ACVO News October 2025

ACVO News

The Latest from Aberdeen’s Third Sector Community

October 2025

The Community & Coast Fund

returns for a second year with

£100k

for groups, clubs & organisations in

Torry and Cove

read more on p. 22

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

OCTOBER 2025

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

10

28

33

34

ACVO TSI 38 Castle Street

Aberdeen, AB11 5YU

enquiries@acvo.org.uk

Not on the mailing list to

receive ACVO News

direct to your inbox every

month? Sign up here.

36

20

Applications open for

The Trades Widows’

Fund Charity

Seonaidh Baker, PR and

Development Manager, shares

why the Seven Incorporated

Trades are committed to giving

back to communities in Aberdeen

06

Cash First Aberdeen:

One Year of Impact,

Dignity and Support

Amy Duncan, Cash First Network

Co-ordinator at ACVO reflects on

the first year of the project and the

positive impact it is making for

those supported.

22

Community &

Coast Fund Year

2 Launches in

Torry and Cove!

The Fund is back with £100,000

to support grassroots

community projects across Torry

and Cove in Aberdeen with

grants of up to £10,000 available!

04

Volunteering

Successes,

Celebrations

& Challenges

Mike Melvin reflects on the

successes to celebrate,

milestones to mark and the

challenges that remind us of

the values at the core of

volunteering.

As we head into October, three

themes stand out for us at ACVO

- how we support people, how

we value volunteering, and how

we invest in our communities.

Each speaks to the strength of

Aberdeen’s third sector and the

difference it makes every day.

The first year of the Aberdeen Cash First pilot, led by

our colleague Amy Duncan, has shown the difference

that choice, dignity and wrap-around support can

make. It has reduced reliance on foodbanks, helped

individuals tackle debt, and improved mental health

and wellbeing amongst those supported.

As Amy notes, “ACVO’s ambition remains clear: to see

Aberdeen become one of the first cities in Scotland to

reduce the need for foodbanks, offering those facing

food poverty not just immediate relief but the chance to

move forward in life with choice and dignity.”

Volunteering also continues to be a source of

celebration and reflection. The recently published

Scottish Household Survey 2024 revealed that adult

volunteering in Aberdeen is on the rise. These results

are hugely encouraging and demonstrate the growing

strength and value of volunteering in the city.

Yet, alongside this positive news, recent proposals to

introduce volunteering as a condition for migrants to

qualify for indefinite leave to remain have prompted

important debate.

Volunteer Scotland’s position is clear: any mandatory

activity cannot be considered volunteering, as volunteering

must always be a freely made choice. This

principle, set out in the Volunteer Charter, is one that

we at ACVO wholeheartedly support.

In Aberdeen we are fortunate to see volunteering rooted

in generosity, kindness and the genuine desire to make

a difference – values we must continue to protect,

ensuring that volunteering remains a positive act that

builds stronger communities for everyone.

Finally, we are delighted that the Community and Coast

Fund is once again open for applications with £100,000

available to support grassroots community projects in

Torry and Cove. This fund has already enabled 16 local

projects to take root and grow, strengthening connections

and improving shared spaces and we look

forward to seeing applications for the next round of

creative, impactful projects being submitted

before the deadline on November 7th.

Maggie Hepburn

Chief Executive, ACVO TSI

maggie.hepburn@acvo.org.uk


Successes,

Celebrations

& Challenges:

Strengthening Volunteering

Across Our Communities

“As we head into autumn, it feels like the perfect moment to pause and

reflect on the volunteering landscape here in Aberdeen. There have been

tremendous successes to celebrate, superb milestones to mark, and some

challenges that remind us of the values at the core of volunteering.”

words by Mike Melvin, Volunteering Services Manager, ACVO TSI

Successes

“One of the most

fantastic developments

this year has been the

energy and enthusiasm

shown by students.

Whether at schools, colleges, or

universities, we’ve seen young

people step forward to give their

time and talents.

Volunteering not only supports

local communities but also

helps students build skills, gain

recognition through initiatives

such as the Saltire Awards, and

connect their studies with reallife

experiences. Many of the

students I’ve spoken to talk

about how volunteering gives

them a sense of purpose

alongside their academic work –

a way to put learning into action

while making a positive

difference.

At ACVO we’ve been delighted

to strengthen our links with

schools, student associations,

and learning institutions across

the city, making sure

opportunities are visible,

accessible, and exciting. The

message is clear: volunteering

is not only about what you give,

but also about what you gain;

confidence, friendships, career

insights, and a chance to be

part of something bigger.

And it’s not just students

making an impact. The

recently published Scottish

Household Survey 2024

revealed that adult

volunteering in Aberdeen is on

the rise. The figures show that

30% of adults reported taking

part in formal volunteering

(volunteering with a group or

organisation) – a tremendous

increase from 16% in 2023 and

5% above the national average

which also saw a big rise.

Combined with the informal

volunteering participation rate

this shows that an incredible

51% of people in Aberdeen are

helping out volunteering. This

is a hugely encouraging trend

and a reminder that the spirit

of volunteering is alive and well

across all age groups in Aberdeen.

Whether it’s helping at a local

charity, supporting events, or

simply giving an hour here and

there, every contribution

makes a real difference and is

massively appreciated by your

community.

Celebrations

“As we celebrate the

contributions of

volunteers, it’s also

important to give a nod

to those who support,

guide, and encourage

them. That’s why

International Volunteer

Managers Day on 5th

November 2025 is such

a superb occasion

This year’s theme – “Be BOLD.

Make Change” – perfectly

captures the creativity and

commitment shown by

volunteer leaders every single

day. Volunteer managers are

often the unsung heroes of our

sector. They inspire confidence,

create opportunities, and ensure

volunteers feel valued and

supported. Without them,

much of the incredible work we

see in Aberdeen simply

wouldn’t happen.

ACVO News | October 2025 | 04


I’m proud that ACVO will be

marking the day with an event

dedicated to recognising this

vital role. I’d encourage anyone

involved in volunteering –

whether you’re a volunteer

yourself, a manager, or part of

an organisation – to join us in

celebrating the people who

make volunteering possible.

Book your place via

https://bit.ly/4q78q9h

Challenges

“While we have much to

celebrate, it’s also

important to reflect on

the challenges we face as

a volunteering

community. Recently,

there has been

considerable

commentary about

proposals to introduce

volunteering in the

community as a

condition for migrants

to qualify for indefinite

leave to remain.

Volunteer Scotland have set

out a very clear position on this:

“As Scotland’s national centre

for volunteering, it is our stance

that any mandatory activity

cannot be considered as

volunteering because it is not

voluntary. This is further

reinforced in principle one of

the Volunteer Charter which

states that ‘any volunteer

activity is a freely made choice

of the individual. If there is any

compulsion, threat of sanctions

or force, then any such activity

is not volunteering.

“There are many well

established routes into

volunteering to support

community capacity building

and inclusion, and we

encourage support and

investment in these.”

I think this is a very sensible

statement and one that all at

ACVO TSI support.

In Aberdeen we are fortunate

to see tremendous examples of

volunteering every day, rooted

in generosity, kindness, and a

genuine desire to make a

difference. It is important that

we continue to protect these

principles, ensuring that

volunteering remains a

positive, voluntary act that

builds stronger communities

for everyone.

The Volunteer Charter sets out

this principle clearly, and it’s

vital that we protect and

uphold it. As we continue

encouraging more people to

discover the joy of

volunteering, we must also

safeguard the values that make

it meaningful.

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!

The recently published

Scottish Household Survey

2024 revealed that adult

volunteering in Aberdeen is

on the rise. The figures show

that 30% of adults reported

taking part in formal

volunteering, a tremendous

increase from 16% in 2023

and 5% above the national

average which also saw a big

rise. This is a hugely

encouraging trend and a

reminder that the spirit of

volunteering is alive and well

05 | ACVO News | October 2025


Cash First Aberdeen:

One Year of Impact,

Dignity and Support

Since the launch of the Aberdeen Cash First pilot project

in June 2024, we wanted to take some time to reflect on

our successes and learnings. As we mark the close of year

one, we share the progress achieved and the difference

the pilot is already making to people’s lives in Aberdeen.

words by

Amy Duncan, Cash First Network Co-ordinator, ACVO TSI

T

his test of change set out

a clear ambition: to

reduce both the depth and

longevity of poverty for single

males, aged 18 to 45, who are in

receipt of Universal Credit and

accessing foodbanks. We aimed

to achieve this ambition by

delivering the Flexible Crisis

Fund, designed to provide

immediate, direct financial

support while improving access

to wider, wrap-around support

that can help people build

stability and move forward in

their lives with dignity.

