Latest Event Updates
Have Your Say
This year there is a brand new approach to simplify and illustrate the challenges faced – make your voice heard.
Each year, Aberdeenshire Council engages with staff and local residents on budget plans to ensure the voice of communities comes through in any and all budget setting decisions.
This year, in place of traditional surveys and written text, is a suite of infographics. Each paints a picture of a different part of council budget setting. Attached to each infographic is a short set of questions, in some cases just two questions, where you can share your views. Please respond to as many topics as you feel passionate about.
The engagement process is open now to anyone who lives and works in Aberdeenshire. It will close at the start of January, giving enough time for the results to be passed to councillors who in turn will use them to inform their decision making for the coming financial year.
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/budget-engagement
Our Mearns
The “Our Mearns” initiative was established last year in response to information and knowledge gathered by the Kincardineshire Development Partnership. KDP had identified many community projects and initiatives across the Mearns at various stages of development and saw the value of bringing these initiatives together to facilitate the collaboration of these groups and projects to contribute to a bigger picture. In addition, as an area affected by the current economic climate there is a need to raise the profile of this part of Aberdeenshire and capitalise on its other assets. A successful event was held on 19th November 2016 to launch the Our Mearns Tourism Association, whose aim is to create an Arts, Cultural and Heritage Tourism Destination of the Mearns. The event opened Membership of the Association inviting groups, individuals and business to become part of the movement. Membership at this exciting stage is free and expressions of interest in joining the committee to take the strategic plan forward are also being considered. For more information please contact Jacky Niven at jniven@kincardineshiredp.org 
Council Budget Plans – Have Your Say
This year there is a brand new approach to simplify and illustrate the challenges faced – make your voice heard.
Each year, Aberdeenshire Council engages with staff and local residents on budget plans to ensure the voice of communities comes through in any and all budget setting decisions.
This year, in place of traditional surveys and written text, is a suite of infographics. Each paints a picture of a different part of council budget setting. Attached to each infographic is a short set of questions, in some cases just two questions, where you can share your views. Please respond to as many topics as you feel passionate about.
The engagement process is open now to anyone who lives and works in Aberdeenshire. It will close at the start of January, giving enough time for the results to be passed to councillors who in turn will use them to inform their decision making for the coming financial year.
View the infographics and associated questions on the Aberdeenshire Council website.
Marie Curie Helper service
The Marie Curie Helper service is provided by trained volunteers who offer
one – to – one support to people with a terminal illness (cancer and other illnesses), completely free of charge. This support may also continue for their carers and families after bereavement. The service was launched in Grampian last August and is now operational with over 30 volunteers across Grampian now trained and ready to offer support.
Marie Curie Helper volunteers support people in their homes, offering a few hours of their time each week to provide a listening ear and companionship;
give families and carers a short break from their caring role; offer practical support, such as accompanying individuals to appointments or simply going out for a coffee; or help with sourcing information on other available support.
A Marie Curie Helper does not provide any nursing or medical care or advice.
Our Helper volunteers are provided with training and support to enable them to undertake their roles.
There are trained volunteers available now in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
If you are interested in finding out a little more about this service or know someone who might benefit from some support please contact:
Ingrid Penny, Helper Service Manager for Grampian on 0800 304 7024
Email: grampianhelper@mariecurie.org.uk
The Marie Curie Helper Service
is funded by Text Santa
Can You Help?
We’re looking for volunteers to take part in the following survey regarding attitudes towards low carbon vehicles. Funded by Transport Scotland under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme, the 10 minute survey will help Aberdeenshire Council consider the feasibility of a Low Carbon Transport Hub.
Participants who complete this survey can opt into a prize draw to win one of:
2 pairs of Cinema Tickets
2 no £25 Amazon Shopping Vouchers
It is important to the research team that you answer ALL sections relevant to you and your household.
Survey is available for both private vehicle users and fleet vehicle users.
Can you help? Transport volunteers wanted.
The hunt is on for community stars to help some of the most vulnerable people in their area. 
