Service Archives - Page 5 of 20

Sunrise Partnership’s Ray Of Hope From AAM

Jan 192017

Eileen Wheeler of Sunrise Partnership

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

A charity that helps children come to terms with the loss of a loved one has been delivered a ray of hope from global investment management group, Aberdeen Asset Management.

Sunrise Partnership will be able to provide almost 60 specialist sessions for children and young people up to the age of 18 living in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire whose lives have been affected by loss and bereavement, after receiving a four-figure donation from Aberdeen Asset Management.

The sessions allow youngsters to learn coping strategies tailored to them that help prepare them for the future.

The free and confidential support continues for as long as is needed, with referrals coming from schools, health and social work departments, third sector organisations and self-referrals too.

For younger children, using tools like puppets, books, arts and crafts and worksheets can be helpful in breaking down barriers to make easier for them to express feelings and emotions. There’s no limit to the amount of support provided and it’s not unusual for children to revisit them months or even a couple of years later as they get older and may have a different understanding of their grief.

Eileen Wheeler, manager of Sunrise Partnership, explained that loss is not always a bereavement; support is also provided for children in kinship whose natural parents may not be able to care for them.

Eileen said:

“Every case is treated individually and sessions are tailor made for the child. There is no complicated referral process or forms to fill in. We are just a telephone call or an email away from anyone who may need us.”

The bulk of the charity’s work has been in Aberdeen City, but it has also supported children in Peterhead, Aboyne, Banchory, Inverurie, Kemnay and Kintore, travelling to children and families to ensure services are accessible to all.

The charity has been providing its specialist one-to-one, sibling, family or group sessions in City and Shire since its formation in 2014, and last year received 52 new referrals.

Dominic Kite of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Aberdeen charity committee said:

“Sunrise Partnership seeks to provide the best possible support for children and young people through its specialist sessions, allowing them to achieve their true potential despite a significant loss or bereavement in their lives. To be able to help such an inspirational charity, and young people, in the city where our company was founded is very important to us.”

Sunrise Partnership can be contacted on 07827 755735 or by emailing: support@sunrisepartnership.org

Aberdeen Asset’s Charitable Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects.

The main focus of the Foundation is around emerging markets and local communities, reflecting the desire to give back to those areas which are a key strategic focus of the business and to build on the historic pattern of giving to communities in which Aberdeen employees live and work.

For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home

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Sensory Charity Celebrates Best Year Ever

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Jan 062017

With thanks to Yvette Rayner, PR Account Manager, Frasermedia.

NESS CEO, Graham Findlay

A 137-year-old north-east charity is looking forward to continued success after celebrating its best year ever in 2016. North East Sensory Services (NESS), which has centres in Aberdeen, Dundee and Elgin, won four new contracts in 2016 to offer its services to over a thousand additional blind and deaf people across Scotland, bringing the number of people it supports to over 5,500.

In Dundee, NESS has provided support to deaf people since April 2013, and in October the charity won a tender to expand its services to blind people, enabling it to offer a joint sensory service, including rehabilitation and practical advice, under one roof.

As a result, those with both hearing and sight loss will be able to access help in one visit. NESS will also offer additional services to Dundee and Angus in 2017, including IT support and employment advice.

Additionally, NESS successfully tendered to continue its popular service for blind and deaf people in Moray, as well as winning two separate contracts to provide blind and deaf services on behalf of Angus Council.

In July, the charity won the Investors in People, ‘Excellence in the Third Sector’ international award after achieving the Investors in People Gold Standard in March, following a comprehensive analysis of the charity’s people management.

NESS has also recently launched a revolutionary new website designed for easy use by those who have very poor vision, offering advice on living with sensory loss and detailed information on support services available across the North-east.

Furthermore, NESS played an important role in sight loss research by hosting the Aberdeen Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Information Day in September, which saw scientists share the latest RP genetic research advances.

NESS CEO, Graham Findlay, said:

“Despite challenging times, 2016 was a milestone year for NESS. We are delighted to have won four competitive tenders, which are the result of a great deal of hard work and dedication by every member of staff and volunteer at NESS.