Flexible Crisis Fund

Launched on the 4th of

November 2024, the Flexible

Crisis Fund has already

supported 113 individuals as of

July 2025. Those who have

received support are facing a

wide range of challenges:

different housing

circumstances, multiple or

complex health needs,

addiction or recovery and

issues with benefit payments.

Many lived experience

individuals shared they would

not trust themselves with cash

payments due to current or

historical addictions, drug

debts or lack of budgeting skills.

In response, the partnership

created a risk matrix to ensure

that everyone can access

support in the way that works

best for them. Of the 113

individuals supported, 53 were

marked as medium risk at the

point of referral.

A central principle of Cash First

is choice. Recipients decide

how to use the funding based

on their own priorities.

Although 61 recipients received

funding for food and essentials,

this was often a secondary

reason for referral. The most

frequent requests were linked

to debt, either to pay off or put

towards debt repayments.

Other uses of the fund included:

Bills and utilities

Housing payments

Employment and training

Transport costs, including

bus passes

White goods and furniture

Specialised equipment

Clothing

Wrap-Around Support

Cash First also takes a personcentred

approach in identifying

and connecting people with

additional wrap-around

support. Most recipients are

signposted to welfare and

money advice – helping to

maximise income, apply for

benefits or receiving

debt or budgeting

advice.

Fuel poverty was a major theme

throughout the year: in winter,

this was due to high heating

costs, and in summer with

many people struggling with

fuel-related debts. Recipients

were also signposted to

employability-based support,

housing support, furniture

support, addiction and recovery

support and to access IT

equipment.



Impact

The difference Cash First has

made in just its first year is

significant. Monitoring shows

that, by July 2025, foodbank use

among recipients had dropped

by 92%, with 82% not returning

to a food bank since receiving

Cash First funding.

Beyond food insecurity, we

have recorded the impact of

wider outcomes such as:

48% of recipients were able

to maximise their income

66% experienced an

increase in access to wraparound

support

63% reported feeling

improvements in their

mental health and

wellbeing, reducing their

long-term need for crisis

support

Key Findings

Listening to individuals with

lived experience of crisis

support has been essential.

Surveys with 70 individuals

identified the real pressures

driving foodbank use:

insufficient income to cover

rising costs, challenges with the

benefits system and the

emotional barriers that make it

hard for people to ask for help.

Words like ‘embarrassed’,

‘shamed’ and ‘judged’ came up

frequently.

ACVO’s ambition remains clear: to see

Aberdeen become one of the first cities in

Scotland to reduce the need for foodbanks,

offering those facing food poverty not just

immediate relief but the chance to move

forward in life with choice and dignity.

Food is often just the tip of the

iceberg, with the Scottish

Government identifying

insufficient and insecure

incomes as the main reason for

food insecurity. Poor health,

addictions, relationship

breakdowns and prison

liberation also play a role. Debt

has a considerable impact too,

with 72.6% of recipients

experiencing debt with either

one or more creditors.

The surveys also revealed gaps

in awareness of support

services across Aberdeen.

Individuals repeatedly telling

their story to different

professionals was causing

frustration, reinforcing the

need for a single point of

contact. Cash First has stepped

into this gap, streamlining

referrals and communication

between partners while

keeping the person’s needs at

the centre.

Looking Ahead

The first year of the Cash First

pilot has shown the difference

that choice, dignity and wraparound

support can make. It

has reduced reliance on

foodbanks, helped people tackle

debt and improved mental

health and wellbeing amongst

the individuals supported.

With these impactful results,

ACVO and partners are

committed to raising the profile

of the Cash First project and

sharing its impact. ACVO’s

ambition remains clear: to see

Aberdeen become one of the

first cities in Scotland to reduce

the need for foodbanks, offering

those facing food poverty not

just immediate relief but the

chance to move forward in life

with choice and dignity.

Stories from

Cash First Aberdeen

Through a series of personal

accounts, shared with consent

and dignity, Stories from Cash

First Aberdeen illustrates the

impact of the Flexible Crisis

Fund in Aberdeen.

Highlighting lived experience

voices from Lukasz, Jack,

Freddie, Robert and Ryan,

these stories demonstrate how

cash payments and wraparound

support provide these

individuals with a sense of

relief, restoring some control in

their life and offering real

pathways out of crisis.

Listen to their stories now at

cashfirstaberdeen.scot



Funding for Wellbeing &

Creativity in Aberdeen

From tackling loneliness and building resilience to empowering

communities through arts and culture, two major funding opportunities

are now open for organisations to apply for in Aberdeen. Whether your

focus is mental health and wellbeing or creative community development,

find out how you can get involved and make an impact.

words by

Claire Shaw Funding Officer, ACVO TSI

Citymoves’ Dance for Parkinson’s classes is one of

the local projects supported by the Communities

Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund in previous years

Communities Mental

Health & Wellbeing

Fund for Adults:

Applications for Level

1 grants open now

A

t ACVO, we are always

delighted to coordinate

and distribute the Communities

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Fund for Adults in Aberdeen.

Now entering its fifth year, the

fund has already supported

hundreds of projects across

Scotland, helping people

connect, reduce isolation, and

improve mental health and

wellbeing.

Now in its fifth year, the Fund

continues to prioritise

prevention and early

intervention, with a strong

focus on supporting those most

affected by the cost-of-living

crisis and socio-economic

disadvantage. Projects should

aim to improve mental health

and wellbeing for adults aged

16+, create opportunities for

connection and community

resilience, address inequalities

and support marginalised

groups.

Level 1 grants of up to £3,000

are now open to small

constituted and unconstituted

groups, as well as third sector

organisations with an income

under £1 million. Projects must

be based in Aberdeen City and

focus on adults aged 16 and

over. If your group is

unconstituted, you can still

apply by working with a

constituted organisation to host

your grant.

How to apply

1.Complete the Eligibility

Checker on the ACVO

website.

2.Read the full guidance

carefully before starting

your application.

3.Submit your application –

one Level 1 application per

organisation – by Friday 17

October 2025 at 5pm.

If you’ve already submitted an

Expression of Interest for a

Level 2 award, you are still

welcome to apply for a different

project at Level 1, provided your

income is under £1 million.

The Communities Mental

Health & Wellbeing Fund is

more than just financial

support. It represents an

opportunity for local people to

design and deliver solutions to

the challenges they see around

them. As the fund’s local

coordinator, ACVO not only



administers the grants but also

provides advice and guidance to

applicants. My role is to support

you in shaping your ideas and

ensuring your application tells

your story clearly. Please do get in

touch with me at

claire.shaw@acvo.org.uk if you’d

like to discuss your project before

applying. This fund is a fantastic

opportunity for small

organisations to make a real

difference in their communities. I

often say that and I truly mean it.

Whether you’re setting up a

walking group, delivering

creative wellbeing sessions, or

building a peer support network,

we would love to hear from you.

Apply at acvo.org.uk/cmhwfund

Culture Collective

Fund – a well needed

boost for creative

communities

October also brings the

return of the Culture

Collective Fund, opening for

Stage One applications on

Tuesday 7 October at 2pm.

Backed by the Scottish

Government, it offers substantial

grants of £100,000 – £300,000

for organisations with a strong

record of community engagement

in the arts, screen, or

creative industries.

The fund aims to empower

communities to shape their own

cultural life, create paid roles for

creative practitioners, and build

long-term capacity that can help

influence Scotland’s cultural

policy. Expressions of Interest are

open from 7–22 October, with

invited full applications due

between 4 November and 3

December. Projects are set to start

in April 2026.

Applicants should note that at

least half the budget must go

directly to creative practitioners,

and each project needs a

dedicated coordinator to lead

delivery.

Creative Scotland will host an

online information session on

Monday 13 October, 10–11am,

which is a great opportunity to

learn more and ask questions.

The Communities Mental Health &

Wellbeing Fund For Adults is a fantastic

opportunity for small organisations to make a

real difference in their communities. I often

say that and I truly mean it. Whether you’re

setting up a walking group, delivering creative

wellbeing sessions, or building a peer support

network, we would love to hear from you.

Lights, Camera,

Funding - a new series

of short digital films

coming soon!

Alongside working on our

funding opportunities

and supporting organisations

within Aberdeen’s third sector

with funding applications and

strategies, I’ve been working

with our Communications Team

on a new series of short films

aimed at giving practical insights

into the funding landscape.

