ACVO News September 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025

First

Cash

Aberdeen

CONTENTS

About ACVO TSI

Updates from the ACVO Team

The latest insight and reflection on Aberdeen’s third

sector from our team here at ACVO TSI

News from Aberdeen’s Third Sector

News, updates, achievements and opportunities

from our member organisations and the wider sector

Volunteering

Mike Melvin with updates from Volunteer Aberdeen

and volunteers working to make change in the city

Funding

Funding news and opportunities to ensure your work

is sustainable and supported

Events

Connect with the wider third sector and join in with

the community at an event happening soon

Vacancies

Looking for your next career move? Find a rewarding

role working within Aberdeen’s vibrant third sector

ACVO (Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations) is the Third Sector

Interface (TSI) for Aberdeen. We have over 20 years’ experience working

in the city as the central hub of knowledge relating to the local third

sector. The work we do is reflected in our organisational values which are

central to our decision-making processes and are incorporated into

everything we do, namely: We put the Third Sector first; We empower

communities; We act on lived experience; We demand equality;

We stand up for those who need help most

© 2025 Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations Scottish Charity No: SC036845

Get in touch

enquiries@acvo.org.uk

www.acvo.org.uk

04

14

32

37

38

ACVO TSI 38 Castle Street

Aberdeen, AB11 5YU

enquiries@acvo.org.uk

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06

Communities

Mental Health &

Wellbeing Fund

Year 5 opens!

ACVO is delighted to announce

that the Scottish Government

Communities Mental Health &

Wellbeing Fund for Adults has

now launched for a fifth year. The

Fund will continue to support

community-based initiatives that

promote and improve mental

health and wellbeing

28

ACVO Launch Stories

from Cash First

Aberdeen Project

Discover a powerful collection of

personal accounts showcasing the

impact of the Cash First Flexible

Crisis Fund and how the target

demographic have been benefitting

directly and seeing impactful

change over the past year

26

Community &

Coast Funding

Brings St. Peters

Court Residents

Together

With support from the Fund,

tenants are now organising a

variety of social activities such as

themed coffee mornings in the

common room. These gatherings

have provided entertainment, as

well as creating a space where

residents can meet, share

experiences and build

meaningful relationships.

Communities Mental

Health & Wellbeing Fund

18

Aberdeen Science

Festival Returns this

September with TV

Doctor Headlining

Crime scenes, genetics, menopause,

magic and the solar system are just

some of the wide-ranging subjects

being explored at this year’s Aberdeen

Science Festival, powered by TechFest,

which returns to the city in September.

As September begins, funding

takes centre stage at ACVO.

By the end of the month, three

of the funds we manage will be

open for applications, offering

direct support for groups and

organisations working across

Aberdeen.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund

for Adults and the Just Transition PB Fund are now live,

with the Community and Coast Fund opening later this

month. Together, these opportunities mean that over

the coming months, ACVO and partners will distribute

more than £980,000 directly to community groups and

organisations in Aberdeen.

Since 2021, we’ve had the privilege of supporting the

sector through the distribution of more than £3.6

million across the city. The impact of this investment

has been extraordinary. Small grants have helped

grassroots groups take their first steps, while larger

awards have enabled established organisations to

expand and strengthen their reach. The difference this

makes is clear: people find connection, communities

grow stronger and change begins to take root.

One story featured in this edition, from Brimmond

Court, illustrates this point. With a grant of £10,000

from the Community and Coast Fund, residents were

able to refurbish their communal kitchen, transforming

not just a space, but the way people come

together, share meals, and support one another. It’s a

reminder that even relatively small amounts of funding

can unlock potential and bring lasting benefits.

What strikes me most is the way these funds continue

to empower communities to lead their own change.

The projects supported are focused around lived

experience and driven by local knowledge. They

address real needs, from reducing isolation and

improving wellbeing to tackling climate challenges

and building resilience for the future.

As these funding rounds progress, we look forward to

seeing the creativity and commitment of Aberdeen’s

third sector shine once again. These investments are

not just numbers on a page - they are real opportunities

for people and places across the city. At ACVO, we

remain committed to making sure resources reach

where they are needed most, supporting the

incredible organisations and groups who

make such a difference every day.

Maggie Hepburn

Chief Executive, ACVO TSI

maggie.hepburn@acvo.org.uk


Cash First

Aberdeen:

A Year of Dignified

Financial Support

On Wednesday 31st July, ACVO was delighted to

welcome partners, councillors and community

members to our Cash First Year 1 Reflection event.

he morning offered a

valuable opportunity to look

Tat the progress of the Cash

First Project in Aberdeen and to reflect

on how direct, financial support

provides a more dignified solution to

emergency food provision in the city.

Over the past year, Cash First Aberdeen

has been working to ensure that people

facing financial crisis are supported

directly with money, giving them the

choice to meet their own needs. Instead

of relying on food bank parcels, this

approach enables individuals to buy

the essentials that matter most to them.

The event was opened by Dr Mies

Knottenbelt from Nourish Scotland

who outlined the Cash First approach

as well as the current landscape of food

poverty and insecurity across Scotland.

Amy Duncan, Cash First Network Coordinator

at ACVO, shared updates on

Cash First in Aberdeen, the impact it

has had and plans moving forward with

the project.

As part of the event, the Stories from

Cash First Aberdeen showcase was

exhibited which shared a powerful

series of personal accounts from

individuals who have received support

through the Flexible Crisis Fund.

These voices highlighted the real

difference that direct financial support

can make – whether that is providing

stability during a period of unexpected

hardship, allowing individuals a

chance to pursue a new career or

simply easing the pressure of financial

stress.

The event closed with a panel

discussion featuring Cash First

Network partners and those who have

personally benefitted from the Flexible

Crisis Fund, offering further insight

into Cash First Aberdeen and the

wider impact it has had on individuals.

ACVO would like to extend a huge

thank you to everyone who joined us

and contributed to the conversation.

Our new website is now live, where

you can hear and read Stories from

Cash First Aberdeen in full and learn

more about Cash First Aberdeen:

cashfirstaberdeen.scot

ACVO News | September 2025 | 04

05 | ACVO News | September 2025



Communities Mental Health

& Wellbeing Fund for Adults

Returns for a Fifth Year

I am delighted to announce that the Scottish Government

Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults

has now launched for a fifth year. The Fund will continue to

support community-based initiatives that promote and improve

mental health and wellbeing by addressing social isolation,

loneliness, suicide prevention and tackling poverty and inequality.

words by

Claire Shaw Funding Officer, ACVO TSI

T

his year, £554,377.00 Interest

has been awarded to

support projects across

Aberdeen City. Prevention and

early intervention lie at the heart

of the Fund; enabling small ‘grass

roots’ community groups to

provide opportunities that

support people’s mental health

and wellbeing by connecting with

others.

The Scottish Government has

also selected the Fund as a pilot

project within its Fairer Funding

commitment. This allows for 60%

of the Fund to be allocated to

support projects for two years.

This approach will enable

organisations to focus on longerterm

planning and impact,

improve financial sustainability

and reduce administrative

burden and stress.

ACVO recognises the amount of

resource that needs to be

dedicated to applying at a time

when resources are scarce.

Therefore, an Expression of

(EOI) stage has been

added to the application

process for Level 2 awards

(£3001-£15000). This stage

opened to submissions on 18th

August and will close on 12

September 2025. Expressions

of Interest will be assessed by

the Partnership Panel and

successful EOI applicants will

be invited to submit a Level 2

application on 6th October

2025.

The Fund will open to Level 1

(up to £3000) applications on

1st September 2025. There will

not be an EOI stage for this

opportunity and the award will

be for one year.

There will be a further funding

round available in the New

Year (2026) that will directly

involve people with lived

experience in the whole grantmaking

process. The Lived

Experience Panel will from

thePartnership Group to the

Lived Experience Panel.

Interested in applying?

Funding guidance and related

forms are available on the

ACVO website

Fund updates and reminders

will be posted on ACVO’s social

media channels and on the

website. I am also available If

you would like to discuss your

EOI idea prior to submission;

just email me at

claire.shaw@acvo.org.uk.

Please do ensure you have read

the guidance prior to getting in

touch and/or completing your

EOI.

About the Fund

The Communities Mental

Health & Wellbeing Fund is a

Scottish Government initiative

designed to support grassroots

projects that promote positive

mental health, tackle social

isolation, and improve

wellbeing. In Aberdeen, the

fund is managed by ACVO and

has already channelled more

than £2.4 million into local

initiatives since it began in

2021. The fund focuses on

prevention and early

intervention, backing small

community groups and

charities that make a big

difference in people’s lives.

Projects supported have ranged

from befriending services and

creative workshops to peer

support groups and activities

for older people, carers, and

those living with long-term

health conditions.

By investing in local,

community-led action, the

fund ensures that people across

Aberdeen have access to the

right support at the right time.

Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund

acvo.org.uk/cmhwfund



Compassionate Communities:

Join us for our third sector networking

event in Aberdeen on September 11th

words by

Jane Russell

Partnership Manager,

ACVO TSI

new collaborations, and build

meaningful networks.

But what do we mean by

compassionate communities?

Rooted in the ethos of public

health palliative care, the term

refers to communities that step

forward in support of those facing

life’s most difficult journeys -

illness, caregiving, dying, and

grief - without replacing formal

services, but by complementing

them through neighbourly care

and empathy.

These communities champion

the idea that caregiving isn’t

solely the duty of health

professionals - it’s something all

of us can participate in, through

small acts, informal networks,

and collective compassion.

