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ACVO News September 2024

The September 2024 edition of ACVO News, featuring International Overdose Awareness Day with Aberdeen in Recovery, making an impact with the Just Transition PB Fund with Asylum and Refugee Care as well as all the latest news. updates and opportunities from and for Aberdeen's third sector

The September 2024 edition of ACVO News, featuring International Overdose Awareness Day with Aberdeen in Recovery, making an impact with the Just Transition PB Fund with Asylum and Refugee Care as well as all the latest news. updates and opportunities from and for Aberdeen's third sector

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ACVO NEWS

T H E L A T E S T F R O M A B E R D E E N ' S T H I R D S E C T O R

International Overdose

Awareness Day

with Aberdeen

in Recovery

#EndOverdose

S E P T E M B E R | 2 0 2 4


acvo.org.uk


ACVO News

September 2024

3

CONTENTS

THE LATEST UPDATES FROM AND FOR ABERDEEN’S THIRD SECTOR

4

ACVO UPDATES

The latest developments from ACVO and

updates from our team

26

TOGETHER WE CAN: INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE

AWARENESS DAY WITH ABERDEEN IN RECOVERY

Aberdeen in Recovery marks IOAD by continuing their ongoing

work to engage with and educate the public in Aberdeen, with a

particular focus on the importance of Naloxone in saving lives

10 NEWS FROM YOU

News from ACVO Members and other local

and national third sector organisations

32 VOLUNTEERING

The latest from Mike Melvin and

developments from Volunteer Aberdeen

36 FUNDING

Funding news, announcements and the

latest opportunities to get funded!

XX 30

TRANSFORMING LIVES AND

COMMUNITIES WITH THE

JUST TRANSITION PB FUND:

Find out how Asylum and

Refugee Care (AARC) is Making a

Positive Difference Socially &

Environmentally in the North East

with help from the Just Transition

PB Fund

20

‘FORGET ME NOT’ MEMORIAL

GARDEN OPENS IN ABERDEEN

The ‘Forget Me Not’ garden at

Hazlehead Crematorium,

Aberdeen has been created for

people affected by pregnancy

loss, but all are welcome to use it

as a place of remembrance and

reflection.

37 ACVO OPPORTUNITIES

37 FUNDING

38 VOLUNTEERING

42 EVENTS

44 VACANCIES

ACVO TSI 38 CASTLE STREET,

ABERDEEN, AB11 5YU

ENQUIRIES@ACVO.ORG.UK

WWW.ACVO.ORG.UK

SEPTEMBER 2024

Not on the mailing list to receive

ACVO News direct to your inbox

every month? Sign up here.

Scottish Charity No: SC036845

© 2024 Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations.


ACVO UPDATES ACVO News

4

September 2024

ACVO’s Mike Melvin among

the recipients for the inaugural

Denis Law RGUplus Awards

Presented at RGU Graduation

T

he first-ever Denis Law RGUplus awards

were presented at Robert Gordon

University’s (RGU) July summer graduation

ceremony at P&J Live. Among the recipients was

ACVO’s Volunteering Services Manager, Mike Melvin,

who received the first-ever Denis Law RGUplus

honorary award for his services to the cause of

volunteering in Aberdeen city.

Mike has over 38 years of experience in supporting

volunteering, working with ACVO and managing

Volunteer Aberdeen, as well as volunteering for, and

contributing work to, a number of organisations across

Aberdeen’s third sector, such as Cornerhouse, Station

House Media Unit, Health Services Research Unite and

local community groups.

The award, which launched in February 2024, aims to

recognise the enormous value of individuals who

support their community through various means of

volunteering. In addition to the honorary award, the

Denis Law RGUplus award’s first-ever bronze award

recipients were recognised in the RGU Graduation

programme alongside graduates from the School of

Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic practice and the

Gray’s School of Art.

On his award, Mike said, “Volunteering isn’t just about


5

ACVO News

September 2024

ACVO UPDATES

giving up your time. It gives you a chance to meet

others, develop a range of skills and make a positive

contribution to the community around you. I have been

lucky to make this my career for the past 30 plus years

and have seen first-hand the difference that

volunteering can make to everyone.”

Laura Chalmers, Head of Employability and Community

Engagement, RGU said, “The Denis Law RGUplus award

recognises the commitment and social responsibility of

people making a positive impact on both themselves

and others through volunteering. On behalf of RGU, I

would like to thank Mike for embodying these values

and for always going above and beyond in championing

Aberdeen’s third sector and the cause of volunteering.”

and support so many volunteer organisations across

Aberdeen city and we are delighted to recognise his

incredible contributions and achievements through this

award.”

The Denis Law RGUplus award forms part of wider

RGUplus programme, which aims to ensure that

community engagement and learning beyond the

classroom at RGU is taken to new heights and

recognised in a way that will enhance skills, develop

unique employability and global citizenship skills.

For more information on the Denis Law RGUplus award

visit: denislawlegacytrust.org/denis-law-rgu-plus-award

Mark Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Denis Law

Legacy Trust said, “Working in partnership with RGU,

we are delighted to recognise the first-ever Denis Law

RGUplus award recipients. It was only too fitting to

have Mike Melvin as our inaugural honorary Denis Law

RGUplus awardee joining the other recipients. A true

unsung hero, Mike has worked tirelessly to promote


ACVO UPDATES

ACVO News

September 2024

6

Your Voice Matters: Participa

Public Consultation to Shape

L

ast year, I wrote about the challenges and

frustrations faced by many in Aberdeen

when our city’s budget was set without

sufficient public consultation. Many local

organisations found themselves at crisis point when

vital sources of funding from the local authority, such as

the Fairer Aberdeen Fund, were potentially placed on

the chopping block by Aberdeen City Council.

At the time I highlighted the issues around transparency

in the process and the lack of means for public

involvement in the decision-making process. The result?

A feeling among many organisations and residents that

their voices were not heard.

We knew then that something had to change. That’s

why ACVO, alongside many of you, called for a more

inclusive and participatory approach to the local council

budget, one that genuinely considers the views and

needs of the people of Aberdeen.

What we got was last year’s public budget consultation

from Aberdeen City Council, which although had its

issues, signified a step in the right direction.

That time has come around once again and, as of

August 19th 2024, Aberdeen City Council’s Public

consultation, which will help shape the 2025/26 budget

and future spending plans, has been launched.

The consultation is, in theory, designed to give all of us

a greater say in how our city’s money is spent. As I said

last year, our sector and our Council are partners in the

drive to make Aberdeen a happier, healthier, more equal

words by

Alasdair Ross

Policy and Consultations Offer

ACVO TSI/ Aberdeenshire

Voluntary Action

place to live and work but the third sector needs money

in order to do that. The consultation gives us the

opportunity to clearly state the importance of our

funding and how vital our work is for the wider city.

The revised budget protocol includes a two-phase

consultation process, providing multiple opportunities

for public input. The first phase gathers broad feedback

on spending priorities, and the second phase presents

detailed budget proposals for further community input.

This structured approach aims to foster greater

understanding and collaboration between the Council

and the communities it serves as the Council looks to

make savings of £34m next year and £54m over the

next three years, to stay within budget.

Last year, during the consultation for the 2024/25

budget, ACVO took an active role in ensuring that the

voices of the third sector were heard. We hosted a

meeting where 31 representatives from 26

organisations shared their concerns about potential

budget cuts and their impact on services and

communities. We then presented a summary of these

views to elected members, council officials, and the


7

ACVO News

September 2024

ACVO UPDATES

X

te in Aberdeen City Council’s

the 2025/26 Budget

public. The message was clear: “the third sector is

calling upon Aberdeen City Council to take immediate

and decisive action” to protect vital services and

support vulnerable residents.

Our collective efforts had an impact. The Council

recognised the importance of maintaining essential

services, like those funded through the Fairer Aberdeen

Fund (FAF), and the need to support the invaluable

contributions of volunteers across the city. This is proof

that when we come together and speak up, we can

influence decisions that affect our communities.

However, no one is under any illusion that sources of

funding like the FAF are not at risk this year so we urge

you to make your thoughts clear once again and

provide your feedback.

As we approach the 2025/26 budget, it is vital that we

continue to engage in this process. The Council has

made it clear that they want to hear from us - but it’s

up to us to ensure that our voices are heard and noted.

This is not just about reacting to proposed cuts or

changes; it’s about proactively shaping the city’s

spending priorities in a way that reflects our shared

values and goals.

We know from past experience that if we do not

participate, decisions will be made without us,

potentially leading to outcomes that do not serve the

best interests of our communities. This is our chance to

influence how resources are allocated, advocate for fair

funding for the third sector, and ensure that the

services that matter most to us are protected.

How You Can Get Involved: Make Your Voice Count

The new budget consultation is open until Sunday, 15th

September 2024. I strongly encourage everyone -

residents, third sector organisations, and all community

stakeholders - to participate. This is your opportunity to

have a direct impact on the decisions that will shape

Aberdeen’s future.

You can participate in the consultation by completing

the survey available online via the ACC site at

aberdeencitybudget.commonplace.is. Your input will

help ensure that Aberdeen’s budget reflects the needs

and priorities of all its residents.

ACVO will again be actively engaging with the third

sector throughout this consultation period to help us

present a united front to the Council.

Together, let’s continue to build a stronger, more

inclusive Aberdeen. I said last year, we need to get

away from the narrative that its ‘them against us’. It is

an easy trap to fall into and we have all been guilty of it

at some point. Although it may not feel like it

sometimes, in reality, we all want the same thing for our

city. Let’s keep that spirit of collaboration alive and

make sure our voices are heard.

For more information on how to get involved, or if you

have any questions, please contact me directly at

alasdair.ross@avashire.org.uk.