In the first video, I talk about

Boosting Your Funding Success

with Digital Media Messaging,

sharing tips on how organisations

can use digital tools to strengthen

applications and showcase their

work.More films are on the way

in the coming weeks, covering

different aspects of funding and

community development, so do

keep an eye on ACVO’s channels.

Final thoughts for this month

The funding landscape can

sometimes feel daunting, but

resources are available for those

ready to take action. The

Communities Mental Health &

Wellbeing Fund, in particular, is

designed to support grassroots

ideas and create real impact

locally. I look forward to seeing

the inspiring projects that come

forward this year.


Aberdeen Third Sector Updates

Scottish Autism Chief Executive,

Dorry McLaughlin, and A-ND

CEO, Billy Alexander.

Scottish Autism Charities

Announce Merger

Scottish Autism, Scotland’s leading autism charity,

and Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-

ND), have announced that they are to merge in a

landmark move to expand and strengthen support

for autistic and neurodivergent people, their

families and communities across the country.

T

his merger represents

the bringing together of

two organisations with deep

roots, strong expertise and a

shared commitment to ensuring

that individuals and families

receive the right support where

they live and when they need it

most.

Together, Scottish Autism and A-

ND will deliver tailored services

across Scotland, combining the

national reach and expertise of

Scottish Autism with A-ND’s

innovation and leadership in

neurodiversity, children and

young people’s services, and

whole-family support. By sharing

their best practice and strengths,

the charities aim not only to

sustain critical services but also

to challenge dated models of

care and support. This

partnership will ensure that

services are designed with the

people they support, rooted in

local communities and

responsive to the unique needs

of individuals and families.

Commenting on the merger,

Dorry McLaughlin, Chief

Executive of Scottish Autism,

said: "We have had a longstanding

relationship with A-

ND North Scotland and

following discussions at senior

level we each felt that a merger

was the logical step for our

charities to take was to merge.

“Having previously delivered

services in this part of

Scotland we are looking

forward to being present in the

region and helping to deliver

support to autistic people and

their families.”

Billy Alexander, Chief

Executive of A-ND North

Scotland, added: "This merger

not only secures the

sustainability of our services

in the north of Scotland, but it

also unlocks the potential to

expand our shared vision

nationally. By combining

Scottish Autism’s national

leadership with our own

expertise in neurodiversity,

whole-family support, and

children and young people’s

services, we are creating a

powerful partnership that is

both innovative and forwardthinking.

“Our services have been

shaped in line with The

Promise Scotland and the

Whole Family Approach, and

this partnership strengthens

our ability to provide creative,

flexible solutions that respond

to the real challenges families

face. Most importantly, it

ensures children, young people

and adults can access support

tailored to them, in their

communities, when they need

it."

This merger also supports the

Scottish Government’s

ongoing focus on whole-family

and community care, ensuring

that support is delivered as

close to home as possible and

helping families and

communities remain

connected. By fostering

creativity and innovation in

service design, Scottish Autism

and A-ND aim to transform the

future of support for autistic

and neurodivergent people

across Scotland.



Piper Sandler's Sportschallenge

surpasses £1million fundraising

goal in night to remember

S

portschallenge, the

North-east’s premier

sports-themed corporate

fundraising dinner, has broken

the £1 million barrier raised for

charity over its eleven events.

The challenge raised £120,000

for three local charities and its

long-term beneficiaries,

Maggie’s Aberdeen and

Children’s Aid (Scotland),

bringing the cumulative

fundraising total to £1,075,000.

The monies raised from the

2025 event will support Cardiac

Risk in the Young (CRY) - in

memory of Jude MacDonald,

Rape Crisis Grampian (RCG)

and Aberdeen Foyer, as well as


Children’s Aid (Scotland).

During the black-tie event at

P&J Live, hosted by sports

personalities, Alan McInally and

Andy Nicol, over 70 teams of ten

competed in the quiz, with a

team from Foresight Group

emerging victorious and lifting

the coveted Sportschallenge

trophy.

The annual Piper Sandler

Sportschallenge dinner and

quiz has supported close to 30

Scottish charities across more

than a decade of fundraising.

Nick Dalgarno, Sportschallenge

Trustee and MD at Piper

Sandler, celebrated the success

of Sportschallenge:

Reaching the £1 million

milestone is a proud

moment for everyone

involved in Sportschallenge

and marks a decade of

impact for the charities

we support.

“When we launched the event

in 2012, we never imagined it

would grow to this scale or

become such a fixture in the

North-east business calendar,

but we’re so grateful that it has.

“That success is only possible

thanks to the backing we’ve

had from our sponsors, hosts,

guests and supporters year

after year. The money raised

makes a real difference locally,

and this year we’re pleased to

support Cardiac Risk in the

Young, Rape Crisis Grampian

and Aberdeen Foyer, alongside


Children’s Aid (Scotland), all of

which are extraordinary

charities that do much to

improve the lives of people in

the North-east of Scotland and

beyond.”

RCG provides support and

information to anyone aged

more than 11 years old who has

been subjected to sexual

violence at any time in their

lives.

Aberdeen Foyer supports more

than 2,300 people a year in

North-east Scotland, helping

them towards independent

living, learning and work.

CRY (Cardiac Risk in the

Young) works to prevent

sudden cardiac deaths in

young people through

awareness, screening and

research, while supporting

families affected by such loss.

Local fundraising is dedicated

to the memory of Westhill

Academy pupil Jude

MacDonald, and will be used to

fund free heart screenings for

young people aged 14 to 35 in

the North-east.

In a special treat for sports fans,

a second trophy was also

present at last night’s event,

with Sportschallenge playing

host to the Scottish Cup as part

of the Aberdeen City Scottish

Cup Trophy Tour.

Preparations will soon be

underway for the 12th Sportschallenge

event, set to be held

at P&J Live in September 2026.

11| ACVO News | October 2025


Aileen Primrose, Camphill Wellbeing Trust’s Chief

Executive, outside the North Point building.

Camphill Wellbeing Trust Recognises

Volunteer Contribution As North

Point Building Officially Opens

Local charity, Camphill Wellbeing Trust (CWT)

officially opened the multi-purpose North Point

building at its flagship Compass Project site on

Saturday, September 6th at Craigton Road,

Cults following a £750,000 restoration project.

benefitting from the facility.

Compass is a ground-breaking CWT

project which, since 2020, has transformed

a once-derelict 4.1-acre site - initially

developed as the Aberdeen Convalescent

Hospital in 1897, then the International

School, and latterly home to Aberdeen

T

he opening was a key part of a

day of celebrations at Compass,

held to mark the progress achieved at the

site to date, recognise the achievements of

CWT staff and acknowledge the incredible

support of the 1,200 local volunteers who

have donated more than 13,000 hours of

their time to the project since its inception

in 2020.

The event coincided with the regular

volunteer day and popular, family-friendly

activity sessions – held at Compass on the

first Saturday of each month – and marked

the charity participating in the Aberdeen

City Doors Open Day initiative for the first

time. As well as exploring the North Point

building, visitors to Compass were also

able to enjoy the extensive outdoor areas of

the site, including the no-dig, organic

garden, woodland areas, orchard and beekeeping

corner.

Alongside the volunteers, the North Point

opening was attended by Emma King,

Primary Care Lead at Aberdeen City

Health & Social Care Partnership, along

with representatives of the organisations

whose donations – of both time and

money - helped deliver the redevelopment

of the building and local

community groups who are already



Waldorf School - into a thriving hub for

health, wellbeing, and sustainable living.

The North Point building is a key feature

of the site, which, following an extensive,

sustainable retrofit, now provides an

accessible and welcoming space for sports,

physical activity, and connection. As part

of this transformation, a large, multi-use

hall within the building has been

renovated, and now offers the local

community access to a versatile space for a

wide range of activities.

The official opening of the building was

carried out by Iain Duguid – one of the

Compass Project’s most dedicated

volunteers – who has clocked up an

incredible 610 volunteer hours at the site

over the past two years:

I just love spending time at Compass

and always feel that my efforts here are

both valued and impactful. Seeing the

redevelopment of the North Point building

has been great and it was a real honour to be

asked to take part in the official opening.

Emma King, Primary Care Lead at

Aberdeen City Health and Social Care

Partnership was delighted to attend the

event and looks forward to continuing

working in collaboration with the

Compass Project.

She said: “What Camphill Wellbeing Trust

has nurtured and built at Compass is truly

inspiring - a progressive, inclusive

community model that not only uplifts

individuals but also brings people together

through meaningful and healthy activities.