“Joint sensory services are a major step forward and NESS has been a pioneer in providing help and advice for blind and deaf people under one roof. Many older people have difficulties with both vision and hearing, so being able to access support for both senses in one place is a major advantage.

“Demand for our services is increasing due to an ageing population, so it is important that we continue to develop our services and expand.

“Blind and deaf people rely upon the support we provide, to help them achieve greater independence, so the charity is constantly evolving to ensure we are able to help service users lead life to the full. In 2017, we will continue to look for new ways to support our service users and help as many people as we can.”

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Xeretec Donates To Local Cancer Charity

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Dec 232016

With thanks to Gemma Setter, PR Account Executive, Frasermedia.

A leading managed print services provider has made a charitable contribution to an Aberdeen charity, in place of sending Christmas cards this year.

Xeretec Scotland, which supplies Xerox machines and services including printers and copiers throughout the UK and Europe, has chosen to donate £750 to cancer support charity, Maggie’s Aberdeen, instead of continuing to send Christmas cards.

The firm, which has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness and Elgin, has donated a total of £1,850 to three deserving charities across the UK and Ireland this festive season.

Xeretec’s Aberdeen office selected Maggie’s Aberdeen due to its hard work and dedicated efforts in supporting cancer sufferers, and their loved ones, in the North-east.

The charity operates from the pebble-shaped Elizabeth Montgomerie building and provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer.

Megan Davies, fundraising organiser at Maggie’s Aberdeen, said:

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Xeretec for their generous donation. All of the funds raised for Maggie’s goes directly back into our centre in Aberdeen, so their donation will go a long way in supporting people with cancer, as well as their friends and family.”

Managing director of Xeretec Scotland, John Sheran, said:

“All of us at Xeretec are thrilled to have been able to support a fantastic, local charity like Maggie’s Aberdeen. They do a great job supporting a large number of people who have been affected by cancer and we’re very please that our donation will help make a difference.

“Our clients have been extremely supportive of the initiative and are pleased that the money is being put to good use. Cancer is something that affects so many of us, so it’s great that the donation will be used to help improve the lives of those who visit the centre.”

Xeretec Scotland, a leading integrator of digital print hardware, software, solutions and services in the UK and Ireland, is one of the largest managed print service providers in the UK, and a top five Xerox reseller in Europe.  

The Xeretec group has offices across the whole of the UK and Ireland, with bases in Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Elgin, Glasgow, Wokingham, London, Birmingham, Dublin and Galway, with a combined team of 250 employees across the group.  

To find out more about Xeretec Scotland, and their Xerox range contact 01224 518700 or visit http://www.xeretec.co.uk/

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Whytes Coaches Makes Return Trip To Tours Market

Aberdeenshire, News 2 Responses »

Dec 232016

With thanks to Ross Anderson, Senior Account Manager, Citrus:Mix

Leading north-east transport operator Whytes Coaches will celebrate 50 years in business next year as it makes a long-awaited return to the tours market.
Staff at the Newmachar-based company are putting the finishing touches to a new tour brochure which will be rolled out in the New Year when bookings open for 2017.

The company came under new management earlier this year and is getting its tours business back on the road after a three-year break from the market.

The management team comprising Andrew Urquhart, David Campbell and Jason Carrison, who have between them have been with the company for 30 years, took control of the company in April and were keen to get back in to the tours sector to further diversify the business from coach hire and driver training.

The new tour guide will offer trips across the UK in 2017 and will run from the end of March to the first week of October. Thereafter, a winter programme of Christmas market visits and New Year tours will be available.

Mr Urquhart, who is a grandson of company founders Bill and Nora Whyte, is the driving force behind the company’s decision to re-enter the tours market.

He said:

“We’re very keen to get back in to the coach tours market and are looking forward to an exciting year as the company celebrates 50 years in business.

“The current economic climate and the value of the pound following the Brexit vote are making foreign holidays less attractive to people so we hope to tap in to what should be a buoyant ‘staycation’ market for 2017 as people opt for UK holidays.

“Coach tours have always been popular with north-east residents and we anticipate significant interest from across the region in our exciting tour programme.”

Customers from across the north-east will be able to take advantage of Whytes’ feeder service which provides collection from across the region as the coaches leave from Newmachar.

Once the coaches are on the road south bound pickups will also be available from Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth.

