AVA Magazine July 21

AVA | July 2021 3
A Thriving Aberdeenshire
Dan Shaw
AVA CEO
A
thriving local social economy where
people and values take precedence
over financial profit should and can be
a part of the positive side of the lasting legacy
of the pandemic here in Aberdeenshire.
As we are able to spend more time out and
about enjoying the freedoms in life that until
18 months ago we all took for granted, I am
becoming more aware of the growing number of
social enterprises that are operating successfully
across Aberdeenshire. AVA is currently working
alongside 51 brilliant social enterprises to offer
support in many different ways, from governance
and management to volunteer development
and securing funding. Additionally, AVA as a
part of the TSI Scotland Network have signed
up to a Memorandum of Understanding with
SENScot. We will collectively be working to
demonstrate the social and economic value of
social enterprises, as well as working collegiately
to develop and promote new opportunities for
social enterprises to
flourish. Fundamental to
this is the development
of an Aberdeenshire
Social Enterprise Network
which we are starting
to work on and more
information about this
will be available shortly.
I know that many of
you will be taking a
well-earned break
during the summer,
and during that time you might be thinking
about how your group/organisation can be
learning and developing. THRIVE is an online
learning platform that supports many aspects of
managing organisations, and more details about
this can be found on page 17, including the
opportunity to trial the easy-to-use system for free.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the magazine and
likewise, I hope that if you are able to, you enjoy
some of the services on offer from the many social
enterprises on our doorstep.
With very best wishes
Dan and the entire AVA Team
daniel.shaw@avashire.org.uk
Contents
IN THIS ISSUE
4-6
The Rise of the Social Enterprise
...and their differing legal structures
8/9
10-11
12-14
Member Spotlight: Aboyne Men’s Shed
The challenges of creating an amazing space
Celebrating Funding Success
Funding for lots of exciting developments
15-16
Children & Families
Looking forward to our new Network
Feature: NE Scouts
How the Scouts thrived during lockdown
“...their drive and
passion to deliver
an exceptional
building for the
whole community
to enjoy has been
nothing short of
extraordinary. ”
P8/9