes a Life Thank you so much to everyone who stepped forward to volunteer, provide gifts in kind or offer financial support.

We are so grateful, and so are the vulnerable people we support.

You have all truly helped us change lives.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

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5 ,515 EASTER ANGUSTON FA R M REOPENED

75 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

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T O TA L VOLUNTEERING HOURS

3, 840 M E R C AT BOOKSHOP VOLUNTEERING HOURS

VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Volunteering When VSA was founded in 1870, it was established by a group of volunteers, and the contribution of volunteers across the organisation remains as essential to us today as it did in 1870.

Slowly over the course of 2021 and aligned with various Government restrictions, our dedicated Mercat Bookshop volunteers had a phased return and the re-opening of our popular bookshop located at Castlegate. Throughout the year, the bookshop had 35 volunteers who undertook approximately 3,840 hours of volunteering.

At Easter Anguston Farm, we were very thankful to individual volunteers, the Rotary, and many staff who volunteered their personal time to help get the farm in a position to start a phased re-opening.

In total, across the year, the farm had 7 individual volunteers and 1 Rotary Group, who approximately undertook 1,190 hours of volunteering across the year.

In preparation for a major event associated with our 150th anniversary, our philanthropy and income generation team were exceptionally grateful to a team of 23 individual volunteers who, in total dedicated 485 hours of their time in the lead up to the event and on the evening of the event.

The impact of the pandemic and rolling associated restrictions proved difficult to re-start our corporate micro-volunteering programme during the year. The vast majority of our strategic corporate partners were also still navigating the pandemic and the impact it continued to have on their individual business operations.

We were delighted that in March 2022, we were in a position to re-launch the corporate volunteering programme to our corporate strategic partners. Our aspirations over 2022/2023 are to fully rebuild this popular community and corporate engagement volunteering programme.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

Martin Em slie

1 8 years of volunteer ing

C A S E S T U DY

Martin’s Story Martin Emslie has volunteered at Easter Anguston Farm since 2004, an incredible 18 years. He first started when he retired to help keep him busy.

Over those 18 years, Martin has supported the farm with equipment repairs, working in the farm shop, and generally ensuring everything around the farm is kept working; he is known as the resident “handyman.”

Martin said: “I have appreciated volunteering at Easter Anguston Farm over the years as it helps give me something to do in my spare time, and I really enjoy the work I get to do.

The team here has also always been so nice and supportive.

The farm is a fantastic place, and I am proud to be part of it for so long.”

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Our commitment to the global community U NITED NAT I O N S SU STAI N AB L E D E V E L O P M E NT GO A L S At VSA, we understand the difference that can be made to humanity if we all work together for a fairer and more inclusive society. That is why we take our responsibility as global citizens seriously and we are fully committed to changing people’s lives for the better.

The United Nations has a set of 17 sustainable development goals that it is aiming to achieve which will transform the world we live in for generations to come. We believe that the work that we do aligns with a small subset of goals (SDG 1, 3, 4 & 15) which has a strong connection to the work that we deliver and the lives that we change. We believe that the work that we do across our organisation supports the global community by helping to transform people’s lives across the following sustainable development goals.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

At VSA we support the most vulnerable of people from birth to end of life living in our communities. In particular, we support SDG target: “By 2030, reduce at least half the population of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions”.

We support people from birth to end of life across the full spectrum of social care. In particular, we support SDG target: “By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being”.

We support the education and learning of children and adults with additional support and complex learning needs. In particular we support SDG target: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills including technical and vocational skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship” and our work also supports: “Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations”.

We take our environmental responsibility to the land very seriously. At VSA we have a fully operational farm and support the conservation of natural wildlife and the sustainability of the land through reforestation. In particular, we support target: “Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally”.

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Playing our part and working towards Net Zero ENVIRON M E N TA L A N D C AR B O N R E DUCTI O N There is clear evidence that climate change is happening.

World temperatures continue to rise as greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere increase and pollution through waste generation continues.

VSA is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and will ensure that all is done to mitigate climate change and the adverse impact this has on the world.

We are committed to complying with applicable legislation in Scotland and will share achievements with all stakeholders in and outside the organisation.

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

RE V I E W U N D E RWAY T O F U L LY U N D E RSTAN D O U R E N V I RO N ME N TAL I MPAC T

ANNUAL CO 2 EMISSIO NS : 3.7 0 TONNES PER FTE

V S A’ S JO URNE Y T O N E T Z E RO

T H E PL A N T IN G OF 2 0 0 0 T REES H A S C O M M EN C ED

REDUCED BUSINESS MILEA GE BY 90 ,00 0 MILES

WAST E MAN AG E ME N T AN D RE C YC L I N G PRO T O C O L AC RO SS ALL SI T E S

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How we spent our money Income £19 M I LLI ON +

Expenditure £20 M I LLI ON +

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VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

T O TAL INCOME F O R 2021/ 22 WAS £ 1 9 , 424,000

T O TAL EXPENDI TURE F O R 2021/ 22 WA S £ 2 0 , 217,000

A full copy of our audited accounts can be found on our website.