Compassionate Communities

isn’t just a label - it’s a movement

As Partnership Manager

at ACVO, I’m delighted

to invite our third-

sector colleagues to a special inperson

gathering: Compassionate

Communities, taking place on 11

September 2025, from 2 pm to 4

pm at Café Ahoy. It’s a valuable

opportunity for anyone working

in nonprofit, voluntary, or

community-led initiatives to

come together, share ideas, spark

empowering citizens to take

action, and build care networks

that sustain people through their

most vulnerable moments.

Whether through conversations,

community development, or

simply offering a listening ear -

every gesture matters.

And as we all know, this ethos sits

at the core of what the third

sector does on a daily basis.

At the event, you’ll have space to:

Share your experiences and

ideas with peers in the third

sector

Explore what compassionate

community initiatives are

underway or emerging in

Aberdeen and beyond

Connect with others who

believe in building resilient,

empathetic networks

I’ll be there in person, and our

video accompanying this article

delves more into why

Compassionate Communities

matter - and why your voice and

presence will make all the

difference.

This gathering is open to all thirdsector

colleagues who care about

fostering stronger, more

connected communities.

Together, we can reimagine how

we support each other when it

matters most.

I look forward to welcoming you

th

on September 11 at Café Ahoy so

we can discover together, the

power of community led

compassion and what that could

look like going forward in

Aberdeen.

Find out more and book your free

place at acvo.org.uk/events



Essential Responsibilities,

Impossible Expectations:

Why Charities Can’t Be the Safety Net

words by

Alasdair Ross

Policy & Consultations Officer

The sudden collapse of Mental Health Aberdeen after

75 years of service has shocked the city. These were

essential services, and yet they were delivered by a

charity running on precarious funding. If a service is

essential, it should be guaranteed. Not left to chance.



U

nfortunately many in the

third sector face a similar

and seemingly impossible

future: more people needing

help, fewer resources to meet

that need, and rising costs that

made the numbers unworkable.

Whilst it could be easy to be

caught up in the many valid

questions about what went

wrong in this instance - this

shouldn’t just a story of one

charity’s breakdown. It should

be a story about a system that is

loading essential responsibilities

onto organisations

never designed to carry them.

Where has the public sector

gone?

Aberdeen knows the strain of

shrinking public services. NHS

Grampian struggles with

demand and costs. Local

authority budgets are cut year

after year.

The Health and Social Care

Partnership faces extreme

budget challenges. Preventative

and intervention work has

never been properly funded in

a sustainable way in the city.

Into that vacuum, charities

have stepped - and have come

to be expected to do the heavy

lifting with little security. It's

true that charities can innovate,

connect better with

communities, and offer local

person-centred support, but

they cannot replicate the

stability and resilience of state

run services.

When the public sector have to

pull back from delivery of

services, communities are

forced to deliver what they can

without the proper resources in

a postcode lottery.

What are charities really for?

The closure of MHA should

spark a bigger debate. What are

charities for? To deliver

essential services to society? Or

to provide the community

connections and creativity that

make our society richer

through challenge, innovation

and change? Because right

now, too many are being

pushed into the first role.

The closure of MHA should spark a bigger

debate. What are charities for? To deliver

essential services to society? Or to provide the

community connections and creativity that

make our society richer through challenge,

innovation and change? Because right now,

too many are being pushed into the first role.

And that should worry everyone.

And that should worry

everyone. What we are seeing

right now across the country

and in this city is not

community empowerment – it's

overburdening communities.

Time to demand more

The whole story is not simply

that a charity closed, but that we

allow essential services to

depend solely on charities in the

first place. If something is

essential, it surely must be

guaranteed from the public

sector.

Charities and community

groups in Aberdeen have a vital

role to play - as innovators,

advocates, and connectors. But

they cannot and should not be

the last line of defence for

communities. That

responsibility belongs to the

public sector, and unless we

demand it steps up, we will keep

reliving the same story: more

charities will reach breaking

point, and the most vulnerable

people in society will be faced

with the consequences.

There’s a Scottish Parliament

election coming soon, and we

can only hope that all those

seeking power recognise the

serious issues facing the third

sector.

You can help by making sure

the message is loud and clear.

Real Living Wage Set to Rise

M

any of us will be familiar

with guaranteeing

employees the Real Living Wage

which is in excess of the national

minimum wage and the national

living wage.As well as the obvious

advantages to staff and the

organisation through staff

retention and morale, it is a

mandatory condition for those of

us who receive public funding.

The Living Wage Foundation,

who set the rate of pay, is

preparing to update the Real

Living Wage for next year in line

with changes in the prices of

goods and services, changes to

the tax and benefits system,

changes to the calculation

methodology and use of what

is known as the “shock

absorber” which ensures the

costs faced by lower-income

workers are reflected.

The Foundation’s recent

webinar outlined their

expectation that the rate will

increase by a maximum of CPI

plus 3%. With the rate of CPI

sitting at 3.8% this could mean

the Real Living Wage rising by

6.8% to £13.46. The new Real

Living Wage rates will be

nd

announced on 22 October but

further detail on the expected

trajectory of the new rate will

be discussed at an online

th

presentation on 25

September. We recommend all

organisations who are

committed to the Real Living

Wage register for this event to

understand the implications

for your own services (sign up

via http://bit.ly/4g3OCPu)

For organisations that rely on

external funding, and in

particular public funding, it’s

essential to make plans now

and not only budget for annual

increases to the Real Living

Wage but to include fair pay

differentials in your financial

plans – and in any funding

applications.

We understand the enormous

financial pressure on

organisations and that this

news will be concerning. As

always, ACVO is here to offer

advice and assistance, please

get in touch with the team if

you have any questions or

worries.



Volunteers at Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025

Pic: Port of Aberdeen

Volunteers Made Tall Ships Aberdeen

Shine – Let’s Keep That Spark Alive

words by

Mike Melvin

Volunteering Services Manager

In late July I had the

privilege of joining more

than 350 fellow volunteers

to support one of the most

spectacular events our city has

seen in years – the return of the

Tall Ships Races to Aberdeen.

From start to finish, the

atmosphere was electric, and it

was clear that volunteers were

right at the heart of the success.

Whether they were welcoming

visitors, supporting the crew,

assisting with accessibility, or

helping families enjoy the

packed programme of activities,

volunteers ensured the event

ran smoothly and that the true

spirit of Aberdeen shone

through.

Alongside the official Tall Ships

volunteer team, many others

contributed by giving their

time directly through fantastic

local groups such as We-Too!,

Able-Deen and PAMIS. This

once again highlighted just

how diverse and dynamic the

volunteering community is in

our city. Every role mattered,

every contribution made a

difference, and every volunteer

should feel immensely proud.

The Tall Ships Races brought

an estimated 400,000 visitors

to Aberdeen and injected over

£5 million into the local

economy – an incredible

achievement in its own right.

But for me, the most important

legacy is not measured in

figures. It is the sense of pride,

unity and community that

comes when people step

forward and give their time.

Events like this remind us that

Aberdeen is a city built on

generosity, teamwork, and a

willingness to help each other.

I was personally inspired

throughout the event. The

energy, commitment and

positivity of the volunteers I

met was infectious. People

from all walks of life came

together – young people taking

their first steps in volunteering,

long-standing community

champions, and even families

volunteering side by side. That

is the magic of volunteering: it

brings people together and

shows what can be achieved

when we share our skills, time

and enthusiasm.

Recent events such as the

Celebrate Aberdeen parade,

combined with the Tall Ships

success, are powerful examples

of what happens when

volunteers are valued and

supported. But it cannot stop

there. The challenge – and

opportunity – is to keep that

Aberdeen needs its volunteers,

not just for big moments like Tall

Ships, but every day. Local charities,

community groups and projects rely

on people stepping forward to give their

time. Whether it’s an hour a week or a

more regular commitment, volunteers

are the backbone of our communities.



momentum going. Aberdeen

needs its volunteers, not just for

big moments like Tall Ships,

but every day. Local charities,

community groups and

projects rely on people stepping

forward to give their time.

Whether it’s an hour a week or

a more regular commitment,

volunteers are the backbone of

our communities.

If you’ve been inspired by the

Tall Ships, now is the perfect

time to get involved. Visit

volunteeraberdeen.org.uk to

explore opportunities – there

truly is something for

everyone. You’ll not only be

helping others but also gaining

new experiences, meeting

people, and becoming part of

something bigger.

The Tall Ships volunteers

showed Aberdeen at its very

best. Let’s build on that spirit,

celebrate our city’s generosity,

and continue to make a

positive difference together.

Get involved

If you’re interested in

volunteering, visit Volunteer

Aberdeen to explore the latest

opportunities in your

community. Organisations can

also submit opportunities, visit

volunteeraberdeen.org.uk for

further details.

Stay informed with ACVO’s So

Why Don’t You... programme

on SHMU Community Radio,

broadcast live every Friday

from 2 to 3 pm. Episodes are

also available on demand at

acvo.org.uk/sowhydontyou

If you’re aged 12-25, ACVO

coordinates the Saltire Awards

locally - recognising young

volunteers for 10, 25, 50, 100,

200, and 500 hours of service.

Find info and get involved at

saltireawards.scot

Join ACVO and over 200

Scottish organisations as a

Volunteer Charter Champion

by pledging support at

volunteerscotland.net.

For info on the Volunteering

Action Plan for Scotland,

involvement opportunities,

and volunteer recruitment tips,

volunteeringactionplan.co.uk.

Got questions? Contact me at

mike.melvin@acvo.org.uk!

Check out the amazing videos

below done by Emily in our

Comms team to highlight the

work of volunteers at the Tall

Ships - you can view more on

our social feeds over at

Facebook, Instagram or

LinkedIn - if you don’t already

follow us, give our pages a like

when you are there to keep up

with the latest from our team!