It’s clear that Compass is not just a place -

but a living, growing community with

purpose at its heart.

“We are proud to be working alongside

Camphill Wellbeing Trust and look

forward to continuing our collaboration -

supporting them as they sustain and

expand their vital services which make

such a positive difference in people's lives.”

Aileen Primrose, Camphill Wellbeing

Trust’s Chief Executive, added: “Camphill

has an 80-year history of caring for the

built and natural environment. Over the

past five years, driven by our staff and

powered by our volunteers, the sustainable

transformation of the Compass site has

been incredible and has continued this

ethos.

“The renovation of the North Point

building was a major component of the

latest phase of our planned redevelopment

of the overall site, and we are delighted that

it is now officially open. Our thanks go to

everyone who donated, in any way,

towards the project, and particularly to

all of our dedicated volunteers whose

hard work and commitment have

been critical to the significant

transformation of the

site to date.”

Anyone who would like

to find out more about

volunteering or the

programmes and facilities

available at the Compass

Project should e-mail

compass@cwt.scot

Petition: Ban

Bank Charges

for Charities

Danestone Congregational

Church is supporting a

petition urging the UK

Government to legislate a

ban on all bank charges for

charity accounts.

This initiative highlights the financial

strain that these fees impose on charitable

organisations, diverting funds that could

otherwise support vulnerable

communities and essential services.

Many banks charge fees for depositing

and withdrawing funds from charity

accounts, yet often provide no interest on

the deposits. These charges can

significantly reduce the resources

available for charitable activities.

By eliminating these fees, charities could

redirect more of their funds towards their

core missions.

The petition, Ban bank charges for

charities, has garnered over 300

signatures and aims to reach 10,000 to

prompt a government response.

You can lend your support to this cause

by signing and sharing the petition, with a

15 March 2026 deadline for signatures.

Please support this initiative to help

ensure that more funds are directed

towards the vital work of charities.

L-R: Aileen Primrose, CWT Chief Executive, Dr

Stefan Geider, therapeutic team member, and

Craig Strachan, CWT Chief Operating Officer.



Aberdeen Friends Raise

£7,950 for Charlie House

in Paris Cycling Challenge

Cycling Duo ride 900 miles from

Aberdeen to Paris in gruelling

challenge calling for closer-to-home

support for niece and nephew.

T

wo Aberdeen friends

have raised £7,950 for

local children’s charity Charlie

House after cycling more than

900 miles from Aberdeen to

Paris in just 14 days.

Local best friends Katy

Townhill, 37, and Sarah

McKechnie, 35, put pause on

their busy lives to take on their

challenge. They set off from

Charlie House HQ in Aberdeen

and cycled through the UK, the

Netherlands, and Belgium,

before reaching France to cross

their Eiffel Tower finish line.

The challenge was inspired by

Katy’s niece Lucy and nephew

Roy, who both live with spinal

muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3,

a rare degenerative condition.

“Charlie House has been a huge

part of our family’s life since

2018, supporting us through

activities, holidays, and

practical help,” said Katy.

“Sarah and I wanted to give

something back while also

highlighting the journeys

families like mine must take for

vital care.”

The pair had only taken up

cycling casually last year, each

buying their first road bike at

the end of 2024 before their full

training routine got underway.

What started as a wild idea

inspired from watching Tour

de France soon turned into

months of training and

planning.

Katie Bremner, Community

and Events Fundraiser at

Charlie House, said about their

challenge: “We’re always

delighted when members of

the community come forward

with fundraising ideas, each

telling a unique story behind

what motivated them to plan

and take on their challenge.

“For Katy and Sarah to go from

casual cyclists at the beginning

of the year to completing a 900-

mile journey across the UK and

Europe in just 14 days is just

remarkable.

“Their determination has not

only raised an amazing

amount of funds but also

awareness for families we

support who often face 200-

mile round trips from

Aberdeen to the Central Belt of

Scotland to access essential

treatment and specialist respite

care.”

Commenting on her

experience, Sarah said:

“There were moments that

were really tough, like cycling

through heavy rain, windy

stretches and bumpy roads, but

it was so worth it. Being on

bikes meant we saw so much

beautiful scenery and we met

such interesting people along

the way.

“One of my highlights was

finally seeing the windmills in

Holland. I had only ever seen

them in pictures before, so

getting to see those felt really

L–R: Katy Townhill and

Sarah McKechnie.

special.

“Crossing the finish line and

seeing the kids after such a long

journey is something I’ll never

forget. It was the perfect ending

to an amazing challenge.”

Katy added: “We knew our

families would be there in

Paris, but we didn’t realise how

special their welcome would

be. The kids had created



colourful posters filled with

messages and drawings, and

they were waving and cheering

as we arrived at the Eiffel Tower.

“It meant the world to see them

there celebrating with us as we

reached our goal. It was such an

emotional ending to the

journey.”

Just two days later, the pair

rounded off their adventure by

watching the Tour de France

live in Paris. It was a full-circle

moment, as the idea for their

challenge had first sparked

while they were watching the

race together back home.

Katie Bremner, Community

and Events Fundraiser at

Charlie House, added: “The

incredible total raised by Katy

and Sarah will go directly

towards our services, from

inclusive family activities and

short breaks that helps families

create precious memories

together to practical and

emotional support.

Paris Cycling Duo Sarah and Katy

lift their bikes in celebration at

the Eiffel Tower.

We are so thankful

for their efforts and the

awareness they have

brought to the importance

of supporting children with

life-limiting conditions here

in the North-east.

Charlie House supports babies,

children and young people with

life-limiting and life-threatening

conditions, providing practical

and emotional support as well

as inclusive activities for the

whole family. The charity is also

working to build a specialist care

facility in Aberdeen.

To find out more or to start your

own fundraising for Charlie

House, visit:

charliehouse.org.uk/supportus/raise-funds

Relive the adventure with Katy

and Sarah through updates

posted on their Facebook page.



Aberdeen Charity Launches

Groundbreaking Retail Initiative

in Partnership with Local Schools

S

omebody Cares

Scotland partners with

Bucksburn Academy and St

Machar Academy to provide

vital work experience for

secondary school pupils.

Somebody Cares Scotland is

proud to announce the official

launch of its innovative Youth

Employability Retail Initiative,

‘special things’, a pioneering

programme designed to provide

meaningful work experience and

essential skills training for

secondary school pupils aged 16-

17 in Aberdeen.

The charity has formed exciting

partnerships with Bucksburn

Academy and St Machar

Academy, enabling pupils from

both schools to gain valuable realworld

retail experience in a

supportive, educational

environment. This

collaboration represents a

significant step forward in

preparing young people for

their future careers while

addressing the skills gap in the

local retail sector.

The unique retail shop will

operate with rotating seasonal

themes throughout the year,

starting with Christmas,

creating diverse and engaging

learning environments that

will help young people develop

crucial workplace skills

including customer service,

teamwork, stock management,

and professional communication.

"We're thrilled to be working

with Bucksburn Academy and

St Machar Academy to create

genuine opportunities for

their pupils," said Dr Yekemi

Otaru, Chief Executive of

Somebody Cares Scotland.

"This initiative goes beyond

traditional work experience by

providing structured, ongoing

support that will genuinely

enhance these young people's

employability and confidence

as they prepare for their next

steps."

The programme will

particularly focus on

supporting pupils who may

face additional barriers in the

job market, need support

building resilience and

confidence or are at risk of

leaving school without

achieving their full potential.

Each participant will receive

individual mentoring, skills

assessments, and tailored

development plans designed to

help them progress toward

further education or

employment opportunities.

Irene Stove, Depute

Headteacher at Bucksburn

Academy commented: "The

Bucksburn Academy wing are

very excited to be working in

partnership with Somebody

Cares on the new charity shop.

Some of our young people will

be working in the shop,

learning retail skills including

stock taking and customer

service as well as other valuable

skills for life and work. We are

looking forward to seeing our

pupils flourish in this



supportive environment that will

develop their confidence to look

at pathways beyond school which

will potentially have a life

changing impact on them as they

reach adult hood and begin to

make decisions about life after

school.

As a school we have a clear focus

on pathways and have been

developing our pathways

programmes in the wing over the

last few years. The partnership

with Somebody Cares will

enhance the curricular offer for

young people and enrich the realworld

opportunities that we give

to our learners."