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Thank you to our amazing supporters We would like to thank all of our incredible supporters who across the year have donated financially or given their time and energy to help VSA. Special thanks goes to:

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Addleshaw Goddard

Diageo

John Shivas Memorial Trust

A G Bain Trust

DW Wealth Planning Ltd

Lamborghini Edinburgh

abrdn

Entier Limited

Leadingham Chalmers LLP

Alex McLeish

Evening Express Newspaper

Local Energy Scotland

Allan Johnston

Faithful + Gould

Martin Gilbert

Apache

FG Burnett

Michael Lawrie

Arrowdawn Ltd

The Fife Arms

National Lottery Heritage Fund

Artfarm

Finnies the Jeweller

NYOP Education Ltd

Balmoral Group

Fiona Kennedy OBE DL

Nyetimber

Balmoral Castle & Estate

Gary Dingwall

Peterkins LLP

Belmond Trains

General & Technical Flooring Services

Russell & Sarah Caldwell

BP Exploration & Operating Co Ltd

George Summers

Scotmid Co-Operative

Burness Paull LLP

Hamilton & Inches

Sharon Walker

Cathy Clark

Her Majesty the Queen

Shell UK

Cask 88

Harbour Energy

The Ina Scott Sutherland Trust

Co-op Foundation

Iris Van Herpen

The Lunar Foundation

CNOOC International

James Cordiner & Son Limited

The Robertson Trust

CNR International (UK) Ltd

John Clark Motor Group

All VSA event participants

CSG

John Clark OBE

All VSA Volunteers

David Cormack

John Gordon Charitable Trust

All VSA Supporters

Finance & Trustee Information Patron Her Majesty the Queen

Chair of the Board of Trustees Mrs Maggie Wilson

President The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett, LL

Honorary Treasurer Gordon Edwards

Honorary Presidents Fiona Kennedy, OBE DL Martin Gilbert, Public Service Star (Singapore), MA LLB CA LLD, FRSE Vice Presidents Lady Joan Catto, MBE DL Mr James Stevenson Mr Mathew Finnie

Chief Executive Dr Kenneth Simpson MBE BA BSc MPA DBA CMgr FCMI FloD FRSA Honorary Law Agent Burness Paull LLP External Auditors Hall Morrice LLP

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31st March 2022 The trustees are pleased to present their trustee report together with the audited financial statements for the year to 31st March, 2022.

Directors and Trustees April 2021-March 2022

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Charity Name Aberdeen Association of Social Service

The directors of Aberdeen Association of Social Service (the charity operating as VSA) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law.

Operating Name VSA

The trustees of Aberdeen Association of Social Service who were in office during the year and up to the date of signing the financial statements were:

Charity Registration Number SC012950

Mrs M Wilson (Chair - Resigned June 2022)

Mr P Murray

Mr J Knowles (Vice Chair)

Mr H Ouston (Resigned November 2021)

Mr G Edwards (Treasurer)

Mr G S Poon

Mr K Shand (Co-Opted Chair June 2022)

Mrs A Powe

Mr S Burt

Mrs K Sinclair (Resigned November 2021)

Mrs L Fenn (Resigned November 2021)

Dr D P B Watson

Mrs M Gibson

Mr G Watt

Prof J Harper (Appointed November 2021)

Mrs C E Wilkie

Registered office and Principal office 38 Castle Street Aberdeen AB11 5YU

Prof S D Heys Mr A McBurnie 67

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 3

The trustees are pleased to present their trustee report t audited financial statements for the year to 31st March,

Directors and Trustees April 2021-March 2

The directors of Aberdeen Association of Social Service operating as VSA) are its trustees for the purpose of cha

The trustees of Aberdeen Association of Social Service during the year and up to the date of signing the financia Mrs M Wilson (Chair - Resigned June 2022)

Mr P Murray

Mr J Knowles (Vice Chair)

Mr H Ouston

Mr G Edwards (Treasurer)

Mr G S Poon

Mr K Shand (Co-Opted Chair June 2022)

Mrs A Powe

Mr S Burt

Mrs K Sincla

Mrs L Fenn (Resigned November 2021)

Dr D P B Wa

Mrs M Gibson

Mr G Watt

Prof J Harper (Appointed November 2021)

Mrs C E Wilk

Prof S D Heys Mr A McBurnie

vsa.org.uk | info@vsa.org.uk | 01224 212021 | 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen AB11 5YU

Registered in Scotland as Aberdeen Association of Social Service, operating as VSA Company Registration No. SC018487; Registered Scottish Charity Number SC012950