Community & Coast Fund Year 2

Launches Soon with £100k Available

for Local Projects in Torry and Cove

ACVO and ETZ Ltd are

delighted to announce

the launch of Year 2 of

the Community & Coast Fund,

opening for applications on

Monday 29th September 2025.

Building on the success of last

year’s pilot round, in which 16

local organisations shared

£95,000 of funding, the Fund will

once again make £100,000

available to support grassroots,

community-led initiatives in

Torry and Cove.

The Community & Coast Fund

aims to empower local groups by

providing grants of up to £10,000

to projects that enhance

community wellbeing, celebrate

local heritage, protect the

environment and biodiversity,

and support skills, youth and

volunteer development.

In Year 1, successful projects

ranged from the installation of

sustainable facilities and sports

equipment, to kitchen

refurbishments and community

growing initiatives. One such

project was led by Brimmond

Court Residents Group, who used

a £10,000 grant to renovate their

communal kitchen, providing

better facilities for the building

and improving opportunities for

social events. Their story is

featured in a new short film,

available to view above.

Isabelle Corbett Brimmond Court

Residents Association Secretary

said “We are absolutely delighted

with the refurbishment. The new

kitchen has transformed how we

use the space, and has really

lifted the spirits of the residents

here at Brimmond Court”.

Applications for Year 2 funding

open on Monday 29th September

2025, with ACVO Development

Officer, Sarah Irvine, working

closely with last year’s awardees,

local stakeholders, and

community groups to identify

priorities for this new round of

funding. Sarah will also host

online webinars and offer one to

one support to guide

organisations through the

application process.

Maggie Hepburn, Chief

Executive of ACVO TSI, said:

“Year 1 of the Community &

Coast Fund showed us the wealth

of creativity, energy and

commitment in Torry and Cove.

We are excited to launch Year 2

and continue supporting projects

that deliver impactful benefits for

local people.”

Carole Monnier, Community

Lead at ETZ Ltd, added: “The first

round highlighted the incredible

difference that targeted funding

can make in our communities.

We are proud to build on this

success with another £100,000

available for local projects in

Torry and Cove.”

General details of the Fund, as

well as details from last year’s

successful projects, can be found

at communityandcoast.scot.

For enquiries about the Fund or

to discuss project ideas, please get

in touch with Sarah Irvine via

sarah.irvine@acvo.org.uk.



Year 4 of Just Transition PB Fund

Launches with £1million Available

for Green Community Projects

Applications now open

for funding to support

local eco-friendly

initiatives in Aberdeen City. As of

4th August 2025, the Just

Transition Participatory

Budgeting (PB) Fund returns for

its fourth year, offering £1million

in funding to support local

community led projects that help

deliver a greener future for the

North East and Moray.

Since its launch in 2022, the

Scottish Government Fund has

awarded £3.5 million to 144

projects across Aberdeen,

Aberdeenshire and Moray,

enabling a wide range of

sustainable initiatives that are

already delivering real impact

within communities.

Once again, grants of up to

£50,000 are available to support

capital projects that align with the

Just Transition mission,

providing a unique opportunity

for communities to propose

projects that address local needs

while contributing to a greener,

more eco-friendly region.

The £1million pot is evenly split

across the three local authority

areas, with £333,333 available to

support initiatives in each

including Aberdeen City.

As with previous years, the Fund

continues its aim to engage

communities by letting residents

decide which projects receive

funding via a public vote which

will take place later this year, a

process, which in Years 1 to 3, saw

tens of thousands of local people

take part and have their say.

The Fund is delivered locally on

behalf of the Scottish

Government by ACVO TSI,

Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action,

tsiMORAY, NESCAN Hub and

Money for Moray who work

closely with local groups to

provide support with idea

development, applications and

engagement in the public vote.

Maggie Hepburn, Chief

Executive of ACVO TSI, said: “As

we enter the fourth year of the

Just Transition PB Fund, it’s

inspiring to reflect on the

cumulative impact this funding

is having in supporting local

groups to take action and deliver

change in their communities.

“Over the past three years, we’ve

seen incredible innovation,

creativity and dedication from

groups committed to building a

greener future and I encourage

anyone with an idea, no matter

how big or small, to apply. We’re

proud to support this process

again and look forward to see

what emerges in this new round.”

Alison Stuart, CEO of NESCAN

Hub, said: “Now in its fourth

year, the Just Transition

Participatory Budgeting Fund

continues to expand

opportunities for local

community groups and charities

to access funding for climatefriendly

capital projects.

“NESCAN Hub is keen to hear

from community groups to

discuss ideas for this latest round

of funding. Together, we can

continue building a greener,

healthier, and more sustainable

North East for all.”

Last year, 45 projects were

funded across the region,

demonstrating the diversity,

creativity and commitment of

Tullos Crescent Allotments Aberdeen

recipients of Year 3 of the JTPB Fund

local organisations. One of the

Aberdeen-based organisations

funded in Year 3 is Tullos

Crescent Allotments where they

received £5032.89 to purchase

tools and a new shed with the

aim of revitalising their plots into

a welcoming community space

and to support sustainable local

food production.

Applications for Year 4 funding

are now open and will close at 12

noon on Monday 29th September

2025.

Community groups and

charities across the region are

encouraged to find out more

and apply online at

www.jtpbfund.scot

JUSTTRANSiTiON

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING FUND


Aberdeen Third Sector Updates

Charlie House’s Big Bounce

event was powered by more

than 150 volunteers

Aberdeen Families Jump In

to Support Charlie House at

Big Bounce Fundraiser

A

berdeen based children’s

charity Charlie House

has totalled up the generosity of

kind-hearted Aberdonians who

supported their family-friendly

event held in the city centre at the

beginning of August.

More than 5,000 children and

families enjoyed the Big Bounce,

four days of inflatable fun held in

Union Terrace Gardens, helping

to raise vital funds for Charlie

House.

Commenting on the Big Bounce,

Ollie Middleton, Community &

Events Manager, said “On behalf

of the children and families

Charlie House supports, we’d like

to say a great big thank you to

everyone who joined at this year’s

Big Bounce!

“You made every bounce count

and your kind generosity has

raised just under £40,000 which

will make a real difference to

children living with life-limiting

or life-threatening conditions,

and their families, across the

North-east of Scotland.

“Family time and play is an

essential part of childhood.

Before finding Charlie House,

many of the children we

support are told what they

can’t do and miss out on many

of the fun things that children

should do.

“At Charlie House, we firmly

believe in making the

impossible possible and thanks

to funds raised at the Big

Bounce, children with lifelimiting

or life-threatening

conditions can take part in

activities their families never

thought possible. From

wheelchairs on a paddleboard

to accessible surfing to

cuddling goats on a farm visit,

the children and families we

support can experience

memorable moments

together.”

Ollie added: “These activities

not only create memories to

cherish, they also connect

families facing similar

experiences, helping them feel

less isolated.

“Like the emotional and

practical support we provide,

all our activities are at no cost to

the families we work with. We

couldn’t do what we do

without the support of our local

community – thank you again

to everyone who chose to help

local children and their

families thrive.”

Organised by Charlie House,

sponsored by Aberdeen

Inspired and The Point by

Dandara Living, the Big

Bounce was powered by more

than 150 volunteers who

generously gave their time.

Dolina Bell, volunteer

coordinator at Charlie House

said: “Our volunteers made the

Big Bounce a huge success.

“They brought Union Terrace

Gardens to life with their

commitment to ensure every

visitor was looked after and

enjoyed their time at the Big

Bounce. Our volunteers, a mix

of first timers, long term

volunteers, and business

representatives, are worth their

weight in gold and more. A

huge thank you to each and

every volunteer who gifted

their time over the four-day

Bounce - we couldn’t have

done it without them!”

For more information about

Charlie House visit

www.charliehouse.org.uk



Aberdeen’s First CEO Sleepout

Raises Over £72,000 to Tackle

Homelessness and Poverty

The inaugural CEO Sleepout Aberdeen has been hailed a resounding

success, raising an incredible £72,236.00 to support vital local charities

working to combat homelessness, poverty, and social exclusion.

40 Years of

Impact: Scarf

Shortlisted

for Social

Enterprise of

the Year

B

usiness leaders,

community champions,

and local influencers braved the

cold overnight at the Balmoral

Stadium, standing in solidarity

with those facing hardship

across the North-East.

The funds raised will be shared

between Aberdeen Cyrenians,

Aberdeen Foyer, CEO Sleepout

UK, and the Cove Rangers

Community Foundation,

helping to provide life-changing

support and services to those

most in need.

“I decided to take part in the

Aberdeen CEO Sleepout

because I believe homelessness

is a growing yet avoidable

issue,” said Neil McCulloch,

Chief Executive Officer of Spirit

Energy. “The most powerful

part of the evening was the

fireside chat and the discussions

led by Aberdeen Cyrenians and

Aberdeen Foyer, which really

opened my eyes to the scale

and depth of the problem. I had

underestimated the extent of

the issue, and the event has

fundamentally shifted my

perception of poverty and

homelessness.”

Gillian King, Strategic Growth

Director of Three60 Energy,

added: “When I was asked to

take part in the Aberdeen CEO

Sleepout, it felt like a

meaningful way to support

local charities; and a fun way to

give something back. The most

impactful part of the night was

hearing directly about the

growing issue of homelessness

in our communities. The

experience opened my eyes to

how hidden homelessness can

be, even within our own

organisations. I left committed

to starting conversations and

signposting support for anyone

who may be struggling.”

“This event was about more

than just raising money, it was

about raising awareness and

showing that our business

community cares deeply about

the people of Aberdeen,” said

Donna Hutchison, CEO of

Aberdeen Cyrenians.

“We’re incredibly grateful to

everyone who took part,

donated, and supported this

powerful night of action.”