A Grampian wide volunteer recruitment drive is being launched to find generous people to help support community transport operators across the region.
Volunteers are needed to help people to get to and from vital appointments such as health and social care.
Recruiting people with the passion and time to volunteer for a cause is a constant struggle for many organisations and the recruitment drive hopes to assist that process.
Volunteer roles can range from driving minibuses, using their own cars to transport people (for which they will receive a mileage rate) or acting as escorts to help passengers in and out of vehicles, providing support during the journey.
Volunteers can gain a huge amount of satisfaction from contributing their time and efforts;
Chris Rowe, who started volunteering 2 years ago said “I get satisfaction knowing that I help others to get to their appointments, shopping or visiting friends”.
Madge Forsyth has been volunteering for 14 years: “The smile on people’s faces when I pick them up to take them to their appointments is all the reward I need”.
As well as helping recruit more volunteers, the aim of the project is to establish and build relationships with partners across the health, social care and transport sectors. These relationships are essential in delivering the objectives of the Health and Transport Action Plan (HTAP), designed to improve partnership working across a range of transport and health related issues with access to services being a key issue.
HTAP Programme Manager, Andrew Stewart, said “The recruitment drive is one example of how partner organisations can support each other in achieving improved access for residents.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities should contact the Transport to Health Information Centre (THInC) on (01224) 665568. THInC can also provide information on how to get to health and social care appointments by public transport.
For more information on the recruitment drive, please contact Andrew Stewart, HTAP Programme Manager on 01224 664092 or by emailing mailto:andrew.stewart@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Mental Health Provision
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) has been appointed to provide a brand new service in Aberdeenshire.
The new pathways to recovery service called MyLifeDynamic, will launch in January 2017 and is designed to support people living with mental health problems towards recovery and engagement in the wider community and working world.
SAMH has a long history of delivering services in Aberdeenshire and the surrounding areas; from work in suicide prevention to housing support and outreach.
Over the next few weeks SAMH will be running a series of community engagement events to promote the new service and in particular invite people using current services to find out more about the service and referral routes. Events will run in Stonehaven, Peterhead, Banff, Inverurie and Ellon.
South event – Stonehaven, Community Centre, Friday 25th November, 1pm -2pm
The service which was commissioned by Aberdeenshire Council will focus on integration and recovery. The service team will support people to engage with existing community facilities and services to promote a sense of purpose and social inclusion. Delivery will be across Aberdeenshire including support for people living in rural areas.
Domestic Abuse Workshops
From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. 
See more at: 16 Days of Action
| 25th Nov
1.30 – 4.30 |
Banff | Harvest Centre | Proj £6
Tea/coffee £1/ea Hall hire £9p/h
|
01261 815790
Domestic Gender Abuse Team – Still to get title
Facilitator – Shona Cormack |
| 28th Nov
9.30 – 12.30
|
Fraserburgh | Robertson Road Centre,
Training Rm |
SMART Board & tea coffee avail | (01346) 515292
Rona Harper
Housing – Options and Homelessness: Managing Expectations
Facilitator – Alison McKinnon |
| 29th Nov
9.30 – 12.30
|
Ellon | Kirk Centre | Screen/no projector
Teas coffee available |
770177772569358 725690
01358 725690 Catering 01358 723517
NHS – Female Genital Mutilation: Background, practice guidelines and professional responsibilities
Facilitator: Rosie Crighton |
| 30th Nov
1.30 – 4.30 |
Peterhead | Apex Centre,
Main Hall |
Hall £70 hire
No projector Tea/coffee £1.50ea |
077887 15151
Anne Whittam
CJ – Working with Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse
Facilitators – Michele Clark, Joe Walsh and Wullie Lauder
|
| 1st Dec
1.30 – 4.30 p.m. |
Banchory | CLD Activity Rm 1 Banchory Primary School | No Projector
Catering form and let form required |
01330 825966
Adult Protection – Domestic Violence and Adult Protection.
