ACVO News June 2025

Thank you to

all volunteers

in Aberdeen!

acvo.org.uk

ACVO News

May 2025

3

CONTENTS

THE LATEST UPDATES FROM AND FOR ABERDEEN’S THIRD SECTOR

SCHOOL PUPILS TAKE ON

CHALLENGE TO RAISE ASTHMA

AWARENESS

Young people in Aberdeen and

Aberdeenshire are tackling asthma

stigma by creatively designing

awareness raising inhaler covers.

22 24

26

NAVIGATING GRIEF AND LOSS

WITH CRUSE SCOTLAND

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Meet the team at Cruse Scotland

who offer compassionate help to

those struggling with grief after

losing a loved one.

04 ACVO UPDATES

The latest developments from ACVO and

updates from our team

10 NEWS FROM YOU

News from ACVO Members and other local

and national third sector organisations

32 VOLUNTEERING NEWS

The latest from Mike Melvin and

developments from Volunteer Aberdeen

40 ACVO OPPORTUNITIES

Get involved with your local community

with opportunities to join in with Aberdeen’s

third sector!

40 VOLUNTEERING

28

34

44 FUNDING

46

48

EVENTS

VACANCIES

FRIENDS OF SEATON PARK:

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK SPECIAL:

ASTHMA AND ALLERGY

FOUNDATION

Seaton Park is a cherished green

space in Aberdeen, cared for and

enhanced by the dedicated group:

Friends of Seaton Park

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation

is Scotland’s only dedicated asthma

and allergy charity, supported by

passionate volunteers in Aberdeen.

ACVO TSI 38 CASTLE STREET,

ABERDEEN, AB11 5YU

ENQUIRIES@ACVO.ORG.UK

WWW.ACVO.ORG.UK

JUNE 2025

Not on the mailing list to receive

ACVO News direct to your inbox

every month? Sign up here.

Scottish Charity No: SC036845

© 2025 Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations.

ACVO UPDATES ACVO News

4

June 2025

Brimmond Court secures

a new kitchen thanks to a

£10,000 grant from the

Community & Coast Fund

There was a real sense of

celebration in the air at

Brimmond Court in

Torry last month, as residents

came together to celebrate the

official opening of their newly

refurbished communal

kitchen. The occasion was

marked with a cheerful launch

party, bringing neighbours

together over food,

conversation, and a shared

appreciation for the bright new

space at the heart of their

community.

Thanks to a £10,000 grant

from the ETZ Community &

Coast Fund - distributed by

ACVO to support communityled

projects across Torry and

Cove - the kitchen has undergone

a complete transformation.

make cooking and hosting

easier and safer for everyone

What was once a tired facility

is now a welcoming hub for

residents to connect and feel

closer to the each other and the

wider community.

Whether it’s a weekly coffee

morning, a shared lunch, or

just the chance to catch up over

a cuppa, the new kitchen offers

countless opportunities for

social connection and to

strengthen the sense of

community within Brimmond

Court.

To find out more about the

Community & Coast Fund and

other projects it has supported,

visit the fund website at

communityandcoast.scot

The old, outdated space has

been replaced with a modern,

practical kitchen designed to

5

ACVO News

ACVO UPDATES

June 2025

An introduction

to governance

& constitutional

arrangements

with ACVO

Development

Officer Sandy

Mathers

In our new short film, ACVO’s governance

expert, Sandy Mathers explains why your

third sector organisation needs a constitution

and the first steps you need to consider when

approaching the process for the first time

People often ask me

why their third sector

organisation needs a

constitution. It’s a question I’m

always happy to answer - and

it’s the reason we have created

a short film to walk you

through the basics.

As a Development Officer at

ACVO, I meet so many

passionate people with great

ideas to make a difference in

Aberdeen. But turning a good

idea into a functioning

organisation starts with one

key document: a constitution.

In the clip, I explain why this

often under considered step is

absolutely essential. A constitution

isn't just paperwork - it's

the foundation of your group’s

identity.

It sets out your purpose, your

structure, how decisions are

made, and who has the

authority to act. Without it,

things can quickly become

unclear or even unworkable,

especially when funding,

partnerships, or formal

recognition are involved.

I also talk through the first

steps of getting started. That

means understanding your

aims, thinking about the type

of organisation you want to

be, and making sure your

structure reflects your values

and practical needs.

It might sound daunting, but

it doesn’t have to be - and at

ACVO, we’re here to help.

You can watch the film now

and explore more about

governance support on our

website at

acvo.org.uk/governance.

If you're just starting out, or

even if you've been going a

while and want to firm up

your foundations and find out

a bit more, this is a great place

to begin.

As always I’m available to

meet with you in our city

centre offices to answer any

further questions you might

have - give me a shout at

sandy.mathers@acvo.org.uk.

Sandy Mathers, Development

Officer, ACVO

ACVO UPDATES

ACVO News

June 2025

6

Fundraising

Fatigue: The

Emotional

Toll and How

to Cope

In this month’s ACVO Insight, our Funding

Officer Claire Shaw, explores the emotional

toll of fundraising and shares practical tips to

help fundraisers navigate a challenging and

often overwhelming funding landscape.

M

y role here at ACVO

has afforded me the

opportunity to meet, support

and learn from hundreds of

fundraisers. Many would not

even identify themselves as

fundraisers; they may wear

multiple ‘hats’ within the

organisation they work or

volunteer for. Whether they

are professionally paid

fundraisers for a large national

charity or volunteer to help

with raising funds for a small

community-led group, new

research has highlighted the

toll raising funds may be

having on their own mental

health and wellbeing.

There is no doubt that raising

funds is stressful. This year I

have experienced first-hand

the impact the challenging

funding landscape is having on

those responsible for

completing applications and

organising initiatives to try and

literally ‘keep the lights on’ and

their colleagues in a vital frontline

job. Cuts to public sector

funding and rejection after

rejection from funders who

are overwhelmed with

applications is most definitely

taking its toll here in

Aberdeen City.

When I came across Michelle

Reynolds research paper –

Caring too much: The

burnout dilemmas faced by

fundraisers and the emotional

toll of a fundraising career – I

felt it was important to share it

widely. Whether you are the

person in your organisation

responsible for raising funds,

a member of the Board or a

CEO of a third sector

organisation, I would

encourage you to take ten

minutes to read this paper.

Like Michelle, I hope our

sector will work collectively to

build support systems,

interventions and policies that

nurture emotional wellbeing

of those who dedicate

themselves to effecting real

change and the pursuit of

positive social impact. ACVO

TSI has a role to play here too,

and this is some-thing I will be

championing over the coming

months.

You can download Michelle’s

paper here Stress & burnout |

Rogare, and please visit

acvo.org.uk/funding to find

out how to access funding

support from us.

So many funds, so little

time! How not to become

overwhelmed and set

yourself up for success.

Funding opportunities can

often feel like buses…you

wait ages for one and then

they all seem to turn up at

once! My colleague (also a

Claire), who brilliantly

manages the Funding

Opportunities page on our

website, hasn’t experienced a

month like it and is working

tirelessly to get these online to

give you as much time as

possible to apply.

The funding landscape is

constantly changing and can

feel both challenging when

opportunities are few and far

There is no doub

funds is stressful

have experience

the impact the c

funding landsca

Cuts to public sec

and rejection aft

from funders wh

overwhelmed w

is most definitely

here in Aberdee

7

ACVO News

June 2025

ACVO UPDATES

t that raising

. This year I

d first-hand

hallenging

e is having

tor funding

er rejection

o are

ith applications

taking its toll

n City.

June’s ACVO Insight

comes from Funding

Officer Claire Shaw, who

helps organisations secure

funding and builds

partnerships to support

local communities.

between and overwhelming

when you see lots of great

possibilities with very short

windows of opportunity to

apply. Planning in such a

volatile environment can

seem difficult and finding the

time to write applications,

especially if you are volunteer

led, feels impossible. So here

are just a few hints and tips

which I hope will help you to

effectively apply for funding

during this busier time in the

funding calendar – setting

yourself up for success:

1.Read the guidance. It

sounds obvious, but please

read all the guidance to see if

your project or organisation is

eligible. Although there

appears to be more

opportunities available at the

moment, the competition is

still fierce. Some national

funders have reported a

3000% increase in

applications. Only apply if

if your organisations and

project strongly aligns to the

aims and priorities outlined

by the funder.

2.If there is an opportunity to

engage with the funder, I

strongly recommend you take

it.Whether it is picking up the

phone, writing an email or

attending a webinar – if you

can chat through your project

before applying, please do so.

Funders understand how

much time has to be devoted

to writing applications and

what an onerous task this can

be. They honestly do not want

you to devote time to writing

an application that is

ineligible or won’t score

highly. It also enables you to

build a positive relationship

with the funder, setting you

up for success.

3.Be realistic and remember

‘quality over quantity’. It is

better to submit two very

strong and tailored

applications rather than four

that you have rushed. Think

about the strategy you use

when applying for a job.

Sending out dozens of

speculative, generic CV’s

rarely results in a job offer. A

targeted, well written and

thoughtful application form is

far more effective. Resist the

urge to ‘cut and paste’ from

past applications. If you do,

make sure that you proofread

carefully and tailor where you

can. By all means, use AI as

part of your toolbox,

however, remember that the

funder wants to hear about

the project and your organisation

from you. I plan to offer

training on how to effectively

use AI for fund-raising later

this year.

4.Get in touch with me. If you

want to chat through any

opportunities, need support

with writing the application, a

‘critical-friend’ to provide

constructive feedback and

proofread or a reference for

for the funder, just email me

at claire.shaw@acvo.org.uk

and we can arrange a quick

call, teams meeting or a faceto-face

chat in the office.

5.Finally, regularly revisit our

Funding Opportunities page

on the ACVO website. The

funding landscape is

constantly changing, and

funders very often provide a

very short window of

opportunity to apply to try

and avoid being overwhelmed

with applications. You

can easily miss an opportunity

and so it is important to

regularly visit funding search

sites such as ours (handpicked

opportunities selected from

multiple websites that our

relevant for out third sector in

Aberdeen City), Funding

Scotland and Foundation

Scotland. Also subscribe to

funders newsletters. ACVO

and Aberdeen City Council

offer this service to members

and subscribers find out more

at acvo.org.uk/funding

ACVO Insights

Expert analysis, thought-provoking opinion pieces, and

in-depth reflections on the issues shaping Aberdeen’s

third sector from the team at ACVO TSI

(new section on the ACVO website coming soon!)

ACVO UPDATES ACVO News

8

June 2025

Halfway There:

Keep Heading for 2030

Latest update from Gette Cobban, Senior

Development Officer (The Promise) at ACVO TSI

“Here we are racing

through 2025 and I

wonder if like me you

are wondering if you

are still on track to

meeting the aims of

The Promise by 2030?”

asks Gette Cobban, Senior

Development Officer - ACVO TSI

I have always said that The Promise itself is simple enough

but we get bogged down in the challenges and the nitty

gritty of day-to-day work, wondering if we can achieve

success. We see there are reviews, reports, road maps,

websites and it can just feel really hard.

I have been reminding myself that it’s a glass half full

situation. We are half way there and we can still make it.

Just the other day, I had a quick look through my diary and

asked myself: “Is the work I do still working towards The

Promise we made and am I keeping in mind the 5

foundations of that Promise?”

The Promise says that our care experienced children should

be safe, loved and respected. Having this Promise as the

backbone of all our work with all children and families should

set the standard, reducing the need for a care system.

The 5 foundations are Family, Voice, Care, People and

Scaffolding. I believe keeping these 5 areas at the heart of

the work we do will ensure that we do #KeepThePromise.