Henrietta MacEwen, CEO

Sleepout Partnerships

Specialist, said: “We could not

be more thrilled with how the

business community in

Aberdeen came out in force to

support the first ever CEO

Sleepout Aberdeen.

“The funds raised will

contribute towards the

charities being able continue

their work to tackle

homelessness in Aberdeen.”

David Mackay, Co-CEO of Scarf,

Aberdeen-based charity and

social enterprise Scarf has been

named a finalist in three

categories at the Social

Enterprise Awards Scotland

2025.

The shortlist announcement

comes in a record-breaking

year for entries, highlighting

the strength and innovation of

Scotland’s social enterprise

sector.

Winners will be revealed at a

ceremony at the voco Grand

Central Hotel in Glasgow on

Thursday 6 November 2025.

David Mackay, Co-CEO of

Scarf, said: “To be recognised

across three categories in such

a competitive field is a real

honour. This achievement

reflects the commitment of our

staff and partners to supporting

households and communities

across Scotland. Whether it’s

helping people reduce their

energy costs, creating local

economic opportunities, or

breaking down barriers to

inclusion, it's a team effort that

made it possible.”


the Social Enterprise Awards

Scotland 2025, visit:

socialenterprise.scot/awards/


All Life Chances

Communities To

Support from Fo


Aberdeen Mela returns with

multi-cultural celebrations

in Union Terrace Gardens

The Aberdeen Mela will be held on Sunday 7th September

2025 from 12 noon until 6pm. The Mela will again fill

Union Terrace Gardens, the place where it began in 2016.

The remodelled gardens will form an ideal venue for this

vibrant, joyous, multicultural festival.

A

berdeen Mela is a free

large-scale family

friendly event for all ages that

promotes understanding and

awareness of cultural diversity.

Traditionally an Asian festival,

the Aberdeen Mela embraces

cultures from across the world

and close to home.

The Mela will feature bands and

solo artists, both locally-based

and travelling from across

Scotland to entertain audiences.

Traditional dancers, musicians

and singers, including early

career acts, community groups

and renowned professional

artists will perform and

thousands of people are

expected to come along to listen

and dance to the music and

enjoy the spectacle of the

performers in their gorgeous

costumes.

A selection of food and drink

stalls will be available within the

gardens. On nearby streets,

restaurants, cafes and eating

places offer a diverse range of

tempting meals and snacks.

You can browse stalls on the

day featuring third sector

organisations and local crafts,

with fun activities for children.

Union Terrace Gardens are

accessible and family-friendly,

with disabled parking and lift

access, paths designed for

wheelchairs, a children’s play

area, toilets, seating, and

beautiful landscaping and

planting. Bus routes from

across the city call at stops on

nearby streets.

The Aberdeen Mela, organised

by the Aberdeen Multicultural

Centre with support from the

council, community groups,

businesses, and volunteers, is a

vibrant celebration of cultural

diversity and a highlight of the

city’s events calendar.

If you are interested in

volunteering with the Mela,

you can provide your contact

details on the Mela website at

www.melaaberdeen.org.uk

There is a variety of different

roles, and you will be welcome

to join the team.

Susan Crighton, Director of Community

Engagement at All Life Chances, and

Phil McKenzie, Managing Director of

Fowler McKenzie, pictured with local

families benefiting from the donation.

F

owler McKenzie, one of

Scotland’s leading

roofing and cladding specialists,

has further committed to

supporting families and young

people in Aberdeen’s priority

neighbourhoods, reinforcing its

dedication to the local

community.

As part of its ongoing support

for local causes, it recently

donated to All Life Chances, an

Aberdeen-based charity focused

on improving the lives of

children, young people, and

families living in areas of

deprivation.

The charity brings together

public, private, and third sector

partners to drive collaborative,

community-led change.

In addition, Fowler McKenzie

funded of a summer trip for 17

families from Cummings Park -

including 34 children and 23

adults – to Blair Drummond

Safari Park.

Launched earlier this year, All

Life Chances helps children,

young people and their

families in Aberdeen’s ‘Priority

Neighbourhoods’ by drawing

on the collective skills and

networks of the local business

community.

Phil Mckenzie, Fowler

McKenzie managing director,

said: “Supporting local



Brings Local

gether with

wler McKenzie

The Asthma and Allergy

Foundation appoints new

Manager for Global Projects,

Media and Communications

Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, Aberdeen

based Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAF), proudly

welcomes the appointment of Philip Ihaza as Manager –

Global Projects, Media and Communications.

communities is a core part of

who we are at Fowler

McKenzie. We’re especially

committed to helping young

people growing up in

Aberdeen’s most

disadvantaged areas access the

opportunities they deserve.

“All Life Chances is doing

incredible work by bringing

partners together to drive real

change, and we’re proud to be

part of that mission.

“We were also delighted to help

make some special memories

for families from Cummings

Park. Experiences like a trip

away can have a lasting impact,

and every child deserves that.”

Susan Crighton, All Life

Chances’ director of

community engagement

added: “We work closely with

established charities,

community groups, centres,

and schools to help build

stronger, more resilient

communities across Aberdeen.

“Support from local businesses

like Fowler McKenzie is crucial

in helping us to do that. We’re

incredibly grateful to Phil and

the team for their generosity

and belief in what we are doing.

“We firmly believe that when

we all work together, we can

make a real difference for those

who need it most.”

ith over 14 years of

Wexperience in media and

communications, Philip

recently transitioned his varied

career from the corporate world

to the not-for-profit sector. He

will bring a wealth of expertise

in leadership, continuous team

development and project

delivery.

Martina Chukwuma-Ezike, CEO

of the organisation said: “At

Asthma and Allergy

Foundation, we believe no one

should die needlessly from

asthma as 90% of asthma

deaths are preventable.

“We are very pleased to

welcome Philip Ihaza to the

organisation and look forward

to working with him to raise the

profile of our work, build

meaningful partnerships and

raise vital funds to support

every child and adult living with

asthma and allergies across our

communities, and help fulfil our

goal of making Scotland a great

place to live well with asthma

and allergies and thrive.”

Having worked with global

platforms like BBC, PBS, CGTN,

and DW, and most recently

coaching Tech and Data teams

within the IT industry, Philip

combines strategic insight with

a passion for community

impact.

In this new role, he will lead

national and international

projects, drive AAF’s media

presence, and expand their lifesaving

asthma and allergy

initiatives - not just across

Scotland and the UK, but

globally, including

underserved regions in Africa.

AAF is committed to

improving health outcomes,

raising awareness, and

ensuring no one is left behind

in the fight against asthma and

allergies.

Find out more at

asthmaandallergy.org.uk



Aberdeen Science Festival

September with TV Doctor

Crime scenes, genetics, menopause, magic and the solar

system are just some of the wide-ranging subjects being

explored at this year’s Aberdeen Science Festival, powered

by TechFest, which returns to the city in September.

T

his fun and fascinating

celebration of science

and technology will bring a

diverse programme of events to

a host of Aberdeen venues,

including pubs, museums and

theatres.

Sponsored by Equinor and

supported by joint principal

sponsors bp and Shell, the

festival is primarily aimed at

adults, including students and

senior school pupils, with Hot

Topics and STEM Nights set to

generate thought-provoking

discussions and debate.

Formerly known as the

TechFest public programme,


returns for a second year from

September 14-27.

TV psychiatrist Dr T will

headline the festival at The

Lemon Tree on Saturday,

September 20 with The

Aberdeen Memory Show.

Dr T, who is from Aberdeen and

is a three-times TEDx speaker

and podcaster, will use Granite

City landmarks to show

audiences how you can train

your brain to remember almost

anything!

The show uses fun, interactive

memory techniques and

cutting-edge brain science while

teaching guests fascinating facts

about Aberdeen’s landmarks

and history.

Dr T began his medical training

at Aberdeen Medical School in

2000, specialising as a

consultant psychiatrist.

He appears as a resident mind

expert on TV shows including

BBC Morning Live and

celebrity shows such as ITV’s

‘Big Brother’, Channel 4’s ‘Can

I Improve My Memory’ and the

world-first hit show, ‘Scared of

the Dark’.

Dr T said: “I can’t wait to open

the 2025 Aberdeen Science

Festival with The Aberdeen

Memory Show, which will

show audiences how you can

train your brain to remember

almost anything!

“We’ll use famous Aberdeen

landmarks that are familiar to

everyone while using fun,

interactive memory techniques

and the very latest brain

science. The audience will

learn some fascinating facts

about Aberdeen’s history as

well as leaving with a sharper

mind!”

Tickets for each of the


events are on sale now, with

prices ranging from £3 to £10 –

and some free events.

As well as The Lemon Tree,

sessions will take place at

locations including The Blue

Lamp, OGV Taproom and OGV

Podium, the University of

Aberdeen, NESCol and The

James Hutton Institute and

Portsoy Bothy Museum.

Dr Martha Gavan, deputy

managing director of TechFest

said: “After the huge success of

the first Aberdeen Science

Festival last year, we have put

together another incredible

selection of science,

technology, engineering and

maths themed events.

“We’re thrilled to have secured

Dr T as one of our headline acts

for the 2025 festival and

kickstart a week of interactive

events, insightful presentations

and fascinating shows from

some amazing speakers!”

Audiences can choose from

Hot Topics, cutting-edge

research and topical subjects

explored in an easy to

understand way; STEM Nights,

controversial opinions and

thought-provoking evenings;

Engaging Experiences, handson

and practical experiences;

Family Fest, for the whole

family; and Fringe Events, a

taste of science from partner

organisations in the lead up to

the festival.

Martha added: “We have some

new venues this year, including

pubs and clubs in the city

centre, and we hope to see lots

of people coming along to learn

something new. It’s an ideal

night out and the chance to get



Returns this

Headlining

together with friends to do

something different.”

