Service Archives - Page 17 of 20

Youth Council Condemns Firework Attacks

Nov 092012

With thanks to Kenneth Watt.

Barry Black, Chair of the Aberdeen City Youth Council, described reported attacks on firefighters called out to incidents on Bonfire Night as ‘upsetting’ and a ‘cause for concern.’

Barry said:

“The alleged attacks are extremely upsetting and have distressed everyone who respects and relies on the fire service. Although these attacks are extremely rare, it is concerning that people working to help those in danger are being subjected to such extreme violence.

“On the youth council we recognise that not all young people are involved in such events and that fireworks are generally enjoyable, but incidents like these cannot go unnoticed.

“We will be working with emergency services to see how we can forge better relationships between young people and police, fire and ambulance personnel.”

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More Than £130,000 Raised For VSA

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Nov 092012

VSA Aberdeen’s annual Diamond Ball was a massive success. Supporter Garreth Wood of the Speratus Group boosts the feelgood factor by announcing an extra 3-year commitment to the charity. With thanks to Claire Mcbain

L-R Garreth Wood and Sally Finnie wearing the diamond necklace donated by Garreth and supported by Finnies the Jewellers

The UK’s largest city social care charity VSA raised more than £130,000 at its Diamond Ball on Saturday 03 November.
This total was reached combining a silent auction, live auction and funds raised when loyal VSA supporter and main ball sponsor Garreth Wood donated a full day’s takings from four of his city bars totalling more than £48,500.

Garreth, of The Speratus Group, has supported VSA for three years through its ball and associated fundraisers. He has also contributed staff time through corporate volunteering.

His initial three-year pledge was completed last night but Garreth delighted ball guests by announcing an additional 3-year commitment to VSA worth around £250,000.

“I’m over the moon with what we raised last weekend for such an incredible cause,” said Garreth. “I’m so very proud of our enthusiastic, hardworking staff and I’m really grateful to the people of Aberdeen. We challenged them to come out and support VSA and they absolutely surpassed our expectations.

“Working closely with VSA over the past three years has been very fulfilling for me and my team. I’m very much looking forward to growing that relationship over the next three years. I feel very much part of the VSA family and I’m fully committed to their worthy cause.

“Part of the Speratus Partnership’s mission is to develop young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and, personally, I’m very passionate about providing high standards of care to our elderly population. Naturally, my pledge for the next three years will focus on these areas within VSA.”

VSA Director of Fundraising and Communications Karen Barlow said:

“The event was a sell-out and I’m delighted with how much our generous guests raised for VSA through the silent auction, live auction and raffle. Events like this are essential to make sure VSA can continue supporting people in Aberdeen city and shire each year.

“Garreth has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for VSA over the last three years and we’re ecstatic to have him on board for longer than expected. He really understands VSA and he’s passionate about helping us achieve our goals. We’re so excited and already forming plans for the next step.”

This year’s ball was themed to honour VSA patron Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and attracted almost 350 guests to Aberdeen’s Ardoe House Hotel. To celebrate the jubilee, a diamond necklace donated by Garreth and supported by Finnies the Jewellers was raffled and won by one lucky lady.

The event was also sponsored by chartered accountants Simpson Forsyth, oilfield service company Roemex Ltd, NYOP Education and luxury hamper company Highland Fayre. Principal sponsor Garreth traditionally marks the ball date by donating monies from several of his Aberdeen bars. This year all four city centre hotspots – Amicus Apple, Illicit Still, Paramount and NOX – took part in the fundraiser.

VSA Christmas Toy Appeal Kicks Off

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Nov 092012

With thanks to Claire McBain.

VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity, supporting more than 2,500 people in Aberdeen each year, has launched it’s festive campaign to ensure as many local children as possible have a present to open on 25 December at its Christmas Inspirations shopping evening, sponsored by Prestige Scotland.

Campaign co-ordinator Debbie Fotheringham said:

“Not every child is lucky enough to have a gift of their own on Christmas morning. For some, the harsh reality is that their families can’t stretch to provide presents for them and their siblings, leading them to the wrong conclusion that they’ve been naughty this year. We want to replace these situations with classic Christmas spirit.”

Like last year’s inaugural event, Christmas Inspirations took place at Pittodrie Stadium’s Richard Donald Stand. Shoppers were welcomed with cocktails and canapés courtesy of Prestige Scotland, festive tunes and a fantastic selection of food, art and gift-themed stalls.