ACVO UPDATES ACVO News

8

September 2024

ACVO

EVENTS 2024

Join in with our programme of members events,

online lunch & learns and training sessions this year!

September

The Radical Potential of Participatory Budgeting:

In person Community Planning Event at shmu

4th September 2024

11:00 - 13:00

Members Event: Third Sector Internships with

Development Officer Sarah Irvine

12th September 2024

11:00 - 13:00

Charity Trustees Duties and Responsibilities:

Training session with Sandy Mathers

24th September 2024

14:00 - 15:00

Online Lunch & Learn: Poverty – The work being done

to tackle it with Susan Morrison and Alasdair Ross

26th September 2024

12:30 - 13:30

November

Members Event: International Volunteer Managers

Day Celebration with Volunteering Services

Manager Mike Melvin

5th November 2024

14:00 - 15:30

Charity Trustees Duties and Responsibilities:

Training session with Sandy Mathers

26th November 2024

10:00 - 12:00

December

Committee Skills: Training session with Sandy

Mathers

12th December 2024

14:00 - 16:00

October

Online Lunch & Learn: Effective community

engagement with Policy & Consultations Officer

Alasdair Ross

10th October 2024

12:00 - 13:00

Committee Skills: Training session with Sandy

Mathers

30th October 2024

10:00 - 12:00


ACVO News

9 September 2024

ACVO UPDATES

Communities Mental

Health & Wellbeing Fund

ACVO Announce Two Funds

to Launch During September

Both the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund and the Community

& Coast Fund will be inviting applications in Aberdeen by the end of the month

e are pleased to announce the launch of

two new funding opportunities this

September: the Communities Mental

WHealth and Wellbeing Fund for Adults

(Year 4) and the Community & Coast Fund. Both funds aim

to empower local community groups and support projects

that drive positive change across Aberdeen City.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for

Adults enters its fourth year, continuing its vital role in

supporting initiatives that promote mental health, combat

social isolation, and address poverty and inequality. With

£565,039 available this year for Aberdeen City, the fund

encourages a collaborative approach, urging community

organisations with shared goals to come together and

maximise their impact.

The fund will be distributed in two rounds:

Round 1: Opens on September 25th for Level 1

applications (up to £3,000) and October 2nd for Level

2 applications (£3,001 to £15,000). This round will

allocate 90% of the total funding and will close on

November 7th, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the

outcomes in December.

Round 2: Opens on January 13th, 2025, for Level 1

applications (up to £3,000) only. This round aims to

support newer organisations or those that did not

apply in the first round, with a focus on innovation and

fairness. The round will close on February 7th, 2025,

with results announced later that month.

The Community & Coast Fund, launched by ETZ Ltd and

managed by ACVO, is a new initiative designed to enhance

local community spaces and support community projects

in Torry and Cove. With an initial £100,000 available in

the pilot year, this fund focuses on environmental

sustainability, community engagement, and local

development.

A unique feature of this fund is its use of Participatory

Budgeting (PB), where residents of Torry and Cove will

vote online to decide which projects receive funding. This

democratic process ensures that the community has a

direct say in the allocation of funds, fostering a sense of

ownership and collaboration. Applications for this fund will

open at the end of September.

Stay connected with ACVO for the latest updates, and

start planning your applications today.


NEWS ACVO News

10

September 2024

News from you

and other networks

Exciting, engaging and

entertaining science festival

launches in Aberdeen

Beer brewing, forensic science, artificial intelligence,

sci-fi culture and groundbreaking ideas will combine

at Aberdeen Science Festival, powered by

which runs from September 21-28.


11

ACVO News

September 2024

NEWS

T

his dynamic celebration of

science and technology will

offer a week of

unforgettable experiences

across city venues.

Supported by joint principal sponsors bp

and Shell and festival sponsor Equinor,

the newly created festival is primarily

aimed at adults, including students and

senior school pupils, with STEM Nights

and Hot Topics set to generate thoughtprovoking

debate.

Previously known as the TechFest public

programme, this new festival is

everything that the public has come to

love over the years, with a fresh new

twist and a new name to help describe

exactly what the festival will deliver.

Sessions will take place at locations

including the University of Aberdeen,

Robert Gordon University, The Lemon

Tree and Greyhope Bay, with a diverse

range of events for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets are now on sale, priced at just £6

for adults and £4 concession.

Dr Martha Gavan, deputy managing

director of TechFest said: “We’re excited

to bring Aberdeen Science Festival to life,

drawing on four decades of experience of

delivering science, technology,

engineering and maths themed events.

"We’re excited to bring Aberdeen Science

Festival to life, drawing on four decades of

experience of delivering science, technology,

engineering and maths themed events."

- Dr Martha Gavan, deputy managing director of TechFest

“Our background means we are perfectly

placed to deliver Aberdeen Science

Festival and bring an array of interactive

events, insightful presentations and

fascinating shows to both new and loyal

audiences.”

Aberdeen Science Festival’s events are

organised into four distinct categories.

Throughout its eight-day run, the festival

will deliver sessions under the headings

of Hot Topics, STEM Nights, Engaging

Experiences and Family Fest.

Hot Topics will cover cutting edge

research and topical subject as well as

Fashion and the Rise of DARQ

Technologies for Sustainability.

Taking place after dark, STEM Nights will

provide a space for the discussion of

serious scientific ideas such as the

Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas, which

combines a blend of controversial

academic research and audience

participation with comedy.

For visitors

looking for a

hands-on experience,

Engaging Experiences offer the

opportunity to get up close and personal

with science – if you are a fan of true

crime, you can be a forensic scientist for

the evening or, if beer is more your thing,

you might choose From Grain to Glass:

Behind the Scenes at Fierce Beer.

The Family Fest events have been

designed to appeal to the whole family –

imagine the surprised and astonished

faces that will be seen during The Ugly

Animal Show which will celebrate and

explore the incredible biology of the most

monstrous members of the animal

kingdom. Or the delight when the Storm

Branch Catapults sessions at Hazlehead

Woods provide the chance to build a mini

catapult!

Martha added: “The range of activities on

offer at Aberdeen Science Festival is

incredibly varied and we’re hoping the

diverse programme will entice people to

come along and learn something new.

There is no prior knowledge needed for

any event, so people needn’t worry if it’s

a completely new topic to them”

“Our ticket prices are just £6 for adults –

making it a reasonably priced activity for

a fun night out and a chance to do

something a little bit different.”

Tickets for Aberdeen Science Festival can

be bought online at Aberdeen Performing

Arts or in person at the box offices at

HMT or the Music Hall or by calling

01224 641122 between 10am and 6pm,

Tuesday to Saturday.

To book your tickets online, visit

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

For more information on Aberdeen

Science Festival and TechFest’s work

throughout the year, visit techfest.org.uk


NEWS 12

ACVO News

September 2024

North-east children’s charity, Kayleigh’s

Wee Stars, appoints new management

Kayleigh’s Wee Stars (KWS) is pleased to announce the appointment of

former Trustee and mother to Kayleigh, Anna Cordiner, as Charity Manager.

T

his appointment comes as

the charity continues to

expand its reach and impact

in providing crucial support

to families of children with terminal

illnesses.

Former primary school teacher, Anna,

will now take on a full-time position at

the charity, enabling them to meet the

increasing demand for vital support that

the families require. Anna's role will

involve managing the day-to-day

operations of the charity, increasing

brand awareness through their flagship

fundraising events, and exploring new

revenue streams for the charity.

KWS was established in 2012 by

Jonathan and Anna Cordiner following

the loss of their 2-year-old daughter

Kayleigh to a terminal brain tumour.

Following Kayleigh’s diagnosis in

December 2011, her parents took time

off work, making it their mission to

ensure her last few months were as

special as possible.

Jonathan and Anna established the

charity to help other families in the same

position to make memories with their

child, regardless of their circumstances.

KWS provides grants to families to fund

specialist equipment, family holidays or

to relieve any financial strain, allowing

parents to take time off work and enjoy

precious time with their child.

Founder, Jonathan Cordiner, said, “I am

really excited about Anna taking on the

role as Charity Manager. We started the

charity together, 12 years ago, and at

that time, all of the day-to-day running

of the charity was taken care of by us

both. I know how much she will enjoy

the opportunities to work with our

fundraisers and the families that we

support once again. It has been a big

step to come away from her teaching

career to focus on the charity and I am

incredibly proud of her. It is an exciting

new chapter for Anna, for us and for

Kayleigh’s Wee Stars.”

Anna added, “Stepping into this role is a

natural progression for me in order to

continue the mission we started in

memory of our daughter, Kayleigh. It is

incredibly meaningful to be able to help

other families create lasting memories

with their children during such difficult

times. I look forward to working closely

with our supporters and expanding our

efforts to provide essential support to

those who need it most.

“I will of course miss the families and

children that I worked alongside at my

previous job as a Complex Needs

Teacher, but I feel this is the right move

for the charity and I am very excited

about taking on this new role.”

The charities annual, flagship, cycling

fundraising event will be happening on

5th October in Newmachar,

Aberdeenshire. Registration to take part

will open soon via the charity’s website,

www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk


ACVO News

13 September 2024

NEWS

Milestone celebrated with

first ethnic minority placement

by diversity charity in Aberdeen

DIVERSITY Bridge SCIO is proud to announce the

successful placement of its first ethnic minority candidate,

Chukwudumebi Umensofor, at JCE Group (UK) Limited.

Community Safety

Hackathon Aberdeen

21-22 September 2024

Code the City and Absafe are running a

hackathon on the third weekend of

September. The theme is Community Safety.

T

his marks a significant

milestone in the charity’s

mission to promote

equality, diversity and

inclusion in the workplace.