Derek Berstan, Depute

Headteacher at St Machar

Academy added: “special things

is a brilliant initiative that offers

pupils real-world experience in

retail. Its focus on skills

development aligns perfectly

with our skills agenda, and we

look forward to hearing from

the young people about their

experiences as they begin

applying for jobs, apprenticeships,

and further education.

These experiences will add

another layer of support to

ensure that all our young

people progress to positive

destinations. The partnership

complements our school vision

and values: I belong; we

achieve, creating opportunities

through community and

partnership.”

Operating Wednesday to

Friday at 1-3 Great Western

Road, the new shop will serve

the dual purpose of providing

quality pre-owned goods to the

Aberdeen community while

creating a work environment

where young people can thrive.

The shop will be staffed by a

dedicated Shop Manager with

experience supporting young

people, ensuring each pupil

receives appropriate guidance

and support.

The initiative represents a

significant investment in

Aberdeen's young people,

addressing youth

unemployment while creating

sustainable pathways to career

success. By combining retail

operations with education and

mentoring, the programme

creates a unique model for

youth development that

benefits both participants and

the wider community.

The retail space is now open to

the public as of September

25th, with Bucksburn Academy

pupils resuming their first shift

on September 26th.

For School Partnership

Enquiries: specialthings@

somebodycaresscotland.org

We are thrilled to be working

with Bucksburn Academy and St

Machar Academy to create genuine

opportunities for their pupils.

Chief Executive of Somebody Cares

Scotland, Dr Yekemi Otaru.

Shaping the Future:

Instant Neighbour

Seeks New Chair of

the Board of Trustees

F

or over 40 years Instant Neighbour has been at the heart of

the community in Aberdeen, supporting people through

some of their most difficult times.

From distributing emergency food parcels through their food bank to

providing affordable reused furniture and household goods, Instant

Neighbour has built its reputation on practical support and

compassion.

The charity’s Giving Tree Appeal has become a festive tradition in the

city, ensuring thousands of children receive gifts at Christmas, while

their employment and volunteering opportunities give people

furthest from the job market a fresh start.

Now, as the organisation looks to the future, Instant Neighbour is

seeking a new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The charity is looking for someone with strong leadership skills and

the ability to chair meetings effectively.

Additionally, they are seeking an individual with a commitment to

the values of compassion, dignity and sustainability as well as the

ability to act as an ambassador for Instant Neighbour across the

community.

While experience in governance, strategy or charity leadership is

desirable, what matters most is a commitment to the charity’s

cause and dedicating approximately 1–2 days per month, including

quarterly board meetings and occasional events.

This is an unpaid voluntary role, but one that offers the

opportunity to make a lasting difference in people’s lives while

shaping the future of one of Aberdeen’s leading social charities.

Anyone interested in learning more about the role or requesting an

information pack can get in touch with Sophy Green at

Sophy.Green@instantneighbour.co.uk.



Charity ladies’ lunch

raises over £16,000

for girls in North east

Scotland and Kenya

Aberdeen based charity Gathimba Edwards Foundation (GEF)

is proud to announce the success of its returning Ladies Lunch.

The Hope and Fizz lunch was

held on Friday 12th September

at The Chester Hotel, with

over 170 guests in attendance.

With a focus on female

empowerment, the sold-out

event raised an incredible

£16,482 to support young

females and their families in

both the North east of Scotland

and Kenya.

Guests were welcomed by

young piper Jake Munro,

setting a memorable tone for

the day. Fundraising activities

included a raffle, auction, and

games such as Heads or Tails,



all of which were received

enthusiastically by attendees.

Entertainment was provided by

singer Rhianne Armstrong, with

the interactive 360 Photobooth

adding a fun, engaging

experience throughout the

event.

All of the funds raised will

directly support initiatives that

provide education, safe shelter,

and wellbeing programmes for

girls in Kenya and the Northeast

of Scotland, ensuring they

have the opportunities and

resources needed to thrive.

We are truly humbled

by the support shown at

this year’s event. The

energy in the room was

inspiring, we laughed, we

cried and most importantly

we got the chance to have

meaningful conversations

about the work GEF can do

with community support.

says

Kayleigh Paterson-Donald

GEF Charity Development Lead

“The funds raised will go

directly towards breaking

down barriers for girls and their

families. Together, we are

creating opportunities and

brighter futures, both here in

Scotland and in Kenya.”

The event was proudly

supported by CNR

International as Gold Sponsor.

Barry Duncan, Managing

Director, added: “It’s inspiring

to see the impact this event has,

both at home and internationally.

We’re proud to support an

initiative that empowers young

women, improves livelihoods

and delivers lasting change.”

This year’s success builds on

the incredible inaugural Ladies

Lunch in 2022, which raised

£10,000. The event has firmly

established itself as a highlight

in Aberdeen’s fundraising

calendar.

For more information on

Gathimba Edwards

Foundation, visit here:

Gathimba Edwards

Foundation.


ACVO News Features

Supporting Aberdeen

Communities with

The Trades Widows’

Fund Charity

Seonaidh Baker, PR and Development Manager, shares why

the Seven Incorporated Trades are committed to giving back


ACVO News Features

The Trades Widows’ Fund

Charity has opened

applications for its 12th round

of funding, giving local groups

across Aberdeen and the

surrounding area a chance to

apply for grants of between

£2,500 and £5,000. Applications

opened on 29th September and

will close on 7th November.

For Seonaidh Baker, PR and

Development Manager for the charity,

this is one of the most rewarding parts

of the job.

“The criteria revolves around children

- whether that’s food poverty, illness or

daily support needs,” Seonaidh

explains. “It’s quite a wide remit,

though, and we’ve helped lots of

different people in the past, through a

wide range of charities and

community groups. You don’t need to

be a registered charity to apply.”

A fund with deep roots

Although the charity was formally

established in 2015, the idea of

supporting families goes back much

further.

“The Trades Widows’ Fund was set up

in the 1700s to support deceased

members’ widows,” Seonaidh says.

“The charity in its modern form was

born in 2015, and since then we’ve

reached an incredible milestone of £1.5

million donated.”

The Fund is part of the Seven

Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, a

body with more than 500 years of

history. The trades - Hammermen,

Bakers, Wrights & Coopers, Tailors,

Shoemakers, Weavers and Fleshers -

were once central to regulating crafts

and training apprentices in the city.

Today, their main purpose is

charitable giving.

“People always ask the purpose of the

trades nowadays, especially when

some of the trades don’t exist

anymore,” Seonaidh notes. “I think

very much the purpose now is

charitable outreach. And the way we

can do that is through the Trades

Widows’ Fund Charity.”

Supporting local projects

The Fund has supported a wide range

of projects over the years, many of

them small in scale but big in impact.

“We generally give between £2,500

and £5,000,” Seonaidh explains. “For

local groups, who are often volunteerled,

that kind of funding can be

transformational. A relatively small

grant can cover the costs of a project

that might not otherwise happen, and

for those groups it makes all the

difference.”

That approach has seen funding go to

smaller organisations, such as

community centres, school initiatives

and local volunteer projects, as well as

larger charities with their roots in the

city, including Charlie House,

AberNecessities, the Denis Law

Legacy Trust and Befriend a Child.

Support has ranged from specialist

sensory equipment for SensationALL,

to an oven for cooking lessons at

Camphill, to bus hire for school trips

and equipment for care facilities.

“It’s wonderful to see the impact,”

Seonaidh says. “Going to visit these

groups and seeing what difference it

makes to children and adults alike -

it’s really lovely.”

By choosing to spread the funding

across many smaller projects, the

charity ensures that its reach is as wide

as possible.

“We made a decision to do smaller

grants so we could help more people,”

Seonaidh explains. “It’s about

planting a little seed of opportunity. If

that gives someone a foot up, and they

can then grow and do more

themselves, that’s exactly what we

want.”

Applications made simple

The application process is

intentionally straightforward. “It’s

about two pages long,” says Seonaidh.

“It asks what the funds will be used for,

and a breakdown of costs. We’ve had

really positive feedback on how simple

it is. And I’m more than happy to

guide anyone who needs help filling it

out.”

That accessibility is important,

because many of the groups applying

are run by volunteers without

specialist fundraising knowledge. By

keeping the process simple, the Fund

removes barriers and ensures funding

goes where it’s needed most.

Giving back to the city

For Seonaidh, the work of the Fund

ties directly into the trades’ longstanding

connection with Aberdeen.

“From the very beginning, the Seven

Incorporated Trades have been

supporting the community,” she says.

“We’ve been in the city for 500 years,

and we just want to see it improve and

thrive.”