The appeal will continue at drop-off points across the city until the week before Christmas.

Debbie continued:

“We’d really appreciate if gifts were brand new and not wrapped. Gift vouchers are great too for the older children.

“We had an amazing response to our appeal last year, helped by individuals and companies gathering gifts, as well as local businesses that acted as drop-off points. We were able to supply each child that’s part of VSA with a couple of treats from Santa and had plenty goodies left to share with others in the city and shire. I’m looking forward to topping last year’s results over Christmas 2012.”

VSA will be collecting toys at its Christmas Inspirations evening and at the drop-off points listed below:

• VSA, 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen AB11 5YU

• VSA’s Northfield Lodge, Provost Fraser Drive, Aberdeen AB16 7JY

• Citrus:Mix, Bon Accord House, Riverside Drive, Aberdeen AB11 7SL

• Original FM, Original House, Craigshaw Road, Aberdeen AB12 3AR

Additional drop-off points will be announced on the VSA website (www.vsa.org.uk), where a list of suggestions of age-specific toys is also available for inspiration.

Major Recruitment Drive To Dispel Care Industry Myths

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Oct 312012

l-r-support-worker-helen-dunn-and-service-user-richard-whyte2

With thanks to Claire McBain.

VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity, is embarking on a month-long recruitment drive for its older peoples’ services, mental health services and Linn Moor School.
As part of the drive, it will be aiming to dispel care industry stereotypes, demonstrating that VSA is pioneering a new generation of care work careers.

Supporting more than 5,000 people in Aberdeen city and shire each year, VSA employs around 500 full and part-time workers and has created city-wide vacancies after completing a 2-year plan to refurbish and improve its services.

The call for staff comes as VSA aims to boost positive impressions of the care industry.

VSA director of social care and wellbeing Diane McCabe told Aberdeen Voice:

“We’re totally committed to opening the eyes of the public to the exciting, forward-looking opportunities of social care. There’s a misconception that to apply to an organisation like VSA, you need a care-related qualification. This is absolutely not the case.

“It’s all about caring for the community you live in. Obviously we welcome qualified support workers but it’s also great to hear from naturally compassionate people who can use their personal experience to get ahead professionally.

“We want to hear from people who have brought up children, looked after a disabled relative or even just cared for an ill friend. Regardless of job history, if you have the life skills, we’ll provide the training to turn what could be ‘just a job’ into a career.”

Helen Dunn, support worker at VSA’s Arrdeir House, said:

“Anyone can do it. My last job was teaching English as a foreign language. But wherever you’ve been and whatever your skills, there’s a place for you at VSA. My teaching skills transfer well into this job and natural people skills enhance it. My hobbies are cooking and gardening, so I bring that, too. I’ve started a culinary group at Arrdeir and help the service users in the garden.”

Nicola Lindsay, support worker at VSA’s Millbank House, said:

“I used to work in catering but was always intrigued by support work. What I brought to the job was my experience of caring. All my official training has been on-the-job. Working at Millbank has given me the opportunity to progress with my career.”

A VSA recruitment day will be held on 29 November 2012 at Union Square (upper atrium) between 9am-6pm and at 38 Castle Street between 10am-4pm. For more information or to apply for a position, visit www.vsa.org.uk/jobs, e-mail HR@vsa.org.uk or call 01224 358589.

VSA Announces Diamond Ball And Silent Auction

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Oct 262012

Back - Garreth Wood, L-R Martin Brown, Jessica Bird, Calum MacKinnon, Ellis McKenzie

With thanks to Claire McBain.

Today (Friday 26 October 2012) VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity, launches its silent auction ahead of next week’s VSA Diamond Ball (Saturday 3 November 2012).

The charity also hopes to raise up to £50,000 on Saturday 27th October, when loyal VSA supporter Garreth Wood will donate a full day’s takings from four of his city centre bars.

For the last three years Garreth’s company, The Speratus Group, has supported VSA through its Ball and associated fundraisers, as well as contributing staff time through corporate volunteering.

Garreth traditionally marks the Ball date by donating monies from several of his Aberdeen bars and this year all four city centre hotspots – Amicus Apple, Illicit Still, Paramount and NOX – are taking part in the initiative.

