Local Blog
SOS
Take part in Village SOS to help community development in rural Scotland
Over the last 18 months, Village SOS has successfully supported 14 community projects in Scotland – with a further 17 currently receiving ongoing support. The support, in the main, comes via Rocket Science and Forth Sector Development, with many of these coming to completion over the next few weeks. The Village SOS programme offers 3 or 6 day mentoring packages as well as 3 days free consultancy to new, developing or existing community projects that benefit residents in rural communities across Scotland, Some examples of projects that have participated in the programme include Nigg and Shandwick Community Council; Garrison House; and Glasgow-based charity, the Advisory Group. If you’d be interested in accessing the Village SOS programme, see details and case studies. The programme runs until 31st August 2016.
National Mental Health Awareness Week
In support of
National Mental Health Awareness Week
16th – 22nd May 2016
Healthy and supportive relationships promote mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of mental ill-health. This is a celebration of the connections, the relationships and the people in our lives that add to our wellbeing and protect and sustain our mental health. From family and friends, to colleagues, neighbours and communities; taking notice of those connections that make us feel good, give us a sense of belonging and help us feel safe and supported.
What’s happening in Kincardine & Mearns?
Monday 16th May – Health Walk –leaving from Pillar Kincardine Office 42-46 Barclay St Stonehaven at 10.30 or by arrangement.
Booking essential – please call 01569767222 or email info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Tuesday 17th May – Pillar Presents – Stonehaven South Church from 12noon to 2pm
For an invitation or to book a place call 01569767222 or email info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Wednesday 18th May – Portlethen Health Walk. Meet at 10am in the Jubilee Hall, Cookston Road, Portlethen
Monday 16th to Friday 20th May – Behind the Mask display in Stonehaven Library Window
For a full copy of the South Aberdeenshire programme contact info@pillarkincardine.co.uk
Community travel grant available
Outdoor activity is recognised as good for our mental and physical wellbeing.
While many can easily get out to enjoy Scotland’s wonderful nature it can be more difficult for those with limited independence; the elderly, those with disabilities and people with a long-term illness, for example.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) wants to help everyone have the chance to enjoy what many people take for granted and is offering 50% travel grants to community and similar groups through the Buchan Countryside Group. Many people simply need some practical help to get their first taster of the outdoors and can use the confidence gained from this first adventure to continue exploring.
The grant is open to groups operating in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Cairngorm National Park. Attractions include nature reserves, wildlife centres, country parks and a network of footpaths that link up our open spaces.
For more information and application details. see the Buchan Countryside Group website.
Scottish Natural Heritage is the government’s adviser on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. For more information on SNH please visit their website.
GRAMPIAN FAMILY FUN DAY
GRAMPIAN FAMILY FUN DAY Saturday 14th May, 2016 11am – 2.30pm Portlethen Other Activities : Adult size Bouncy Castle, Candy Floss Machine, Balloon Modeller, Sound & Light Beam, Storytelling, Animates Please note that this event is primarily for people with disabilities, their families and carers. Booking is essential http://grampian-fun-day.eventbrite.co.uk Or contact 01569 764221 to book a ticket or therapy slot |
Academy AB12 4QL
KINCARDINE AND MEARNS AREA COMMITTEE BUDGET 2016/2017
The Area Committee has a small budget which can be used to ‘top up’ other funding sources in cases where otherwise there would be inadequate funding to allow something to happen.
The use of the budget has to be within guidelines agreed by the Council and in line with themes agreed by the Area Committee. These are listed below.
To apply, please click on the link for an application form; https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/funding/kincardine-and-mearns-area-committee-budget/
and return it to: Area Committee Officer Karen McWilliam – karen.mcwilliam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Criteria for the Use of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee Budget 2016/17 onwards, agreed by Area Committee (22.03.16).
- The budget should be used to enable the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee to respond to local needs by adjusting the level of Council Services within its Area and supporting projects which respond to local needs. Projects will be favourably considered if they have clear evidence of community economic development and emerged from, or take cognisance of:
Did you know there is an online British Sign Language interpreting service?
Online British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting service contactScotland is celebrating its first anniversary.
It uses video relay interpreting to improve access to public services for deaf BSL users.
The translation is for any non-emergency telephone communication with a BSL user and is provided via online video.
Until now the service was only available for people wishing to contact public sector organisations but it is now being extended to the third sector, including community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
The BSL user requires to have downloaded the free and straightforward application (app) onto their smartphone or tablet or desktop. You then call 0131 510 4555 to connect to the online interpreter – using your usual phone.