Camilla Salthe, Senior Vice

President Upstream at Equinor

UK, said: “The energy industry

thrives on advances in science,

technology, engineering,

and maths. Investing

in these crucial fields

will be key to

ensuring we can

continue to

provide the energy

the world needs in

a sustainable way.

Aberdeen Science

Festival, which is

powered by

TechFest, offers something for

everyone. It promotes young

children’s natural curiosity, as

well as offering opportunities

for older children and adults to

learn more about the subjects

that will shape our future. We

are proud to work with

TechFest and play our part in

inspiring the next generation of

scientists and engineers."

The full programme and

details can be viewed on the

TechFest website, at

www.techfest.org.uk and

tickets can be booked via

Aberdeen Performing Arts

Diversity Bridge SCIO

Marks Successful

Completion of Digital

Inclusion Programme

for New Scots

Diversity Bridge SCIO wraps up its 7-week Digital

Inclusion Programme, empowering New Scots with

digital skills, confidence, and community connections.

Diversity Bridge SCIO is

delighted to announce

the successful conclusion of its

7-week Digital Inclusion

Programme for New Scots,

which came to a memorable

close at the Sir Arthur Grant

Residential Centre.

The programme supported

participants in developing

essential digital skills to

enhance confidence,

employability, and community

engagement. Two New Scots

who showed exceptional

consistency and commitment

were recognised during the

closing event.

Thanks to the generous support

of a silent benefactor, the

celebration day featured a host

of activities including a shared

meal, team-building sessions,

and a refreshing nature walk to

Monymusk House, where

participants enjoyed stunning

scenery and light-hearted

moments - even passing by a

field of cows along the way.

“This programme has been

about much more than

technology,” said Edward Obi,

Bridgebuilder at Diversity

Bridge SCIO.

“It has been about

empowerment, connections,

and building a sense of

belonging. The joy and

confidence we’ve seen in

participants has been truly

inspiring.”

Diversity Bridge SCIO remains

committed to delivering

meaningful programmes that

support New Scots and wider

communities across the

Northeast. The charity is now

calling on partners, funders,

and volunteers to help sustain

and expand its vital work.



NHS Grampian Charity Invests

£3.1 Million in Transformational

Healthcare Projects

NHS Grampian Charity has

awarded an ambitious £3.1 million

funding package to NHS Grampian

to support the development of three

innovative projects that will

transform patient care. The funding

award has been made possible

thanks to the generous donations

given by the people of Grampian.

T

he projects aim to drive

forward new approaches

to healthcare which are more

responsive, inclusive and

effective.

Dennis Robertson, Chair of NHS

Grampian Charity, says, “We

are incredibly proud to fund

these transformative projects

that put people and

communities at the centre of

their care.

“By working closely with NHS

Grampian teams and listening

to patients and members of the

public, we’re supporting change

that will make a lasting

difference to people’s lives.

“These projects are about

reimagining what’s possible in

healthcare, and responding to

real needs with meaningful,

innovative solutions.”

More than £1.5 million has been

awarded to develop and deliver

a pathway of care for people

living with functional disorder

symptoms. Functional disorder

is a term used to describe health

conditions with persistent

physical symptoms and

impairments which cannot be

wholly explained, at this time,

by any known disease or

physical cause. The new

pathway will support between

1,300 and 1,500 patients every

year through trialling a more

holistic approach, tailoring to

individual needs, and cocreating

self-management

resources with people who

have lived experience of

functional disorders.

Around £1.1 million has been

awarded to implement the

Putting People First approach

to connect NHS Grampian

with its communities, and to

place patients and

communities at the centre of

decision making. This

pioneering project will create

closer links between the health

board and its patients through

approaches like Community

Appointment Days and lived

experience panels which will

help design more preventative

models of care. The funding

will also create a system for

Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian Charity

Lead, and Dennis Robertson, Chair

of NHS Grampian Charity.

patients to provide real-time

feedback which will be used to

improve care. This approach is

expected to impact the care

and treatment delivered to

around 250 patients every

single day.

Almost £500,000 has been

awarded to develop an

innovative whole-system

pathway to provide early

identification, assessment, and

tailored support for children

with neuro-developmental

differences in Grampian. This

programme will introduce a

single point of contact for

families from referral all the

way through to post-diagnosis,

and will create a new

multidisciplinary approach

which will provide children

and their families with tailored

support. An estimated 1,000

children and their families will

be supported by this new

process in the first year alone.

NHS Grampian Charity, which

is the official charity partner of

NHS Grampian, works to

enhance health and care across

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and

Moray by funding projects

which go above and beyond

core NHS services. This £3.1

million commitment reflects

the charity’s mission to support

innovation, and to ensure

people across the region

receive the best possible care.

Lisa Duthie, NHS Grampian

Charity Lead, says, “These

unique projects will empower

NHS teams to deliver even

better patient care, leading to a

better healthcare experience in

hospitals and communities

across Aberdeen,

Aberdeenshire and Moray.

They simply would not have

been possible without the

incredibly generous donations

that have been made by the

people of Grampian.”


Students at Camphill

School achieve Duke

of Edinburgh award

T

hree students from

Camphill School

Aberdeen, a charity that

provides care and education

services to children and young

people with learning disabilities

and complex additional support

needs, have completed their

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh

Award following an expedition

at Glen Tanar, in Royal Deeside.

Grace, who is a residential pupil,

and Martha and Nicholas, who

are day pupils, spent two days

exploring the scenic Glen Tanar

Estate in Aberdeenshire. The

group completed a hike,

camped overnight where they

cooked their own dinner and

breakfast, and worked together

to navigate the landscape. They

studied the geology of the

landscape too – interpreting it

through drawings, maps,

photography and the visual

elements. The pupils formally

presented their expedition

findings to parents and

teachers as well as their peers

during an exhibition of their

work.

Glen Tanar was selected for the

expedition due to the charity’s

well-established relationship

with the estate. For over 40

years, students, staff, and

volunteers from Camphill

School Aberdeen have enjoyed

exploring the wildlife visible

throughout the 25,000-acre

estate, camping there on many

occasions.

Grace said: “I felt nervous at the

start of the expedition about

whether I was going to make it.

We walked and walked to the

campsite and had some breaks.

It was my first time sleeping in


Grace, Martha and Nicholas, spent two days

exploring the scenic Glen Tanar Estate in

Aberdeenshire to achieve their award

a tent with a friend and I

managed to achieve my aims

by carrying my bag by myself,

taking photographs, putting up

a tent and working as a team! I

am excited it went well.”

Camphill School Aberdeen’s

integrated approach combines

education, care, vocational

workshops, and therapies with

a strong emphasis on

community living and

sustainability.

Euan Maharg, Learning Lead at

Camphill School Aberdeen:

“Although our approach to

learning is tailored to every

individual where possible, we

try to provide the young people

with some of the same

opportunities as those in

mainstream education. Each

year, we support those who we

think might be interested in

and capable of taking part in

the award. At Camphill School

Aberdeen, we focus on what

the young people can do, not

what they cannot do.”

RGU Honours Jane Akadiri

Founder of Touch of Love

with Honorary Doctorate.

Jane Akadiri, founder of Touch of Love (TOL) has been awarded an

Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by Robert Gordon

University (RGU) in recognition of her outstanding leadership in

community service, youth empowerment, and sustainable enterprise.

A graduate of RGU’s MBA programme in 2016, Jane launched TOL in

2020 in response to growing inequalities in Aberdeen’s most underserved

communities What began as a grassroots initiative has since grown into a

vital hub for food security, youth development, cultural inclusion, and

employability support.

She is especially known for developing youth-led spaces that help young

people embrace their dual identity - both as Scots and as members of

global cultures.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said “Jane is a

successful entrepreneur whose hard work improves the lives of young

people and families in Aberdeen. Her time at RGU has helped her become

an inspirational leader, guiding and support inglocal communities.”



Instant Neighbour Forges

Innovative Partnership with

Maki & Ramen to Support

Aberdeen Community

Maki & Ramen’s New Union Square Location

to Donate Proceeds from Weekly Service

The Instant Neighbour Team at the

opening of Maki & Ramen last month

Gathimba Edwards Founda

raises record amount for Sco

berdeen-based charity, Gathimba Edwards Foundation

(GEF), is proud to announce that its 2025 Safari Series has

Araised a record-breaking £8,432.34 to support disadvantaged

children in North east Scotland and Kenya. Now in its fifth year,

the series of races has grown year on year since its launch in 2021,

and this year has seen the highest ever total raised, surpassing last

year’s £6,075.

The 2025 Safari Series, licensed by Scottish Athletics, attracted 603

runners and 130 volunteers across 3 races compared to 340

entrants last year, showing just how much the event has grown.

One of the highlights of the series was the hugely popular Mel’s

Union Street Mile, held on the same day as the Celebrate Aberdeen

parade which raised £2,861.60. Introduced to Union Street four

years ago, the event has quickly become a unique fixture in the city

calendar, offering people of all ages and abilities the rare

opportunity to race down Aberdeen’s main street while raising

vital funds.

GEF Co-Founder, Myles Edwards, said: "We are overwhelmed by

the incredible support for this year’s Safari Series. Every single

runner, volunteer, and sponsor has helped us achieve something

really special, and we are so grateful. We’d also like to give huge

thanks to Celebrate Aberdeen for welcoming Mel’s Mile as part of

the parade once again, it’s such a privilege to be part of this major

city event."

new partnership

A between prominent

local charity and a major

restaurant group is set to bring a

fresh stream of support to the

Aberdeen community. Instant

Neighbour has announced a

strategic charity partnership

with Maki & Ramen, launched

alongside the brand's newest

UK location in Union Square.

