AVA Annual Report 2022

MENTAL HEALTH
& WELLBEING
... HEATHER MCKAY,
AVA DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
The launch of the Scottish Government’s Communities
Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in recent years
highlighted the large number of groups that exist across
Aberdeenshire providing mental health and wellbeing
support to their communities. AVA recognised a need to
provide specialised support for those groups, so the role of
Development Officer for Mental Health and Wellbeing was
created in May 2022. It has been a great year of making
new connections with mental health and wellbeing groups,
providing further support for those already in our membership,
and helping to forge new connections between third sector
organisations and service providers. Key projects for the
Development Officer this year included being on the steering
group of Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership’s
“Mind Yer Mind” campaign, planning for the Aberdeenshire
Wellbeing Festival coming in May 2023, and a supporting
role in the administration of Round 2 of the Communities
Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund.
The Vinery in Banff is a community space, set in the
original walled garden for Duff House, providing indoor
and outdoor activities for all ages and a place to relax
and connect.
The Vinery offers various wellbeing and environmental
activities like mindfulness sessions, tai chi, children’s after
school activities, cancer peer support groups, craft groups,
walking groups and more. On the day we visited, various
groups were booked to be coming in, including a “Bit of
Banter” where people enjoy a hot drink, some board games,
and of course a good blether!
30 // AVA
ANNUAL REPORT 2022