That relationship is reciprocal.

“I like to think the city supports the

trades, so the trades support the city,”

Seonaidh reflects. “That’s really what

it comes down to.”

Looking ahead

The Fund’s ambition is simple: to keep

growing, and to keep helping. “I think

the Fund will just go from strength to

strength,” Seonaidh says. “We’ll keep

going. We’ve been at this, collectively,

for centuries. I don’t see us stopping

anytime soon.”

With another round of applications

now open, the Trades Widows’ Fund

Charity is once again looking forward

to seeing what local groups can

achieve with a little extra support.

Whether it’s helping families,

supporting young people, or

improving community spaces, the

Fund remains committed to making a

tangible difference.

Applications close on 7th

November. To find out more or to

apply, visit www.twfcharity.org.


ACVO News Features

Community & Coast Fund

Year 2 launches with up to

£10,000

to help bring local impactful

community projects to life in

Torry & Cove


ACVO News Features

ACVO and ETZ Ltd are delighted to announce that Year 2 of the Community & Coast

Fund is now open for applications as of Monday 29 September 2025, with £100,000

available to support grassroots, community-led initiatives in Torry and Cove.

uilding on last year’s pilot round - where 16

local organisations shared £95,000 - the

Fund will again back projects that make a

Bvisible difference for local people.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for capital projects

that support community wellbeing, celebrate local

heritage and place, enhance biodiversity, and support

jobs, skills, youth and volunteer development. A smaller

grant level of up to £3,000 is also available for groups with

annual income up to £50,000. Unconstituted groups can

apply at this level in partnership with a constituted

organisation.

New for this year, the Fund highlights four priority issues

identified with local stakeholders and Year 1 awardees:

community safety, community engagement, social

isolation, and mental health. Projects must also align with

at least one of the Fund’s six pillars, with details of these

available on the Community & Coast website

Funding decisions will be made through Participatory

Budgeting, giving Torry and Cove residents a direct vote

on which projects receive support. Eligible voters will be

those with Torry or Cove postcodes and details of this will

be released following the application process.

Key dates: Applications open 29 September and close 7

November 2025 . Community voting runs 17–28

November, with results announced 5 December. Funding

will be released to successful projects from January 2026.

In Year 1, successful projects ranged from sustainable

facilities and sports equipment to kitchen refurbishments

and community growing initiatives. Information about

the projects funded during year 1 can be read overleaf

with project stories available to offer inspiration on the

Fund website at communityandcoast.scot/stories

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 real difference that

targeted funding can make in our communities. We are

delighted to build on this success with another £100,000

available for local projects in Torry and Cove.”

How to apply

Applications can be made online via

communityandcoast.scot/apply. The Fund Guidance

Document - including details on eligibility, what the Fund

can and cannot support, and the Participatory Budgeting

process - is also available to download via this link. The

ACVO team also offers one-to-one support to help groups

shape their applications. If you have a question, please get

in touch with Sarah Irvine at sarah.irvine@acvo.org.uk


What we funded

Community &

ACVO News Features

Loirston Parent Council

The Loirston Grounds Project

Funding Awarded: £10,000

This project aims to brighten up the school grounds using ideas from the

pupils of Loirston Primary School. It encourages a sense of pride in being part

of the school while giving pupils the chance to discover the hidden worlds of

bugs and insects. Through this, they can see how these creatures affect the

plants that the children will grow and care for.

Bethany Christian Trust

The Bridge Centre in Torry

Funding Awarded: £2540

Bethany Christian Trust and the King’s Community Foundation are building

on the activities already taking place at the Bridge Centre in Torry. With

support from this fund, they plan to start Mainly Music sessions for parents,

guardians, and toddlers in 2025. Together with Bethany’s Women’s & Families

Worker, these sessions will support local families and strengthen the work

already happening in the community

Cove Youth Football Club

Sports Facilities and Equipment Upgrades

Funding Awarded: £3613.50

Cove Youth Football Club provides a safe and positive environment for over

300 young people aged 5–17 in Cove, Torry, and Kincorth to learn and enjoy

sport. This project will upgrade the small-sided goals and hallway flooring at

the Cove pavilion, which is used each weekend by around 100 children aged

5–10.

Altens & Cove Community

Association


Altens and Cove Community Association plan to enhance inclusivity and

group diversity by providing user-friendly tables and chairs for the Altens

Community Centre. The current heavy, worn furniture will be replaced with

new, lighter pieces that are safer to move and give the centre a fresh look. This

upgrade will support increased use of the centre and coffee shop, benefiting

residents of Altens and Cove


ACVO News Features

in Year 1 of the

Coast Fund

Cove Thistle AFC

Cove Thistle's Project on the Park


Cove Thistle now maintain Catto Park, a well-used space for health, fitness,

football, dog walking, and community activities. To keep the park safe and

welcoming, new landscaping equipment is needed as current rental tools are

unreliable and costly. With grant support, the club can continue to care for this

valued community space, used by more than 10 local groups

Castlehill Housing Association

St Peter's Court Wellbeing Project


This project will revitalise the residents’ lounge at St Peter’s Court in Torry, an

independent living community for people over 55 and those with disabilities.

By upgrading recreational equipment, the lounge will become a welcoming

space for socialising, learning, and skill-building. The improvements will help

residents connect, reduce isolation, and enjoy a safe, comfortable

environment that supports wellbeing

Brimmond Court Kitchen

Makeover


Brimmond Court is in need of a new kitchen for its common area, as the

current space is outdated and has broken appliances. With grant support, the

kitchen will be upgraded with modern appliances and improved storage,

creating a safe, efficient space for volunteers. This will enable more social

events and activities to be offered for residents

Lochside Academy Parent Voice

Wellbeing Cabin


Lochside Academy plans to develop an internal courtyard into a Wellbeing

Cabin and Hub for use by the whole school community. This space will

provide a comfortable, safe, and nurturing environment to support wellbeing

and interventions, with easy access from the main entrance and nurture areas.

The project will also include an interactive, multi-sensory outdoor garden to

further enhance the space.


Find out more

communityan

ACVO News Features

Team Jak Foundation

Enhancing Our Local Tullos Jaks Den


Team Jak provides emotional, social, and practical support for children and

young people with cancer and related illnesses, their families, and those who

are bereaved. Based at Jak’s Den in Tullos and through work in local schools

and hospitals, the charity helps reduce isolation and ensure no one faces their

cancer journey alone. Funding will be used to enhance the facilities at Jak’s

Den, supporting even more families in need

Tullos Crescent

Allotment Association


This project will support a community allotment in a socially deprived area of

Aberdeen by installing a compostable toilet and planting a wider range of fruit

and herbs. The allotment will give families, especially children, the chance to

grow and enjoy healthy food while learning new skills in sustainable local

production. It will also provide an inclusive and welcoming space filled with

vegetables, fruit, and wildflowers for everyone to enjoy.

Greyhope Parent Voice

Greyhope Playground Improvements


This project will enhance free-flow learning for P1 and P2 by creating safe

access between the classroom and the outdoors. It will also support

imaginative play in the playground, giving children more opportunities to

enjoy and explore their outdoor space.

Social Juice CIC

St Fitticks Revival:

Biodiversity Hub for Torry


St Fittick’s Edible Garden in Torry will be transformed into a biodiversity hub,

linking with Cove to support bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. The garden will

provide fresh fruit through a food forest, beauty through flowers and plants, and

a welcoming space for play, learning new skills, and meeting others


ACVO News Features

Dee United FC

Tullos Pavilion and Playing Field Revamp


Dee United aim to bring grassroots football back to Torry, where there has

been no local Saturday team for several years. By re-establishing a community

team, the club will provide opportunities for local people to play and support

football. In the future, the ambition is to expand to include juvenile teams and

women’s and girls’ football

Sport Aberdeen

Active Schools & Tullos Primary Community Partnership


This project will enhance opportunities for pupils and the wider community of

Tullos Primary School to engage in sport, supporting mental health and

wellbeing. Starting with football, the aim is to introduce children to a wider

range of activities, increase participation, and bring the community together

through sport

Jesus House Torry

Empowering Torry Youth


Empowering Torry Youth supports young people aged 15–25 with hands-on

skills training, career workshops, and mentorship to build confidence and

pathways to employment. The project will connect young people with local

mentors, strengthen community ties, and help create resilient young leaders

who inspire positive change in Torry

Cove in Bloom

Pollution Reducing Equipment


This project will replace old petrol-driven equipment with modern, efficient,

battery-operated tools to reduce the environmental impact of our work. The

new tools will be quieter, cleaner, and more effective, helping us to work in a

more eco-friendly way for the benefit of the community.

and apply at

dcoast.scot


Volunteer Aberdeen

Works4U: What if

everyone stopped

volunteering?

expose the fragility of systems that rely on

civic duty and goodwill.