For more information about Whytes Coaches, please visit: www.whytes.co.uk

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Get In The Running To Win Mini With CLAN

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Dec 232016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

Members of the public are being urged to snap up the final tickets for a draw which will see one lucky person take delivery of a new Mini, while raising funds for leading north-east cancer charity CLAN Cancer Support.

The car, which was kindly part-sponsored by Domino Pizza, is on show in the Bon Accord & St Nicholas shopping centre in Aberdeen prior to finding a new owner in the charity’s Christmas Eve raffle draw.

The draw is also being supported by the area’s Rotary clubs who have helped conduct an annual car raffle since 2000.

People will be able to put themselves in the running to win the Mini by buying a ticket at CLAN’s base on Westburn Road in Aberdeen, or in the Bon Accord mall.

Dr Colette Backwell, chief executive of CLAN, said:

“Tickets for the Mini raffle have been sold throughout 2016 at everything from coffee mornings to agricultural shows and the Rotary stand in the Bon Accord Centre. As well as raising vital funds for CLAN, the raffle also helps to raise awareness of CLAN’s services throughout north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

“We would like to thank Domino Pizza for kindly sponsoring the car this year, the Rotary Clubs for their continued support and everyone who has purchased a ticket to date – it really means a lot to us.

“Tickets for the raffle can also be bought from CLAN House, Bon Accord or from our range of charity shops across the north-east so we really are hoping that people will show their support to the prize draw. You never know, you might just be the lucky one!”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort, support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Buckie, Elgin, Buckie, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For more information about CLAN Cancer Support, please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

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CLAN Announces Additions To Board

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Dec 162016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

Seona Shand, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Pic: Donald Stewart

CLAN Cancer Support is delighted to announce a number of appointments to its board of directors. Leigh Stott, Stuart Cochrane and Seona Shand have joined the charity’s board and Andrew Lawtie has taken on an ambassadorial role.
The board is responsible for the continuing development of support services on offer, with each member bringing forward their own personal expertise and knowledge in a specific area.

Managing director at Hunter Adams Limited, Leigh wanted to give something back to the charity that helped support her mother.

Since joining Hunter Adams, Leigh has worked with organisations in over 20 sectors, gaining a wealth of experience in human resources.

Leigh Stott said:

“I lost my mum to cancer 23 years ago. This was my first introduction to CLAN and the support she received during this difficult time was outstanding and something that I will always be grateful for.

“The impact of a cancer diagnosis can have such far reaching impact on the individual and their families and friends, but the service and support CLAN can provide during such a difficult time can be an enormous help.

“I am looking forward to working with CLAN and sharing my knowledge and experience from an HR and business perspective. For me it is about continuing to help CLAN raise awareness through the local community but also supporting the team in their annual fundraising goals.”

Stuart Cochrane, director of FWB Park Brown, has more than 25 years’ experience within the energy industry where he progressed to senior management level in both the USA and Europe.

Stuart joined Park Brown International as a Director in 2002, acquired the company in 2008 and in 2013 joined the board of FWB Park Brown on its merger with FWB.

He said:

“I’m delighted to be joining the CLAN board and I am very much looking forward to using my professional expertise to help the charity.

“I have had recent experience of the invaluable support that CLAN provides during and after cancer treatment and it is my aim to help it achieve its ambitions to grow without compromising on the levels of support it provides.”

Seona Shand, Membership Network Manager at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, is looking forward to using her experience to help the charity. She previously worked as Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Inspire.

Seona said:

“As I’ve worked as a fundraiser in the third sector for over ten years I completely understand the difficulties in having to raise awareness and much-needed funds to ensure that the work of charities such as CLAN can continue for years to come.

“If I can do something positive and put my skills to good use in order to make the lives of those living with or affected by cancer as positive an experience as possible then I will have achieved all I can.”

Andrew Lawtie joins the charity in a specially created role of Children and Family Services ambassador.

He said:

“I am delighted to become CLAN’s ambassador for Children and Family Services and to support the organisation in its invaluable work.

“My motivation to help stems from my own personal experiences of living and dealing with cancer. My son Stuart was diagnosed with terminal colorectal cancer and sadly died at the age of 27.”

