AVA Annual Report 2022

REPORT
... KEITH ANDERSON,
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT
In the midst of the lockdowns many wondered what the
‘new normal’ might be like when restrictions are eased and
life returned to our communities, when community groups
were able to restart their activities and facilities were able
to open their doors again. While I was reflecting on the year
that 2022 has been, I realised we are in the new normal; and
if asked what the headlines of 2022 have been, I’d have to
suggest challenges, change and opportunities.
Recovering from the enforced lockdowns would have been
enough, but just as things were opening up other events
conspired to present new challenges. The third sector across
Aberdeenshire has not been immune to the impact of
the cost-of-living crises, many groups have struggled with
spiralling utility costs and we have heard that the cost of
volunteering has unfortunately become a barrier to some
and groups have struggled to find the volunteers they need.
The influence of covid remains and continues to be a factor
in some ways as plans are made and implemented.
In the last twelve months our Development Team has grown
with two new posts being created as a positive outcome of
our involvement in managing the Communities Mental Health
& Wellbeing Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Our experiences of Phase 1 of the fund, which concluded in
March 22, led us to realise where more support and guidance
were needed, and we have in place a Development Officer
specialising in supporting organisations and groups that are
contributing to the local Mental Health & Wellbeing support
agendas. We also have a Development Officer in post who is
specialising in providing Business Planning type support and
this includes guidance on completing funding applications.
2022 could be described as the year that AVA found itself in
funding, and everything that was involved. Every member of
our Development Team has had something to do either with
“our experiences
in managing the
funds in the last
twelve months
have been
enlightening
and helped to
develop our
awareness, and
understanding, of
both existing and
new groups and
organisations”
10 // AVA
ANNUAL REPORT 2022