If, like me, your diary is full of meetings, forums, events,

workshops, strategy planning, network meetings, promoting

services, evaluation and evidencing support – have a quick

think about the 5 foundations and ask yourself, “Is the work

I do contributing positively?”:

Family – Am I working to ensure whole

families receive the best support possible

when they need it?

Voice – Am I ensuring that the voice of

those families (each individual person) is

heard and listened to?

Care – Am I ensuring that where a child

or young person does need the support of

the care system, I’m thinking about what

will be the best outcome for them and

their family?

People – Am I aware that children, young

people and their families need strong

relationships with me and am I considering

how trauma has an impact on relationships

with people around them?

Scaffolding – Am I aware that we are all

part of the scaffolding around families

and that we, as workers, need that

scaffolding to look after us as well?

Wishing you all the very

best, keep heading for that

2030 target – we can do it!

9

ACVO News

ACVO UPDATES

June 2025

3rd Sector Forum

(The Promise)

“When 3rd sector

colleagues get

together it is

amazing where

the conversation

goes!”

A huge thanks to everyone who is

currently supporting our 3rd sector

forum. Our membership is now up to

almost 90 which is amazing. We meet

at the moment 5 times per year and it

is an opportunity to get together,

build out network, share experiences,

hear from our 3rd sector reps

currently sitting on the Children’s

Services Board and Outcome

Improvement Groups and take the

opportunity to raise issues to feed

back into these groups. When 3rd

sector colleagues get together it is

amazing where the conversation

goes!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 24th

June, 12.00 until 14.00. We have

speakers from The Fit Like Hubs,

Sport Aberdeen (Grampian Inclusive

Cycling Bothies) and Shona Duff, ACC

Corporate Parenting Lead. We will

take a short break over the summer

and meet again in September.

If anyone would like more information

about The Forum, please get in touch.

Attendees do need to book spaces for

these meetings as the venue is set up

for us and tea/coffee/biscuits are

included.

I attended the Aberdeen session of

the Promise Learning Collaborative;

these are currently being held across

the country. It was well attended

with a variety of presentations about

local work relating to The Promise

and an opportunity to share

experience and learning to help us

work towards our aims to

#KeepThePromise.

The Northern Collaborative (covering

Aberdeen all the way north to

Shetland) meets online regularly to

Find updates

and resources

from The Promise

in Aberdeen now

on the ACVO

website!

acvo.org.uk/

Gette Cobban

Senior Development Officer

(The Promise), ACVO TSI

thepromise

georgette.cobban@acvo.org.uk

Promise Scotland Learning

Collaborative – Town House (24th April)

share practice, ideas, tease out

difficulties and challenges. It is a

great group of really enthusiastic folk.

Unfortunately, Aberdeen is not

particularly well represented.

It is only 1.5 hours so if anyone is

interested, please either get in touch

with me for more information or

contact Tom Boyd at Promise

Scotland who is our link:

tom@thepromise.scot

Children’s Services Board update

Click here

to read now

I wanted to also share the Children’s

Services Board newsletter (first

edition) which aims to publish

quarterly across all sectors.

There’s a lot of interesting

information and links within it, so

well worth a read.

In particular, you may wish to

read either the full version of the

Children’s Services Plan update

2024-2025 or if time is limited

the short summary version. Both

links are within the Children’s

Services Board newsletter.

NEWS ACVO News

10

June 2025

Save Aberdeen Arts Centre:

Iconic north east venue launches

£660k fundraising appeal

A

the

berdeen Arts Centre

has launched an urgent

appeal to arts and

theatre lovers to keep

spotlight shining on

the beloved city centre venue.

The centre has raised the curtain on

its ‘Save Aberdeen Arts Centre’

campaign – a three-year, £660,000

fundraising drive to support its

operations. For more information, visit

www.aberdeenartscentre.com and to

donate, visit justgiving.com/

campaign/saveaberdeenartscentre.

The campaign has already received

backing from a host of famous faces

including actors Laura Main, Amy

Lennox and Brian Cox; Hollywood

director Jon S Baird; magician Barry

Jones; and virtuoso percussionist

Dame Evelyn Glennie.

The six-figure total will cover core

running costs over the next three

years as the venue implements a new

strategy to keep the vital creative and

community venue open for future

generations.

The organisation has set an initial

target of raising £180,000 by July 1,

2025.

Eve Nicol, programming and creative

director, said: “Everywhere I go in

Aberdeen, I meet so many people

whose lives have been touched by

Aberdeen Arts Centre – by the shows

on our stage, by the opportunities to

learn and perform, by the life skills

they have gained.

“That so many people across the city

have been influenced by their

experiences here shows just how vital

a resource Aberdeen Arts Centre is

for Aberdeen and the wider north

east region.

“The outpouring of love and support

we have had already has been deeply

moving but now we must take action

to secure the centre’s future. If the

majority of our audience members

from last year donated £11.25 each

we’ll meet our initial July 1 deadline.

A personal gift from those who know

and feel the value of grassroots arts

in their life will go a long way to

secure its continuation in the city.”

Aberdeen Arts Centre is home to

over 35 local performing and

community groups that make use of

the venue every year. In addition, the

centre’s Creative Learning and Artist

Development programmes support

those engaging in the arts at all levels

from beginners of all ages to local,

11

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

professionals furthering their craft.

Chair of Aberdeen Arts Centre’s

board of trustees, Sharon

Robertson commented: “Since its

inception, Aberdeen Arts Centre has

been a creative lifeline for local

performers, artists and audiences

alike. Through donations and

subsidies, we’ve kept our venue

accessible, ensuring the arts remain

a vibrant part of our city. But today,

we need your support more than

ever.

“The cost of running the centre has

surged in recent years, creating a

critical funding gap. We’ve

recognised the need to diversify our

income streams and are actively

implementing a sustainable financial

strategy to secure our future.

However, as we work to establish

this plan, we’ve had to temporarily

rely on our reserves – something

common in the arts sector but which

unfortunately affects our eligibility

for certain funding.

“Here’s where we need the

community help: to safeguard

Aberdeen Arts Centre and keep it

thriving for generations to come, we

urgently need to raise £180,000 by

July 1. Restoring our reserves

before this crucial deadline ensures

we can present a strong case for

reinstating our funding when

"Every contribution, big

or small, helps protect

this space for the local

creative community.

Your support keeps artists

on stage, ideas alive, and

culture thriving. Join us –

because together, we can

secure the future of

Aberdeen Arts Centre.”

Save Aberdeen Arts Centre – Keep the spotlight shining on your creative community.

Credit: Farsight.

councillors debate the issue. There

is then a choice for the elected

members to make: allocate funds to

the Arts Centre from contingencies

– this is within their gift to do.”

This is not the first time Aberdeen

Arts Centre has faced hardship. In

1998, Annie Inglis gathered 14,500

signatures to save the centre from

closure.

Eve added: “The opportunity to

perform or express yourself

creatively can be a lifeline for

people of all ages, for so many

different reasons. That’s why we

are so passionate about supporting

grassroots performance. It’s not just

about the joy of stepping on stage;

it’s also about the skills you learn

for life, including teamwork,

resilience and self-confidence.

“Appearing on our stage sets up so

many young people for life,

whether they choose to pursue the

arts or another career. Without

major support, we risk losing that

vital resource here in Aberdeen.

“Many of the companies that use

the centre have casts of over 200

eager local performers. When these

groups are in, the building comes

alive with the buzz and excitement

of performance. There are no other

venues in Aberdeen that can

accommodate groups

of this size for an

affordable price.

“Without Aberdeen Arts Centre,

the north east of Scotland would

see its creative life greatly

diminish.”

Aberdeen Arts Centre is an

independent arts venue and

registered charity in the heart of

Aberdeen. For over 60 years, it has

played a crucial role in the north

east’s vibrant arts scene through its

programme of performances,

Creative Learning Programme for

children and adults, and an Artist

Development Programme to

support local professional creatives.

The venue encompasses a 350-

seater auditorium; café bar; flexible

spaces for performances, events,

exhibitions and meetings; and the

Children’s Theatre, opened by

Catherine Hollingworth in the

1950s as a pioneering youth

theatre (the first of its kind in the

UK) and now used as a vital

resource for professional artist

development.

For more information, visit

www.aberdeenartscentre.com or

follow Aberdeen Arts Centre on

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and

YouTube at @AberdeenArtsCentre.

NEWS ACVO News

12

June 2025

Torry Spring Gathering: A Celebration

of Culture, Connection, and Community

n Saturday, 29th March,

the vibrant community of

Torry came alive in a truly

magical way as Touch of OLove Outreach hosted the

Torry Spring Gathering at the Greyhope

Community Hub.

Supported and funded by Creative

Funding, Aberdeen City Council, the Torry

Spring Gathering featured a lively lineup

of performances and activities. The Touch

of Love Cultural Dance Group and the

energetic Torry Dance Club lit up the

room with their vibrant moves from

traditional Highland steps to expressive

African rhythms and a crowd-pleasing

Zumba set.

Two standout moments had the crowd

buzzing. First, a young achiever wowed

everyone with a lively routine to a song by

an African artiste, mixing traditional and

modern dance moves with so much

confidence and flair. You could feel the

pride and joy in every step of the dance.

Then came a powerful vocal performance

from another young scot, who sang

Shakira’s "Whenever, Wherever" with

just the instrumental playing. Her unique

voice and stage presence gave the song a

whole new vibe, and the crowd loved it.

The Torry Spring Gathering was a heartwarming

mix of cultures, talents, and

togetherness.

A Day Bursting with Colour and

Creativity

The halls of the Greyhope Community

Hub were buzzing with excitement. The

event showcased and celebrated

creativity, culture, and unity. It was a

heartfelt invitation for families, New

Scots, Young Scots, and residents of all

backgrounds to come together and

experience the power of shared culture

and human connection.

The goal was to use the arts - particularly

music and dance, as a bridge for building

community, sparking conversations, and

"The Torry Spring Gathering was a

heart-warming mix of cultures,

talents, and togetherness.”

celebrating the rich, diverse cultural

heritage that lives in Torry and Aberdeen

at large. Touch of Love wanted to create

a space where people could feel

welcomed, seen, and inspired, all while

learning more about one another’s roots

and traditions through music and dance.

The day kicked off with an uplifting

icebreaker led by NESCAN Hub and

Yahya’s International Hub - a simple

rope-throwing challenge that quickly

turned into a meaningful moment of

connection. As participants shared kind

words about one another and got

physically linked in a web of string, what

started as a game ended with a lesson in

unity. That same rope web was later used

in a teamwork challenge to drop pens

into bottles, a visual and emotional

representation of what working together

can accomplish.

Smiles, Cheers, and Moments to

Remember

The turnout was overwhelming in the

best way. Families, friends, neighbours,

and volunteers from across Torry filled

the space with warmth and excitement. It

was about cheering together, laughing

together, and discovering each other’s

stories. Aberdeen is already a city of

culture - with every voice, every rhythm,

and every story adding to its heartbeat.

13

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

More Than a Celebration - A Lasting

Impact

Torry Spring Gathering was a powerful

reminder of what’s possible when

communities unite. The event helped

break down barriers between cultures,

encouraged new friendships, and sparked

important conversations about heritage

and belonging. Many young participants

walked away with more than applause.

they left with a renewed sense of self,

cultural pride, and confidence.

Families expressed their gratitude, saying

how valuable it was to have such events

that celebrate both Scottish and African

heritage side by side. Touch of Love were

proud to see that their objectives were

not only met but exceeded.