The collaboration was officially

unveiled at the restaurant's

Friends & Family event,

attended by local business and

community leaders. The

initiative establishes a

sustainable fundraising model

where commerce directly

benefits local causes.

Under the agreement, £1 from

every bowl of ramen sold

between 4 PM and 8 PM every

Monday will be donated directly

to Instant Neighbour. The

funds will support the charity’s

vital work serving individuals

and families across Aberdeen.

"We are profoundly grateful to

Maki & Ramen for selecting us

as their partner and for their

forward-thinking commitment

to corporate social

responsibility," said Susan

Cheyne, Business

Development Manager of

Instant Neighbour.

"This partnership provides a

powerful, ongoing opportunity

for the people of Aberdeen to

contribute to local causes

simply by enjoying an

exceptional meal. The reliable

support generated will make a

significant and tangible

difference to our work on the

ground."



tion’s (GEF) Safari Series

ttish and Kenyan families

David Jamieson, Managing Director of Salus Technical and

volunteer at Mel’s Mile, said: "I was delighted to be involved, it’s an

event and an entire series that really brings people together.

Having taken part before, Mel’s Mile is one of my favourite races,

and this year the whole team were proud to be volunteering. We

love the work that GEF does and the impact it has both here in the

North east and in Kenya. It’s incredibly special to be part of it all.”

Funds raised from the 2025 Safari Series will support education

fees for children and contribute to house building projects and

counselling services in Kenya, whilst also providing essential

equipment and services for disabled children in North east

Scotland.

Looking ahead, GEF has already started planning the 2026 Safari

Series, with dates for the Duthie Park 5k and 1k, Prime Four 3k and

1k, and Mel’s Union Street Mile set to be confirmed soon.

Supporters are encouraged to sign up to the charity’s newsletter

via their website to be the first to hear about next year’s dates and

the opportunities to get involved.

Since its launch in 2021, the Safari Series has raised over £26,000 in

total, helping GEF to continue its mission of providing

disadvantaged children with the education, shelter and wellbeing

support they need to thrive.

For more information about the charity and how to get involved,

visit: gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org/

communities is a core part of

who we are at Fowler

McKenzie. We’re especially

committed to helping young

people growing up in

Aberdeen’s most

disadvantaged areas access the

opportunities they deserve.

“All Life Chances is doing

incredible work by bringing

partners together to drive real

change, and we’re proud to be

part of that mission.

“We were also delighted to help

make some special memories

for families from Cummings

Park. Experiences like a trip

away can have a lasting impact,

and every child deserves that.”

Susan Crighton, All Life

Chances’ director of

community engagement

added: “We work closely with

established charities,

community groups, centres,

and schools to help build

stronger, more resilient

communities across Aberdeen.

“Support from local businesses

like Fowler McKenzie is crucial

in helping us to do that. We’re

incredibly grateful to Phil and

the team for their generosity

and belief in what we are doing.

“We firmly believe that when

we all work together, we can

make a real difference for those

who need it most.”

Somebody Cares

Publishes Social

Impact Report

omebody Cares

SScotland, a leading

Aberdeen-based charity

dedicated to alleviating

hardship, and poverty through

direct support services,

published its annual social

impact report. The report

outlines the organisation's

impact as it addresses poverty,

homelessness, and hardship

across the city and surrounding

areas.

In the report, the charity’s chief

executive officer, Yekemi Otaru

notes: “In our financial year

ending March 2025, we

provided 188,176 meals to

around 11,000 people, including

3,500 children. We also

furnished 724 homes,

supporting people who are

facing incredibly hard times.”

The report also outlines three

ambitious strategic aims

focused on enhancing brand

visibility, building sustainable

financial capacity, and

developing impactful

community partnerships. Part

of the strategy is Somebody

Cares' commitment as part of

Homewards Aberdeen,

founded by Prince William and

The Royal Foundation, helping

to furnish 25 homes over 18

months.

Gordon Cowan, chair of the

board of trustees at Somebody

Cares Scotland said: "This year

has demonstrated Somebody

Cares' unwavering

commitment to transforming

lives across Aberdeen. Through

strategic partnerships and

community-led initiatives,

we're not just addressing

immediate needs - we're

tackling poverty and

homelessness. I'm immensely

proud of our team's dedication

to creating sustainable,

measurable change."

The Social Impact Report

demonstrates Somebody Cares'

evolution from a local support

organisation to a strategic

partner in Aberdeen's fight

against homelessness and

poverty. The charity invites

community members,

potential partners, and

supporters to join them in

creating lasting change.

A team of volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland



How you can make a

difference this World

Suicide Prevention Day

Someone dies by suicide in the North East of Scotland every

our to five days. We also know that one in five people will think

about suicide in their lifetime. It can be easy to feel powerless in the

face of this, but at SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) we know

that there is hope, especially when people join together for support.

Guest article from

Justine Dunbar, Suicide Prevention Community Engagement Officer at SAMH

Wednesday 10 September

marks World Suicide

Prevention Day.

Of course, this work is important yearround,

but World Suicide Prevention

Day is a prime opportunity to show

your support, inform yourself and

others, and potentially save a life.

Sadly suicide is something that can

touch any of us. It’s so important that

we stay informed to know what we can

do to keep ourselves and others safe.

There is still a lot of fear around the

topic of suicide that stop us talking

about it. Suicide prevention really is

everyone’s business. Even small

actions can make difference to break

down stigma. We know that serious

conversation reduces risk. It’s

important not to underestimate the

power that listening with kindness and

compassion can make. To show

someone that you care and they matter.

SAMH’s North East Suicide Prevention

team has already reached thousands of

people across Grampian with free

training, events and resources on how

to help themselves and others.

The positive reception to our work in

the North East so far shows that

attitudes are changing. The local

community and business sectors

recognise the importance of the suicide

prevention effort but are not always

sure how they can help.

There are still some myths that act as

barriers to change, but the truth is that

open conversations about suicide

reduce risk. Understandably, these

conversations can be tough but the

power of staying informed, choosing

language carefully, and listening with

kindness and compassion should not be

underestimated; it really does save lives.

So how can you get involved in

Aberdeen City this World Suicide

Prevention Day?

Light it up: Do you have a building or

space that can be illuminated in yellow

and orange?

Share a message: Can you donate

advertising space for suicide prevention

posters or vinyls?

Host training: Do you have a meeting

room or community space to offer

suicide prevention training to your

community or workplace?

Invite a talk: Would you like the North

East Suicide Prevention team to deliver

a talk or Q&A session?

Distribute materials: Would you like a

stock of suicide prevention resources for

your organisation or group?

North East Suicide Prevention sessions

last up to two hours and can be

delivered in person or online. Shorter

“lunch and learn” sessions are also

available to suit your workplace or

community needs.

While one session is just the beginning,

it can spark important conversations

and help your community consider

ways to reduce the risk of suicide. You,

your colleagues, friends, and wider

community all have a vital role to play.

The team is always exploring new ways

to share suicide prevention messages.

Get in touch at

northeastsuicideprevention@samh.org

.uk to:

Arrange a training session

Request resources

Learn more about supporting the

work

For local support, resources, and tips on

helping someone, download the

Prevent Suicide North East app for free:

www.preventsuicideapp.com/

Samaritans are available 24/7 at 116 123

for anyone in distress, including

thoughts of suicide. If you or someone

else is in immediate danger, call 999 or

go to A&E.

Download the

Prevent Suicide

North East app

for free



Poverty Alliance’s Scotland

Demands Better Campaign

is Organising in Aberdeen

words by

Chloe Campbell

Policy and Parliamentary Officer

at the Poverty Alliance

o help communities in

T Aberdeen get inspired

and organised for the Scotland

Demands Better march and

rally later this year, the

campaign is hosting a public

rd

meeting on Tuesday the 23 of

September from 7-8.30pm at

Devana Parish Church, Fonthill

Road, AB11 6UD.

The Scotland Demands Better

campaign is a response to the

challenges we face. Too many

are frightened of what the

future will bring. Too many are

going hungry, or are without a

home, or sacrificing meals for

families, dreading winter due to

heating costs, or struggling to

get by on wages that don’t cover

their household costs.

Scotland needs change for the

better, and we know that

happens when people stand

together and demand it. That is

why this campaign is bringing

people together, in a shared

vision of a Scotland free from

poverty, to tell our political

leaders to start building a

society where every household

has what they need to thrive. It

is a showcase that we have

practical ideas to overcome the

injustice of poverty, and the

resources we need to make

them work.

Led by the Poverty Alliance, the

campaign is already supported

by more than 190

organisations, including ACVO

and many more across

Aberdeen. And that number is

growing every day. A key

moment in this campaign will

be a non-partisan march and

rally in Edinburgh on the

25th of October 2025.

We’ll be asking thousands of

people across Scotland to join

us on the streets of the capital

with a simple message to our

political decision makers:

Scotland Demands Better.

We will be demanding:

Better jobs for everyone

who needs one, with fair

conditions and wages that

pay the bills;

Better investment in life’s

essentials like affordable

homes, good public

transport, a thriving

natural environment and

strong public services; and

Better social security so

that everyone has a

foundation for the future.

In the run up to the march and

rally, the campaign is hosting a

series of local public meetings

across Scotland to help

communities get organised.

At the Aberdeen meeting,

attendees will hear from

representatives of CFINE,

shmu, the Aberdeen Trade

Union Council and the Church

of Scotland to find out why

they are supporting the

campaign.

There will then be opportunities

to plan with fellow

attendees on how to promote

the Scotland Demands Better

campaign in Aberdeen and

mobilise people to attend on

the day.

