VSA 2021-22 Annual Report

Together

we are shaping a better future for vulnerable children and adults

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.

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.

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)

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.

Our Vision

“TO BUILD A STRONG AND CARING COMMUNITY.”

Our Values

Our Mission

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

CHILDREN & YOUNG ADULTS

SUPPORTED AT LINN MOOR

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL & CAMPUS

ADULT & LATER YEARS IN LIFE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

LOCATED THROUGHOUT ABERDEEN

PACKAGES OF CARE PER WEEK THROUGH CARE AT HOME SERVICE

Impact in Action

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

LOCATED THROUGHOUT ABERDEEN

10 TRAINEES SUPPORTED AT EASTER ANGUSTON FARM

OVER 2,750,0

11,700

NEW CITY CENTRE

MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OPENED

25 OVER SERVICES PROVIDED

OVER HOURS OF CARE PROVIDED

0

637,728

FARM

CHANGING LIVES OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS FOR OVER 150 YEARS

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.

OVER SERVICES PROVIDED

CHILDREN, FAMILY & EDUCATION SERVICES

• Linn Moor School & Campus

• Rowanlea Adult Services

• Easter Anguston Farm

Additional Support Needs Advisory Project (ASNAP)

chool-Based Mental Wellbeing unselling Services (until March 2022)

• Friends for Life Club

ADULT & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

• Crosby House

• Ruthrieston House

• Broomhill Park

• Cloverfield Grove

• Delayed Discharge Service

• VSA Connect

• Care at Home

• Mercat Bookshop run by volunteers

OTHER SERVICES

• Volunteering and Corporate Volunteering

• Behavioural Support Strategies

• Self Directed Support

• Craigton Grove

• Arrdeir House

• Westerton Crescent

• St Aubins

• Northfield Lodge

• Mountbatten House

• Outreach

• Fuel Fund Support Grant

• Crisis Fund Support Grant

• Workplace Mental Wellbeing Awareness Training

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.

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.

WE ACHIEVED INVESTORS IN PEOPLE PLATINUM ACCREDITATION

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.

Children, Family & Education Services

1,477 SCHOOL COUNSELLING SESSIONS PROVIDED

9,240 QUALIFIED TEACHING HOURS

NEW ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS ONLINE TRAINING PROVIDED

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.

LINN MOOR RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

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.

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

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 MCLACHLAN

EASTER ANGUSTON FARM

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.

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.

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.

CASE STUDY VSA Annual Report 2021-2022

VSA CONNECT & CARE AT HOME

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.

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

628,992 HOURS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE PROVIDED PEOPLE SUPPORTED IN COMMUNITY THROUGH VSA CONNECT SERVICE

50

Mental Health & Wellbeing Services

THERE IS A GROWING DEMAND FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING SUPPORT, WITH 1 IN 3 PEOPLE IN SCOTLAND DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION EACH YEAR

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.

Scan the QR code to watch Stuart’s Story

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.

STUART RITCHIE

CHANGING LIVES CAMPAIGN COMPLETE – THANKS TO

YOU!

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.

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

AG BAIN TRUST APACHE

BARRACK FOUNDATION

BARRATT HOMES

BATCHWORTH TRUST

BP

CALA HOMES

CAROLINE SPENCE TRUST

CATHY CLARK

CNR INTERNATIONAL

CRERAR TRUST

ENTIER LIMITED EV PRIVATE EQUITY

FAITHFUL + GOULD

FG BURNETT

GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION

HARBOUR ENERGY

HOSPITAL SATURDAY FUND

HUGH FRASER FOUNDATION

INCA TRAIL TREK FUNDRAISERS

JAMES CORDINER & SON LIMITED

JANE WILSON

LOCAL ENERGY SCOTLAND

LONDON MARATHON RUNNERS

LUNAR FOUNDATION

MAERSK TRAINING

MISCELLANEOUS DONATIONS

MUSHROOM TRUST

NHS GRAMPIAN

NORMAN ESSLEMONT

NYOP

ROBERTSON TRUST

ROCK ROSE ENERGY

SING SING SING 2018, 19 & 20

SPARROWS

TIDY GREEN CLEAN

TREK KILMANJARO FUNDRAISERS

VATTENFALL

VSA CHANGING LIVES BALL 2018 & 19

WOLFSON FOUNDATION

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.

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

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

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.

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

185,640 Hours of providedCare

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.

PATRICK & DAVID

ABERDEEN CARESCELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF VSA EXHIBITION

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.

AberdeenCareshighlightedtheimpactofhuman 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

39,777 VISITORS*

ART GALLERY

VSA HERITAGE TOUR

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.

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.

THE NIGHT AT BALMORAL

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

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCE OF WALES

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.

QUEEN’S GREEN CANOPY

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.

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.

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 LIEUTENANT, SANDY MANSON DL

Thank You!