The event:

- Promoted cultural awareness and pride

among young people

- Helped reduce social isolation,

especially among New Scots

- Fostered a stronger sense of belonging

in the community.

- Strengthened ties between different

groups through shared joy and experience

Touch of Love thank Aberdeen City

Council, the amazing performers,

volunteers, and every attendee who made

the Torry Spring Gathering unforgettable.

For further information on Touch of Love,

please visit www.touchoflove.org.uk or

email support@touchoflove.org.uk.

Somebody Cares Scotland Invites

Community to Volunteer Open Days

S

two

omebody Cares

Scotland is opening its

doors to the community

on June 6th, hosting

volunteer open

days designed to showcase the heart

of their charitable work and welcome

new volunteers from all walks of life.

The morning session runs from 10am

to 12pm at the Denmore Retail Shop,

where interested individuals can meet

staff and existing volunteers over

light refreshments. This relaxed

setting provides an ideal opportunity

to learn about volunteering at the

retail unit and understand the day-today

operations that help support the

charity's mission.

The afternoon continues from 1pm to

3pm at Somebody Cares'

headquarters in Altens, the

operational heart of the charity.

Visitors will discover the charity's

core activities, including the food

bank and client services, with guided

tours of the facilities providing insight

into how volunteers make a real

difference in the Aberdeen

community.

"We encourage people to make a day

of it and attend both the morning and

afternoon open days to get a

complete sense of what it's like to

volunteer at Somebody Cares," said

Yekemi Otaru, Chief Executive at

Somebody Cares.

The charity welcomes volunteers

from diverse backgrounds, whether

students, recent graduates, retirees

looking to give back, individuals with

a few spare hours each week or

month, or corporate groups seeking

meaningful community engagement

opportunities in the Aberdeen area.

With limited spaces available, those

interested are encouraged to

register quickly through the links

below to secure their place at these

informative open days.

Denmore Retail Open Day:

Volunteers Open Day - Celebrating

Volunteers Week at Somebody Cares

SCIO Tickets, Fri 6 Jun 2025 at 10:00

| Eventbrite

Altens Client Services Open Day:

Volunteers Open Day - Celebrating

Volunteers Week at Somebody Cares

SCIO HQ Tickets, Fri 6 Jun 2025 at

13:00 | Eventbrite

NEWS ACVO News

14

June 2025

Grampian Housing Association

recognised by Best Companies

rampian Housing

Association, is pleased to

announce that it has been

awarded a One Star GAccreditation from

engagement specialists, Best Companies.

As a charity and the largest locally based

housing association in the North East of

Scotland, the accreditation demonstrates

that Grampian Housing Association has

‘very good’ levels of workplace

engagement.

The recognition programme by Best

Companies is the independent standard

for workplace engagement, and their data

is based on feedback given by employees

looking at how engaged people are at

work, how they feel about their employer

and measures the strength of an

organisation's workplace culture.

Craig Stirrat, CEO of Grampian Housing

Association said: “I am extremely proud of

this recognition. Coming in the year that

Grampian Housing Association celebrates

its 50th anniversary it’s great to be able to

demonstrate that we are a very good

organisation to work for.

“Grampian could neither exist nor

function as a housing service-provider

without its people. Employees deliver the

operational customer experience and that

is down to their values, skills, experiences,

behaviour and dedication.

“At Grampian we firmly believe that

employee engagement and a positive

The winner of Great Colleague of the Year 2025 award Tyler Garrick, Customer Service Adviser (front

row, centre) pictured with Craig Stirrat, CEO (front row, right) and shortlisted colleagues.

workplace culture are critical to both

individual and collective success. It is a

privilege to be part of such a talented

group of people.

“Achieving One Star accreditation in its

first assessment is a significant

achievement and underscores Grampian’s

commitment to improving the experience,

voice, motivation, satisfaction and

engagement of its employees.

“Companies that achieve this status are

recognised for their commitment to

creating environments where employees

thrive, with high levels of engagement,

collaboration, and well-being.

"Grampian Housing Association could

neither exist nor function as a housing

service-provider without its people.”

- Craig Stirrat, CEO

“This achievement

is a testament to the

core values that drive the Association and

reinforces our ongoing commitment to

attracting and retaining employees. We

remain committed to maintaining and

building upon this culture as we continue

to grow and innovate in the housing

association sector.”

Coupled with sector leading approaches

to colleague wellbeing and resilience and

initiatives to foster a culture of

recognition and appreciation, Grampian

believes it is nurturing, supporting and

developing its colleagues. This is also

reflected in feedback from the annual

employee survey which returned a result

of 85% overall satisfaction with Grampian

as an employer.

The Association will be using the

feedback from Best Companies to help

illustrate what is great about working for

Grampian and equally understand where

they can make improvements to help

make it an even better place to work, part

of their future vision for all.

15

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

Aberdeen student raises over £12K

with Mount Kilimanjaro Climb

A senior school student from Robert

Gordon’s College has raised more than

£12,000 for local children’s charity

Charlie House by climbing Mount

Kilimanjaro. The challenge marked a

special milestone as Ailie McIntosh

celebrated her 14th birthday during

the seven-day trek.

Ailie embarked on the climb alongside

her dad Craig, reaching the 5,895

metre peak of the world’s tallest freestanding

mountain. The pair’s original

fundraising target was £5,000.

However, thanks to overwhelming

support from friends, family and

classmates, they more than doubled

their goal.

“To raise over £12,000 for a great

local cause is just incredible. We’re so

grateful to everyone who supported

us,” said Ailie.

Prior to the climb, Ailie and Craig

undertook an extensive training

regime, including regular

hikes in the Scottish hills

with weighted backpacks,

suitably preparing them

for their seven-day trek

through rainforest,

rocky terrain, and

sub-zero conditions.

The fundraising duo

were part of a group

supported by experienced

local guides, whose skills

and knowledge were key

to completing the challenge.

One guide even surprised

Ailie with a handmade

birthday cake to celebrate

her 14th birthday two days

before reaching the peak, a

memory she’ll never forget.

Commenting on her experience, Ailie

said: “It was amazing. The people, the

culture, and being in a place so

different to home were just some of

the best parts for me. Some moments

of the challenge were tough such as

the slow trek on the way up to avoid

altitude sickness and the midnight

starts on summit day, but overall, it

was incredible.

“We reached the top at sunrise and

were looking out over the clouds. It

was so cold at the summit, around

minus 10 degrees. It was covered in

snow but still sunny – it was out of

this world.

“I’m so grateful and glad I got the

chance to do it for a cause like Charlie

House, that really means a lot to me.”

Ailie added: “The challenge was 100

per cent worth it as you feel a real

sense of pride afterwards. I’d love to

inspire more people to take on a

challenge, especially for charity. No

matter what age you are, fundraising

is an amazing thing to do.”

Katie Bremner, Community and

Events Fundraiser at Charlie House,

said: “We are so grateful to Ailie for

taking on such an epic challenge in

support of Charlie House. Her

maturity, selflessness and

determination have been incredible to

witness. The funds she has raised will

make a real and lasting difference for

the children and families we support

across North-East Scotland. A huge

thank you to Ailie and Dad Craig for

choosing to raise much-needed funds

for us.”

She added: “Charlie House partners

with various individuals, schools, clubs

and businesses across the local

community. Taking on a fundraising

challenge is one of the many ways

people can help make a difference to

the lives of the children and families

we support.”

Charlie House supports babies,

children and young people

with life-limiting and life

threatening conditions,

providing practical and

emotional support as

well as inclusive

activities for the whole

family. The charity is also

working to build a specialist

care facility in Aberdeen.

To find out more or to

start your own fundraising

for Charlie House, visit:

www.charliehouse.org.uk/

support-us/raise-funds

NEWS ACVO News

16

June 2025

Pillar of Hope Organise a Successful

and Impactful Community Health

and Wellbeing Fair in Aberdeen

Project, which focuses on

the promotion of mental health

and peer connection and the Sustaining

Hope Food Bank Project, which ensures

that no one in the community goes

hungry, provides culturally sensitive food

assistance and supports local shops.

Mike Melvin, Volunteering Services

Manager at ACVO TSI, said: “I’ve been

following the initiatives of Pillar of Hope

since its emergence, and I’m genuinely

impressed by the impact they’ve made in

such a short time. Despite being a

relatively new charity, they’ve

demonstrated remarkable consistency

and passion in serving their community.”

P

illar of Hope Charity’s

Community Health and

Wellbeing Workshops

brought together a vibrant

and diverse audience at

the Ruthrieston Community Centre in

Aberdeen for a powerful day of wellness,

education, and community support.

The Pillar of Hope organised the

community health and well-being

workshops with health professionals who

provided practical health knowledge,

wellness strategies, and support networks.

Right from the time the workshop started,

the centre buzzed with energy and

purpose as attendees warmed up with a

light exercise session by trainer, Stuart

Clark. This led to interactive sessions,

inspiring talks, and one-on-one health

screenings designed to address physical

and mental well-being.

Highlights included a dynamic Wellness

and Fitness demonstration by trainer

Stuart Clark. Dr. Habiba Makolo Yamusa

addressed the pressing issue of stress

management in minority communities,

providing culturally sensitive strategies

and encouraging open dialogue on mental

health. Rabbi Merreh-Obaretin, a nurse,

entrepreneur, and the CEO of AVIP,

delivered a seminar on the holistic

benefits of maintaining wellness.

Physiotherapist Merve Kizilay delivered a

practical session on movement and

musculoskeletal health, offering valuable

advice on physical strain prevention and

management.

Furthermore, many attendees utilised the

free blood pressure checks, blood tests,

and vital signs screenings conducted by

qualified nurses and a medical student.

Many participants confessed that it was

their first time undergoing simple tests in

the past years. There was room for

consultations with Dr. Habiba (a medical

Doctor) for those worried about their

health check outcomes. This workshop

successfully promoted regular health

checks and encouraged individuals and

families to take charge of their health,

with participants reporting increased

awareness and confidence in navigating

local health services.

This event also highlighted the Pillar of

Hope’s key ongoing projects, including

the Unity in Wellness Befriending

Service, which combats loneliness

through one-to-one and group emotional

support, weekly Wellness and Fitness

Activities, the Uplifting Minds Together

"Their commitment to

delivering multifaceted

support services that address

service users’ diverse needs is

commendable and inspiring”

The Pillar of Hope Board of Trustees

chairperson, Mrs Nkem Nwobi extended

the charity’s heartfelt thanks to sponsors

and partners whose support brought the

event to life: Corra Foundation, Aberdeen

City Council, Health Improvement Fund,

Cash4U/Sported Foundation, Snap

Fitness Aberdeen, and the ACVO

Communities Mental Health and

Wellbeing Fund. She reiterated that “our

sponsors’ investment is helping transform

lives, reduce health inequalities, and build

resilient communities in Aberdeen and

the surrounding areas”.

It was a resounding community success,

and the event closed with networking

opportunities, shared stories, and a

renewed sense of connection.

Participants left inspired and empowered,

with many praising the workshops for

being both practical and deeply personal.

Find out more about the Pillar of Hope

at their website: www.pillarofhope.co.uk

17

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

Diversity Bridge SCIO Celebrates Graduation of

Youth Leadership Development Program – Cohort 1

D

iversity Bridge SCIO

proudly announces the

successful graduation of

Cohort 1 of its Youth

Leadership Development

Program, a milestone that highlights the

charity’s commitment to empowering the

next generation of change-makers and

community leaders.

This inaugural cohort consisted of young

people aged 16 to 25, who completed a

comprehensive program combining skillbuilding

workshops, e-learning modules,

and hands-on community engagement.