As in 2010 and 2011, The Speartus Group is also the main sponsor for the VSA Ball which this year has a diamond theme to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth ll, the VSA’s Patron. In Her Majesty’s honour, a diamond necklace, donated by Garreth and supported by Finnies the Jewellers, will be raffled at the Ball on 3rd November.

Garreth said:

“We recognise the amazing work that VSA carries out in the city and shire and are proud to be associated with them. We look forward to a strong continued relationship with VSA and supporting the tremendous work they carry out every day.”

Karen Barlow, director of fundraising and communications, said:

“We’re so grateful for Garreth’s generous commitment to VSA, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past few years. I’m delighted to have him and his team on board. This weekend’s fundraiser will be their biggest yet. I urge as many people as possible to support it.”

Items in the online silent auction, which concludes during the VSA Ball on Saturday 3rd November, can be viewed, and bids made, by texting DIAMOND to 88850 and following the instructions, or by registering at www.diamond.auction-bid.org

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Award For 14-year-old Carer

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Oct 182012

With thanks to Karen Barlow.

On Thursday 18 October 2012, 14-year-old Heather Davies, a young carer supported by VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity, saw her selfless efforts recognised by a local councillor at an awards ceremony in VSA’s Chill Out Zone.

Chill Out Zone is a dedicated space at VSA’s Castle Street headquarters where young carers can be themselves and have fun with like-minded youngsters.

There are an estimated 2,240 young carers in Aberdeen who try to look after a sick or disabled relative without help.

Simply Thank You, sponsored by Aberdeen-based funeral directors Wm Gilchrist and directly supported by VSA’s Young Carer services, was launched earlier this year in a bid to encourage more young carers to seek help.

VSA, which looks after more than 2,500 of the most vulnerable people in the north-east, and Wm Gilchrist select an exemplary young carer each quarter.

Hard-working Heather was awarded a certificate and high street gift vouchers from Councillor John Reynolds, former Lord Provost, to mark her outstanding efforts in looking after her Mum. Heather has been caring for her Mum for several years. Heather provides her mother with emotional support and looks after when she is unwell.

Heather is an only child and provides this care on her own. Heather balances this caring role with studying for her standard grades and the day to day struggles of growing up.

Bobby Gunn, Community Officer at Wm Gilchrist, said:

“We pioneered this scheme because we wanted to give something back to the community. We’ve had links with VSA for a long time but only recently heard about young carers. To say we were amazed at the responsibilities these young kids take on would be an understatement. We wanted to show appreciation and remind young carers that, although it might feel normal to them, they are actually making a very special contribution to their local community and the lives of their loved ones.”

Mhairi Craigmyle, young carers education support worker said:

“VSA’s Chill Out Zone belongs to the group of young carers. Here, they can do things that most children would probably take for granted: get help with homework, find a new hobby or just relax and chat to someone in a similar situation. We fundraise to take them on trips too, giving them a little respite from life at home. However, there are still lots of ‘hidden young carers’ out there. We’re desperate to reach out to as many as possible.”

Earlier this year, Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam, spoke on this topic at a lunch organised by Aberdeen City Council, VSA’s Carers’ Service and NHS Grampian:

“Carers are the unsung and unpaid heroes in our community. It’s vitally important that we raise awareness of the work they do and highlight the support and representation that is out there for them.”

For more information about VSA’s Carers Services, visit our headquarters at 38 Castle Street, call 01224 212021 or visit our website at www.vsa.org.uk.

Le Tour De Deeside: Fundraiser For Easter Anguston Farm

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Aug 312012

Four Total E&P UK Limited graduates will today unveil to their colleagues Le Tour de Deeside, a fundraiser in aid of VSA’s Easter Anguston Farm, a Peterculter-based visitor attraction that offers training and support to adults with learning difficulties. With thanks to Claire McBain.

Easter Anguston Farm, run by VSA, will benefit from the takings at an adult and family cycle event on Sunday 30 September 2012.

Graduate engineers Louise Reid, 25, from Aberdeen, Jamie Kirkwood, 25, from Fraserburgh, Steven Grzywa, 26, from Portlethen and Drew Annand, 26, from Brechin have organised and will host the event for TEP UK employees, family and friends to mark the end of their graduate scheme.

Le Tour de Deeside will comprise a team cycle race along the Deeside Way, with integrated Olympic-themed challenges.