Join Scotland Demands Better

to raise your voice for a society

where everyone can live in

security and prosperity.


the campaign, and to sign up as

a supporter, visit scotlanddemands-better.com

or email

chloe.campbell@povertyalliance.org


ACVO News Features

Community Funding

Brings St. Peters Court

Residents Together

Just in time for the historic Tall Ships Races docking in Aberdeen,

tenants at St. Peter’s Court in Torry have recently been enjoying

their common room once again with thanks to a grant from the

Community & Coast Fund.

£2000 grant from the

Community & Coast Fund

Ahas revitalised the shared

lounge and has already started to

strengthen connections amongst the

residents.

With support from the Fund, tenants

are now organising a variety of social

activities such as themed coffee

mornings in the common room. These

gatherings have provided

entertainment, as well as creating a

space where residents can meet, share

experiences and build meaningful

relationships.

Catherine Coutts, Tenant Participation

Officer at Castlehill Housing

Association, shares: “I’ve been helping

tenants here at St Peter’s Court form a

group as many were feeling isolated.

They wanted to use their communal

area more and host social activities for

all the residents.

“They felt they didn’t have enough

resources and the communal room

wasn’t really being used much before.

Now we have been able to give them a

starting point.”

“There’s definitely a lot of enthusiasm

now,” says Dawn Allardyce, Scheme

Coordinator for St Peter’s Court. “The

tenants are talking about holding

more events, maybe an open day with

local shops, stalls and a jumble sale.

“The funding has really acted as a

catalyst to get them started.”

The grant has provided new resources,

including kitchenware, a telescope,

binoculars and various recreational


ACVO News Features

equipment, enabling tenants to make

full use of the communal space.

Residents are now participating in

activities that spark curiosity and

encourage interaction, such as

observing local landmarks, wildlife or,

in this instance, the Tall Ships docked

in Aberdeen’s harbour.

Patricia, a tenant at St Peter’s Court,

says: “To see everyone come along

today has been wonderful. I’m

delighted by the turnout and seeing

everyone socialise and share their

excitement for the Tall Ships. I don’t

know many people in the building so it

was great to meet new faces.

“The coffee mornings are informal,

where residents can participate as

much or as little as they want. The goal

is for everyone to feel included.”

Sharing her thoughts on the impact of

the Fund, she says: “It’s fantastic to see

everyone engaged, chatting and

making use of the new equipment.

Residents will definitely spend time in

the lounge now that we have these

things in place.

“By receiving this funding, it makes

residents feel special and valued.

Seeing people socialise, enjoy the

activities and feel included really

makes the days feel meaningful here.”

At St. Peter’s Court, informal coffee

mornings are now becoming a beloved

fixture, supported by both Castlehill

Housing Association staff and tenant

volunteers.

Eileen, another resident at St Peter’s

Court, says: “I’m really enjoying the

coffee morning today. I’ve also been

By receiving this funding, it

makes residents feel special &

valued. Seeing people socialise, enjoy

the activities and feel included really

makes the days feel meaningful here.

Patricia, St Peter’s Court tenant

having a go with the telescope, looking

at the Tall Ships in Aberdeen Harbour.

“It’s wonderful to have a space like

this. The view from the common room

is fantastic and it’s nice to be able to

spend time here socially.

“Having the chance to meet other

residents really make a difference. I’m

enjoying the experience, the

refreshments and the atmosphere –

it’s just great!”

“Seeing tenants using the communal

space, smiling and having fun, shows

the real impact,” says Dawn. “Some

tenants aren’t able to get out and

about, so bringing activities to them is

important.”

“Applying for this funding is definitely

worth it,” says Catherine. “It benefits

tenants individually and the

community as a whole.

“Even a small scheme can create a

ripple effect in the wider area. We’re

excited to see St. Peter’s Court

residents continuing to make the most

of their revitalised common room.”

Find out more at communityandcoast.scot



ACVO News Features

ACVO News Features

The individuals who have shared their experiences -

Lukasz, Jack, Freddie, Robert and Ryan - illustrate

the impact of Cash First Aberdeen in its first pilot

year.

For some, the relief was immediate. Lukasz, for

example, had been sleeping on a mattress so worn

down it was patched together with tape and clothing.

With his funding from Cash First Aberdeen, Lukasz

bought a new mattress, allowing him to finally rest

properly throughout the night with no worries.

“The support has made such a difference to my life,”

he said, adding that he now volunteers with CFINE

and hopes to transition into paid employment soon.

For others, it was about seizing a new career

opportunity. After facing setbacks including time in

jail and periods of instability, Jack wanted to pursue

barbering as a career but lacked the necessary

equipment. Cash First Aberdeen covered the cost of a

brand new kit, allowing him to make steps into a

career rather than back into uncertainty.

“I’m looking forward to my progression as a barber,”

Jack says. “It's probably the only thing I’d want to

work in now and can see this in my future.”

Sometimes, the support was about dignity in

moments of grief. Freddie could not afford to attend

his godmother’s funeral and felt a burden to ask his

family to help with the costs. The cash from the

Flexible Crisis Fund covered his travel down to

England, sparing him the pain of missing the chance

to say goodbye.

Freddie shares: “There is far less stigma around Cash

First. It felt different because of the one-to-one,

individual support and having the choice on where

your money can go.”

Robert found that financial support opened doors to

stability and purpose. By using his grant to clear an

overdraft, he was able to reset his finances and regain

a sense of control. That fresh start gave him the

confidence to begin volunteering regularly at a local

food bank and is now even considering a return to

college - things that once felt impossible.

“I’m not just surviving anymore, I’m starting to live

and enjoy my life again,” Robert shares candidly and

with appreciation for his support from Cash First

Aberdeen.

Ryan’s experience was about building a bridge to a


Volunteer Aberdeen

Saltire Success:

Recognising the

Dedication of

Aberdeen’s

Young Volunteers

List of recent

Saltire Award

Certificate

Achievers at

Your Love Rara

It is always a pleasure

to be out meeting

volunteers and celebrating

the great contribution they

make across our city.

I had the great honour, along with the Lord

Provost of Aberdeen, Councillor Dr David

Cameron, of visiting the wonderful team at

Your Love Rara to present Saltire Awards

and Volunteer Thank You certificates. It

was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion and a

real privilege to recognise the achievements

of such inspiring young people.

The Saltire Awards, supported by the

Scottish Government, are a national

programme that celebrate the volunteering

efforts of young people aged 11–25. They

highlight the valuable skills and

experiences gained through volunteering,

while also showing the real difference

young volunteers make in their

communities.

The young volunteers at Your Love Rara

have achieved some truly impressive

milestones, you can find details of their

Mike Melvin

Volunteer Services Manager

awards on the right column of this page.

Each volunteer has shown outstanding

commitment, enthusiasm and positivity,

and it was heartening to see the pride they

take in their contributions. The impact

they have made is significant and they

should be extremely proud of what they

have achieved.

Young people in Aberdeen who would like

to follow in their footsteps can get involved

with the Saltire Awards by taking part in

volunteering opportunities through

Volunteer Aberdeen. It is a fantastic way to

gain experience, meet new people and be

recognised for the hours you give.

Congratulations once again to the young

volunteers at Your Love Rara - your

dedication is an inspiration and a shining

example of the strength of volunteering in

our city.

Tamara Addison: 500 hours of

passion and support

Angel Ozoemelam: 1000 hours at

just 19 years old – an incredible

achievement

Natania Aitken: 100 hours of

amazing work

Lucy Cormar: 25 hours of cheerful

support

Declan Davie: 50 hours of fantastic

help

Kayla Grant: 25 hours of energy and

enthusiasm

Toyosi Jinadu: 50 hours of brilliant

effort

Ellie-May Mcpake: 100 hours of

meaningful impact

Heather Milne: 100 hours of

commitment and care

Zack Proctor: 50 hours of great

support

Amelia Quin: 200 hours of amazing

dedication

Aalayah Slade: 100 hours of passion

and purpose

Freya Webb: 50 hours of wonderful

help

Volunteer

Aberdeen


Funding

Outdoor Community Play Incubator Programme

Inspiring Scotland

This fund supports small community groups in rural and remote areas to deliver

free, child-led outdoor play that improves children’s health and wellbeing.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available, which will be awarded alongside

development support and capacity building.

“For over 15 years, we’ve championed outdoor play as a cornerstone of healthy

childhoods and stronger families. Yet we know that many communities face

barriers to creating safe outdoor play opportunities. This new incubator

programme builds on our experience of working alongside organisations

committed to improving health and wellbeing of children across Scotland and

will help rural communities overcome challenges by offering funding, support

and guidance to create lasting opportunities for play.” – Celia Tennant, Inspiring

Scotland Chief Executive

We are now inviting expressions of interest for this programme, which will be

open to applications from 1st September until 22nd September 2025. Find out

more here.

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

Children & Young

People

Funding Available:

up to £5000

Applications close:

22/09/2025

Communities Mental Health and

Wellbeing Fund for Adults

Scottish Government | ACVO TSI

The Scottish Government announced Year 5 of the Communities Mental Health

and Wellbeing Fund for Adults in March 2025. As of Monday 18th August 2025,

Level 2 (£3001 - £15,000) of the Fund is open for Expressions of Interest

submissions. Level 1 (up to £3000) is open for applications as of September 1st

The Fund is focused on supporting initiatives that will enable them to drive a shift

across mental health to ensure a focus on prevention and early intervention. The

Fund also seeks to respond to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Community and

Wellbeing

Funding Available:

up to £15,000

Applications close:

th

September 12 - Level 2

EOI close

Since the Fund launched in 2021, ACVO TSI has distributed over £2.5 million of

grant funding across the city. These grants – large and small – have supported 297

community-based initiatives that are promoting and improving mental health and

wellbeing across Aberdeen.

ACVO TSI is again delighted to be managing the distribution of £554,377.00 in

Year 5 of the Fund across Aberdeen City.