The initiative was designed to equip

participants with practical leadership

experience, critical thinking skills, and the

tools to drive inclusion and equity in their

communities.

The Cohort 1 program was made possible

through the generous support of a grant

from the Scottish Children’s Lottery

Trust, whose investment in youth

empowerment is helping unlock

opportunities and build brighter futures.

As part of their community engagement

component, the cohort led a Mini Tech

Explorers program, aimed at introducing

younger children to technology and

innovation in fun, accessible ways. In

addition, they developed a short

documentary titled “Voices of

Tomorrow”, which captures the hopes,

perspectives, and journeys of the youth

involved. The film is available for public

viewing, watch now below.

The graduation ceremony featured Maria

Ichakpa, a member of the Scottish Youth

Parliament, as the keynote speaker. Maria

inspired the graduates by sharing her

journey and encouraging them to

continue being voices for change,

inclusion, and positive action.

Edward Obi, Bridge Builder and Trustee

of Diversity Bridge SCIO, shared this

message during the ceremony:

"What we’ve witnessed

in this first cohort is not

just participation, but

transformation. These

young leaders have

shown us that with the

right support, training,

and opportunities, the

future is not only in safe

hands - it is innovative,

inclusive, and full of

promise.”

“We are immensely proud

of each participant and

excited about what lies ahead.”

Diversity Bridge SCIO now looks ahead

to Cohort 2 and invites organisations,

funders, and partners who are passionate

about youth empowerment, diversity, and

leadership to connect with us. Let’s work

together to invest in the leaders of

tomorrow and build communities that

thrive on inclusion, equity, and

innovation.

For more information or to partner with

Diversity Bridge SCIO, please email:

bridgebuilders@diversitybridge.org.uk

NEWS ACVO News

18

June 2025

shmu: Celebrating Community for

Mental Health Awareness Week

shmu is proud to

have been part of this

important week and

will continue to use

our platforms to

promote mental

health awareness.

Guest article from

SARAH IGESUND

Station House Media Unit (shmu)

F

rom 12th to 18th May,

shmu took part in Mental

Health Awareness Week,

an annual campaign led

by the Mental Health Foundation. It

was a valuable opportunity to come

together, share stories, and highlight

the importance of looking after our

mental wellbeing.

This year’s theme - ‘Community’ - felt

especially relevant. Throughout the

week, we recognised and celebrated

the vital role that communities play in

supporting mental health. Being part

of a safe, inclusive, and supportive

community can make a real difference.

It reminds us that we’re not alone, and

it offers connection, purpose, and

resilience during challenging times.

Over the course of the week, we

focused on showcasing the power of

community through a series of radio

broadcasts dedicated to the theme of

mental health and connection. Our

programmes featured local voices,

personal experiences, and practical

WATCH THE FULL SHOW

conversations around wellbeing.

We were joined by a range of inspiring

guests, including Matt from The Baltic

Boys, a group of cold-water swimmers

who chatted to us about the mental and

physical benefits of cold dips in the

North Sea. We also welcomed Jane

from Girls Who Walk Aberdeen, who

spoke about launching the Aberdeen

group, providing a safe space for

women to meet up and make friends

through a variety of events, including

walking.

These conversations offered valuable

insight into how community-led

initiatives, no matter how simple, can

foster connection and create a sense of

belonging.

As the week ended, we were reminded

WATCH THE FULL SHOW

that mental health awareness is not just

a theme for one week. shmu is proud to

have been part of this important week

and will continue to use our platforms

to promote mental health awareness,

celebrate the people and projects

making a difference and advocate for

positive mental wellbeing in our

communities every day.

You can listen back to any of our shows

at: mixcloud.com/SHMUFM

If you would like to promote your work

around mental health and wellbeing,

any time of the year, get in touch with

me by email at:

sarah.igesund@shmu.org.uk

19

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

Experienced entrepreneur

Caroline Laurenson joins

Code The City board as

charity enters new

phase of growth

Aberdeen-based tech charity Code

The City is pleased to announce

the appointment of Caroline

Laurenson to its board of trustees.

C

aroline is an awardwinning

entrepreneur,

technologist, and founder

of TL Tech Smart Home

Solutions, an innovative company

focused on making technology more

accessible in the home.

Welcoming Caroline to the board, Ian

Watt, Chair and Co-founder of Code

The City, said: "We are delighted that

Caroline has chosen to join our charity

at this time of expansion and renewal.

Having been gifted the Soap Factory as

our new headquarters we are

increasing our activity, adding new

"I'm honoured to join

Code the City at such a

pivotal moment... I'm

passionate about making

technology accessible to

everyone and excited to

get started working with

the team of volunteers

and supporting the

community as it grows.”

monthly sessions, and will soon launch

a code and data academy. Caroline

brings exactly the skillset that we need

to drive that change and see the new

programme delivered."

Caroline’s background spans

engineering, technology, and

entrepreneurship. Originally from a

rural village in Argyll on the West

Coast of Scotland, she studied

Chemical Engineering at Strathclyde

University before moving to Aberdeen

in 2003. After a successful career in

the energy industry, including

becoming one of the youngest ever

Fellows of the Institution of Chemical

Engineers, she made the leap into

entrepreneurship in 2018.

Alongside her role as Managing

Director of TL Tech, Caroline is a

passionate advocate for lifelong

learning and digital inclusion. She

serves as a Non-Executive Director at

North East Scotland College,

volunteers as a STEM Ambassador, and

hosts the “Create Your Kindspace”

podcast.

Commenting on her appointment,

Caroline said: "I'm honoured to join

Code the City at such a pivotal moment

in their journey. My own journey from

engineering to tech entrepreneurship

has shown me firsthand how digital

skills can open new doors at any career

stage and that we never stop learning.

I'm passionate about making

technology accessible to everyone and

excited to get started working with the

team of volunteers and supporting the

community as it grows."

Code The City was founded 11 years

ago with the aim of using tech and data

for civic good. Since its foundation it

has run hack weekends, data meet-ups,

sessions for coders, and an annual

conference attracting thousands of

attendees. It became a charity in 2017.

It has created a friendly and supportive

community where coders, data experts,

businesses, charities and others come

together regularly to share knowledge,

address challenges and develop

innovative solutions to societal

problems. It provides a springboard to

those early in their careers by offering

the opportunity to work alongside

more experienced industry

technologists to develop their skills.

For more information, visit their

website at: www.codethecity.org

NEWS ACVO News

20

June 2025

Aberdeen businesses unite

to reframe homelessness

and inspire action

M

ore than 60 local business

representatives gathered on Friday

(May 23rd) at Aberdeen’s historic

Trinity Hall for ‘Homewards

Aberdeen: Reframing Perceptions

of Homelessness and Inspiring Action’, an event

focused on reshaping perceptions of

homelessness, while inspiring real change through

storytelling and data-led insight.

Homewards, a five-year, locally-led initiative

launched by The Royal Foundation of The Prince

and Princess of Wales, aims to demonstrate that it

is possible to end homelessness, making it rare,

brief and unrepeated.

The Aberdeen event, hosted by the Homewards

Aberdeen Coalition in partnership with Community

Planning Aberdeen, reflects the city’s commitment

to collaborative, community-led solutions.

Officially opened by the Lord Dean of Guild of

Aberdeen, Sylvia Halkerston, the afternoon was

facilitated by Social Ludo, a social enterprise that

uses games and serious play to highlight barriers to

employment and housing, turning research into

positive real-world change.

A highlight of the session was a Q&A facilitated by

Project Flourish, an employability programme

created in partnership by Homewards Activator,

Hays, and EveryYouth - a national charity for 16-

25-year-olds at risk of, or experiencing

homelessness.

Photo Credits: Royal Foundation/Homewards.

Project Flourish helps disadvantaged young people

develop the skills to secure meaningful

employment and provides job-ready training and

support. The project also helps employers to

create inclusive processes and environments, while

contributing tailored, data-based insights to

remove employment barriers for individuals at risk

of homelessness.

21

ACVO News

June 2025

NEWS

Organisations taking part in the panel discussion

included Altrad Integrity Services, Greene King,

Specsavers, and Sodexo, demonstrating a growing

recognition of the vital role businesses can play in

homelessness prevention.

The day concluded with remarks from Pim Gregory,

Executive Director of Homelessness at The Royal

Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, who

outlined the next steps for businesses interested in

contributing to the city’s mission to prevent

homelessness.

Immediately following the event, attendees had the

opportunity to join a tour of Trinity Hall and its

surrounding areas, led by Invisible Cities Aberdeen, a

social enterprise offering guided tours delivered by

individuals with lived experience of homelessness,

supported by the Homewards Fund.

Launched in March 2025, as part of a UK-wide initiative,

Invisible Cities Aberdeen empowers participants with

training in storytelling, public speaking, and customer

service, allowing them to become local ambassadors for

change.

Reflecting on the day, Pim Gregory, Executive Director

of Homelessness at The Royal Foundation of The Prince

and Princess of Wales, said: “This event is not just about

awareness. It’s also about action. Aberdeen is showing

that when we collaborate and think differently, we can

make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated.

“Homewards is founded

on the belief that ending

homelessness is possible,

but it requires a collective,

societal response where

everyone plays a part.”

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader, Councillor Christian

Allard said: “It was inspiring to see such strong support

from Aberdeen’s business community. By bringing

together employers, civic leaders, and philanthropists,

today’s forum challenged assumptions and proposed real

solutions and actionable approaches to prevent

homelessness before it starts.”

Councillor Martin Greig, Convenor of Aberdeen City

Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee,

said: "The Homewards project continues to raise positive

awareness around the issues associated with

homelessness. This event brought new and existing

members of the Aberdeen Responsible Business network

together to increase knowledge of how businesses can

have a role in ending homelessness and we are grateful

for the Homewards team for delivering this event."

Aberdeen is one of six flagship Homewards locations

across the UK, the others being: Bournemouth,

Christchurch and Poole; Lambeth (London); Newport;

Northern Ireland; and Sheffield.

L-R: Councillor Martin Greig; Sylvia Halkerston; Pim Gregory; Councillor Christian Allard. Credit: Royal Foundation/Homewards.

ACVO News

June 2025

22

School pupils take part

in creative challenge to

raise asthma awareness

Lucy Moore, winner in the P5 age category, pictured with Pam Cumming, her mum and nana.

Young people from schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have been

putting their creativity to good use by designing colourful, inventive

inhaler covers that help break the stigma and raise awareness of asthma.

The competition was introduced back in January

2025 by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation in

partnership with The Inhaler Tailor. As a local charity,

the Foundation has been supporting people with

asthma and allergies for over 15 years in Scotland.

Their dedicated team run interactive workshops, online

sessions and one-to-ones across the country, teaching

people about what asthma and allergies are, the

symptoms, recognising triggers and what to do if

someone has an asthma attack.

As part of their workshops in schools, the design

competition was introduced to give young people an

opportunity to create their own inspiring inhaler covers

to empower asthmatic people, taking the stigma away

from inhaler use, even making people smile when they

use their inhaler and ultimately improving people’s

inhaler management and potentially reduce hospital

admissions.

Pam Cumming, Health Promotion Manager, explained:

“We hear of kids hiding in cupboards, going to the toilet

and hiding under tables just to take their inhaler. They

feel embarrassed.

“Inhalers are a lifesaver and as someone with asthma I

wear mine with pride. Deaths can be prevented if

people have got their inhalers on them and are proud to

use them.”

23

ACVO News

June 2025

The Inhaler Tailor had the difficult task of judging over

100 designs from 14 schools. Although every entry

brought something special, one design in Aberdeen

stood out in particular.

