Children’s Charity Celebrates Arrival Of New People Carrier

 Aberdeen City, Featured, News  No Responses »
May 312012
 

With thanks to Claire McBain.

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The UK’s largest social care charity –Voluntary Services Aberdeen – is celebrating the arrival of a new people carrier at their Maisie’s Children’s Centre. The Volkswagen Caravelle was purchased after hard work, determination and training from Maggie Wilson, Chair of VSA’s Trustees, and fellow Trustee Rosy Wood who pounded the pavements of New York in November’s marathon, raising £12,000 for VSA.

Sporting VSA tartan mini kilts, Maggie and Rosy crossed the NYC finish line in style after just five hours and ten minutes.

Maggie said:

“We finally achieved our aim – an amazing 26.2 mile street party and a tough marathon.  We were assured the pain was only temporary but the pride and sense of achievement is permanent.  I’m delighted to now see the fruits of our labour in the form of a much-needed people carrier.”

Elaine Michael, day care manager at VSA’s Maisie’s Children’s Centre, added:

“I’m over the moon to be receiving the Volkswagen Caravelle.  The enthusiasm and perseverance of people like Maggie and Rosy gives us the opportunity to support our service users with important equipment when we need it.

“Transport like this is crucial to our services where we have children in our care.  We use it to take children out and about on trips and to support parents who need transport to medical appointments.  This vehicle, which seats up to seven, is ideal for us. 

“Rail-mounted seats can be positioned to suit the needs of children, including those in wheelchairs.  Flexible configurations mean we can have staff facing the children in the back, keeping them entertained during longer journeys.”

The Richmondhill Place-based centre, which opened in October 2011, is the only one of its kind in Aberdeen.  The nursery aims to break down societal barriers and is pioneering integration between mainstream children and those with additional support needs in the north-east.  Maisie’s Children’s Centre welcomes youngsters from birth to five years old.

Elaine continued:

“Maisie’s Children’s Centre evolved out of the playgroup that was in its place for twenty years before.  We aimed to extend the local care offering after Raeden Nursery School closed, providing a one stop service, rather than two, per day for parents who have a mainstream child and a brother or sister with additional support needs.  Our long opening hours mean flexible options for working parents too.” 

Maisie’s Children’s Centre is based at 18 Richmondhill Place, Aberdeen.  To find out more about using the service or spaces for children, contact Elaine Michael, day care manager, on 01224 358571 or e-mail Elaine.michael@vsa.org.uk

North East Open Studios 2012: Space For Artists

 Aberdeenshire, Events, Featured  No Responses »
May 032012
 

With thanks to Claire McBain. 

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Entries for North East Open Studios (NEOS) 2012 may have been declared closed but VSA, the UK’s largest city social care charity supporting people in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, has announced it still has space to accommodate further artists and creators at its annual NEOS event at Easter Anguston Farm, Peterculter.

NEOS is an award-winning, not-for-profit collective of artists, makers and galleries in the North East who open their doors to the public each September. VSA’s Easter Anguston Farm has been a venue for the last four years.

Belinda Rowlands, farm manager at VSA’s Easter Anguston Farm, said:

“We are so excited to be a NEOS venue again. It gets better and better every year. We’ve already attracted some great local talent for 2012 and, as usual, we’ll be celebrating the creativity of VSA service users, displaying artwork from Easter Anguston Farm trainees and Friends for Life clubs’ children with additional support needs.”

“However, there’s still space for many more to join us, whether old, young, a dab-hand or a newbie. It’s an ideal occasion for artists in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to present work to a captive audience and support the local community at the same time. Our space is most suited to sculptors, ceramicists, land artists and other outdoor exhibitors but there is very limited indoor space remaining too.”

“We’re also keen for students and other groups to consider working collectively on a NEOS project. For the last few years, we’ve been lucky enough to be home to the Knit Wits, a group of knitters led by VSA Trustee Rosy Wood, who come together for NEOS each September. The knitters covered the farm in multi-coloured woollen sheep last year and have already organised their 2012 designs. They’ve gone for a topical animal theme but to find out more, you’ll have to visit in September!”

Well-known local artist Alex Kay has been heavily involved with NEOS at Easter Anguston Farm over the past four years. She said:

“Easter Anguston sets itself apart from other galleries by creating a unique link with art and the community. Local creatives can showcase their work while raising awareness of the UK’s largest social care charity. That’s what drives me to be there every year.”

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The Peterculter-based attraction, comprised of a 70-acre working farm and 20-acres of woodland, nurtures adults with learning difficulties. It provides meaningful work and training, in social skills as well as horticulture, aiming to eventually ensure trainees are confident about entering the potentially intimidating mainstream job market.
The farm is open to the public and has a coffee shop, education centre, farm shop and garden centre where the trainees sell their homegrown fruit, vegetables and plants.

To find out more or get an application form for exhibiting at NEOS at Easter Anguston Farm, contact Claire McBain, fundraising officer, on 01224 358611 or e-mail Claire.mcbain@vsa.org.uk 

More information about VSA:

  • VSA is the UK’s largest city social care charity, providing the best of care to the most vulnerable people in the community. VSA, established more than 140 years ago, looks after around 5,000 people in Aberdeen City and Shire each year.
  • Its work falls into three main categories: education and lifelong learning, older people services and social care and wellbeing, incorporating carers’ services. These services help children and families to build better futures, older people to lead more independent, dignified and fulfilling lives, adults with disabilities and mental health problems to get the most from life, and both adult and child carers to juggle everyday life with caring responsibilities.
  • The fact that 96p in every £1 donated goes on direct charitable expenditure really sets VSA apart from other not-for-profit organisations. Money raised in the north-east stays in the north-east. VSA encourages supporters visiting its services to see exactly how their money might be, or hopefully has been, spent.
  • For further information about VSA and its work in the local community, visit www.vsa.org.uk
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