“This report is a timely reminder:

volunteering is not optional, it is essential.

We must invest in it, champion it, and

ensure it thrives.”

Read and download the full report at:

www.works-4u.com/what-if

Works4U CEO Dominic Pinkney

(pictured right) shares his insights

in the volunteering report.

An interesting new report from Works4U

asks the question: ‘What if Everyone

Stopped Volunteering?’

he answer is it would be disastrous,

T with the report highlighting that

without the vital contribution that

volunteers make the country would

quickly crumble with an increase in social

isolation, reduced health and wellbeing of

the population, decreased social cohesion,

lower community resilience, a more

unequal and unjust society, increases in

social disorder, support and education of

young people would drop significantly, the

end of or heavily weakened democracy

and the productivity of the nation would

fall and its descent would quicken.

Dominic Pinkney ,Works4U CEO, notes in

the report that: “The way volunteering is

often perceived seems to be a ‘nice to have’

that implies it is not really necessary or

essential, just like the icing on a cake. You

take away the icing and there is still a

perfectly good cake, but not quite as

delicious. In reality, volunteering is not the

icing on the cake of society, it is a key

ingredient of the cake itself.”

The report aims to increase awareness,

particularly among decision-makers, of

how reliant the functioning of our society

is on volunteers. It is very fortunate that so

many people kindly give their time

volunteering. This report is a good

reminder just how important volunteers

are and why volunteers can never be taken

for granted.

Rebecca Wilkinson, CEO LawWorks, sums

this up stating that: “Volunteering is the

quiet infrastructure that binds our

communities together. Its absence would

The King’s

Award for

Voluntary

Service

very day, voluntary groups and

E thousands of people across

Aberdeen are making a difference by

volunteering.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is

now open for nominations. Equivalent to

an MBE for organisations, the King’s

Award for Voluntary Service is the highest

award granted to local voluntary groups in

the country in recognition of outstanding

work and volunteering.

This is a wonderful opportunity to

celebrate the dedication, commitment and

positive impact of local volunteers. By

nominating a group, you help highlight

their invaluable contribution to the

community and ensure that their efforts

receive recognition.

Full details are available at:

kavs.dcms.gov.uk and

kavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-anomination/about-nominating.

The City of Aberdeen Lieutenancy and

ACVO are also always delighted to offer

further guidance regarding

making a nomination

and can be contacted

via Mike Melvin,

Volunteering Services

Manager at ACVO -

email:

mike.melvin@

acvo.org.uk.

Volunteer

Aberdeen


Funding

Outdoor Community Play Main Grants Fund

Inspiring Scotland

Inspiring Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, is inviting applications

for the Outdoor Community Play Main Grants Fund 2026–28. This fund

supports registered Scottish Charities operating in SIMD 1 and 2 locations to

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

wellbeing.

We’re looking for organisations experienced in delivering outdoor play

opportunities, who want to help children and families connect with their local

outdoor spaces through play, using the Play Ranger model.

Key information

Grants of up to £20,000 are available

Registered Scottish Charities operating in SIMD 1 and 2 communities can

apply. Partnership applications from more than one organisation are

welcomed.

Projects must be delivered between 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028

The deadline for applications is 12pm (midday) Friday 10th October 2025

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

Children & Young

People

Funding Available:

up to £20,000

Applications close:

10/10/2025

Catalyst Funding

Aberdeen City Council

Grants of up to £15,000 have been made available to support local

organisations and individuals deliver cultural and creative projects across

Aberdeen.

Catalyst Funding is a new opportunity within the Cultural Investment

Programme, designed to support not-for-profit organisations and community

groups based in Aberdeen to deliver high quality creative and cultural activity.

This funding is intended for activity taking place from April 2026 onwards.

Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson said:

“Cultural activity is vital for the wellbeing of all communities across the city.

Community

Funding Available:

up to £15,000

Applications close:

06/11/2025

“The Catalyst Fund is a welcome opportunity to support and enable creative

projects that are able to reflect the rich diversity of our city. Art can bring

people together and Catalyst is an important initiative to promote inclusion and

friendship. I hope that as many as possible will apply.”

The Cultural Investment Programme supports a wide range of cultural activities,

from day-to-day operations of major cultural organisations and venues to smallscale

projects from local individual artists.

Since its launch, the Culture Investment Programme has awarded

over £1.4million in funding to support 24 organisations and

9 individual artists.

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 October

7th

8th

8th

Together’s UNCRC Training –

Children’s Human Rights

Approach Principles

This session focuses on building a culture

of everyday responsibility for children’s

rights across all services.

Some of the topics explored will be how to:

Be transparent in decision making, and

explain decisions to children and young

people in ways they can understand

Act on feedback and ensure children

can challenge decisions that affect

them

Support access to independent

advocacy and complaints processes

Ensure public authorities are

accountable for upholding rights under

the UNCRC

Cost: £45 for Together NGO Together

members, £75 for Together non-members.

Marie Curie: Connect, Share

and Learn

Every year, 10,400 people with a terminal

illness in Scotland die in poverty.

Join us during Challenge Poverty Week for a

free online session on better investment in

life’s essentials, exploring the support that

make a difference when living with a life

shortening illness.

We have Speakers from Citizens Advice

Scotland, Community Transport Association,

Marie Curie and Royal Voluntary Service who

will share insights on financial help, housing,

fuel, transport and community services.

If you’re interested, please email

Helen.Macgregor@mariecurie.org.uk

Empower Aberdeen

Empower Aberdeen is the city’s largest multicharity

support and advice event – bringing

together 40+ organisations under one roof to

help people access the right support, at the

right time.

From health and housing to money and energy,

this is your one-stop drop-in for local help and

practical advice.

Looking for support? Whether you’re

struggling with rising costs, housing issues,

energy bills or just want to find out what’s

available – Empower Aberdeen connects you

with the trusted organisations that can help.

Free entry. No registration required.

Date Tue 7 October 2025

Date Wed 8 October 2025

Date Wed 8 October 2025

Time

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Time

11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Time

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cost £45 - £75

Cost

Free

Cost

Free

Organiser

Together (Scottish Alliance for

Children’s Rights)

Organiser

Marie Curie

Organiser

Scarf

Venue

Online

Venue

Online

Venue

Aberdeen Music Hall,

Union Street, Aberdeen,

AB10 1QS

Find out more via ACVO Events




Events

RAYS Barnardo’s October

Activities

Join RAYS and Barnardo’s this October for two

exciting holiday events packed with fun,

creativity and community spirit!

Cinema Activity

Meet us at Cineworld at the Links if you are

aged 10-16 and would like to see a free

screening of Lilo and Stitch. Snacks will be

provided.

Slime & Potions Workshop

Learn to make some slime and mix some

potions into a bottle. Lots of sensory fun!

Snacks provided.

Dates-n-Mates Halloween Party

Our legendary Halloween Party will take place

at the Dee Swimming Club on Friday, 17th

October, 7pm-9pm.

You can buy your ticket on Skiddle. Booking

fees may apply. You can also pay in cash or via

bank transfer.

It costs £6 for members, £8 for non-members,

and £4 for support.

Let’s get ready for a monster ball!

FREE HEALTH MOT DAY For

Minority Ethnic Communities

Take charge of your health and enjoy a day

dedicated to your wellbeing.

Enjoy light refreshments and take home free

gifts!

What’s on offer:

Check-ups for Blood Pressure, BMI &

blood-borne viruses.

Practical information on health, finance,

immigration and more!

Free food parcels and health packs

This is a drop-in session – no appointment is

needed; just pop by!

Dates

Thu 16 October 2025 &

Thu 23 October 2025

Date Fri 17 October 2025

Date Sat 18 October 2025

Times

1:00 am - 1:00 pm &

10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Time

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Time

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cost

Free

Cost £4 - £8

Cost

Free

Organiser

RAYS / Barnardo’s

Organiser

Dates-n-Mates

Organiser

Waverley Care

Venues

Cineworld Queens Links

& Barnardo’s Office at

20 Carden Place

Venue

Dee Swimming Club,

50 Gerrard Street,

Aberdeen, AB25 1HA

Venue

Aberdeen Arts Centre,

33 King Street,

Aberdeen, AB24 5AA

Cinema Activity

Potions Workshop



16th & 23rd

17th

18th

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

Public Programme Coordinator

Aberdeen Science Centre

£21,955.50 pa Part Time 30 hours per week Permanent Aberdeen

Closing date: 03/10/2025

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

The Public Programme Coordinator will work with our team of Coordinators to plan, develop and deliver high quality

STEM learning experiences for our public audiences (families, young people and adults). This includes creating new,

innovative ideas for funded opportunities and increasing revenue through ticket sales.