Lucy Moore, a pupil at Forehill School, created a Taylor

Swift-themed inhaler cover that won the top prize in

the Primary 5 age group. Lucy’s win was celebrated in a

special school assembly where her inhaler cover was

presented to her by Pam.

“I feel happy to have won because a lot of people took

part and it’s a great achievement to be one of the

winners,” Lucy exclaimed.

“It feels really good to help people with asthma and

allergies through this competition and it’s a really

important message to get out for them.

“My nana has asthma so I’m proud to have taken part.”

Lucy’s mum shares her pride in her daughter’s

achievement, saying: “I am always super proud of Lucy

but especially proud of this moment. She is very

creative and always gives 100% to everything she

does.”

Lucy’s nana, who has a background in early education,

added: “It’s so important to raise awareness of asthma

and allergies at a young age. I’m really proud of Lucy in

taking part in something so meaningful.”

Pam shares her appreciation: “I am ever so grateful to

Will and Harriet from The Inhaler Tailor for their ideas

and support, for judging, deciding the winning entries

and making the wonderful designs become a reality.”

My hopes for this

competition is that we

have raised awareness

and really encouraged

people to think about

asthma and allergies.

“Another special thank you has to go to Forehill School

teacher Wendy Stewart for encouraging her class and

submitting all the amazing entries.”

The competition goes hand-in-hand with this year’s

World Asthma Day, which took place on Tuesday 6th

May, with the theme being ‘Make Inhaled Treatment

Accessible for All’.

“The design competition really achieved this theme,”

shares Pam.

“It made inhalers something that people are not scared

to be using. The covers turn inhalers into something

that makes them smile and are more likely to find in

their bags and use correctly.

Lucy’s Taylor Swift-themed inhaler cover won the top prize in

Aberdeen.

“It is really important for young people to be aware of

asthma and allergies, recognising the symptoms and

triggers and knowing what to do if someone has an

asthma attack. This knowledge ultimately saves lives

and that’s what makes a real difference.

“Through delivering our workshops, it’s clear that the

children are doing amazing work at spreading this

awareness both at school and at home.

“The young people really retain information and what is

clear is that what I tell them in workshops stays with

them – we really saw that at the prize giving.”

While Lucy’s design might be one of the winning

entries, everyone who took part in the competition

played a role in something important.

“To me, everyone who entered is a winner,” Pam said.

“The young people have been able to use and build on

their creative, communication and listening skills which

is amazing to see.

“My hopes for this competition is that we have raised

awareness and really encouraged people to think about

asthma and allergies.

“These young people have made a great impact

through their creativity. They have played their part in

making people with asthma feel seen – this is

something to celebrated.”

To learn more about the Asthma and Allergy

Foundation, visit asthmaandallergy.org.uk. To get

in touch, email info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk or

phone 01224 973001.

ACVO News

June 2025

24

A Green Gem in the

North of Aberdeen:

Friends of Seaton Park demonstrate

the power of community volunteers

eaton Park has long been a

beloved green space for

locals in Aberdeen. Situated

Sin the North of the City, overlooked

by the historic St Machar Cathedral,

it’s a place to walk, play, unwind and

reconnect with nature. Since 2012 the

Friends of Seaton Park, a volunteer led

group founded by local residents, has

been determined to protect and

enhance the park for future

generations. This team of dedicated

volunteers have played an integral

park in the upkeep of the beloved

greenspace, even in the face of limited

council resources.

Community Roots: How Friends of

Seaton Park Took Shape

Sheila Gordon, has held the role of

Chair of the Friends of Seaton Park,

for over a decade. “I didn’t intend

getting involved to the extent I did,”

she laughed. “I went along to a

meeting once and ended up being the

Chairperson, but I have loved having

the opportunity to play a role in

taking care of the park for the

community. Seaton Park belongs to

everyone. It’s not just grass and paths -

it’s part of our lives” explains Sheila.

Over the years, Friends of Seaton Park

have tackled a wide range of projects,

all made possible by the efforts of

volunteers. One standout is the

revitalisation of the park’s historic

resident - Mr Therm the Play Train.

“The train was falling apart - rusty,

unsafe. It was almost all held together

with string,” Sheila recalled. “We

worked with the council and ACVO to

secure funding to restore it which saw

it returned to where it was originally

built in Kilmarnock, where it was

stripped down, protected with a

weather-resistant coating, and

beautifully repainted with the carriage

artwork designed by local children.”

I’m most proud of that,” said Sheila

“There’s a park in Dunfermline with

the same engine, but it’s fenced off and

says ‘do not climb’. Ours is for playing.

It might disappoint the train enthusiasts,

but where else can children get

up close for interactive play that

connects them to our industrial

history and past.”

Restoring Landmarks and

Reimagining the Landscape

The group also played a key role in

the creation of the wetlands area,

which helped manage persistent

flooding issues in the park while

promoting biodiversity.

“The park is low-lying, and as the

climate changes, the water table is

rising,” Sheila explained. “So rather

than fight it, we made a feature of it.

Now, it’s a habitat for wildlife and

helps manage the excess water.

Experts came in to design the wetlands

so the water would collect and help

drain the land” Sheila explained. “And

even during that project, we

discovered things like a massive

ancient tree trunk which is

geologically significant and on display

now at the entrance of the park. We

also discovered boulders likely moved

by historical floods. There’s so much

more here than meets the eye.”

But none of this work happens in

isolation. Volunteers are at the heart

of it all. “We do things like bulb

ACVO News

25 June 2025

planting, weeding, maintaining the

walled garden. The council only has

two full-time gardeners for this huge

park, so our volunteers help to fill in

the gaps,” said Sheila. “Sometimes we

get companies ringing us up asking if

they can do a litter pick, or the rangers

and council staff team up for bigger

jobs like clearing reeds from the

wetlands.”

A Space for Everyone: Nature, Play,

and Belonging

Jill Marriot, Gardening Coordinator

for the Friends group, echoed that

sentiment as she worked in the walled

garden alongside fellow volunteers.

“There’s usually about six of us here on

a Tuesday morning from 10:00 to

midday,” Jill said. “But we’re always

looking for more people. Even if

people can just manage occasionally

every little helps.”

“You don’t need to commit every week

- even just popping in occasionally

really helps. With council budgets

under pressure, it’s more important

than ever that communities step up.

The more people get involved, the

more they care. And that ownership

shows.”

Jill’s decision to get involved was

shaped by her own experience of using

the park during the pandemic. “I was

working from home during lockdown

and using the park a lot. After I retired,

I felt it was time to give something

back,” she explained. “And I found this

lovely, friendly bunch to volunteer

with. It’s great to be outside, active,

and meeting new people.”

“For me, what makes Seaton Park so

special is that it’s a space for everyone -

from families with little kids to older

people out for a walk, there’s always

such a mix of people enjoying it,” says

Jill.

“And the nature here is incredible.

During lockdown especially, I started

noticing so much more - we had otters

playing in the river and even a seal

that used to swim right up into the

freshwater. There are loads of red

squirrels around too; I know someone

just over the wall who puts food out

and gets about six of them regularly.

It’s just lovely to have all that on our

doorstep. Looking after the park is

Sheila Gordon - Chair of Friends of Seaton Park

really about looking after our own

shared space.” She also believes the

importance of volunteers goes beyond

maintenance. “Parks can be abused

rubbish left behind, things neglected.

But the more local people get involved,

the more they feel protective of

the space. It really does make a

difference.”

Sheila agrees: “Once it belongs to you,

you get angry when people make a

mess of it. That’s why we start young,

get children involved in litter picking

and planting. If they respect it early,

they’ll grow up to care for it.”

Why Volunteering Matters:

Ownership, Pride, and Protection

Seaton Park is more than a

playground or picnic spot - it’s a vital

resource for the surrounding

communities, many of which face

socio-economic challenges. “This is

the only proper green space in the

North of the city,” said Sheila. “You’re

surrounded by areas like Seaton and

Tillydrone, and not everyone can

afford to go to the beach or drive to

other parks. But here, you can just

come and enjoy it for free. It’s safe for

kids, and parents appreciate that.”

ACVO News

June 2025

26

Jill Marriot - volunteer gardening coordinator at Friends of Seaton Park

That versatility makes it even more

important to protect. “Other parks in

the city are more formal, but Seaton

Park is a big, versatile open space,”

Sheila said. “It’s not regimented. You

don’t need to book a pitch to play

football. On a Sunday, you’ll see

groups of people just showing up to

kick a ball. I’ve seen rounders, Zumba

classes, even a game of American

football. It’s a space people use in

whatever way suits them.”

But maintaining and improving the

park isn’t without challenges. “We’ve

done a lot - new benches, paths, picnic

Seaton Park really is a

space for everyone.

You don’t need to have

a garden or any special

knowledge - just a

willingness to help.

And in return, you get

to be part of something

that really matters

areas - but there’s always more to

do,”bSheila admitted. “We’d love to fix

the main road through the park, but

getting the money, and permissions

since it is a council run space, is no

small ask. And even if you have the

money navigating permissions, is

another job in itself.”

That’s why more community

involvement is vital - not just

physically, but in advocacy, funding

applications, and helping to amplify

the value of green spaces in city life.

And , like many other residents, for

Sheila, the connection to the park is

deeply personal “I’ve been coming to

this park since 1959,” she said. “It used

to be the school playing fields for

Aberdeen Academy - back when it was

in the city centre and had no grounds

of its own. We were bussed out here

every week for hockey and rugby and

in the summer we had athletics and

games. It was very different back then,

less trees, more open space - but it’s

always been a place for activity and

play.”

Later, as a young mother living in Old

Aberdeen, Sheila would bring her own

children to the park. “We played in the

playground when they were small.

And when I wanted peace and quiet,

I’d sit in the formal gardens. That’s the

beauty of this park - it has something

for everyone, at every stage of life.”

Seaton Park is more than just green

space - it’s a vibrant part of Aberdeen’s

past, present, and future. It offers

room to play, breathe, connect with

nature, and build community. Thanks

to the dedication of local people like

Sheila, Jill, and the many volunteers

behind Friends of Seaton Park, the

park continues to thrive - not only as a

beautiful public space, but as a

testament to what can be achieved

when people care for something

together.

As Jill put it, “It’s a space for everyone.

You don’t need to have a garden or

any special knowledge - just a

willingness to help. And in return, you

get to be part of something that really

matters.”

To contact Friends of Seaton Park,

email chairoffosp@gmail.com or

check out the Facebook page: Seaton

Park Friends.

ACVO News

27 June 2025

ACVO News

June 2025

28

Navigating loss

and grief with

Cruse Scotland

Bereavement

Support

Everyone experiences bereavement at

some stage in their life and, for some, the

grief that follows can be overwhelming.

Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support is a

national charity that exists to provide

compassionate grief and bereavement

support across the country, helping people

work through the challenges that often

accompany the loss of a loved one.

Cruse Scotland offers

vital services for

individuals navigating

bereavement and relies on

the compassion of it’s

dedicated group of

volunteers to deliver

counselling, listening and

emotional support to.

“People come to us for

support when they’re

struggling to move through

the normal process of grief -

when they feel stuck”

explained Doreen Miller,

Cruse Scotland’s Area

Manager for the North. “It

might be affecting their

mental health or day to day

life, or they have pushed their

grief to one side and now

realise they need some help.”

“The support we offer at

Cruse Scotland would not be

possible without the dedication

of all our amazing

volunteers who provide our

counselling and support

services. I’ve said many times

- we are nothing without our

wonderful volunteers, who

give their time for free to

make sure people can get the

support they need.”