Funds will be raised from entry fees, tomorrow’s internal coffee morning at TEP UK – when the Le Tour de Deeside is unveiled and its family fun day in September. Louise, Jamie, Steven and Drew will also volunteer at the farm.

Louise Reid, graduate process engineer at Total, said:

“VSA stood out to us because we knew the money we raised would make a difference close to home. We wanted to see the results. It had to be a project we’d be interested in as young adults and a story people attending our event could identify with.

“Easter Anguston Farm fits the bill perfectly. We’ll physically see our funds in use and can push the project on by donating our own time.

“I’m so excited to be part of this. I can’t wait to meet the service users and understand what the farm means to them. Knowing our efforts will directly benefit them is a real motivator. I want to raise awareness of VSA within TEP UK and inspire others to follow in our footsteps.”

Fiona Davidson, farm operations manager, said:

“We’re so grateful to be the chosen charity. I’m positive we’re giving them something back too. This project will force them to pull together to become short-term experts in something they’d never face in day-to-day employment. Not to mention the skills they’ll develop with fundraising, event organisation and meeting our service users.

“We’re also so thankful to Total. Corporate matching is a great initiative and will give this project a big boost.”

“When they visited, we decided revamping the pond would match their estimated funds and time available. I’m working on a major development of the farm and this was one of my initial targets.

“Making areas like this more attractive is so important. We don’t want Easter Anguston to just be a working farm. It’s becoming an attraction where the family can spend a whole day.”

For more information about Easter Anguston Farm contact Fiona Davidson on 01224 733627.

Le Tour de Deeside will take place on Sunday 30 December from 12noon. Teams will register at the Robert Gordon University Business School, Garthdee, where a barbecue will follow afterwards.

For further information, photographs or to arrange interviews, please contact Claire McBain on 01224 358611 or 07808768530 or e-mail claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk

eBay Auction To Benefit Children

Articles, Community, Featured, Information No Responses »

Aug 242012

With thanks to Claire McBain.

To mark World Photography Day on Sunday 19th August, Scott Hogg, of Aberdeen’s Scott Hogg Photography, has listed one of his popular services – a professional portrait sitting and complimentary box frame print – on an eBay auction.
This is being done in aid of Friends for Life clubs, part of VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity which supports people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Scott, a three-time finalist in the 2012 Fuji Awards wedding category, is hoping to ignite passion in big-hearted Aberdonians, encouraging them to bid well above the normal retail price of £275 and boost the Friends for Life fund.

Friends for Life, the only service of its kind in Aberdeen, is an informal weekly youth club for children with additional support needs who would find it difficult, if not impossible, to integrate into mainstream clubs. Four clubs support 80 children at one time.

Scott, who owns Scott Hogg Photography, said:

“I’m determined to beat last year’s figure and raise a big sum for Friends for Life. These clubs are an important local institution. Many children with additional support needs can’t integrate into mainstream clubs due to staff numbers, noise and other restrictions caused by their condition. But they’re still kids. They need somewhere to make friends, be themselves and, most of all, have fun.

“I hope people in Aberdeen and the shire will generously demonstrate their support for VSA’s Friends for Life clubs by pushing up the auction, and final, price.”

After raising money in the same way for a Filipino orphanage in 2011, Scott is making his charitable efforts an annual occurrence:

“This year”, he says, “I wanted to do something closer to home.

“VSA provide more than 30 local services across education, older people’s services and social care and wellbeing but Friends for Life is a cause close to my heart.”

Elaine Michael, a day care manager who runs the Friends for Life club said:

“We create special lifelong bonds between like-minded children. But to add this bit of sparkle to their lives and cover the running costs of the clubs, £50,000 per year is required, entirely from trusts, grants and fundraising. Money raised by people like Scott helps us get children involved in activities they may miss out on in mainstream clubs.”

Friends for Life often receives letters of support from parents and carers. For example, a former member who is now a volunteer wrote:

“I always looked forward to the club. It was great having friends. “The staff were more like friends than adults.”

Or, as the mother of one boy with autism and learning difficulties recorded:

“The club is the highlight of his week.”

As Elaine went on to say:

“We must keep providing these excellent experiences and, with the help of Scott and others like him, we’re in a better position to do so.”

The auction item is for a sitting, worth £50, and 20 x 16 inch box, worth £225.