Facilitator – Ann-Marie Bruce
|
| 1st Dec
2 – 3p.m |
Aberdeen | Banff and Buchan Room Woodhill House Annexe | Making in every opportunity court in NHSG to address Gender Based Violence
Facilitator – Dr Linda Leighton-Beck |
|
| 2nd Dec
1.30 – 4.30 |
Alford | Alford CC Conference/library | SMARTBOARD | alford.campus@
aberdeenshire.gov.uk |
| 5th Dec
1.30 – 4.30p.m. |
Inverurie | Council Chambers
Gordon House |
Projector booked, teas to be booked | Police Scotland – MARAC and Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme Scotland
Facilitator – Police Scotland |
| 9th Dec available
1.30 – 4.30 |
Stonehaven | Community Centre | Lounge
Has projector Kitchen avail |
01569 762688
Work of Grampian Women’s Aid
Facilitator – Alison Hay |
Community Health Exchange Focus Group
Community Health Exchange (CHEX) has been commissioned to capture from local community-led organisations the contribution they make to health and well-being. If you would like a chance to inform NHS Health Scotland’s forthcoming corporate strategy, then please attend this focus group. The information gathered at the session will be fed back to NHS Health Scotland. This is one of only four focus groups happening in Scotland. Tuesday 29th November in Inverurie (venue to be confirmed). To register your interest, go to https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2JBNVMN. The event will begin with a buffet lunch at 12.30 and the session will last from 1-4pm
Applications for Carer Information Strategy monies now open
The Carer Information Strategy has funds available to support initiatives across the Grampian region to improve outcomes for carers. Applications to this funding stream are open to third sector organisations, community and voluntary groups, and health and social care services. 
http://www.nhsgrampian.co.uk/nhsgrampian/gra_display_simple_index.jsp?pContentID=8531&p_applic=CCC&p_service=Content.show&
Review of Dispensing GP practices
NHS Grampian has been consulting with the patients of six GP practices who currently get, or who are eligible to get, dispensed medicines from their GP practice.
A Review Group will be analysing all the responses to the consultation and will make recommendations to the Board of NHS Grampian.
The Review Group would like to invite any group or individual in the communities affected by the consultation – Auchenblae, Rhynie, Udny Station, Gardenstown, Portlethen and Skene – to make representations or presentations to the members of the Group.
The Review Group will be in attendance at the following locations on the dates and times shown below:
|
Rhynie
|
Friday 18 November 2016 in No 14 The Square, Rhynie, AB54 4HD at 1330 – 1800 hrs |
|
Auchenblae
|
Tuesday 22 November 2016 in Auchenblae Hall, Monboddo Street, Auchenblae, AB30 1XS at 0900 – 1800 hrs |
|
Skene
|
Thursday 24 November 2016 in the Westhill Community Church, Old Skene Road, Westhill, Aberdeenshire, AB32 6AQ at 0900 – 1230 hrs |
|
Portlethen
|
Thursday 24 November in Portlethen Academy, Bruntland Road, Portlethen, AB12 4QL at 1400 – 1800 hrs |
|
Gardenstown
|
Monday 28 November 2016 in the Dreel Hall, High Green, Gardenstown, AB45 3YN at 0900 – 1800 hrs |
|
Udny Station
|
Tuesday 29 November 2016 in the Udny Station Community Centre, Udny Station, AB41 6QJ, at 1330 – 2000 hrs |
If you represent a group or organisation in the area served by one of these practices, or you are an elected public representative, an independent contractor to the NHS or an interested individual you are invited to make a representation or presentation to the Review Group.
If you would like to do so please email nhsg.involve@nhs.net or write to Freepost, NHS Grampian by Friday 11th November. You will be allocated a time and to ensure that the maximum number of people have the opportunity to participate you should speak for 15 minutes or less.
There is no requirement to support your presentation with a written submission, but if you would like to do so please email your submission to the above email address by Friday 11th November. Read the rest of this entry »
K&M Communities 