Cruse Scotland’s North Area

spans Grampian, Highlands

and Islands, where over 40

active volunteers are

currently supporting individuals

through their grieving

process. The North is staffed

by Doreen and Helen

Donald, co-ordinator based

at Rose Street, Aberdeen.

“Our volunteers have

different skills and expertise,

including counsellors,

Children and Young Persons

supporters, Early Support

and ICI volunteers and

counselling students on

placement” Doreen said. “The

majority are fully qualified

counsellors, but we also have

skilled listeners and

advanced skilled listeners,

including placement students

training towards their

diplomas and degrees.”

“Cruse Scotland offers several

models of support including

Early Support sessions - by

phone or occasionally in

person - for a recent

bereavement and for a

bereavement over 6 months,

no matter how long ago, we

offer 6 sessions over six

weeks in person, online or by

phone. Our volunteers are

vital in providing these free

services.”

Understanding and

Normalising Grief

Elaine Reid, a volunteer

counsellor and trainer with

Cruse Scotland, understands

the profound effect of grief -

29 ACVO News

June 2025

and how transformative the

right support can be. “Grief is

isolating,” she said. “Some

people just don’t like to talk

about it, or feel like they

can’t. That can become a very

lonely place to be. At Cruse

Scotland, you get to speak

without judgment or

expectation.”

Doreen Miller, Cruse Scotland’s Area Manager for the North

Elaine explained that while

grief is universal, the way

people experience it is deeply

personal and can often be

misunderstood. “There are

still so many people who

don’t have support in their

families or friend groups,”

she said. “Society still tends

to treat grief as something

with an expiry date - as if you

should be ‘done’ grieving

after a certain time. But that’s

not how it works. And if you

don’t have people around

you who are comfortable

talking about it, or they think

it’s time you moved on, then

you need somewhere safe to

go. That’s what Cruse

Scotland offers - someone

who will listen, without

telling you how you should

feel.”

Through her work, Elaine

has seen first-hand the many

forms grief can take. “For

some, it shows up as things

like anxiety, exhaustion,

even brain fog - it can be

really alarming for people

who don’t realise these are

normal parts of the grieving

process. When someone

comes to Cruse Scotland and

we’re able to say, ‘What

you’re feeling is valid, and

you’re not alone,’ you can see

the relief. Being able to

normalise those experiences

is incredibly important. That

moment of recognition,

when someone realises it’s

okay to feel the way they do,

can be a turning point.”

Elaine began volunteering

over ten years ago and

returned after completing

her counselling MSc. “It’s

ACVO News

June 2025

30

been incredibly enriching,”

she said. “There’s a strong

community of volunteers in

Aberdeen. The support we

get - ongoing training,

supervision, and development

means we can grow as

practitioners while

supporting others.”

“Volunteers can learn so

much from one another, and

we often bring our own

personal experiences into the

support we offer,” Elaine

added. “I remember a

training session where

someone shared how alone

they felt after losing their dad

- and how that experience

motivated them to volunteer

so no one else would have to

feel the same. That really

stayed with me. I think a big

part of what we do is about

giving back - offering support

that comes from empathy,

understanding, and lived

experience.”

This sentiment is echoed by

Lorna Knott who joined

Cruse Scotland in 2024 as a

Practice Placement Student.

“I received no help or

support when I tragically lost

my mother at the age of 16,”

shared Lorna. “I was told by

family members not to

mention her in case I upset

my dad and was expected to

just move on. That was 45

years ago, and things have

changed so much now.”

That early silence around

grief stayed with Lorna into

adulthood. “After I

eventually received

counselling, it helped me

understand my grief. That

experience led me to train as

a therapist - to help others

manage and cope better than

I was able to at the time.”

Although Lorna has spent

many years working in

private practice as a CBT

therapist, she always hoped

to give back through a charity

like Cruse Scotland. “As a

student studying late in life as

a person centred counsellor, I

was delighted when Cruse

Scotland accepted me on

placement,” she said.

“The support and ongoing

training I have received have

all been exceptional,” she

said. “I feel I’m part of

something that is of real

benefit to others.”

“Being part of something that

brings care and support to

others is also helping me

cope with my own losses,”

she reflected. “I’ve lost many

people over the years. Being a

grief counsellor helps me

understand the bewilderment,

fear and devastation.

It helps me learn more about

myself and navigate those

intense feelings of loss.”

talk to their families about

loss because they don’t want

to upset them further,” she

explained. “Cruse Scotland

gives them a safe space that’s

just for them - somewhere

they can express what they’re

feeling without worrying

about how others will react.”

With children, the approach

is carefully tailored. “We

don’t just sit and talk - it’s a

different kind of support than

adults receive,” Trisha said.

“We use crafts, painting,

games - anything that helps

them feel comfortable. If a

child is engaged in an

activity, they’re often more

likely to open up and share

what’s really going on inside.”

The impact of this support is

tangible. “You can really see

the change,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s in their

behaviour - they might be

more settled, more

communicative. Other times

it’s in how they talk about

their feelings, using words

they didn’t have before to

describe what’s happened.

Parents often tell us that

things have improved at

home or at school.”

A Safe Space for All Ages

Trisha Hird, who has

volunteered with Cruse

Scotland since 2009, also sees

the unique value volunteers

bring, particularly when

working with children and

young people. “Sometimes

young people are afraid to

Trisha emphasised that

involving children in the

grieving process is crucial. “In

the past, children were often

left out - they weren’t brought

to funerals, they weren’t

asked how they were feeling,”

she said. “But we now

“understand how important

Elaine Reid, Volunteer Counsellor at Cruse Scotland

It feels like part of our human

response to help someone

through a dark place. I’ve lost

people too. I know what that’s

like. Being able to use that

experience to support others

is incredibly meaningful

31

ACVO News

June 2025

In the past, children were often

left out - they weren’t brought to

funerals, they weren’t asked

how they were feeling, but we

now understand how

important it is to include them,

to give them the tools to process

what’s happened in a way that

makes sense for their age and

understanding.

it is to include them, to give

them the tools to process

what’s happened in a way

that makes sense for their age

and understanding.”

“It’s an honour and a

privilege to volunteer with

Cruse Scotland” said Trisha.

“It feels like part of our

human response to help

someone through a dark

place. I’ve lost people too. I

know what that’s like. Being

able to use that experience to

support others is incredibly

meaningful.”

Community and Support for

Volunteers

Cruse Scotland is deeply

committed to creating a

positive and meaningful

experience for its volunteers.

“We build close relationships

with them,” said Doreen. “We

know their strengths and

availability, so we can match

them well with clients. We

want them to feel valued and

supported every step of the

way.”

That commitment extends far

beyond initial training.

Volunteers benefit from

regular online gatherings,

Continued Professional

Development (CPD)

opportunities, and monthly

‘Coffee Connect’ meetings

which create space for

learning, reflection, and

community. “Sometimes we’ll

bring in external speakers for

CPD, and the volunteers

really enjoy that,” Doreen

said. “They’re engaged and

turn up in good numbers - it’s

great to see that enthusiasm.”

Recognition and appreciation

are also an essential part of

Cruse Scotland’s culture.

“We value our volunteers

year-round, and we are

proud to celebrate their vital

contributions during

volunteer’s week. We will be

hosting two events this year,

one in Aberdeen for our City

and Shire volunteers and the

other in Nairn for our Moray

and Highland volunteers,”

Doreen added. “We want to

make sure our volunteers feel

appreciated for all the

incredible work they do.”

“We also host a Volunteers

Annual Conference each

year, usually in September

where volunteers and staff

gather for keynote speakers,

workshops, and our

Volunteer Awards (Linda

Keay Award) Ceremony.”

“These are always well

attended by volunteers as far

north as Orkney and south in

the Borders.”

The sense of community and

connection among volunteers

is key. “We really try to make

things as simple, stress-free,

and inclusive as possible,”

Doreen said. “Whether it’s

offering support during their

first client sessions or making

time for check-ins, we want

every volunteer to feel like

they’re part of something

meaningful - and that they’re

making a real difference.”

Ultimately, Cruse Scotland

exists to ensure that the

people they support are not

left to navigate grief alone.

For Doreen, the evidence of

their volunteers’ impact is in

every client they help. “We

get incredible feedback,” she

said. “We see the difference

from session one to session

six. People walk out lighter,

more hopeful. And our

volunteers hear that gratitude

Trisha Hird, Volunteer Counsellor at Cruse Scotland

directly. That’s what makes it

all worthwhile.”

Find out more

Cruse Scotland provides

compassionate bereavement

support through a range of

free services designed to help

individuals navigate their

grief. Their Free Bereavement

Helpline (0808 802 6161)

offers immediate emotional

support and guidance. For

those who prefer online

communication, GriefChat

provides a confidential, webbased

chat service connecting

people with counsellors.

More details about all

services and how to access

them can be found on Cruse

Scotland website at

crusescotland.org.uk

ACVO News

June 2025

34

Volunteers’ Week Special:

Asthma and Allergy

Foundation

35

ACVO News

June 2025

Volunteers Breathing

Life Into Communities

T

he Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAF) is

Scotland’s only dedicated asthma and

allergy charity and supports over 15,000 people

across the country.

At the heart of their work in Aberdeen is a

committed team of volunteers giving back their

time to make a real difference in people’s lives

whilst also developing valuable skills and

confidence for themselves.

Whether engaging with the public at awareness

stalls, producing health-focused media content or

supporting with the delivery of workshops, AAF

volunteers play a crucial role in the charity’s

mission: enhancing the lives of individuals

impacted by asthma and allergies.

As part of recruiting volunteers, AAF offers a

thorough onboarding process which includes

tailored asthma and allergy training sessions.

“We want our volunteers to feel confident

representing the Foundation when they share key

information with the public. It’s important that they

understand the impact that they are making,”

Stephen says.

Volunteering at AAF is about giving back as well as

gaining new knowledge, skills and experience.

Stephen continues: “Volunteering is a mutual

benefit. Our volunteers enrich their own lives while

helping others.

In return, volunteers receive in-depth training,

mentoring and plenty of opportunities to build

their experience in a supportive, empowering

environment.

Stephen Nakote, Project Coordinator at AAF, is

responsible for managing and supporting the

charity’s network of volunteers.

“My role is about getting people to volunteer with

us,” Stephen explains.

“We reach out to universities in Aberdeen,

promote ourselves on social media and work with

national organisations to spread the word about

recruiting our much needed volunteers.

“When someone is interested, I take the time to sit

down and have a chat with them. I familiarise them

with the Foundation and find out what they are

hoping to gain from their volunteer journey with

us.”

Stephen Nakote, Project Coordinator.

ACVO News

June 2025

36

Once I started volunteering, I saw how little

awareness there still is.

“This role has helped me contribute to changing

that narrative and I hope the impact I am making by

raising awareness lasts in the community.”

Ande has also taken on leadership responsibilities,

such as coordinating other volunteers and

mentoring medical students through the

opportunity of shadowing Stephen.

“The flexibility and support that the Foundation

gives you is fantastic,” he says.

“You can go at your own pace and contribute in a

way that works for you. You also get to meet

people who are interested in your growth which is

really great to be a part of.”

Ande, volunteer at Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

For Ayo, a recent volunteer at AAF, the experience

so far has been valuable. Currently studying a

Master’s in Public Health, he first discovered the

Foundation through his university’s volunteering

fair.

“We support their growth with training, undertake

mock interviews and provide leadership

opportunities.

“I’m always amazed to see how people develop

their confidence and communication skills when

they spend their time with us here.”

Ande, a recent graduate with a Master’s in Global

Health and Management, started volunteering with

AAF in February 2024. With a background in

pharmacy and public health, he was drawn to AAF

as a way to deepen his academic learning and gain

practical experience.