Andrew has a wealth of experience across the public, private and third sectors. For the past five years, he and his wife Sheila have organised and delivered a successful national conference ‘Managing the Challenges of Cancer in Children and Young People’. These have been held in various Scottish locations in memory of Stuart.

CLAN Chairman, Kenny Anderson said:

“I am very pleased to welcome Leigh, Seona and Stuart to the Board. As a local charity providing support services in the heart of communities throughout Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland it is essential we maintain a strong, robust and diverse Board particularly in these challenging economic times.

“These appointments strengthen the Board’s skillset to allow us to support CLAN’s senior management team, the staff, our hundreds of volunteers and of course, most importantly the individuals and families from these communities who benefit from our services.”

Dr Colette Backwell, chief executive of CLAN Cancer Support, added:

“CLAN is fortunate to have a number of committed, experienced ambassadors. For the first time, however, CLAN has appointed a dedicated children and families’ ambassador to support and highlight CLAN’s commitment to supporting children, teenagers and their families. In Andrew, we have found someone who can bring personal experience to help develop and promote the service.

“Our board members all give their time and expertise freely and I am looking forward to working closely with them and utilising their experience to ensure that CLAN remains a leading charity provider of cancer support services in the north-east, Orkney and Shetland.”

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Buckie, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For more information about CLAN Cancer Support, please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

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CLAN Seek Dippers To Take The Plunge On Boxing Day

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Dec 162016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

A leading north-east charity is appealing for fearless souls to undertake a popular Boxing Day dip on its behalf.

CLAN Cancer Support is taking part in the Nippy Dippers swim at Aberdeen beach on Boxing Day and is again looking for a group of hardy volunteers to help raise funds for the charity.

All money brought in from the popular event organised by Aberdeen Lions Club helps CLAN provide free cancer support services across the north-east of Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said:

“The dip is a great example of really challenging yourself to do something for charity and we would be delighted for people to come forward to take part on behalf of CLAN.

“The event has really grown in popularity in recent years and despite the freezing conditions, we are always thrilled with the response we get from participants keen to support us.

“The atmosphere on the day is fantastic and I would urge anyone interested in taking part to get in touch with us to find out more. “

The event begins at 10.30am on Boxing Day. For further information please contact CLAN’s Aimee Nekrews on 01224 651034 or email aimee.nekrews@clanhouse.org. Registration is highly recommended to ensure a place.

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

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Fundraisers Have A Ball At CLAN Christmas Cracker

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Dec 062016

CLAN logo2 With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

People from across the north-east joined forces at the weekend to raise thousands of pounds for a leading cancer support charity at its largest fundraising event of the year.

A total of 230 guests raised £38,600.00 at CLAN Cancer Support’s Christmas Cracker which was held at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa on Saturday, November 26.

The annual fundraising event, which sees individuals and businesses from across the north-east come together in support of the charity, included a drinks reception, three-course dinner, entertainment and dancing.

The Kilted Chef Craig Wilson from one of Aberdeenshire’s leading fine-dining restaurants, Eat on the Green, donated one of the main prizes for auction on the evening.

His VIP Pop-up Party package raised £7,500 and the winner will be treated to a luxury meal prepared by Craig at a location and date of their choice. The prize also includes a butler service as well as a singer and a piper.

The money raised on the evening will go towards the continued development of the wellbeing and support services offered by CLAN, free of charge, to anyone affected by cancer across north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

Dr Colette Backwell, CLAN’s chief executive, said:

“Our annual Christmas Cracker Ball is always very popular and it was great to see such a great turnout at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa on the night.

“It was a terrific evening, with the event bringing the magic of Christmas alive, and we are truly grateful to each individual and organisation that supported the event and helped to raise such a fantastic total by the end of the night.

“The money raised will help us deliver vital cancer support services right in the heart of communities from Stonehaven in the south to Orkney and Shetland in the north.

“We are committed to providing this support as close to the heart of communities as we can so that we make a difference to as many people as possible who are affected by a cancer diagnosis. The continued support of our fundraising events by so many people and businesses across the region means so much to us all at CLAN.”

