Aberdeenshire
Grampian Coronavirus (Covid-19) Assistance Hub
A new website and phoneline is launched today, providing people all across Grampian with information on how to access social, practical and emotional support on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The new Assistance Hub goes live this morning, pulling together links to the latest advice from a range of partners including all three local authorities, Police, Health, Red Cross, volunteers and community information. It is a site for anyone in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray, with information for residents and businesses alike.
Click here for the website or call 0808 196 3384 (8am-8pm 7 days a week).
The website is full of links with up-to-date information. The main objective is as a focal point for information and assistance for anyone affected by coronavirus anywhere in Grampian. It is also a way for residents to offer their support which they can safely deliver in their communities. Staff are on the phone to provide callers with up to date information, or to link them up with the right person who can quickly answer questions.
Another important feature is that the site can be used to request help on behalf of someone else, allowing friends and neighbours to signpost to someone in need.
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What is the ‘Third Sector’ and are you part of it?
The third sector is an inclusive term which is often used interchangeably with the voluntary and community sector; the not-for-profit sector; and the civil society.
The term ‘third sector’ is used to describe all organisations operating outside the formal state or public sphere that are not trading commercially, primarily for profit in the market.
This means charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals. This definition may also include faith groups engaged in voluntary or social action, campaigning groups, and individual volunteers. Whilst these organisations are exceptionally diverse, they share a broad common theme of being value driven, and principally invest their surpluses to further social, environmental and cultural objectives.
KDP is a member of Aberdeenshire’s Third Sector Strategy Group (TSSG). This group comprises of representatives from Aberdeenshire Rural Partnership Federation (ARPF), Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) and Aberdeenshire Council. It is embarking on a piece of work to demonstrate the value of the Third Sector across Aberdeenshire.
If successful, the purpose of this project will help strengthen the position of many Third Sector Organisations (TSO), to be recognised as credible partners in the delivery of services.
TSSG believe there are great examples of this already happening, therefore the first stage is to obtain a picture of what our Third Sector currently looks like. The link below is to a short questionnaire which will help gather valuable quantitative information to kick start the process.
YOU are the third sector, so please participate in this information gathering process.
Please complete and share the survey through your networks.
“Gie it a Go”
Give the gift of health, wellbeing and fun this Christmas – “Gie it a Go” package offers range of sports and cultural activities
A fantastic suite of offers encouraging people in Aberdeenshire to “Gie it a Go” has been launched in time for Christmas.
Know someone who would like to learn to swim, but doesn’t know where to start? Or perhaps try indoor rock climbing for the first time in a safe environment?
Maybe the special someone in your life would prefer the chance to research their family history, learn about 3D printing or try spin or bootcamp exercise classes?
These experiences and a large range of other sporting and cultural activities can be packaged together for one great price with “Gie it a Go”.
As the name suggests, it’s designed to let people try a wide range of activities in local communities provided by Live Life Aberdeenshire.
Maybe you want to try the experiences yourself – you don’t have to let someone else have all the fun! For £20 you or the person you gift to can pick three activities from a menu which is growing all the time.
Other activities include the chance for four people to record their favourite karaoke track in one of our recording studios or an introduction to cross country skiing.
You could even choose a drawing/painting taster session or get an in-depth tour of Macduff Marine Aquarium.
Gift cards can be printed off to be included in a Christmas card or stocking and redeemed online.
For those who may not feel confident trying some of the activities, the great thing is that they will usually be joining others in the same situation as them.
To explore the activities on offer and buy in time for Christmas in our easy-to-use online portal, see: http://bit.ly/GieItAGo
Mapping the issues
In many respects a community share issue is an old idea in 21st century wrapping – the idea of raising funds by public subscription has been around for years. Most war memorials, for instance, that were erected after the First World War were funded in this way. But community shares are more than a simple donation. They offer someone a chance to ‘invest’ in a local project and sometimes even make a little return on that investment. The number of share issues has been slowly growing and recently they have been mapped. Interesting to see the range and geographic spread.
To see a Map of Community Share Issues that has been compiled by Community Shares Scotland
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is turning 30 this November!
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) are encouraging us to celebrate rights by telling 7-word stories.
To celebrate CYPCS want everyone to talk about why children’s rights matter, in a way that means people of all ages can take part. So they’re asking you to send 7 word stories about the human rights of children and young people. #7WordStory #CRC30
Further information here.
Transient Visitor Levy – have your say
The Scottish Government is considering introducing a Transient Visitor Levy. Also known as the Tourist Tax, this will create a discretionary power for local authorities to apply a tax or levy on overnight visitor stays.Across the Grain Festival returns this October
Across The Grain is running for the second time throughout October, with an exciting and eclectic mix of activities, performances and workshops for all ages.
Events will be taking place in communities right across Aberdeenshire with most free to attend. Look out for printed programmes which give details of all performances and events.
Copies are available at libraries, leisure centres and museums, and key entertainment venues across the area. You’ll be sure to find a copy in your local shop, cafe or garden centre. The digital copy can be found on the Live LIfe Aberdeenshire website.
Organised by Live Life Aberdeenshire, last year’s inaugural festival got off to a really strong start, highlighting the uniqueness of the north east and attracting locals and visitors alike to around 50 events.
The desire to celebrate collectively what Aberdeenshire has to offer culturally has led to this year’s programme increasing significantly, showcasing the best the region has to offer, with some performances created especially for the festival.
These include a partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which will see two leading dance experts hosting intergenerational workshops in the north, culminating in a celebratory performance to a live soundtrack mixing Scottish Trad with electronic music.
Other participatory events include creating a brand-new festival ‘sound picture’ using local words and phrases in Alford, led by renowned composer and sound artist Pete Stollery, and there is also a return of last year’s popular Doric Call My Bluff.
As well as numerous music and singing workshops, there are opportunities to hear authors and specialist speakers, and a range of fun challenges for all the family at Live Life Aberdeenshire museums and libraries. Read the rest of this entry »
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