“Volunteering gave me the opportunity to bring

public health principles into real life situations,”

Ande says.

“I have been involved in community engagement

activities, working with local pharmacies and

running university campaigns to raise awareness

about asthma and allergies right here in Aberdeen.”

He describes his experience as both enriching and

eye-opening: “I used to think asthma was a

common condition that everyone knew about.

Ayo, volunteer at Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

37

ACVO News

June 2025

“I met Stephen and Ande where I knew straight

away I wanted to be part of the charity’s mission.”

Ayo sees volunteering as a lifelong investment,

saying: “The skills I’m learning don’t just help the

community, they are something I will carry with me

throughout my life.

“It feels good to be part of something that is

improving lives and I look forward to my

volunteering journey here at the Asthma and

Allergy Foundation.”

Stuart started volunteering with AAF in early 2025,

focusing on the allergy side of the Foundation. Now

looking to sharpen his asthma knowledge, he found

that volunteering has helped him move forward

during a time of uncertainty.

“I found myself in limbo and wanted to be of help

somewhere. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation

gave me the chance to help others and improve

myself at the same time,” Stuart explains.

His volunteer work includes marketing and strategy

as well as attending allergy and asthma workshops.

Volunteering here is

about helping yourself

as much as it is about

helping others.

“I have learned how to respond in an emergency

situation and how to educate others about

preventative measures.

“I am also discovering how to get the message out

there and how to really reach people about asthma

and allergies,” he says.

Stuart says his volunteer experience is deeply

rewarding: “Volunteering here is about helping

yourself as much as it is about helping others.

“You’re building skills, confidence and making an

impact in the community through giving your time

back.”

Stuart, volunteer at Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

As part of her university placement two years ago,

medical student Hanah began volunteering with

AAF and has continued to support the charity

where and when she can.

Her main role involves engaging with the public,

whether at awareness stalls, through the

Foundation’s Breathe Better Scotland radio show

or undertaking street interviews.

“Talking to people about asthma and allergies is so

important,” she says.

“We teach people how to use inhalers, administer

EpiPens and correct people on any misconceptions

they may have.

“Volunteering as part of our radio show is another

great experience. We use this platform to talk

about topics like how to travel safely with asthma

or how to prepare for allergy season.”

Volunteering has had a direct impact on Hanah’s

medical education as well. She says: “My knowledge

about asthma has grown so much. Explaining it in

simple terms helps everyone, including myself,

understand it better.”

ACVO News

June 2025

38

“I would consider the team at Asthma and Allergy

Foundation my friends. They really encourage you

to pursue your interests and grow in the areas you

care about.”

Across all the charity’s departments, from project

coordination, community engagement or social

media, it is clear that volunteers are an essential

part of AAF’s work.

“We’re a small team who rely on our volunteers,”

Stephen puts simply.

“They take lead in our activities and help amplify our

message in Aberdeen and across Scotland.

“Whether they’re here for a few hours a week or

more, their time makes a huge difference and they

put a smile to our faces.”

For anyone considering volunteering, Stephen

offers encouragement: “You get to see first-hand

the impact you’re making. You’re empowering

people to live fulfilled lives despite their asthma or

allergies which is something truly special to be a

part of.”

Hanah, volunteer at Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

39

ACVO News

June 2025

Asthma and Allergy Foundation

are currently looking for

volunteers!

Feeling inspired after reading Ande, Ayo,

Stuart and Hanah’s volunteering

experiences at the Asthma and Allergy

Foundation? Discover their latest

opportunities at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk

You can also visit the charity’s website at:

www.asthmaandallergy.org.uk or email

info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk to get in

touch and take the first step in your

volunteering journey.

2nd - 8th June 2025

FUNDING

ACVO News

June 2025

44

NHS Grampian Charity

passes £1 million funding

mark for community

health projects

and basic necessities that no child should

go without. From nappies and formula milk

to toys and warm winter coats,

AberNecessities support children from

birth to 18 years, to help give them the

best start possible.

Danielle Fletcher-Horn, founder of

AberNecessities, says, “AberNecessities

are incredibly grateful to receive funding

to purchase beds alongside our ‘snug as a

bug’ bags for 43 local children.

“Not only will these ensure children have a

safe and appropriate place to sleep, but

they gift children the opportunity to learn,

play and thrive the following day. We

thank NHS Grampian Charity for sharing

our belief and vision that no child should

go without sweet dreams.”

NHS Grampian Charity launched its

Community Grants Programme in 2020 to

provide support to community groups and

organisations during the Covid-19

pandemic. Since then, the charity has gone

on to fund almost 150 community-led

health and wellbeing initiatives across

Grampian totalling £1.1 million.

Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead, with Bertie the AberNecessities mascot.

N

HS Grampian Charity has classes, peer-support initiatives, sensory

awarded more than

facilities, toys and play equipment, and

£230,000 to community- much more.

led health and wellbeing

Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity Lead,

projects through the latest round of its says, “We received an incredible number

Community Grants Programme, bringing of applications for this year’s Community

the total awarded through the

Grants Programme and are delighted to

programme to £1.1 million since its

be supporting 30 organisations across

launch in 2020.

Grampian.

A total of 29 charities and community

“These projects aim to improve the health

organisations have received funding

and wellbeing of people in our

through the latest round of the

communities through activities focusing

programme, which provides grants to

on healthy eating, exercise, mental health

support health and wellbeing initiatives in peer-support, education, and much more.”

communities across Aberdeen,

AberNecessities are one of the charity’s

Aberdeenshire and Moray.

to have received a grant this year. The

Projects receiving support include

Aberdeen-based charity provides

therapeutic workshops, practical skills disadvantaged families with the essential

Ms Duthie says, “We are lucky to have so

many incredible charities and communityled

organisations who are supporting

people across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

and Moray.

“Enhancing the health and wellbeing of the

people of Grampian is our biggest priority,

and it is wonderful to see the broad range

of projects that we have been able to fund

since our Community Grants Programme

began.

“These activities, along with the projects

we fund in NHS Grampian hospitals, are

only possible because of the incredibly

generous donations made by the people of

Grampian.

“Thank you to every single one of our

supporters – together we are making a

real difference to people’s health and

wellbeing.”

To discover the full list of recipients and

more information, visit nhsgcharities.com

45

ACVO News

June 2025

Opportunities

Sustainable Future

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

The overall focus is on developing and promoting sustainable, low-carbon

alternatives to the current consumerist and growth-based paradigm. We will

support a range of actions to achieve these aims, recognising this might include

defending current policies, frameworks, and regulations.

We are focusing on work:

From groups and organisations who struggle to obtain funding elsewhere

(for example, only one core funder, or no core funding)

From those who are actively building power amongst communities- From

those with a solid understanding of the causes of the climate and/or

economic crises

From those with a track record of community organising around climate,

economics, or environment

From groups and organisations who effectively connect the intersecting

harms of climate breakdown, racial injustice, economic inequality, and the

legacies of colonialism

Which considers the needs and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, and other

participants

For which there is has a demonstrable need

Where it is clearly explained why you are the right organisation or group to

carry out this project.

Climate &

Sustainability

Funding Available:

Unspecified

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

Applications close:

18/08/2025

Community

Funding Available:

up to £3,000

Applications close:

01/07/2025

ABZ Propeller Fund

Aberdeen International Airport

The ABZ Propeller Fund was established to ensure local communities share in the

success of Aberdeen International Airport. It provides financial support to

community groups and charities that are committed to improving the

opportunities, facilities and services available to local people.

The ABZ Propeller Fund makes donations to those projects within proximity to the

airport, in the areas most affected by the airport’s operation. Typically, these

projects are in the relevant parts of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Funds

come directly from Aberdeen International Airport itself which makes an annual

donation to the ABZ Propeller Fund.

Investment is focused in three key areas:

Economic Regeneration: We recognise the importance of making sure the

future workplace is equipped with the skills that society and industry demands

and by supporting specific projects we aim to help young people in the

community reach their full potential.

Sustainability: To underpin our commitment to making a positive contribution

to the environment, the ABZ Propeller Fund supports those projects with a

focus on protecting and enhancing our natural environment, sustainability and

wellbeing.

Education: The ABZ Propeller Fund supports social and educational projects

which are designed to bring positive benefits and to change the lives of people

in the communities we serve.

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

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

June 2025

46

Events

Events in June

4th

6th

7th

Tenant And Resident

Participation – Information

Afternoon

The North East Tenants Residents And

Landlords Together (NETRALT) will be at the

NHS Hub in the Bon Accord Centre on

Wednesday 4th June from 1pm to 4pm.

Here you can find out more about how you

can be involved in your local housing service.

Confirmed landlords that will be in attendance:

Aberdeenshire Council and Langstane Housing

Association.

Take this opportunity to find out how all social

landlords across the north east work together

and how you can be involved.

For more information please visit the

NETRALT website: www.netralt.org.uk

Date Wed 4 June 2025

Volunteers Open Day –

Celebrating Volunteers Week at

Somebody Cares SCIO

Come join us at Somebody Cares SCIO for our

Volunteers Open Day – Celebrating Volunteers

Week at our retail unit on Denmore Road,

Aberdeen.

Come join us at Somebody Cares Retail Outlet

for one of a series of events celebrating our

amazing volunteers!

This event is for people in our local community

interested in joining us as a volunteer. So, if

you’d like to learn more about what we do, this

event is for you.

Meet our team, enjoy light refreshments, and

discover how you can make a difference in our

community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity

to connect and celebrate the power of

volunteering!

Check out our other open day event at our

Client Services HQ for those interested in

volunteering there.

Date Fri 6 June 2025

June Aberdeen Beach

Community Litter Pick with

Aberdeen Climate Action

Equipment will be provided – tongs, gloves,

bin bags, but feel free to bring your own if

you have it. Beach clean events are open to

everyone, whether you’re an ACA member

or not.

Arrival time: 10:30–10:45 Please arrive on

time so we can give a safety briefing, explain

how the event works, and hand out

equipment.

Beach clean: 10:45–12:00 We’ll spread out

in pairs or small groups to collect litter along

the beach and nearby paths.

Wrap-up and social time: 12:00–12:30 We’ll

meet back at the start point to return

equipment, tally up what we’ve found, and

take a group photo. We invite you to stay

until 12:30 to chat, connect, and share

stories – this is a great time to meet likeminded

people, ask questions, and enjoy a

relaxed moment together after the clean-up.

Bring a flask, snack, or just yourself!

Please plan to stay until 12:30 if you can –

the social side is just as important as the

clean-up!

Date Sat 7 June 2025

Time

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Time

9:45 am - 12:00 pm

Time

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

North East Tenants

Residents And Landlords

Together (NETRALT)

Organiser

Somebody Cares SCIO

Organiser

Aberdeen Climate Action

Venue

Aberdeen City

Vaccination &

Wellbeing Hub, Bon

Accord Centre

Venue

Somebody Cares Retail

Outlet 12-15 Barratt Trading

Estate, Denmore Road,

Bridge of Don, AB23 8JW

Venue

Aberdeen Beach - Footdee

Public Toilets, North

Square, AB11 5DX,

Find out more via ACVO Events



ACVO News

47 June 2025

Opportunities

Grampian Pride 2025

Grampian Pride Returns for Its 8th Year!

Expect more rainbows, more glitter, and an

unforgettable day as we come together to

celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion.

11:00 – Union Street Parade

13:00 – Pride Village at Duthie Park

This year, it’s all about local talent and

businesses. You asked, and we listened! From

electrifying entertainment to incredible local

vendors, we’re showcasing everything that

makes Aberdeen shine.