JCE Group has been a world leader in

the design, manufacture, supply, and

installation of ATEX and Safe Area

electrical control systems for over 35

years. With a strong commitment to

innovation and safety, JCE Group is the

ideal partner for Diversity Bridge

SCIO’s first placement initiative.

Chukwudumebi Umensofor was warmly

received by Alison Cox, Managing

Director of JCE Group, and Edward

Obi, Chief Bridge Builder of Diversity

Bridge SCIO. This placement is a

testament to JCE Group’s dedication to

fostering a diverse and inclusive

workforce and Diversity Bridge’s

unwavering commitment to supporting

ethnic minorities, including refugees

and asylum seekers, facing various

challenges.

Edward Obi expressed his enthusiasm

about the collaboration, commenting:

“We are thrilled to partner with JCE

Group to provide this valuable

opportunity to Chukwudumebi

Umensofor. This placement is a

significant step toward bridging the gap

and empowering individuals from

diverse backgrounds through

mentorship programs, volunteer

opportunities, and community

initiatives.”

Alison Cox echoed this sentiment,

stating: “At JCE Group, we believe in

the power of diversity to drive

innovation and success. We are excited

to welcome Chukwudumebi to our

team and look forward to the positive

contributions he will make.”

Diversity Bridge SCIO is dedicated to

creating pathways for ethnic minorities

to thrive in various sectors. By

partnering with leading companies like

JCE Group, they aim to ensure that

everyone can succeed and contribute

to the community.

Originally scheduled for June, this hackathon

has been re-arranged for September to align

with the return of local universities.

Local third sector organisations, local

government and citizens are invited to

submit challenges on the theme of

Community Safety. They can then attend the

hackathon which will see them work in small

teams with coders, data scientists, AI

experts, and other technically-skilled

attendees to solve the challenges and

develop rapid prototype solutions.

This will be Code The City’s 32nd hackathon

in almost 10 years. Previous events have

tackled air quality, alcohol dependency,

tourism, democracy and much more. These

have seen 1,561 attendees, working on 152

projects, and putting in almost 25,000 hours

of community effort.

Already challenges have been suggested

including one from Absafe to use cameras

and cutting-edge AI to detect people in

trouble at Aberdeen beach and automatically

alert the authorities. Anyone can suggest

their own challenge on the Community

Safety theme.

You can find out more details at

codethecity.org/ctc32 and book at

ti.to/code-the-city/ctc32-sept

Tickets are moderately priced to cover

catering costs. If that is a barrier, anyone

wishing to attend who requires a free ticket

can email info@codethecity.org and one will

be issued.


EMPOWER

ABERDEEN

7th October 2024, 10 am - 4pm

A community fair, providing direct access to

support available across Aberdeen.

Join in on a day of sharing services,

experiences and networking with other

like-minded organisations in Aberdeen to

improve the lives and homes of those living

in our city/area

Sign up your organisation to host a stall by following the link, or

scanning our QR code

https://tinyurl.com/rjetw8hk


ACVO News

15 September 2024

NEWS

Ithaca Energy sensory garden

officially opens at Linn Moor School

SA, the social care charity

supporting the people of

Aberdeen & North East

VScotland, announces the

official opening of a new sensory

garden at its Linn Moor School facility,

supported by Ithaca Energy.

Ithaca Energy not only provided a

five-figure sum to enable the

complete renovation of the garden

space, but 259 members of Ithaca’s

team gifted 1,813 hours of volunteer

time over a 12-month period

transforming the space.

The sensory garden now features an

outdoor education space, strawberry

planter areas, specialist flora and

fauna which support smell and touch,

musical play and dedicated seating

areas for the children to enjoy the

outdoor space.

Anna Garden, Director of Children’s

Service at Linn Moor says, “Outdoor

Learning is a really valuable part of the

curriculum for the children and young

people at Linn Moor. This new sensory

garden provides an alternative

learning environment where children

can safely explore and learn to

manage the sensory experiences

provided in each area. We can’t thank

Ithaca Energy enough for creating this

new space for the children at Linn

Moor.”

Linn Moor School and Campus is

located on the outskirts of Aberdeen,

situated on 75 acres of countryside

and woodland. The campus provides a

nurturing, warm and aspirational

learning environment for children and

young people living with complex and

additional support needs.

Sue Freeth, CEO of VSA Says, “The

Ithaca Energy team have been

inspirational in supporting this project,

not only funding the garden but

spending so many hours as a team to

create this special space. They have

been with us for months

painting, building,

digging, and planting as a group of

dedicated volunteers. We can’t thank

them enough for their enthusiasm,

drive and hard work to complete this

incredible new outdoor area for the

school pupils to enjoy and learn in.”

Julie McAteer, General Counsel of

Ithaca Energy says, “It has been a

privilege to support this special

project at the school and meet some

of the children who will benefit from

this new space. We are so proud of

the ‘Ithaca Energy Sensory Garden’

and our team who have dedicated

time and energy to get this to

completion this summer. We can’t

wait to hear what the teachers and

children think of the space and the

positive impact it will have as an

outdoor education and play space.”

To find out more about Linn Moor

School visit www.vsa.org.uk


ACVO News

September 2024

16

Marie Curie Companion at Home:

Supporting people in your community

to live well with a terminal illness

I felt that being able to volunteer with Marie

Curie I would be able to help individuals and

also learn about their life and help to

continue their personal story, as well as

assist them facing end of life care and the

loneliness that sometimes comes with it.

Guest article from

MARIE CURIE

Daniel is a Companion at Home volunteer with

Marie Curie.

arie Curie has

Aberdeen City to support people

affected by a terminal illness.

We know that living with a diagnosis

or as a carer for a loved one can be

isolating, and we know the

difference a regular visit from

someone can make.

relaunched our

Companion at Home Mservice across

Our volunteers provide company,

emotional support and help with

small practical tasks to people living

with a terminal diagnosis and their

loved ones; visiting them for up to

three hours a week across the city of

Aberdeen. Our volunteers don’t

need to have special superpowers,

they are people from all

backgrounds who share the common

goal of helping someone in their

community to live well and enjoy the

things that matter to them.

We support people with

whatever matters most to them, and

we know the small things can make

a big difference, you could be

helping someone to take part

in a hobby they enjoy or giving

them space to share their memories.

Having someone to talk to makes

such a big difference.

Daniel has recently joined us, here’s

what he has to say about

volunteering:

“I am currently a student at the local

college and through my studies of

social sciences I have found a love for

learning about individuals and their

lives and circumstances. I felt that

being able to volunteer with Marie

Curie I would be able to help

individuals and also learn about their

life and help to continue their personal

story, as well as assist them facing end

of life care and the loneliness that

sometimes comes with it.”

We’re looking for volunteers who

love to meet new people and are

passionate about making a

difference to people facing

loneliness in their community. If

you’re 18 or over, and can spare 3

hours a week, then we would love

to hear from you. You will be given

full training when you join us. You

will also be joining a community of

people across the northeast who

are having a real impact in their

local area, and gaining skills that can

be useful for employment.

If this sounds like an opportunity

you would love, then why not get in

contact with us today.

You can contact us directly at

companionscotlandnorthandwest@

mariecurie.org.uk or on 0800 304

7406.

If you would like to find out more,

head to our website at

www.mariecurie.org.uk


Invites you to our centre for a health

and social care open day

16th October 1pm-3pm

Inchgarth community centre Aboyne place AB10 7DR

to book a space email:

inchgarthcc3@yahoo.com

come see what Inchgarth can

do for you and your clients


NEWS ACVO News

18

September 2024

Scottish Charity launch “Love without Limits”

Campaign to challenge the stigma around

relationships for adults with learning disabilities

On the 19th of August 2024, Dates-n-Mates hosted their first annual

event conference: Love without Limits – Upholding Human Rights.

ates-n-Mates are a Scottish

charity tackling social

isolation and facilitating Dfriendship and relationship

opportunities for people with a learning

disability. They take a human-rights based

approach in everything they do.

Celebrating the end of their first year as

an independent charity, they hosted a

conference in Glasgow with over 160

people attending, including adults with a

learning disability and professionals from

a wide variety of organisations across

Scotland.

On the day, they discussed the challenges

and barriers that people with a learning

disability continue to experience when

trying to access dating, relationships and

sex education resources and

opportunities.

They also heard from their members with

lived experience, some of which have now

met a partner through Dates-n-Mates.

Aberdeen member, Liz, joined the panel

discussion to share her experiences of

finding her boyfriend, Cameron, at a

Dates-n-Mates event, the date

chaperoning they had and of her

increased confidence. Some of her

friends who are also members from

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, cheered

her on from the audience, having

travelled together to attend the

conference.

The conference host and charity’s

National Director, John Paul Moffat, with

lived experience of a learning disability

and 15 years working in his role

explained what it was all about: “Love

without Limits is experiencing love…

WITHOUT others on the edge, telling

you what to do and how to live your life.”

Following the conference, Dates-n-Mates

have now launched a yearlong “Love

without Limits” awareness and

fundraising campaign.

Dates-n-Mates Aberdeen Director, Sarah

shared the importance of the campaign:

“A person’s learning disability should

never mean they do not have the

opportunity to build relationships and

friendships. Life is too short to be socially

isolated… everyone deserves to be

loved.”

Dates-n-Mates Glasgow member, Kenny

expressed what Love without Limits

means to him: “Being able to love without

limits makes me feel like Liam Gallagher

when he walks on stage or a WWE

wrestler in the ring. Powerful and full of

joy.”

By supporting the campaign – you can

play a part in challenging the barriers and

stigma people face around relationships,

dating, sex and love and send a powerful

message that everyone has the right to

love and be loved.


