AVA Magazine: July 22

4 AVA | July 2022
Introducing|Our new staff
Hello, I am Gloria Malcolm and I am the new
Development Officer with AVA specialising in
Funding, Business Planning and Community Asset
Transfer. I come from a business background originally
in the Energy Sector working for an IT Outsourcing
Company but ‘retired’ 14 years ago after a move to
Alford.
Over the last 14 years I have involved myself in
many activities with local charities and groups both
operationally and latterly more strategically in areas
such as, funnily enough, business planning, grant funding
and community asset transfer. Being a new member
of the AVA Development Team (only a few weeks), I
have immediately realised that there is so much more
that AVA offer than I had realised previously as an AVA
Member when asking for advice on governance and
the availability of grant funding.
I look forward to working with the AVA team who
have a wealth of knowledge in many specialisms. I
also look forward to bringing that AVA expertise into
play to support our members and non-members in the
progression of their aims and objectives. If you have
any queries in relation to Funding, Business Planning or
Community Asset Transfer, please do get in touch.
Gloria Malcolm
Gloria Malcolm
AVA Development Officer
Specialism: Funding &
Business Planning
Tel: 07557 478859
Email: Gloria.Malcolm
@avashire.org.uk
I
recently joined AVA in a newly created role as
Development Officer specialising in Mental Health &
Wellbeing.
Heather McKay
There is increasing awareness around the importance of
our mental health and wellbeing, and the pandemic really
shone a spotlight on that. Support for people in distress is
vital, and equally important are the preventative and
early intervention measures we can take. Simple things
like connecting with other people, giving something to our
communities, or finding a routine of daily movement and
fresh air are so important.
As well as working for AVA, I’m a life coach, mindfulness
teacher and reiki practitioner. I’ve seen first-hand what a
difference it can make to people when they take that step
to reach out and seek help. Making support accessible to
people in Aberdeenshire is key, and my role with AVA will
help give our mental health & wellbeing community groups
a voice, and the support they need to thrive.
I’m really delighted to be in this role with AVA and I’m
looking forward to finding out more about the wonderful
groups in our community.
Heather McKay
AVA Development Officer
Specialism: Mental Health
& Wellbeing
Tel: 07469 275304
Email: Heather.McKay@
avashire.org.uk