We’ve teamed up with our partners to bring

you an even bigger and better Pride

experience. New for 2025 is our Caberet

Tent, featuring the best local artists and

performers—a stage dedicated to homegrown

talent. And don’t miss our main headliner,

Wyldkat, taking the stage at 5 PM! Stay tuned

to our Facebook page for the full setlist closer

to the day.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you at

Grampian Pride 2025—see you there!

Torry Men's Wellbeing Day

As part of National Men's Health Week, we

would be delighted if you could join us at

Greyhope Community Hub for a range of

activities including a men's health MOT.

The day will include come and try sessions

including, sports, fitness, podcasting, filming

and food demos.

There will be a range of community and health

stands with advice on GP registration and basic

health checks available also offered.

A range of services that can help improve your

overall health and improve overall wellbeing.

There will also be free food between 5&6pm.

How Can Community Members

Have More Influence on Where

Funding Goes?

The Grampian Engagement Network and the

Community Empowerment Network (of

Community Planning Aberdeen) would like to

invite you to a twilight session on June 25th

from 5.30-7.30pm at the beautiful Trinity

Hall (home of Aberdeen’s Seven Incorporated

Trades).

We are bringing together some local funders

and community members to discuss ideas of

how to influence and shape where and how

local funding is delivered, and we would love

to hear your views on this, whether you are a

local funder, a community member looking

for funding, or having received funding, or

someone with an interest in how we give

more influence, control and power to our

communities.

Date Sat 7 June 2025

Date Thu 12 June 2025

Date Thu 25 June 2025

Time

11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Time

2:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Time

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

Four Pillars

Organiser

Torry Health Matters

Organiser

The Grampian Engagement

Network and Community

Planning Aberdeen

Venue

Duthie Park, Polmuir Road,

Aberdeen, AB11 7TH

Venue

Greyhope Bay Community

Hub, Tullos Circle,

Aberdeen, AB11 8HD

Venue

Trinity Hall, 164 Holburn

Street, Aberdeen,

AB10 6DA




7th

12th

25th

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

June 2025

48

Family Support Co-ordinator

Befriend a Child

£24000-£26000 Part time 22.5 hours per week Fixed Term Aberdeen

Closing date: 19/06/2025

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

The Family Support Co-ordinator role will provide flexible and bespoke family support to parents and carers where

children and young people maybe on the edge of care to receive the right support at the right time, building on their

strengths and reducing the need for statutory supports. A key part of this role will be working in partnership with

Statutory and Voluntary Services by signposting, sharing resources, learning and creating solutions that help families to

thrive.

Befriend a Child is situated in the centre of Aberdeen in Bon-Accord Square, with its own private staff car park with easy

access from Bon-Accord Street. Employees have their own work space and full IT support. The culture within Befriend a Child

is based on mutual respect and teamwork. Dress code is smart but casual.

To apply, please forward a copy of your CV along with a supporting statement explaining how you meet the personal

specification and any other information you wish us to take into consideration. Please also include the name and contact

details of two referees, one of whom must be your current employer.

Please send application information to Jean Gordon, Head of Operations, to jean@befriendachild.org.uk by end of business

on Thursday 19th June 2025.

Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25th June 2025. Please let us know if you need any special

arrangements for interview. For further information please contact Jean Gordon, Head of Operations at

jean@befriendachild.org.uk or tel: 01224 210060.

Download Recruitment Pack

Download Job Advert

Development Officer

(Health & Social Care)

Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action

£17,714 (pro-rata'd from £29,523 fte) Part Time

21hrs (0.6fte)

Fixed Term

Home based, with occasional

travel across Aberdeenshire



Do you have what it takes to work with third sector organisations who are delivering services that support health & social

care outcomes? If so, we’d like to receive an application from you by Monday 9th June at 1200hrs.

AVA works in many different ways with many community, voluntary, and third sector groups and organisations across

Aberdeenshire. No two days are the same, because the nature of the work we do varies for each organisation we engage with.

We are currently seeking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic Development Officer to join our team working across

Aberdeenshire.

Duties will include providing support and guidance that will enable groups and organisations to deliver their services. The

post will specialise in primarily working with and supporting organisations who support health and social care outcomes, and

will include a specific focus on mental health and wellbeing through our already established network.

The postholder will also be expected to work in partnership with public, private and third sector organisations, and act as a

focal point for most things related to health & social care; we are looking for a person who really understands that everyone

has something to offer, and values interacting with people.


49

ACVO News

June 2025 Vacancies

Cafe Project Worker

The Living Well Project

£25,725 per annum, pro rata Part Time

25 hours per week

Fixed Term

Aberdeen City - various locations Closing date: 04/05/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to work alongside a team leader and our excellent team of

volunteers to deliver our dementia cafes. In addition the successful applicant will also assist from time to time with the

work of the Living Well Befriending Service.

For further information regarding this post please contact cafe@thelivingwellproject.org.uk

Applicants are requested to send an up-to-date CV for the attention of The Living Well Project Convenor, Brimmond Church,

Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9SS or danielm.bennett@me.com

The Living Well Cafés provide a welcoming, safe and supportive place for people living with dementia and/or memory

problems and their caregivers.

At the cafés we offer information and signposting to organisations which may be able to provide a service, information or help

in other practical ways. Each week we have a range of optional activities such as reminiscing, puzzles, Boccia, and dancing, and

we usually have a sing-along to finish. We sometimes have entertainment or an organisation giving a presentation to provide

helpful information. At every café, we have a ‘fly cup’ with a ‘fine piece’!

As The Living Well Project has been developed as part of a Christian organisation, initiated by Brimmond Church, it therefore

has a Christian ethos and operates in Church premises. Successful applicants will be: comfortable with the Christian ethos of

the charity, subject to a PVG check, and have a 12 week probationary period.

Download Job Description

Team Leader

The Living Well Project

£27,825 per annum, pro rata Part Time

30 hours per week Fixed Term

Aberdeen City - various locations Closing date: 04/05/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to lead a team of project workers and our excellent volunteers

to deliver the services of the project. The team leader will oversee all aspects of the project and report to the management

team. Work will also include direct delivery of the café service, liaising with those supported by the project, participating in

fundraising activities and promotion of the charity (this will include speaking to churches and at church events).

For further information regarding this post please contact cafe@thelivingwellproject.org.uk Applicants are requested to send

an up-to-date CV for the attention of The Living Well Project Convenor, Brimmond Church, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9SS

or danielm.bennett@me.com

As The Living Well Project has been developed as part of a Christian organisation, initiated by Brimmond Church, it therefore

has a Christian ethos and operates in Church premises. Successful applicants will be: comfortable with the Christian ethos of

the charity, subject to a PVG check, and have a 12 week probationary period.

About the Living Well Project

The Living Well Project embraces two strands of care within the community; The Living Well Befriending Service and The

Living Well Dementia Cafés. We offer a Befriending Service where volunteers are matched on a one-to-one basis, with an

older person. Volunteer befrienders visit socially isolated and lonely older people over the age of 65 in their homes in the

north of the city. Volunteers visit regularly to offer friendship and companionship. We also run the Living Well Cafés which

provide social support for those affected by memory loss and dementia, their families and carers.


ACVO News

Vacancies 50

June 2025

Employment Keyworker

Pathways

£27 600 pro rata Part time 22.5 hrs per week Permanent Aberdeen



Pathways is seeking a part-time Employment Keyworker to work one-to-one with people in communities across

Aberdeen.

The successful candidate will support people through all aspects of the jobsearch process, including CV development,

identifying and removing barriers to employment through focused help, identifying appropriate specialist support and

training, identification of suitable vacancies, providing assistance to complete online applications and preparation for

interviews.

Please submit a CV and covering letter to m.pritchard@pathways-online.org

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, able to motivate others, have good communication and IT skills, an ability to

work towards targets and be able to work both on their own initiative and as part of a team.

An ability to build and maintain positive working relationships is essential. A driving licence is preferable.

About Pathways

Pathways was formed in November 1998 to provide help for people looking for work and first steps community education

classes. The organisation was initially funded through the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) and concentrated on the

Fersands, Middlefield, Printfield and Tillydrone areas of Aberdeen. Since our inception we have added a counselling service

for any issue and a dedicated domestic abuse counselling service to our support.

Substance Use Worker

(Early Interventions)

Alcohol & Drugs Action

£26,413 per annum Full Time 37 hours per week Permanent Aberdeen



ADA is an award-winning charity, delivering specialist services to reduce harms and promote recovery of individuals and

families affected by alcohol and drugs use in the Northeast of Scotland.

We are recruiting for a full-time permanent Substance Use Worker (Early Interventions) based at the Timmermarket, Hadden

Street and Various locations throughout Aberdeen City.

We are looking for candidates that have a background in Community Learning, Nursing, Social Work, Counselling, or other

related field/s. To be successful you must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the needs of those

affected by alcohol or drug use. Ideally, you will have experience of working with substance users and knowledge of effective

interventions.

PVG membership is essential for this post.

Please note that only those who apply online and complete an application form will be considered for the role

Closing date: Thursday 12 June 2025, with interviews to be arranged following the closing date.


ACVO News

51 June 2025 Vacancies

Family Support Worker

12-month contract

includem

£24,757 per annum Full Time

37 hours per week (flexible between 8am – 10pm, 5 days over 7)

Fixed Term

Aberdeen Closing date: 03/06/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Includem is recruiting for a Family Support Worker to join our service providing Targeted Family Support in Aberdeen.

Applicants should demonstrate skills in delivering support through an early intervention model supporting families in their

communities. In addition, this service will also support young people who are in conflict with the law. Applicants should

demonstrate skills report writing, case management, supporting young people in conflict with the law including diversion

from prosecution and knowledge of court and child protection processes.

Looking for a new challenge? We want to hear from you! Includem is committed to developing employees and will help you to

achieve the relevant qualifications required to carry out the role. These qualifications will be fully funded by includem. The

successful candidate should have a full driver’s license and access to a car.

To apply please send your CV to recruitment@includem.co.uk

Additional Information

– You must have a valid driving license and access to a roadworthy vehicle

– Be available between 8am and 10pm

– Be flexible to work weekends

– Have minimum of 2 years Social Care work experience

Successful Candidates will be invited to the individual interview as follow:

– Group interview (3 hours): Wednesday 11th June 2025

– Individual interview (1 hour): Friday 20th June 2025


Family Support Worker

includem

£24,757 per annum Full Time

37 hours per week (flexible between 8am – 10pm, 5 days over 7)

Permanent

Aberdeen Closing date: 03/06/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

Includem is recruiting for a Family Support Worker to join our service providing Targeted Family Support in Aberdeen.

Applicants should demonstrate skills in delivering support through an early intervention model supporting families in their

communities. In addition, this service will also support young people who are in conflict with the law. Applicants should

demonstrate skills report writing, case management, supporting young people in conflict with the law including diversion

from prosecution and knowledge of court and child protection processes.

Looking for a new challenge? We want to hear from you! Includem is committed to developing employees and will help you to

achieve the relevant qualifications required to carry out the role. These qualifications will be fully funded by includem. The

successful candidate should have a full driver’s license and access to a car.

To apply please send your CV to recruitment@includem.co.uk

Additional Information

– You must have a valid driving license and access to a roadworthy vehicle

– Be available between 8am and 10pm

– Be flexible to work weekends

– Have minimum of 2 years Social Care work experience

Successful Candidates will be invited to the individual interview as follow:

– Group interview (3 hours): Wednesday 11th June 2025

– Individual interview (1 hour): Friday 20th June 2025


acvo.org.uk

ACVO News June 2025

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