19 September 2024

new trading name of Foyer Design aligns

ACVO News

NEWS

Foyer Graphics Rebrands as Foyer Design:

Celebrating 25 Years of Impactful

Design and Social Responsibility

As the Aberdeen based studio marks its

25th anniversary in 2024, Foyer Graphics

announces an exciting new chapter in its

journey with a rebrand to Foyer Design,

a celebration of longevity and to the

studio’s commitment to quality,

creativity, and social responsibility.

F

ounded in the Northeast of

Scotland, Foyer Design has

built a strong reputation

over the past quarter

century as a social enterprise dedicated

to providing exceptional design services.

From branding and logo creation to

digital design, animation, and sound, the

studio has been a trusted partner for

businesses looking to bring their vision

to life through powerful and engaging

materials. Now with its new name and

rebrand, the studio aims to better reflect

its expanded service offerings and its

ongoing mission to make a difference

through design.

The change from Foyer Graphics to

Foyer Design signifies more than just a

new name; it represents a broadening of

the studio’s capabilities and a renewed

commitment to its core values. “The

rebrand to Foyer Design better reflects

who we are and the expanded services

we can offer,” says Julie Wemyss,

Creative Director at Foyer Design. “Our

focus remains on creating designs that

not only meet aesthetic and functional

needs but also contribute to a greater

good.”

While the business’s registered name

will continue as Foyer Enterprise, the

more closely with its creative and social

mission. With updated emails and a

refreshed website, the studio is poised

to continue its work as a leader in design

innovation and community support.

The Meaning Behind the New Logo

Central to the rebrand is a new logo that

encapsulates Foyer Design’s mission and

values. The logo features an orange dot,

a simple yet powerful symbol that

carries profound meaning for the studio

and its stakeholders.

“Our new logo is more than just a visual

identifier; it embodies our commitment

to social responsibility,” explains Julie

Wemyss. “The orange dot represents the

profits we donate to Aberdeen Foyer

Charity, ensuring that our success

directly benefits the community. It also

reflects the time, design expertise, and

support we provide to the charity,

highlighting our dedication to making a

positive impact beyond just financial

contributions.”

By integrating this meaningful element

into the logo, Foyer Design aims to

remind itself and its clients of the

purpose behind its work: to create

designs that serve both aesthetic and

functional purposes while contributing

to a larger social mission.

As Foyer Design looks ahead to the

future, it also takes a moment to reflect

on the past and express gratitude to

those who have been part of its journey.

“We want to take this opportunity to

thank everyone who has supported us

along the way,” says Wemyss. “Your

engagement has been key to keeping

that orange ball bouncing!”

With the rebrand, Foyer Design is not

just changing its name but is also

reaffirming its dedication to helping

clients follow their dreams (#fyd)

through impactful design. To explore

more about Foyer Design’s services or

to see samples of their work, visit:

www.foyerdesign.co.uk.


NEWS 20

ACVO News

September 2024

‘Forget Me Not’ memorial

garden opens in Aberdeen


21

ACVO News

September 2024

NEWS

memorial garden in

Aberdeen was officially

opened on Saturday (24 AAugust) by SNP Councillor

for Aberdeen City, Christian Allard.

The ‘Forget Me Not’ garden at Hazlehead

Crematorium, Aberdeen has been created

particularly for people affected by

pregnancy loss, but all are welcome to use

it as a place of remembrance and

reflection. It has been funded by

Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Sands,

and MISS (Miscarriage Support Scotland),

and created by Gerbera Designs.

Fiona Donald, Chair of Aberdeen Sands,

said: "I hope the Forget Me Not Garden

will offer bereaved parents and other

family members, a peaceful and

welcoming space where they can spend

quiet time thinking of their much-loved

babies.

“A community memorial garden can be

especially important for anyone bereaved

who is not able to visit a grave or other

special place, particularly those who have

experienced a miscarriage or other type of

earlier loss. Being in nature can be of

great benefit to anyone who is grieving,

and the design of the garden has been

informed by the wishes of Aberdeen

Sands volunteers and the local families

we support. I am very grateful to

Aberdeen City Council and all our

partners in helping the garden to grow

from an idea into the wonderful place it is

for anyone who wishes to visit and spend

time there."

Abi Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of

MISS Miscarriage Support explains a little

background about the garden concept

“About 3 years ago, I had an idea to

create a private and relaxing garden

where anyone affected by early

pregnancy loss could visit, grieve and be

at peace. At MISS, we spoke with

Aberdeen City Council initially to see if

there was a space available and this is

where we came across a complete blank

canvas with a tree, green grass and a

wall.

“This was the beginning of our garden

project, soon after we continued our

relationship and working with other

organisations including Aberdeen Sands

and Gerbera Designs, where we have

been working closely together to create a

memorial garden with unique features for

parents to visit and be amongst nature

We hope that with this garden you can

feel supported within the wildlife, plants

and safe private space.

“This tranquil garden was designed with a

central memorial stone surrounded by

benches featuring beautiful inscriptions

created by MISS Support Coordinator

Hope Cawood. It also includes peaceful

pathways and a "beehive post-box"

where letters can be written and posted

to loved ones on wildflower-seeded

paper. The letters will be collected and

mulched periodically to help the seeds

germinate in the wildflower area

of the garden. Additionally, a large tree

within the garden will be illuminated for

Baby Loss Awareness Week.

“We aim for the Forget Me Not Garden

to provide a place of comfort and healing

for individuals and families, surrounded

by the enduring beauty of nature for

many years to come.”

The garden was also supported in part by

the Just Transition PB Fund. Applications

for are currently open again in Aberdeen

until September 23. Find out more and

get support for your eco friendly

community project at www.jtpbfund.scot


NEWS ACVO News

22

September 2024

'Interns with Impact'

Program Prepares

Students for Careers

in the Third Sector

Funded by The Wood Foundation, the

Interns with Impact programme has opened

doors for University of Aberdeen students

to gain invaluable experience while actively

supporting the third sector, locally,

nationally and internationally.

Interns with Impact piloted in 2023 and

successfully funded six internships with

charitable organisations across Aberdeen

and Aberdeenshire in its first year.

Expanding the programme, this summer has

seen a total of 13 internships take place,

locally at Alcohol and Drugs Action, Carers

Support Service, Team Jak, WeToo! and

Your Love Rara. Students were also placed

within third sector organisations in

Aberdeenshire, two in Edinburgh and two in

Uganda.

Gayle Thomson Employer Engagement

Adviser at the University of Aberdeen said,

“We hope to have sufficient funding for up

to 20 places in Summer 2025, providing

funding for a student to work 300 hours

from June to August on a project that an

organisation feels will have a positive

impact; on the organisation, their client

group and on the student.

“This is a fantastic way for Aberdeen based

third sector organisations to connect with

the university and work with students to

demonstrate the potential career paths

available to them.”

Find out more at the ACVO online

information session on September 12th to

hear from ACVO Development Officer,

Sarah Irvine, Gayle Thomson and Zara

Grant from Your Love Rara with Holly, her

summer intern. Book now at

https://bit.ly/3XuwAhD

Clan launches

The Coffee Box

in Aberdeen’s

Westburn Park

to brew more

funds for charity

C traditional

lan Cancer Support has opened a new coffee shop in Aberdeen using a

horsebox, as the charity looks to bolster its income and diversify from

fundraising streams.

The Coffee Box at Westburn Park is now open from 8am – 2pm, seven days a week

with all profits going towards the charity based at Clan House, next to the park on

Westburn Road.

Barista staff have been recruited by Clan to serve hot drinks using coffee from

Aberdeen based roaster LongWalk Coffee and snacks including doughnuts from

Belmont Street based Dough and Co.

The business launch follows feedback from residents at Clan Accommodation and

market research conducted by the charity, with locals commenting on the need for a

coffee shop within the park.

Teresa Bremner, Clan’s commercial manager, said: “The launch of The Coffee Box at

Westburn Park marks an exciting milestone in Clan’s journey to deliver long term

sustainable income to to support our services and we are so pleased to be open for

business and serving quality products in our local area.

“The Coffee Box shares Clan’s mission of

empowering and improving people’s lives and we

hope our customers enjoy taking time for

themselves in the beautiful surroundings of

Westburn Park, knowing their purchase is helping

Clan provide emotional and physical support to

people impacted by cancer.”


23 September 2024

“We hope everyone enjoys utilising the new service as much as

ACVO News

NEWS

“The Coffee Box shares Clan’s mission of empowering and

improving people’s lives and we hope our customers enjoy

taking time for themselves in the beautiful surroundings of

Westburn Park, knowing their purchase is helping Clan provide

emotional and physical support to people impacted by cancer.”

The donation of a horsebox and support from local businesses

enabled the charity to pursue the business venture. Bilfinger UK

provided employee volunteers to completely refurbish the

horsebox and North-east services supported with plumbing and

electrical work.

The unit, which is approximately two metres in length, has now

been transformed into a fully contained and functional serving

station, complete with a professional coffee machine, fridge and

water supply.

we have enjoyed being a part of extending the life and

repurposing the horsebox into The Coffee Box.”

Teresa added: “We’re extremely grateful to everyone who has

helped us to launch The Coffee Box, especially Bilfinger and

North-east Services whose support has been invaluable.

“We’d also like to thank all our customers – we appreciate

every single person who has taken the time to visit us so far.

We look forward to serving many more people throughout the

summer and for many more seasons to come.”

A full menu and opening times can be found on the business’

dedicated social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.

It will remain stationed in Westburn Park with staff on hand to

keep the business operational throughout the year.

Gavin Morris, operations director at Bilfinger Engineering and

Maintenance UK, said: “The Coffee Box will help Clan generate

crucial funds to support those affected by cancer in our local

community, and we are delighted to have played our part to

support the unique initiative.