Scott’s eBay listing can be viewed at http://ow.ly/d2hfd

More information on World Photography Day can be found at http://ow.ly/clD4h
For more information about VSA, for photographs, or to arrange an interview, please contact Claire McBain on 01224 358611 or e-mail her at claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk

Charity Service Plea For Good Humoured Volunteers

Aberdeen City, Featured, Information No Responses »

Aug 172012

As Wednesday 15th August this year marked National Relaxation Day, a free service that promotes serenity by giving children a chance to keep in touch with both parents after relationships break down is appealing for volunteers. With thanks to Claire McBain.

VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity supporting people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, runs the Richmondhill-based Family Contact Centre.
It is a calm, safe and neutral ground where separated mothers, fathers and grandparents can stay in a youngsters’ life without them having to see one another.

The centre, one of the oldest meeting places of its kind in Scotland, recently celebrated its longest serving volunteers by highlighting the achievements of people who have dedicated as much as 20 years to the service.

But increased service demand means an urgent need to recruit the next generation of volunteers.

Cathy Maxwell, family support co-ordinator at VSA’s Family Contact Centre, said:

“It may sound clichéd but, without them, maintaining the service really won’t be possible.

“It’s a welcoming place where people don’t feel they’re being judged. I’m looking for family-friendly volunteers, both male and female, to join the team that welcome people to the centre on a Saturday. Parents aren’t supervised, but volunteers are on hand to offer assistance if necessary.

“Usually, it’s a case of offering refreshments and providing reassurance about the principles of the centre. Often it just means emphasising the fact that parents don’t have to come face-to-face. Essential volunteer qualities are a sense of humour, a desire to help and a clear understanding of confidentiality.

“On-the-job training is provided and credible, local volunteering experience is a great way for people to boost their employability, particularly if they have an interest in working with children or families. Once they decide this type of volunteering is for them, I’d urge our new recruits to make a commitment to stay with us for up to a year.”

There are more than 45 child contact centres in Scotland. Last year, 1650 children met their non-resident parent, or other significant family member, at one of these centres. This was an increase of 22% on the previous year. More than half of these children were under five years old and 85% aged below eight.

Cathy continued:

“Some parents find it very difficult to agree to share their children’s time with their ex-partner. But visits need not be awkward and distressing.

“Visits facilitated by a contact centre can lead to improved communication between the non-resident parent and their children, reduction or prevention of conflict and, in many cases, decision by parents to work together in the best interests of their children.”

VSA’s Family Contact Centre is based at the Maisie Munro Centre, 18 Richmondhill Place, Aberdeen, on a Saturday.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer or using the service contact Cathy Maxwell, family support co-ordinator, on 01224 358638 or e-mail her at cathy.maxwell@vsa.org.uk
For more information, photographs or to get the perspective of a current volunteer, contact Claire McBain on 01224 358611 or e-mail her at claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk

Sports Facilities World Class According To Users

Aberdeen City, Sport No Responses »

Apr 262012

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

The world class facilities and services at Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) have been given a big thumbs up by users.
Results from a recent survey of over 1,300 users have now been analysed, and the results are extremely positive for ASV, which since opening in August 2009 has attracted over 1.5 million users.

The survey asked customers to rate their own individual experiences of ASV’s facilities and services, and the results are used to help develop products and services that will enhance the user experience.

ASV aims to provide all users with the highest quality of customer service, and 88% of respondents rated this as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. The exercise class and fitness services offered were also rated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by 82% of users, a massive 18 percentage point improvement since the last survey.

On the facilities front, the indoor pitch received a 100% rating and every ASV facility was rated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by at least 8 out of 10 respondents.

Chief Executive David Beattie said:

“To receive such excellent feedback from our users is testament to the passion and commitment of every member of staff, and further underlines the quality of facilities we have on offer to everyone in the local community. We will now use this valuable feedback to help shape our services going forward and identify any areas for improvement.”

ASV Chairman George Yule added that:

“The quality of facilities and services at ASV is not only being recognised locally, but we are now able to attract international sports stars with the arrival of the Cameroon Olympic Team in July and the Celtic Games International Athletics in August. The commencement of work on the aquatics centre, due to open in 2014, will give us the impetus to keep on improving on the high standards we have set ourselves.”

Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland and opened to the public in August 2009.

Further information on Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) can be found at www.aberdeensportsvillage.com

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