Please note that the application process has changed for Year 5, so it is important

that you read all the guidance information prior to completing your application.

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


Events

Events

Events in September

7th

8th

9th

Aberdeen Mela – One World Day

Aberdeen Mela – One World Day will return to

Aberdeen on Sunday 07 September 2025.

Hosted this year at Union Terrace Gardens, the

festival will celebrate cultural diversity across

the North East of Scotland and beyond. With

world music, dance, children’s activities and

food stalls, there is something for everyone to

enjoy at this vibrant and free-to attend festival

of multiculturalism.

Each year Aberdeen Mela – OWD presents

wonderful and talented professional and

community performers from across a wide

range of Asian and other ethnic communities

both based in Aberdeen and from around the

UK.An important part of the event is the

diversity of cuisine on offer as well as craft,

clothes and other activities to make the

Aberdeen Mela experience even better.

We are very grateful to our sponsors and

donators who ensure every year that the

Aberdeen Mela is free for any member of the

public to enjoy.

Just Transition PB Fund - From

Idea to Reality

Got a great idea for your community but not

sure how to turn it into a fundable project?

This practical, fast-paced workshop is designed

to help you take the next step—from early idea

to a structured application ready for the JTPB

(Just Transition Participatory Budgeting) Fund.

We’ll help you shape your project into

something that meets the fund’s key criteria:

reducing carbon, building community skills,

increasing inclusion, and delivering long-term

benefit to your area.

Whether you’re still shaping your idea or

already planning your application, this session

will help you move forward with confidence.

Tenants & Residents Partnership

– in-person meeting

This is the group for tenants and residents who

want to be more involved in the housing

service.

It is where tenants, residents and the Council

work together to ensure effective and

meaningful consultation and communication

takes place.

Members of this group gain an understanding

of Council policies and procedures. It is also a

way for members to meet other tenants and

residents from all over the city to discuss any

housing issues and share good news stories

with each other.

This group meets monthly and new members

are always welcome.

All meetings are in Committee Room 5 at the

Town House. For more information, please

contact Carol Hannaford via email:

Channaford@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Date Sun 7 September 2025

Date Mon 8 September 2025

Date Tues 9 September 2025

Time

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Time

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Time

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

Aberdeen Multicultural Centre

Organiser

NESCAN Hub

Organiser

Aberdeen Tenants &

Residents Partnership

Venue

Union Terrace Gardens,

Aberdeen, AB10 1JR

Venue

Online

Venue

Aberdeen Town House,

Broad Street, Aberdeen,

AB10 1AQ

Find out more via ACVO Events




Events

CFINE’s Lived Experience

Manifesto - Welfare/Benefits

CFINE’s Lived Experience Group are hosting a

public event to gather local views and

experiences of the welfare/benefits system.

Homemade stovies will be provided!

Insights gathered from this event will

contribute to creating a manifesto, designed to

tackle poverty, ahead of the 2026 Scottish

Parliamentary Elections. The manifesto will be

presented to policy makers and drive

meaningful change.

*Find out more about the manifesto in our

ACVO News feature available at

www.acvo.org.uk/stories/cfines-manifestofor-real-political-change-in-2026/

ACVO Event – Compassionate

Communities

Building supportive resilient and responsive

communities has been part of the 3rd sectors

DNA for over a hundred years and more, all of

our organisations contribute to supporting

communities to flourish and grow in many

different ways.

This session is going to look at the growing

movements and organisations developing the

concept of ‘compassionate communities’,

particularly around making provision for the

needs of people who are caring, dying or

grieving and how, as a sector we actively allow

people to talk about and plan ahead for illhealth

and death, here in Aberdeen.

Envirolution Aberdeen 2025

Envirolution is free, open to all, communitybased

environment festival dedicated to

increasing understanding, connection, and

engagement with our nature with climatefriendly

initiatives to help our planet.

After a successful one last year, Envirolution

Aberdeen is coming back as an opening event

to Climate Week North East 2025 from 20th

September to 5th October 2025.

From stalls, workshops, shops, activities,

there’s something for everyone! There are so

many ways you can get involved. You can set

up an environmentally friendly stall, host

games or activities, volunteer on the day, or

even sponsor the event to help make it a

success!

You can find more details on our website.

www.nescan.org/envirolution-aberdeen-

2025/

Date Wed 10 September 2025

Date Thu 11 September 2025

Date Sat 20 September 2025

Time

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Time

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Time

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

CFINE

Organiser

ACVO TSI

Organiser

NESCAN Hub

Venue

2-4 Poynernook Road,

Aberdeen, AB11 5RW

Venue

Cafe Ahoy, Beach

Boulevard, Aberdeen,

AB24 5HP,

Venue

Seaton Park, Aberdeen

AB24 1XR




10th

11th

20th

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

Shop Manager – Employability Retail

Somebody Cares Scotland

£13 per hour Part Time 18 hours per week Fixed Term Great Western Road, Aberdeen

Closing date: 03/09/2025

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

Somebody Cares Scotland is launching an exciting new retail initiative designed to support young people aged 16-25 in the

Aberdeen community through meaningful work experience in retail. This innovative shop will operate with seasonal

themes starting with Christmas – creating diverse learning opportunities throughout the year.

The part-time Shop Manager will be responsible for creating a supportive, educational environment where young volunteers

can develop essential workplace skills, build confidence, and gain valuable retail experience to support their journey into

permanent employment. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in young people’s lives while managing an

innovative retail concept.

The successful candidate will work closely with project partners, local schools and the wider Somebody Cares Scotland team

to ensure that each young person receives tailored support and development opportunities that match their individual needs

and career aspirations.

This is more than just a retail management position – you’ll be directly contributing to young people’s futures, helping them

build confidence, develop workplace skills, and take their next steps toward meaningful employment. You’ll see the impact of

your work every day as volunteers grow, learn, and move forward in their careers.

Join us in creating something special – a retail space that serves the community while transforming young lives

To Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter to hr@somebodycaresscotland.org explaining why you’re passionate

about supporting young people and how your skills would contribute to this innovative initiative.

Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland)

DSM Foundation

£16,130 (£26,884 pro rata) Part time 22.5 hours per week Permanent Aberdeenshire



We are recruiting a Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland) to join our team. This role will involve the coordination and

delivery of DSMF drug education in Scotland, based in the Grampian region, working with the Head of Education and

Engagement and Director to develop provision regionally and more widely.

Suitable candidates will:

be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol

have experience of developing and delivering drug and/or alcohol education in schools, colleges and/or the community

have experience of working with young people, including a knowledge of substance use and its impacts

have experience of project coordination, with excellent organisation skills

be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of people and agencies

enjoy working remotely in a small and busy team

The Job description and person specification and application form are available to download below. To apply, please return

the completed application form to admin@dsmfoundation.org.uk by Sunday 7th September. (No CVs please).

If you have any questions, please contact admin@dsmfoundation.org.uk and please share with anybody you think might be

interested in joining our brilliant team!

Interviews will take place on Friday 26th September 2025.

Download Application Form

Download Job Description and Person Specification


Vacancies

Assistant Project Worker

includem

£24,242 Full Time

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

Aberdeen Closing date: 21/09/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

We now have a fantastic opportunity for motivated, positive, resilient individuals who really believe in young people and

are flexible regarding hours of work and can help us to deliver includem’s innovative approach. You will have the fantastic

opportunity to work across our various services in the area, facilitating vital support to those who require it most.

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.

What does the role involve?

You will deliver groupwork and bespoke support to young people and their families in their own homes and communities. You

will assist in case management, including contributing to assessment and support planning and work with other professionals

in the young person’s life to deliver positive, sustainable change.

– Work flexibly to meet the needs of the young people and families

– Develop safe, professional and committed relationships with young people and families

– Use their communication skills effectively to influence, record and evidence positive change and provide personalised, risk

enabled, professional support

– Be able to drive and have access to a car for work purposes

– Become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme (paid for by includem)

– To be registered or become registered with the Scottish Social Services Council and hold or be willing to work toward HNC

Social Care and SVQ 3 in Social Care or equivalent (qualifications are fully funded by includem)

If you would like more information regarding this role, please call 0141 427 0523 and ask to be forwarded onto the HR team.

TO APPLY PLEASE EMAIL A COPY OF YOUR CV TO recruitment@includem.co.uk.

NRPF Development Worker

No Recourse North East Partnership /

Grampian Regional Equality Council

£27,990 Full Time 36.25 hours per week Fixed Term Aberdeen



The NRPF: Tackling and Preventing Destitution project aims to engage at a strategic and frontline level, to help develop

capacity and improve practice across the North East, to support people with NRPF and develop effective approaches to

prevent and tackle destitution.

The NRPF Development Worker will expand the NRNE Partnership, raise awareness, and represent the Partnership

nationally and locally. They will influence and develop anti-destitution policies by engaging public bodies, participating in

relevant local authority initiatives, and collaborating with relevant organisations. They will manage and support the Lived

Experience Group, and key Partnership communications, including drafting NRNE Partnership policy responses, and

managing the Partnership website and social media. See Job Description for more details.

An ideal candidate will be organised, have strong communication and collaboration skills, be able to take initiative and work

independently, and be passionate about alleviating barriers for those from minority communities in the UK.

Although not a requirement, we strongly encourage applications from individuals with direct experience of NRPF and

applicants from communities disproportionately impacted by NRPF.

Training will be provided for those without in-depth knowledge of NRPF and its complexities.

The Development Worker will report to the NRNE Partnership facilitators and receive line management from GREC’s

General Manager. The post is funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. This post is fixed term until 31st March 2028 (with

potential for extension).

CVs will not be accepted – please download the application form below, details on where to send your completed application

are contained within.

Download Application Form

Download Job Description


acvo.org.uk

ACVO News September 2025

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