Aberdeen’s Third Sector Mental Health & Wellbeing Networking Event

Hear about the great work being done locally to support people’s health and wellbeing. Engage in real

conversations, make new and valuable connections, and stimulate new partnership working.

Contact morven@mackenzie-brown.com for more info


ACVO News

September 2024

26

‘Together We Can’

Aberdeen in Recovery Calls for Community Action

to Prevent Overdose Deaths in the North East

As addiction and overdose continues to impact

communities across Scotland, raising awareness

over preventable drugs deaths, and how everyone

can play a part in helping to reduce them, has never

been more urgent.

This year, as part of International Overdose

Awareness Day, which took place on August 31st,

Aberdeen in Recovery (AIR) marked the occasion

by continuing their ongoing work to engage with

and educate the public in Aberdeen, with a

particular focus on the importance of Naloxone; a

life-saving intervention that can reverse the effects of

an opioid overdose and provide individuals with a

second chance.

AIR is a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation

(LERO) and uses its unique position to advocate for

education, support, and community connection.

Through their network of lived experience voices,

they highlight the critical need for widespread

training and awareness around the issues of

addiction and preventable deaths due to overdose.


ACVO News

Alan: Saving Lives One Training at a Time

27 September 2024

Alan Chalmers, a Peer Support Worker with Aberdeen in

Recovery, speaks passionately about the power of Naloxone.

“I did my Naloxone training about seven years ago,”

“It’s very useful, even if you see someone collapsed,

Naloxone doesn’t do any harm, but can potentially save a

life. The Scottish Government is pushing for as many people

to get trained up so they can administer Naloxone anywhere

at the point it’s needed”

Alan’s firsthand experience with addiction gives him a

profound understanding of the struggles faced by those who

walk through AIR’s doors. “We’ve all had our own

experiences with addiction,” he shares. “We want to give

people hope and inspiration. I never thought I’d be where I

am today - training others in Naloxone, helping them learn

what I’ve learned.”

Alan’s message is clear: “It’s about saving lives and giving

people a second chance. That’s what AIR is all about -

helping others on their recovery journey.”

For Alan, International Overdose Awareness Day is more

than a single day of recognition. “Every day should be

Overdose Awareness Day,” he asserts. “It’s about getting the

word out there, about Naloxone and the training. Anybody

can do it, it’s just about having the confidence to act to save

a human life. We’re all human beings, after all.”

Ashley: A Young Perspective on Recovery

Ashley, a young person’s volunteer at AIR, reflects on her

own recovery journey, having been a service user before

stepping into her current role. “I’ve been volunteering for

a few weeks now, and I absolutely love it,” Ashley says. “I

enjoy speaking to people, sharing my experience, and

identifying with the younger people coming through the

service.”

Ashley emphasises the changing landscape of drug use

among younger generations. “As generations change, so

does drug use. Different substances are being used, and it’s

important to keep educating not just our community, but

the wider public as well. We need to end the stigma,” she

explains. “Addiction doesn’t discriminate - it could be

someone’s brother, sister, mum.”

Looking ahead, Ashley is hopeful about her future with

AIR. “I’m hoping to start a podcast about recovery, as well

as some of the other symptoms like ADHD and personality

disorders that often accompany substance abuse, which I

have personal experience with” she reveals. “It’s about

raising awareness of all aspects of addiction, not just the

drugs themselves.”


ACVO News

September 2024

28

Allan: A Personal Reflection on Recovery

Allan, another member of AIR, shared his personal

journey through addiction and recovery. "I used to be

heavily into drugs, but now I don’t touch anything.

Recovery has been a learning curve for me," he said.

Allan believes in the power of lived experience in helping

others. "When people come in, they see that I’m in

recovery too, and that makes a big difference. It's about

breaking down barriers and making people feel welcome."

He also stressed the importance of marking International

Overdose Awareness Day. "I've lost two family members to

addiction, and I nearly died myself from an overdose.

Naloxone saved my life. We need to be aware of the

dangers and educate others. Anyone can slip into

addiction, we need to get over that stigma, see the person

behind the addiction and make sure they can get the help

and support they need.”

Lindsay: Breaking the Stigma of Addiction

Lindsay Webster, a Community Coordinator at AIR, has

been working alongside her counterpart, Linda Algie, for

almost two years. She speaks with urgency about the need

for Naloxone training and public awareness. “Naloxone is

one of the biggest lifesavers out there,” Lindsay says. “It

reverses the effects of opioids, buying people vital minutes

until an ambulance arrives. We’ve done a great job getting it

into the hands of those who need it most - such as those with

addiction issues and their family members - now it’s time to

get it to the general public.”

Lindsay is an advocate for reducing stigma and encouraging

action. “Overdose is tragic under any circumstances, and it’s

not just a one-day event,” she stresses. “People who use

drugs or alcohol are massively stigmatised, and awareness

days help break down those barriers. We all need to be

brave and take a stance. If we don’t act, the numbers will

keep going up. It’s an epidemic.”

Reflecting on the theme for this year’s International

Overdose Awareness Day, Lindsay adds, “The tagline is

‘Together We Can’. It’s about banding together,

remembering those we’ve lost, and celebrating those in

recovery. Behind every overdose statistic is a person. It’s

someone’s loved one. Together, we can raise awareness,

foster understanding and take action to make a difference.”


ACVO News

Linda: Building a Community of Support

29 September 2024

Linda Algie, another one of the coordinators at Aberdeen in

Recovery, has been with the organisation since its inception

in 2012. She is passionate about fostering a sense of

community and breaking down barriers. “Community is

where it’s at,” Linda says with conviction. “That’s where

everyone needs to be - feeling part of something, engaging

in conversations, sharing experiences. That’s where the

magic happens.”

For Linda, the central location of AIR on Union Street is a

game-changer. “Having a central location right in the heart

of Aberdeen makes it accessible to everyone,” she explains.

“You’re reaching people who don’t even know what

recovery means, just by having a conversation. It’s about

making recovery visible and breaking the stigma.”

Linda believes in the power of lived experience. “Sharing

our stories is crucial. It might not work for everyone, but it’s

about finding what does. Everyone’s journey is different, and

that’s what makes our community strong - learning from

each other, supporting each other.”

Stevie: Finding Strength in Connection

Stevie, another AIR volunteer, shares a deeply personal

story of loss and survival. “I got involved with AIR in 2018

after a friend and I took the same tablets—he died, and I

didn’t,” Stevie recalls. “That was my wake-up call. I didn’t

know where to start with recovery, but AIR gave me that

start.”

Stevie speaks to the importance of community and

connection in maintaining his recovery. “It’s easy to fall

back into old habits, but having a place like AIR keeps me

connected,” he says. “It’s not just about staying off drugs or

alcohol - it’s about laughing, joking, being with people

who understand. You need that connection with others

who are on the same path. It’s what keeps us going.”

A Community Effort to Save Lives

International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that

behind every statistic is a person. To honour the memory

of those lost, we all need to be part of the collective

response to help end overdose and preventable drugs

deaths. With education, training, and a supportive

community, we can make a difference.

“Together, we can save lives,” says Lindsay Webster. “And

that, is at the heart of all Aberdeen in Recovery do”.

To find out more about Aberdeen in Recovery, you can

visit them online at aberdeeninrecovery.org, follow on

Facebook or drop in to their centre at 41 Union Street,

1st Floor Left, AB11 5BN


ACVO News

September 2024

30

Transforming Lives and Communities with the Just Transition PB Fund:

How AARC is Making a Positive Difference

Socially & Environmentally in the North East

W

hen Jayne Smith, one of the founders of

Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC) in Aberdeen,

first heard about the Scottish Government’s

Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (PB)

Fund, she wasn’t sure her then newly formed organisation stood

a chance. “I saw the advertisement in 2022, and we had only

just been established,” Jayne recalls with a smile. “I thought, no,

there’s no way - we can't apply. But then last year, I thought,

why not?”

Jayne’s decision to apply for funding turned out to be a gamechanger

for AARC, a charity dedicated to supporting New Scots

- those seeking asylum and refuge in the UK - by providing

essential services such as clothing, digital access, and integration

support. Thanks to a successful bid to the JTPB Fund in 2023,

AARC was able to purchase an electric minibus, a vital resource

that has transformed how the organisation operates.

The Power of a Minibus: More Than Just a Vehicle

The funding allowed AARC to acquire an electric minibus that

now facilitates the organisation’s activities. “Before the minibus,

I had to use my car to pick up donations or take people to

volunteer opportunities,” Jayne explains. “It was time-consuming

and less efficient. Now, with the minibus, I can take up to eight

people at a time. It’s not only easier but also better for the

environment.”

The minibus has enabled AARC to expand its volunteering

program significantly, creating opportunities for New Scots to

engage in community work across Aberdeen. Jayne is

particularly proud of a six-week program run in partnership with

FRESH Community Wellness in Seaton. “We started with the

capacity for eight people because that’s the number of seats in

the van. But some weeks, we had as many as 15 people showing

up!” she says. “The feedback from FRESH was fantastic—they

managed to complete over a year’s worth of projects in just six

weeks because of our volunteers.”

The ability to transport volunteers and equipment has not only

increased the number of community projects AARC can support

Jayne Smith, one of the founders of Asylum and Refugee Care (AARC)

but has also improved the well-being of those involved. “One of

our volunteers was on medication for depression before joining

the program,” Jayne shares. “After the first week, he told me he

felt better, like he had a purpose. He’s now off his medication.

That’s the kind of impact we’re having.”

Breaking Down Barriers with Community Support

Jayne emphasises that the success of AARC’s bid was due in

large part to the overwhelming support from the local

community. “We had great backing from the mosques, churches,

Robert Gordon University and the wider public” she notes.