VSA THANKS EVERYONE WHO JOINED US IN CELEBRATING THE PLATINUM JUBILEE OF OUR PATRON, HER MAJESTY

QUEEN ELIZABETH THE II

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 ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

LIAISING WITH RELATIVES OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CARE VIA THE TELEPHONE, EMAIL, AND LETTERS TO KEEP THEM INFORMED AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAD

KEEPING OUR EMPLOYEES INFORMED OF OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND ASSOCIATED INFECTION CONTROL ADVICE

THREE NEW CASE STUDY VIDEOS

DIGITAL MARKETING OF FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND PRODUCTS

MARKET AND INDUSTRY POSITIONING OF CHANGES TO OUR SERVICE PROVISION

NEW MARKETING BROCHURES DESIGNED FOR OUR SERVICES

NEW RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS

SOCIAL MEDIA

Across our social media and digital channels, we have seen an increase in supporters and website visits across the year.

TWITTER 3181

16,558

TOTAL SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING

FACEBOOK

12,200 UP 9%

INSTAGRAM 1177

NUMBER OF WEBSITE VISITS THIS YEAR:

UP 2% UP 10% UP 6.2%

185,348

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.

SUSTAINABLE INCOME GROWTH

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.

MarathonLondonTeam

£19,058

Raised in aid of VSA

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS EVENTS

INDIVIDUAL GIVING FUNDRAISING CHALLENGES

GIFTS IN KIND

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.

LEGACY INCOME

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.

JOHN CLARK MOTOR GROUP GLENEAGLES GOLF DAY

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.

Gleneagles

Golf Day

£14,670

Raised in aid of VSA

Every Pound You Raise Every Step You Take 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.

EASTER ANGUSTON FARM REOPENED

5,515

TOTAL VOLUNTEERING HOURS

75

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

3,840

MERCAT BOOKSHOP VOLUNTEERING HOURS

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.

years

Martin’s Story CASE STUDY

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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Martin Emslie of volunteering

Our commitment to the global community

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

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.

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”.

Playing our part and working towards Net Zero

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CARBON REDUCTION

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.

REVIEW UNDERWAY TO FULLY UNDERSTAND OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

VSA’S JOURNEY TO NET ZERO

THE PLANTING OF 2000 TREES HAS COMMENCED

How we spent our money

TOTAL INCOME FOR 2021/22 WAS £19,424,000

TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 2021/22 WAS £20,217,000

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:

Addleshaw Goddard

A G Bain Trust

abrdn

Alex McLeish

Allan Johnston

Apache

Arrowdawn Ltd

Artfarm

Balmoral Group

Balmoral Castle & Estate

Belmond Trains

BP Exploration & Operating Co Ltd

Burness Paull LLP

Cathy Clark

Cask 88

Co-op Foundation

CNOOC International

CNR International (UK) Ltd

CSG

David Cormack

Diageo

DW Wealth Planning Ltd

Entier Limited

Evening Express Newspaper

Faithful + Gould

FG Burnett

The Fife Arms

Finnies the Jeweller

Fiona Kennedy OBE DL

Gary Dingwall

General & Technical Flooring Services

George Summers

Hamilton & Inches

Her Majesty the Queen

Harbour Energy

Iris Van Herpen

James Cordiner & Son Limited

John Clark Motor Group

John Clark OBE

John Gordon Charitable Trust

John Shivas Memorial Trust

Lamborghini Edinburgh

Leadingham Chalmers LLP

Local Energy Scotland

Martin Gilbert

Michael Lawrie

National Lottery Heritage Fund

NYOP Education Ltd

Nyetimber

Peterkins LLP

Russell & Sarah Caldwell

Scotmid Co-Operative

Sharon Walker

Shell UK

The Ina Scott Sutherland Trust

The Lunar Foundation

The Robertson Trust

All VSA event participants

All VSA Volunteers

All VSA Supporters

Finance & Trustee Information

Patron

Her Majesty the Queen

President

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Barney Crockett, LL

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

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Mrs Maggie Wilson

Honorary Treasurer

Gordon Edwards

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

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

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:

Mrs M Wilson (Chair - Resigned June 2022)

Mr J Knowles (Vice Chair)

Mr G Edwards (Treasurer)

Mr K Shand (Co-Opted Chair June 2022)

Mr S Burt

Mrs L Fenn (Resigned November 2021)

Mrs M Gibson

Prof J Harper (Appointed November 2021)

Prof S D Heys

Mr A McBurnie

Mr P Murray

Mr H Ouston (Resigned November 2021)

Mr G S Poon

Mrs A Powe

Mrs K Sinclair (Resigned November 2021)

Dr D P B Watson

Mr G Watt

Mrs C E Wilkie

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity Name Aberdeen Association of Social Service

Operating Name VSA

Charity Registration Number SC012950

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

Report of the Trustees for the year ended

The trustees are pleased to present their trustee report together audited financial statements for the year to 31st March, Directors and Trustees April 2021-March 2022

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

The trustees of Aberdeen Association of Social Service during the year and up to the date of signing the financial

Mrs M Wilson (Chair - Resigned June 2022)

Mr J Knowles (Vice Chair)

Mr G Edwards (Treasurer)

Mr K Shand (Co-Opted Chair June 2022)

Mr S Burt

Mrs L Fenn (Resigned November 2021)

Mrs M Gibson

Prof J Harper (Appointed November 2021)

Prof S D Heys

Mr A McBurnie

Mr P Murray

Mr H Ouston

Mr G S Poon

Mrs A Powe

Mrs K Sinclair

Dr D P B Watson

Mr G Watt

Mrs C E Wilkie