For more information about CLAN Cancer Support, please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

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Charity To Pilot Drop-In Support Service In City Centre

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Dec 012016

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

MHAthm Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) is piloting a support service within the city centre to gauge demand for a permanent drop-in presence.

The charity is providing the service, called The Club, every Friday afternoon from the Health Village in Frederick Street for an initial period of eight weeks, offering free support, information and services to anyone affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing.

The aim is to provide support in an accessible location for people and explore the possibility of gaining funding to make the drop-in club permanent.

Astrid Whyte, chief executive of MHA, said:

“As a charity we are always looking for the best ways to provide help and support and we have wanted to gauge demand for a drop-in style service for some time. We want to let people know that they do not have to suffer alone as help, advice and resources are available.

“Each person that reaches out to us has made a difficult first step and we want to ensure they are supported as quickly as possible. The drop-in offers us a different way of doing that and early sessions have indicated quite a high uptake which indicates the need to provide help in this way. We plan to run The Club until Christmas before moving forward and trying to gain longer term funding.

“MHA is hoping to expand our service to offer this facility on a permanent basis but that is dependent on securing enough funding. We are optimistic we can achieve this and introduce what we believe will become a hugely important means of support for people in need.”

The Club runs every Friday from 1.3-pm to 4pm at the Health Village in Frederick Street.

MHA was founded in 1950 and provides support services, counselling and advice to people affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing. Services are available for children from the age of 12 and adults.

The organisation was among the first to provide community care – with its first residential project, a group home for discharged psychiatric patients, opened more than 35 years ago. MHA has also been providing day services continuously for over 60 years.

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City Businesses Join Forces And Target Growth

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Dec 012016

With thanks to Ross Anderson, Senior Account Manager, Citrus:Mix

L to R – Jasmine Holdings managing director Danny Cowie with the new company managing director Andrew Hall.

Four leading Aberdeen businesses have joined forces to create a dynamic communications company in the Granite City, the only one of its kind in Scotland, following a six-figure investment.
Aberdeen group Jasmine Holdings has invested around £300,000 in the newly merged business including the purchase and refurbishment of New Jasmine House on Greenbank Place to bring staff together.

It will offer a unique service covering every stage of corporate communications from concept creation to campaign implementation.

A total of 48 employees from print management company, Printagraph, integrated communications agency Citrus:Mix, document solutions provider Revolve Systems, and event management company 46 Degrees are now based in the newly refurbished headquarters in East Tullos.

Their combined experience and skills mean that customers can now benefit from a full range of complementary communications solutions ranging from: brand development, design, public relations, marketing, social media, emergency response, media training, web design, document solutions, print production, corporate gifts, health and safety material, display, exhibition and signage, and event management.

A new brand for the company will be launched early next year and the businesses will continue to trade under their own names until then.

The new company directors, who have all held senior management positions in the merged Jasmine Group businesses, are: Andrew Hall, Danny Cowie, Sean Hills, Keith Adams, Mairi Prior and Morven Mackenzie.

New Jasmine House boasts 7,000 square feet of office space and 3,000 square feet of warehouse capacity which adds to the existing neighbouring Printagraph building capacity of 20,000 square feet.

Jasmine Holdings managing director, Danny Cowie, said:

“The merger of a number of Jasmine Group businesses is an exciting development which means we can now offer our wide range of complementary communications services to customers from one company.

“It’s a unique offering which isn’t available anywhere else in Scotland and will mean an enhanced experience for clients who won’t need to shop around to find the services they are looking for.

“The businesses are all strong, local brands in Aberdeen and our significant investment in New Jasmine House shows our commitment to the area as we look to grow the business in the north-east while also looking to develop further afield as well.”

Andrew Hall, managing director of the new company, added:

“We’re very proud to have concluded the merger which is a very positive move for us and our customers.

“We have significant skills and experience across a range of communications fields which are now based under one roof. The ability to offer new products and services is essential and our new company will offer a comprehensive customer journey for our clients.

“New Jasmine House is a terrific new headquarters and will give us a fantastic platform to showcase the very best of what we can offer and also gives us room for growth as the company expands in the months and years to come.”

James Aitken Engineering Solutions is also part of Jasmine Group but will continue to trade as an independent company.

For more information about Jasmine Group, please visit: www.jasmineholdings.com

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