“When we found out we’d been awarded the funding, it was a

surprise because we’re such a small organisation, but it shows

the community believes in us and in the work we do.”

This belief is reflected in the positive responses AARC

volunteers receive from Aberdeen residents. “People often


31

ACVO News

September 2024

come up to our volunteers to thank them for their hard work,”

Jayne says. “It’s heartwarming to see how much their

contributions are appreciated. Our volunteers want to work—

they’re not permitted to due to their immigration status, but

they’re eager to help. The minibus has given them that

opportunity.”

Encouraging Others to Apply

With the third year of the Just Transition Fund now open for

applications, Jayne is keen to encourage other organisations to

consider applying. “Absolutely, do it,” she urges. “It doesn’t

matter how small or new your organisation is. It’s about the

impact you want to make. Think carefully about what you need,

what will help you develop, make an impact and what aligns

with your goals, and get your application in.”

The Just Transition PB Fund is a Scottish Government initiative

managed locally by ACVO TSI, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action,

and tsiMoray in partnership with NESCAN Hub and Money For

Moray. It aims to support eco-friendly projects across Aberdeen,

Aberdeenshire, and Moray. With £1 million available this year,

split equally among the three regions, there is a significant

opportunity for community groups and charities to secure

funding for projects that make a difference.

Looking Ahead: Building a Greener Future

Jayne is optimistic about the future and the potential for other

organisations to follow in AARC’s footsteps. “The minibus has

allowed us to do so much more,” she says. “We’ve got plans to

continue expanding our volunteering programs and to help even

more people. Thanks to the Just Transition Fund, we’re not just

helping new Scots integrate; we’re also making Aberdeen a

greener, more sustainable place to live.”

For those considering applying for the next round of funding,

Jayne has one final piece of advice: “You’ve got nothing to lose

and everything to gain. Look at what we’ve achieved with our

funding. Imagine what you could do with yours.”

The Just Transition PB Fund is open for applications until

September 23, 2024. To find out more, visit www.jtpbfund.scot

and start your journey toward making a positive impact in your

community today.

JUSTTRANSiTiON

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FUND



MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Find out how you can get involved with making positive changes in Aberdeen

COME AND

NETWORK DAY

Bon Accord Centre

(Aberdeen Vaccination and Wellbeing Hub)

Saturday 14 September 2024

Drop in any time from 10am-2pm

•Meet groups, organisations and likeminded individuals

who are making a positive impact in the city.

•Find out how you can get involved!

•Share your skills and experience with others.

No need to book!

Find out more:

https://bit.ly/CANDay2024

BOOK ONTO OUR CAN WORKSHOPS

North East Scotland College,

Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate

17-19 September 2024, 6pm-9pm

•Digital Drop-In

•AI and Search Engine Optimisation

•Committee Skills

• Sustainability

•Relationship Building

•Meditation in the Planetarium

•And much more!

Find out more:

https://CANWorkshops24.eventbrite.com



ACVO News

35 September 2024

VOLUNTEERING

YPI Scotland:

Empowering young people

to make a difference in

their communities

The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative

(YPI) is delivered in 290 schools across

Scotland. YPI is a programme that

empowers young people to make a

difference in their local communities

while developing a range of skills.

Each participating school is responsible

for directing a grant of £3000 to a local

charity championed by its young people

through teamwork, research, and

competition. Since the programme was

launched in Scotland in 2008, more than

350,000 young people have been

responsible for granting £7.6 million to

small grassroots charities.

A key element of YPI is charity

engagement. Young people will identify

social issues affecting

their community and

build relationships with charities

that are addressing these issues. Schools

will get in touch with charities by email

or phone. There will likely be an

interview or a visit to the charity to

allow young people to build knowledge

and gain a better understanding of the

charity’s facts, figures and stories which

brings their work to life. The young

people will discuss with the charity the

impact a £3000 grant would have in the

local area.

Teams will present their findings which

will include a business case for the

£3000 grant and one team will be

Isla, Rachael and Tasha from Bucksburn Academy secured

£3000 for Touch of Love Outreach after winning their

school YPI Grand Final in April 2023.

awarded the winner

and will grant £3000 of

unrestricted funding to their chosen

charity.

To find out more about making the most

of YPI engagement with school

communities, visit

ypiscotland.org.uk/charity-zone

YPI is managed and majority funded by

The Wood Foundation.

For more information, please contact

Lucia Giuntoli, YPI Partnerships Manager,

Lucia.Giuntoli@thewoodfoundation.org.uk


Funding

ACVO News

September 2024

36

Aberdeen community and environmental

projects receive boost from new

Reuse Community Fund

Launched in 2024 by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, the Aberdeen Reuse

Community Fund has awarded £5,000 to ten organisations focused on environmental

and wellbeing initiatives that benefit the wider Aberdeen community.

F

unded by the Reuse Shop

at the Hazlehead

Household Waste

Recycling Centre (HWRC),

the grant aims to support

not-for-profit organisations with projects

that enhance the environment and

promote the health and wellbeing of

Aberdeen’s community. The HWRC and

shop are operated by SUEZ recycling and

recovery UK as part of the waste and

recycling contract with Aberdeen City

Council, with the shop selling pre-loved

items for the home and garden.

Established with support from the

Scottish Government’s Recycling

Improvement Fund, the Reuse Shop

officially opened in July 2022. Since then,

it has diverted more than 120 tonnes of

items from disposal, offering quality

goods at low prices to Aberdeen

residents. Proceeds from the shop have

enabled the establishment of an official

community fund, ensuring that the

money is reinvested in supporting the

local community.

Colin Forshaw, Production Operations

Manager at SUEZ recycling and recovery

UK said, "I’m thrilled by the number of

fantastic applications we received in the

first year of the Aberdeen Reuse

Community Fund and look forward to

seeing the projects in action. The Reuse

Shop has been a tremendous success,

preventing waste and offering quality

items at affordable prices to the people

of Aberdeen. It’s great to see the

positive impact the shop’s proceeds are

having on the wider community. I hope

our fund continues to grow, allowing us

to support even more local projects in

the future.”

In 2024, ten

community groups each received a £500

grant for projects ranging from

community gardens and litter-picking

initiatives to

youth club activities.

Fraser Hoggan, Chief Executive of

Alcohol & Drugs Action (ADA), a local

provider for alcohol and drug support

services, who runs a gardening group as

part of their recovery service, said

"We’re really grateful for the funding

provided by SUEZ, which will greatly

benefit our garden project.

"Gardening and being outdoors makes a

huge difference to everyone’s mental

health and has a significant impact on

our recovery participants and volunteers.

The new area will provide a valuable

outdoor space for educational and

reflective purposes, and it’s a wonderful

project to deliver over the coming

months.”

Lesley Anne, Chair of Fittie Community

Development Trust, said: “We are

delighted to have been awarded a grant

from SUEZ to install a litter pick box

adjacent to the Beach Play Park in Fittie.

We want to improve our local area for

the benefit of the hundreds of people

who come down to the seaside every

week. The idea is for members of the

public and beach users to help take

responsibility for keeping our beach

clean and free of litter. The marine and

coastal environment is a fragile one, and

bird life, crustaceans and fish depend on

the shoreline area being clean.”

Fittie Community Development Trust successfully applied to the Fund for their litter-picking

project.

For further information about the fund,

please visit their page on ActionFunder.


ACVO News

37 September 2024

Opportunities

The Health Improvement Fund

Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership

The Health Improvement Fund supports initiatives that improve health and

wellbeing for people across Aberdeen.

Since 2016, over 400 projects have been supported through the fund, these

have included toe-tapping tea parties; improving access to woodland walks;

mindful libraries; a new hen house at a local care home and many more

inspirational and creative projects.

The Health Improvement Fund will open for applications from Locality based

projects ONLY from 21st August – 11th September 2024.

What is the money used for?

The Health Improvement Fund is available for new initiatives that will improve

health and wellbeing in communities across Aberdeen, either geographical

communities or communities of interest.

There is now up to £5,000 available to put your idea into action.

We are looking for projects that:

Are community led and inspire community members to get involved

Meet local need and reflect local circumstances

Join people together

Can show improvements in health and wellbeing

Community

Funding Available:

up to £5,000

Applications close:

11/09/2024

Find out more at acvo.org.uk/opportunities/funding

Local Support Fund Micro Grants

CORRA Foundation

Community

Funding Available:

Up to £20,000

Applications close:

02/10/2024

The Local Support Fund Micro Grants (LSF Micro) are part of the Scottish Government’s

National Drugs Mission Funds, administered by the Corra Foundation.

LSF Micro is for grassroots and community-based groups in Scotland, which deliver

frontline services to support people who use or used drugs, people in recovery and/or

families affected by someone else’s drug use.

This fund is designed to help these groups by providing grants which will offer some

financial security. This is intended to help with planning and delivering support to

improve the wellbeing of people who use substances, people in recovery and their

families.

Funding can support day to day running costs, project costs, training, new or existing

activities, small pieces of equipment, expansion costs, etc.

Applications should be sent in by the closing date of 1pm on Wednesday 2nd October

2024.

Contact the Corra team to arrange a chat about your project. If eligible, you will be sent a

link to their online application form.

Find out more at on acvo.org.uk/opportunities

ACVO Events

Funding

discover more funding opportunities collected with

Aberdeen's third sector in mind on our funding portal at

acvo.org.uk/opportunities/funding






Opportunities

ACVO News

September 2024

42

Events

Events in September

10th

12th

13th

World Suicide Prevention

Day – Introduction to Suicide

Prevention Training Session

10th September marks World Suicide

Prevention Day, with the theme of, ‘Change

the narrative, start the Conversation’.