The service is available 7 days a week from 8am until midnight.
To find out more go to: http://contactscotland-bsl.org/public/
Early Years Speed Networking Event
Calling anyone working with or with the remit to work with pre-birth to eight and their families in the Mearns area!
Come along to 
our Speed Dating style Networking Event on Thursday 9th June from 2pm to 3.30pm at Mearns Community Campus.
Speed networking is a fantastic way to meet a lot of people in a short period of time. The speed networking format is similar to ‘speed dating’ but you will get a chance to make contacts with other organisations, find out more about the Early Years Forum, share your story and hear of the successes and challenges from others. Share ideas, support each other and find new ways of working together.
This is a free event. Refreshments are provided.
Please bring along any promotional material you wish to share.
WHEN
Thursday, 9 June 2016 from 14:00 to 15:30
WHERE
Mearns Community Campus, GP3, – Aberdeen Road Laurencekirk AB30 1ZJ
To book your place visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-years-speed-networking-event-tickets-20808571999
Stress & Anxiety – Self Management and Mindfulness
Stonehaven Patient Participation Group
presents
Stress & Anxiety –
Self Management and Mindfulness
With Kate Smith
Psychiatric Community Mental Health Worker
On the
Monday 16th of May at 7pm at
Stonehaven Medical Centre
Stress and anxiety are increasingly common problems that we will all face to some degree. We will all know someone who has struggled with this at some point in their life. We are lucky to have Kate Smith, a psychiatric community mental health worker, available to discuss anxiety and stress, how to recognise it and tips on self management. The pace we live at in the modern world is frantic and stress cannot be avoided completely and it can become difficult to manage. We hope that Kate will be able to help us all understand stress and anxiety better so we can deal with it in our own lives.
Dont forget to like our Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/StonehavenPPG
PORTLETHEN COMMUNITY WOODLAND MANAGEMENT EVENINGS
Over the summer months Portlethen Moss Conservation
Group organise woodland management sessions at the
community woodland. Usually on a Wednesday evening
once a month from May to September. Come along
and join in with a little light exercise, socialise and get
involved in caring for your local wildlife site. 
MEET: at Portlethen Community Woodland
For dates and times and some fabulous photos please
visit the group’s Facebook site http://www.facebook.com/
portlethenmoss
Scottish Mental Health First Aid: Young People
Scottish Mental Health First Aid: Young People
Tesco Community Room – Inverurie
Tuesday 24th May 2016
The Spark now has a trainer able to deliver the above course in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. If you require an in-house course or would like to take part in an open course please get in touch with Emma Cameron at The Spark on e.cameron@thespark.org.uk or 07760257038 for more information. We have an open course on Tuesday 24th May 2016 in Inverurie.
For those working/support or volunteering with 11 – 17 year olds, this is an evidence learning course for adults to provide initial support; in a crisis and non-crisis situation.
This course does not train you to become a counsellor or mental health professional. It is designed to teach you to better understand mental health and how it affects young people, as well as learn mental first aid skills such as:-
- How to recognise the signs of mental health problems or distress
- How to ask about mental distress
- How to provide initial support
- How to guide a young person towards appropriate professional help
The course also aims to show how mental health first aid can be applied in a crisis situation involving a range of common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide and substance misuse.
This 14-hour training course is designed to increase understanding of
mental health and how it affects young people. The course requires several hours of personal CPD both before and after the training day in order to complete the course requirements. The personal learning part of the course is done through the e-learning zone on the SMHFA –YP website.
The Cost is £75 per participant for the 14 hours CPD (including 1 day training).
Stonehaven Early Years Forum Networking Lunch
Tuesday 24 May, 12pm – 1.30pm, Stonehaven Community Centre
The Early Years Forum aims to work in partnership to ensure children in Stonehaven have
the best start in life and support their wellbeing through the stages from pre-birth to 8 years.
Stonehaven Early Years Forum are hosting a networking lunch to provide the opportunity for
services, organisations and groups to come together, share information on local activities
and discuss future priorities. This will be a drop-in event and lunch will be provided. This event is
suitable for those working with children under the age of 8 including: teachers, health visitors, social
workers, third sector providers. To register for the event please visit: http://tinyurl.com/zvnjsqs
If you have any queries regarding this event please don’t hesitate to contact:
Fiona Murray, Chair of Stonehaven Early Years Forum at: f.murray@nhs.net
K&M Communities 