You will work closely with the marketing team to promote events, support the development of campaigns and video content

which will be share via social media and our website.

The Public Programme Coordinator will work with the Visitor Experience Manager and Head of Fundraising to write funding

applications, collect and analyse visitor feedback and complete funding reports.

A key role from the Public Programme Coordinator will be motivating, line managing and supporting our team of STEM

Communicators.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly within the team, evening and weekend work will be essential. Whilst not

essential, a full valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable car would be desirable.

Download Recruitment Pack

Fundraising Coordinator

Aberdeen Science Centre

£27,444 Full Time 37.5 hours per week Permanent Aberdeen



The Fundraising Coordinator will develop Aberdeen Science Centre’s corporate sponsorship income as well as supporting

wider fundraising activities to support Aberdeen Science Centre.

Working closely with the Head of Fundraising, the Fundraising Coordinator will support the achievement of the fundraising

target for the organisation through acquiring sponsorship to benefit both its restricted and unrestricted activities, applying

for trusts and grants, as well as undertaking other fundraising activities.

The Fundraising Coordinator will attend networking events, utilise their existing network and research new prospective

sponsors. They will meet with prospective sponsors and create bespoke, creative and inspiring proposals to grow income. An

area of focus will be to generate unrestricted income to support the core aims of Aberdeen Science Centre.

Whilst identifying opportunities, writing and submitting proposals will be a significant part of the role, it will also support and

facilitate others across the organisation in achieving their funding targets.

The Fundraising Coordinator will also coordinate venue hire including dealing with enquiries, managing bookings, contracting

and invoicing, and working with the marketing team to promote venue hire.

The Fundraising Coordinator will also assist in the development of Aberdeen Science Centre’s individual giving including our

donation points, online donations and campaigns, and the creation of Friends of ASC.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly within the team, with a willingness to work evening and weekends as

required.



Vacancies

Team Leader – Penumbra 365

Penumbra Mental Health

£26,459 - £30,828 per annum (£13.57 - £15.81 p/h equivalent) Full Time

37.5 hours per week

Permanent

Aberdeen Closing date: 05/10/2025 Find out more and apply at acvo.org.uk/vacancies

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

come to the right place. Working within our Penumbra 365 service you can start your day knowing what you do really does

make a difference!

Our Penumbra 365 Service in Aberdeen is a single point of access for people aged over 18 who are seeking mental health,

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

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

As a mental health charity, we really value the wellbeing of our staff. That’s why we want you to know that you’ll be joining a

friendly team, who will give you a supportive environment to help you thrive in your role, including all the training you need to

feel confident and equipped.

We can offer you a tonne of employee benefits, and we can promise you’ll be inspired by some pretty amazing humans every

single day. We will support you on your own career path; developing new skills, accessing formal and informal learning

experiences and providing opportunities to put your continual progress into practice.


Mental Health & Wellbeing

Practitioner (Peer)

Penumbra Mental Health

£24,618 - £25,944 per annum (£12.62 - £13.30 p/h equivalent) Full Time

37.5 hours per week

Permanent


If you’re looking for a rewarding career and to work within an inspirational team that really does make a difference, this is

your opportunity to join us as we launch an innovative new service across Aberdeen City.

Our Penumbra 365 Service in Aberdeen will be a single point of access for people aged over 18 who are seeking mental

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

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

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

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

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

City.

As a Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner, you truly will have the ability to make a difference to people’s lives every day.

You will support and enable people to achieve their goals and maximise their potential and maintain a meaningful and

fulfilling life in the community. With passion, and compassion, you will bring creativity and positivity to finding ways to

empower people.

We want you to grow and thrive! We will support you on your own career path; developing new skills, accessing formal and

informal learning experiences and providing opportunities to put your continual progress into practice.



Vacancies

Community Partnerships Co-ordinator

North East Sensory Services

£28,000 - £33,000 Part Time Variable Permanent Aberdeen



This role focuses on growing NESS’s fundraising income through events, campaigns, and community engagement. You will

plan and deliver fundraising activities, recruit and support participants in challenge events, and build lasting relationships

with supporters and volunteers.

Alongside attending community events and raising awareness, you’ll help deliver campaigns, manage fundraising records,

and provide excellent supporter care. Working closely with the wider fundraising team, you’ll play an active part in

achieving income targets and strengthening community connections.

You will:

Identify and research opportunities to increase fundraising income as part of fundraising targets set in conjunction with

your line manager

Plan, develop, market and deliver a range of fundraising events which are well-targeted, strategically planned and

evaluated. This includes a financial understanding of managing profits and costs within a budget

Attend community events as required and raising awareness and boosting community engagement and awareness

through talks and collecting donations

Build long term relationships with supporters through high standards of care.

Recruit participants to take part in fundraising challenge events such as the Chapleton Bike Ride, Kiltwalk and Tough

Mudder

Support the creation and delivery of campaigns, information and training designed to attract, support and retain

volunteers

Download Application Form

Download Application Pack

Bid and Proposal Writer

North East Sensory Services

£28,000 - £33,000 Part Time Variable Permanent Aberdeen



Working as a member of the fundraising team to achieve or exceed agreed annual income targets for NESS by securing

funding from trusts, foundations, companies and wealthy individuals or any other suitable income streams.

You will:

Identify suitable funding sources and make regular and one-off applications to fund existing and future projects.

Draft business plans and develop proposals in support of project funding applications.

Work as part of the fundraising and PR team.

As part of the wider team, meet with and make presentations to potential funders.

Assist the Chief Executive and SMT in the preparation of local authority tender submissions which may lead to the

development of new and existing service level agreements for statutory services. You will be supported to achieve this if

no prior experience

Take advantage of external networking opportunities to initiate and build productive relationships with potential

supporters, including personnel in funding bodies such as trust funds e.g. the national lottery, local trusts as well as local

authorities.

In liaison with colleagues, support the implementation and monitoring of the Fundraising Plan for NESS.




Vacancies

Finance Manager

Aberdeen University Students' Association

£40,555 - £44,301 per annum (pro rata) Part Time

30 hours per week

Permanent


We’re looking for a skilled finance professional to lead and evolve the financial operations of our dynamic, student-focused

organisation. This hands-on role involves everything from budgeting and reporting to audits and compliance, with the

opportunity to shape systems, and guide a team Working closely with the Chief Executive, you’ll manage day-to-day finance,

drive improvements, and support service level agreements and grants. You’ll also lead the Finance Team, oversee payroll, and

foster financial understanding across the Union.

If you’re values-driven, collaborative, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

You can find a full recruitment pack, job description, and application form below. If you’re interested or would like more

information, then please get in touch at ausa-hr@abdn.ac.uk and we will be delighted to have a chat with you.

To apply for this position, please send a completed application form and Diversity Monitoring form (available below) to ausahr@abdn.ac.uk.


Download Job Description


Download Diversity Monitoring Form

Youth Worker

Middlefield Community Project

£12.66 per hour Part Time

24 hours per week Permanent


Job Purpose

To work with local young people through a Youth Work and nurturing approach (aged 11-25 years old) who may show

challenging behaviour, supporting their personal growth through informal learning opportunities, the development of core

skills and their involvement in their local community.

Key tasks and activities:

• Identify and engage with young people and support them to participate in informal learning opportunities.

• When required undertake outreach work in the community to make contact with young people.

• Target socially excluded and/or disadvantaged young people to support them to access informal learning opportunities

• Actively listen to young people to establish their needs

• To support young people to be involved in the programming and running of their youth group

• Develop and carry out regular consultations with young people to enable the service to be responsive

• Support young people to use their learning to enhance their future development

• Support young people to be active citizens

• Support young people to make informed decisions

• Be committed to ongoing professional development

• Attend Youth Worker meetings

If you’re interested in this opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send us the following: Your current CV – outlining your skills, experience, and qualifications.

Please email your CV to mcp@middlefield.org.uk with the job title in the subject line.


acvo.org.uk

ACVO News October 2025

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