Local Blog
NEW Greenspace Community Grant Programme Opens TODAY
Do you know of a local community greenspace project that would benefit from funding? If so, then get ready for a new community grant programme!
The first funding round of the programme opens for applications across Scotland, England and Wales on 19 October and will close on 30 November. This will be your first chance to submit an application for a grant of up to £12,000 to create better and happier places where you live and there will be two funding rounds per year over the next three years! Read the rest of this entry »
Oil Clubs
No not the big one on North Deeside Road – If you are concerned about the price of heating oil in your community, this may be for you. Many heating oil companies now promote ‘oil clubs’ where a community contact co-ordinates the deliveries. By delivering to many homes in one area on one run the company saves and will pass on the savings to customers.
If you think this a good idea get in touch with Jean Henretty ; jhenretty@kincardineshiredp.org
Learn CPR in Laurencekirk or Inverbervie, Friday 16th October
FREE ‘How-to-do-CPR’ sessions being held on Friday 16th October at Firestations in Inverbervie (10am-1pm) and Laurencekirk (1-5pm).
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has joined forces with the British Heart Foundation to help save lives across the country by providing fire stations as a base for members of the public to teach themselves CPR. Read the rest of this entry »
Community Shares
Good things always come around again. For anyone than can remember their Mum’s Co-op number you will know about Cooperatives, they are back. If you have a large project this may be one for you.
Braemar have recently raised £800,000 to construct a hydro electric scheme facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Braemar-Community-Hydro-926134364093329/timeline/
For a good read, check out how it is done on Community Shares Scotland – http://communitysharesscotland.org.uk
ALISS – A Local Information System for Scotland
Communities in Scotland contain a wealth of resources that can support our health and well being, yet it is often difficult to find information about what is available in our local area.
ALISS helps to signpost people to community resources and enables communities to contribute information about the resources they have to offer e.g. places, groups, activities, opportunities, events, services.
You can use ALISS to:
- Collect – identify and gather information about local resources
- Manage – describe resources in your own words, and create an ALISS collection that is specific to you or your organisation
- Share – use ALISS collections to enhance your existing information service and provide a richer picture of what support is available in your community
- Get Started – everyone can search and use the information in ALISS
Want to find out more?
aliss@alliance-scotland.org.uk
Disability Snowsport UK
Disability Snowsport UK is a people-centred not-for-profit charity organisation with a unique sense of purpose: that anyone regardless of their disability can take part in and enjoy the thrill of snowsports. They have applied exceptional know-how and adaptability for over 30 years to enable those with a disability to experience the joy of skiing alongside the able-bodied. They provide exciting and life enhancing activities for individuals or groups who require adaptive equipment and/or special instruction and support. Ski and snowboarding lessons are open to DSUK members and non-members. For more information or to book lessons at one of the indoor centres, please call 0845 521 9338 or email lessons@disabilitysnowsport.org.uk.
Community Health in Partnership (CHiP)
Please find below current job vacancies with Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action:
Community Health in Partnership (CHiP)
A Collaborative Approach to Creating Individual and Community Health in Aberdeenshire
CHiP Co-ordinator
£32,000/annum – 35hrs per week
Fixed term to March 2017
CHiP Officers x 6
£26,487/annum – 35hrs per week
Fixed term to March 2017
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) is the Third Sector Interface for Aberdeenshire. We are recruiting for our innovative new project which will connect and support effective collaboration between integrated health and social care teams and local voluntary and community organisations. CHiP aims to influence and improve service design and delivery and significantly contribute to improving health and wellbeing in our local communities.
For an application pack please e-mail recruitment@avashire.org.uk or telephone 01771 624787
Applications Close: 10am on 5th October 2015
Shared Lives
The shared lives scheme helps a person to live independently and protects them from harm. The scheme maintains and enhances their physical, emotional and spiritual well being and is tailored to individual needs.
Health & Social Care
Your Health and Social Care Services – We want Your Views
Health and social care services across Aberdeenshire are changing. We aim to make them:
- Better connected – one single united health and social care service.