One way of helping to change the narrative

is to keep informed about how you can help

someone. With this in mind the North East

Suicide Prevention Team, hosted by SAMH

(Scottish Action for Mental Health), is

delivering an additional online Introduction

to Suicide Prevention Session on the day

itself.

The session will cover:-

• Introduction to the statistics and

prevalence of suicide

• Stigma – why does this still exist?

• Spotting the signs that may suggest

someone is having thoughts of suicide

• Asking the question around suicide, the

power of listening and remembering what

we can do within the remit of our roles

• Signposting to support and resources; our

boundaries/looking after ourselves

ACVO Members Event: Third

Sector Internships

Following a successful pilot scheme in

2023 at the University of Aberdeen,

another round of ‘Interns with Impact’

internships in the sector funded by the

Wood Foundation are underway this

summer in a variety of organisations.

These include locally ADA, Quarriers,

Team Jak, We Too! and Your LoveRara.

We’ll be joined by Gayle, Employer

Engagement Adviser to discuss the

scheme, it’s successes and challenges and

how to build on this experience. The

University will be looking for new hosts

for internships for Summer 2025 so come

along and find out if this may work for

your organisation.

This session will cover:

An overview of the Internship scheme

Your input around projects which you

think could offer real impact

Information about putting together a

proposal for an intern

The chance to ask the team your

questions in a short Q&A session.

How to Make Your Idea Work?

JTPB Fund Support

Join NESCAN Hub for the 'How to Make

your Idea Work' drop-in online event to

help you guide through the process of

transforming ideas into a viable successful

project as part of the Just Transition

Participatory Budgeting Fund.

Date: Friday, 13th September 2024

Time: 19:00 - 20:00

Online Zoom

​This is a ticketed event. BOOKING

REQUIRED

Book your tickets now through

TicketSource.

For more information, please contact

info@nescan.org

Join us in shaping a fair and sustainable

future for our community! Your ideas can

make a difference.

Date Tue 10 September 2024

Date Thu 12 September 2024

Date Fri 13th September 2024

Time

2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Time

11:00 pm - 13:00 pm

Time

19:00 pm - 20:00 pm

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

SAMH

Organiser

ACVO TSI

Organiser

NESCAN Hub

Venue

Online

Venue

Online

Venue

Online

Find out more via ACVO Events

Find out more via ACVO Events

Find out more via ACVO Events


ACVO News

43 September 2024

Opportunities

SensationALL Quiz Night!

By popular demand, our quiz night at the

Broadstraik Inn returns on Tuesday 17th

September! Get your team together and test

your knowledge on some tricky trivia all

while raising money to help fund our social

groups and activities.

£40 per team of four.

Register your team now at

events@sensationall.org.uk

SensationALL provide fun activities, social

groups and practical support for ALL ages

and ALL conditions and ALL family

members. Sessions are specially designed to

provide a safe environment where people

with additional needs can develop skills

while making friends and having fun! Group

sizes are kept small and the high staff ratio

aims to accommodate everyone’s sensory

and behavioural needs. Attending the quiz

night helps to support their vital work!

shmuFEST

Get ready to celebrate shmu’s 21st birthday

and the community – a fun-filled day with

live music, food and entertainment.

Welcome to shmuFEST!

Come and join us for a day of fun, music,

and community at Deer Road Park and next

door, at shmu HQ. Get ready for an

unforgettable experience filled with live

performances, a barbeque, and exciting

activities, all showcasing community talent

from Woodside and beyond!

Celebrate our 21st birthday with us, with a

wide range of entertainment; including face

painting, circus tricks, live dance groups, a

silent disco and much more!

Whether you’re a music lover, excited to

celebrate shmu’s birthday, or a member of

the community, shmuFEST has something

for everyone. Don’t miss out on this

opportunity to connect with others and

celebrate the spirit of togetherness. See

you there!

ACVO Training: Charity Trustees

Duties & Responsibilities

If you want to find out more about the

duties and responsibilities of Scottish

Charity Trustees then this is the session

for you.

A 2 hour session led by ACVO

Development Officer Sandy Mathers

designed to make you more confident as a

charity trustee. The session will cover the

following topics;

Background to the Act

Who are Charity Trustees?

General Duties of Trustees

Specific Duties of Trustees

Remuneration of Charity Trustees

Breach of duty

Date Tue 17 September 2024

Date Sun 22 September 2024

Date Tue 24 September 2024

Time

19:00 pm - 22:00 pm

Time

12:00 pm - 18:00 pm

Time

14:00 am - 16:00 pm

Cost

£40 per team

Cost

Free

Cost £11.55

Organiser

SensationALL

Organiser

Station House Media Unit

Organiser

ACVO TSI

Venue

The Broadstraik Inn, Straik

Road, Elrick, Aberdeenshire,

AB32 6TL

Venue

Station House, Station

Road, Woodside, Aberdeen,

AB24 2WB,

Venue

38 Castle Street, Aberdeen,

AB11 5YU,

Find out more via ACVO Events

Find out more via ACVO Events

Find out more via ACVO Events

17th

22nd

24th

Discover more events from and for

Aberdeen's third sector and add yours

free of charge to our public calendar at

acvo.org.uk/events


Vacancies

ACVO News

September 2024

44

SAFE Team Advisor

Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE)

£23,409 per annum Full Time 36.25 hours per week Fixed Term Aberdeen

Closing date: 06/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

SAFE stands for Support Advice Finance Education. The SAFE Team Advisor will be part of a team delivering a range of

confidential financial advice and support services and activities for and with our beneficiaries. The primary focus of this

role is the provision of financial capability support to individuals across communities. This will involve connecting with

residents attending the mobile pantry and locating in outreach settings to provide SAFE support in priority areas.

CFINE operates to cooperative, or ‘Community Development’, principles which underpin and permeate

the organisation and its activities. The ethos and values are:

➢ inclusion, dignity, and respect.

➢ equality of opportunity.

➢ collaboration and partnership.

➢ mutuality and reciprocity.

➢ recognising that everyone has something to offer.

➢ those affected by an issue should be integrally involved in solutions; and

➢ enterprising.

To apply, please request an application form for this post by emailing sleys@cfine.orgComplete and return your application

accompanied by a letter stating why you are suitable for this post, to Sam Leys, Development Manager, 2-4 Poynernook

Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RW or by email to sleys@cfine.org – Closing date: 5pm, Friday 6th September 2024.

Support Group Facilitator

Epilepsy Scotland

£23,185 (pro rata £9,274) Part Time 14 hours per week Fixed Term Aberdeen

Closing date: 05/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Initially, this is a fixed term post for 12 months.

As part of Epilepsy Scotland’s Services Team supporting adults, the post-holder will be integral to facilitating a group in

Aberdeen for people living with epilepsy. The successful applicant will be responsible for supporting the group to meet

regularly and discuss challenges they face.

The Support Group Facilitator will organise group sessions and create a peer-to-peer networking group where participants

can share their journey with one another. The applicant must have excellent communication and organising skills, with the

ability to work remotely. They will also help participants with their epilepsy by increasing their social networks across

Grampian, raise awareness of the Support Group and seek suitable funding opportunities.

We are keen to hear from skilled communicators with experience in an emotional wellbeing support role especially those who

have supported people with epilepsy, learning disability, physical disability or other community care needs.

We would particularly welcome applications from those with lived experience of epilepsy and/or the impact a lifelong

condition can have on emotional wellbeing.

Read full job description


45 September 2024

Aberdeen

ACVO News

Opportunities

Driver – Linn Moor Campus

VSA

£12.00 per hour Part Time Sample rota on request Permanent

Linn Moor School, Peterculter

Closing date: 20/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

VSA’s Linn Moor Campus is a unique multi-generational approach to community-based care for individuals with learning

disabilities and other additional support needs. With UK wide recognition for our pioneering work with people with autism,

our focus is on the development of meaningful life skills and personal fulfilment for the children and young adults we

support.

We are currently seeking a Driver whose main objective is to transport staff to and from Linn Moor Campus, you will work a

mixture of morning and evening shifts including some weekends (6.30am – 9.00am and 8.30pm – 11.00pm). Working a 4-day of

split shifts (morning and night) you average weekly hours of 17.5 but work 25 hours in your 4 day block. Sample rota available

on request.

As well as promoting the safety of passengers you will also be responsible for checking that vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

On occasion you may be required to provide cover for other Campus based drivers which could involve transporting pupils and

may also be responsible for some basic DIY tasks around the campus.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Driving staff to and from Linn Moor Campus in the morning and evenings to deliver the staff bus run provision on place at

the campus

Checking that vehicles are roadworthy at all times.

Driving vehicles in a careful and considerate manner to ensure safety of passengers.

Carrying out any other tasks, which may be required from time-to-time, provided these tasks are both reasonable and

within the post-holder’s capabilities.

Maintenance Assistant

VSA

£12.00 per hour Full Time 39 hours per week Permanent

Closing date: 20/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

VSA is a well-respected local social care charity, helping support the people of Aberdeen for over 150 years. Our mission is to

provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential.

VSA provides vital support and services to people of all ages. At VSA we support a person’s physical, mental, emotional and

social wellbeing through a range of residential and outreach support services.

We currently have an exciting opportunity available to join our Property and Maintenance Team as a Maintenance Assistant

based in Aberdeen. This will be a full-time permanent position and in return, you will receive competitive salary and benefits.

Hours: 39 hours per week

Work Pattern: Monday to Friday (8.00am – 4.30pm, with an early finish on a Friday)

Rate/Salary: £12.00 per hour or £24,336.00 per annum

Location: Aberdeen City, (Based mainly at Broomhill Park Service, however role will cover other properties in the south of the

city)

Additional Info: Applicants must hold a valid UK Drivers License as you will be expected to work across multiple sites during the

day, and preferably have access to your own transport, however we will consider those applicants who don’t have their own

transport but have a valid UK drivers licence, (please state in the covering letter if you have a valid Drivers License to help us

process your application accordingly).


Vacancies

ACVO News

September 2024

46

Gardener

VSA

£12.00 per hour Full Time 39 hours per week Permanent

Aberdeen

Closing date: 20/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

VSA currently have an exciting opportunity available to join our Property and Maintenance Team as a Gardener based at our

Easter Anguston Farm in Peterculter (however you will be expected to work at other VSA locations across the city). This will

be a full-time permanent position and in return, you will receive competitive salary and benefits.

Easter Anguston Farm is an operational farm, and local community resource, which serves as a training facility for adults with

learning difficulties and other additional support needs.

Situated in Peterculter, the farm has 75 acres of arable land, used as a working farm, plus 20 acres of woodland attracting

visitors from across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond.The farm and its associated woodland, conservation and education

areas provide a vital community resource that is invaluable.

Work Pattern: Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m & Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Based at Easter Anguston Farm, Peterculter, but working at all VSA locations across the City – Access to own

transport as well as holding a valid drivers licence is essential to be considered for this role. Please state in your covering letter if

you have these.

Main Duties & Responsibilities of will include:

Follow instructions from Head Gardener and identify and act upon any gardening and maintenance issues that may arise

including winter maintenance when applicable.

Maintaining site grounds (footpaths, gutters, blocked drains etc) and assist with the maintenance of the gardens.

Ensuring Health and Safety standards are rigorously met by all, whilst undertaking gardening and maintenance work.

Any other duties that may arise from time to time provided they are within the post holders capabilities.

Support Worker

Beannachar Camphill Community

Aberdeen

£12.81 per hour Full Time Closing date: 13/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Beannachar is a vibrant Camphill Community situated on South Deeside Road, Aberdeen.We are a registered care home and

training centre for young adults with additional support needs, aged between 18 and 33 years.

We are currently looking for Support Workers to join our team.

Support workers work directly with people with additional support needs; providing personal care and developmental support,

as needed, by each individual student both in the houses and sometimes in the workshops. The support worker actively

promotes the rights of our students as individuals; helps them to achieve their potential by strengthening areas where they can

develop; and assists in creating a safe and homely environment.

Please see our job description attached to learn more about the role and the essential criteria required for the position.

Please also visit our website where you will find our application pack and where you can learn more about our Community.

https://www.beannachar.co.uk/work-opportunities

Read full job description

Download application form


47 September 2024

Aberdeen

ACVO News

Opportunities

Mental Health & Wellbeing Worker

Penumbra

£23,650 per annum (£12.13 p/h equivalent) Full Time 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: 22/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

If you are looking for a rewarding career and to work within an epic team that will help you grow and thrive, then you have come

to the right place. Working within our Papermill Gardens service you can start your day knowing what you do really does make a

difference!

Our Papermill Gardens service delivers a high-quality Care at Home and Housing Support service for adults with severe and

enduring mental health challenges. Supporting 11 individual tenancies and community- based outreach support, the service

operates on a 24/7 basis.

With the aim of equipping people with the skills needed to live independently and meaningfully within the local community, a

strengths-based coaching approach to recovery is used to build confidence, maintain motivation, and promote resilience.

Alongside this we also provide practical support with food preparation, medication, budgeting, and other daily living skills.

Promoting participation and inclusion is a core value of the service, through working alongside people to deliver innovative,

creative, and personalised interventions and opportunities.

You will be experienced and passionate about working in a person-centred way with adults who experience mental health issues

or adults who are expressing their needs through distressed behaviour and substance misuse. With a strong interest in people

and a commitment to helping others, you will strive to make a positive impact on people’s lives and tailor support to enable

people to fulfil their best potential. As the service operates on a 24-hour basis, a mixture of shifts will be required on a rota basis,

including sleepovers (additional sleepover rate).

Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner

(Peer) – Penumbra 365

Penumbra

£24,374 – £25,687 per annum (£12.30 - £13.17 p/h equivalent) Full Time 37.5 hours per week

Aberdeen Closing date: 10/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

If you are looking for a rewarding career and to work within an epic team that will help you grow and thrive, then you have

come to the right place. Working within our Community Interventions Aberdeen service you can start your day knowing what

you do really does make a difference!

Our brand-new Community Interventions Service in Aberdeen will be a single point of access for people aged over 18 who are

seeking mental health, wellbeing or distress support. From reaching out to our Welcome Team, people will be given the time and

space to explore options that best fit their needs; there is no wrong door.

Working within a vibrant team, you will deliver a range of supportive interventions, including relational signposting, 1:1 coaching,

specialised distress management planning, and Workshops on Wellbeing. Drawing on your local knowledge, strong

communication skills and flexibility, you will actively seek opportunities to promote the service to all communities across the city.

Your unique knowledge and understanding gained from managing your own mental health challenges will be integral to the role.

Through sharing learning from your own lived/living experience, you will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible. Within

a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, you will promote self-management and opportunities for improved health

and wellbeing. With passion, and compassion, you will bring creativity and positivity to finding ways to empower people.

The post will be based in our North area office and across a variety of community settings across Aberdeen City, which may

include Kittybrewster Custody Suite. The role will work as part of an operational rota to support delivery 9am – 10pm, 7 days per

week.


Vacancies

ACVO News

September 2024

48

Substance Use Advocacy Worker

Advocacy Service Aberdeen

£23,000 pro-rata Part Time 25 hours per week Fixed Term

Aberdeen

Closing date: 30/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Advocacy Service Aberdeen (ASA) is a third sector agency providing an independent advocacy service for people who use

health and social care services in Aberdeen City. Advocacy helps people speak up about things that are important to them

and to have more control over their lives and to have a greater say in decision making and the services they receive.

We are seeking to employ a SUBSTANCE USE ADVOCACY WORKER

PART TIME (25 hours) until April 2025 (could be extended, subject to further funding)

Starting salary of £23,000 per annum rising to £23,750 per annum after successful probation (this will be pro-rata for part-time

hours)

Fixed Term until April 2025 (could be extended, subject to further funding)

The successful candidate will provide an independent advocacy service to individuals who use substances and those in recovery

in accordance with the MAT Standards. The successful candidate will support individuals to understand their rights and express

their views related to health and social work interventions which affect their life alongside advocacy support for other issues

they are experiencing. The successful candidate will also assist individuals to be better prepared and able to engage with

professionals from a range of services including social work, police, housing and health.

Excellent communication skills are essential, as well as a commitment to equal opportunities and to the empowerment of

individuals and groups. Applicants must be non-judgemental and able to empathise with the experiences of others. The ability to

drive and having access to a car is desirable, as is the ability to undertake both home and office working. Education to degree

level or equivalent is highly desirable.

Project Co-ordinator

Tillydrone Community Campus SCIO

£17 p.h Part time

Closing date: 20/09/2024

20-25 hours to be worked flexibly Fixed term

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Aberdeen

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to fill the post of Project Co-ordinator. This is an exciting time for

the Tillydrone Community Campus as the SCIO prepare, over the next two years, to take over management of the community

side of the Campus.

We need a Co-ordinator who is a self-starter, with excellent organisational skills, and previous fundraising or revenue

generating experience to develop activities in the campus that reflect the needs of the local community. You will have

experience of working in a community environment and be skilled in community engagement while working with and supporting

the Trustees of the SCIO. Secondment opportunity available

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity you are looking for, please apply today by sending your CV and covering letter to

tillydronecommunitycampus@outlook.com

Interviews to be held on 10th October 2024

Read full job description


ACVO News

49 September 2024

Opportunities

Community Development Worker

Station House Media Unit (shmu)

£30,428 to £33,433 p/a Full Time 37 hours per week Fixed Term

Aberdeen

Closing date: 25/09/2024

Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

We are recruiting a Community Development Worker – an exciting new role within our organisation, linked to the North

East Culture Collective initiative. The role will support community engagement and development objectives, with a

particular focus on exploring the role of creativity and culture in engaging and empowering communities.

No matter what your job is at shmu, everyone’s work is about the same thing – transforming the lives of individuals and

communities across the North East. We are looking for an exceptional, passionate individual to join our team as Community

Development Worker for an initial fixed term of 12 months, with the potential to extend, dependent on funding.

As our Community Development Worker, in liaison with shmu’s Community Development Manager you will work closely with

community and statutory partners, using creativity, community media and culture to engage and empower marginalised

communities, giving a voice to those who are usually missed out.

You will have a specific focus on building on and developing relationships within communities of the regeneration areas of

Aberdeen City, as well as with communities of interest who have experienced marginalisation and under/mis-representation.

You will also support our work in testing out new ways of working between communities and public services (initially within

Woodside and the Central locality area) with a view to establishing how a more creative approach can effectively be used to

engage and empower communities in an Aberdeen context.

You will be a passionate advocate for the work of the organisation and our aim to transform the lives of individuals and

communities across North East Scotland.

Find a rewarding

career within

Aberdeen's third

sector- keep up to

date with recent

vacancies at

acvo.org.uk/

vacancies

Looking to reach Aberdeen's third sector

community with news of your vacancy?

ACVO can help you find your new team member! Advertise your vacancy with us and have

it featured in our ACVO Opportunities bulletin, our digital magazine ACVO News as well as

on our site and shared via our social media feeds

ACVO Members enjoy a discounted advertising rate of £25*.

Not a member? Join now for as little as £25 per year.

*Regular advertising charge for non members £100 per advert

visit acvo.org.uk/vacancies for more details


acvo.org.uk

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