- More responsive – to your needs and the needs of your family
- More local – linked up with the community and voluntary groups that benefit the health and wellbeing of your locality
We are writing a plan for the future of health and social care services in Aberdeenshire.
The plan is based on what you told us should be available in your locality. It describes how we will work together to improve the health of local people and to provide the right services for people who are ill or who rely on social care.
Have we got it right for you, your family and your locality?
The plan is available to view on Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian Website from 17th August, click on links below
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social/healthsocialcareintegration.asp
http://nhsgintranet.grampian.scot.nhs.uk/depts/CorporateCommunication/Pages/Aberdeenshire.aspx
TellyTalk – it’s like talking to the council on the telly!
A demonstration of TellyTalk, an interactive video conferencing system takes place on Monday, August 24 at Mearns Library in Laurencekirk to show customers how to use the system and speak to a council customer service advisor virtually.
Aberdeenshire Council customers can resolve a variety of queries face-to-face through a video link and copies of documents can also be provided where required without the need for people to travel to a council office.
Using TellyTalk, people can: 
- Log a housing repair
- Complete National Entitlement Card applications
- Check housing or council tax payments
- Talk through anything they don’t understand (such as a letter from the council)
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee Councillor Carl Nelson said: “The technology makes it easier for people to deal with the council and is part of its wider policy to improve customer service.
“The TellyTalk facility allows the council and its customers in Laurencekirk and surrounding areas to complete forms, share documents and print information at the touch of a button without having to travel too far.”
Vice chair Councillor Peter Bellarby added: “Although TellyTalk uses new technology that will allow the council to provide customer service remotely, it is also about giving people personal contact and this makes it easier to communicate.
“This will be a valuable service in Laurencekirk and I’m pleased to see it being demonstrated so people can see themselves how easy it is to use.”
The open event takes place on Monday, August 24 between 2pm and 4pm to provide people with the opportunity to try the new TellyTalk facility.
A step-by-step guide to using the facility is also available for people to access as they first use the system.
Mearns Community Library, Aberdeen Road, Laurencekirk, AB30 1ZJ. For more information call 01561 377298 or email laurencekirk.library@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
How can the Healthy Working Lives Tackle Health Inequalities in Aberdeenshire?
What is Healthy Working Lives? 
The Healthy Working Lives Team within NHS Grampian works with approximately 150 companies throughout the North East, to facilitate a planned and integrated approach to improving the health, safety and well-being of their employees. Healthy Working Lives is a mature health improvement programme which has been operational since 2006; the programme is delivered locally in every NHS board area and is governed by a National Team overseen by Health Scotland.
The programme is targeted to all working aged adults; from 16 yrs to retirement age. National census data (2011) reveals unemployment in Grampian is around 3% for those aged 16 – 74, making the workplace an excellent setting to tackle health inequalities. Read the rest of this entry »
Health & Social Care
Your Health and Social Care Services – We want Your Views
Health and social care services across Aberdeenshire are changing. We aim to make them:
- Better connected – one single united health and social care service.
- More responsive – to your needs and the needs of your family
- More local – linked up with the community and voluntary groups that benefit the health and wellbeing of your locality
We are writing a plan for the future of health and social care services in Aberdeenshire.
The plan is based on what you told us should be available in your locality. It describes how we will work together to improve the health of local people and to provide the right services for people who are ill or who rely on social care.
Have we got it right for you, your family and your locality?
The Rural Area Partnership is hosting events in your area
Come along to your local event on:
Tuesday 8th September
Bettridge Centre, Newtonhill
12 Noon – 2.15pm
Refreshments Provided
For more information and to book your place, please contact
Email: officesupport@kincardineshiredp.org
Tel No: 01569 763246
The plan is available to view on Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian Website from 17th August, click on links below
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social/healthsocialcareintegration.asp
http://nhsgintranet.grampian.scot.nhs.uk/depts/CorporateCommunication/Pages/Aberdeenshire.aspx
K&M Communities 