integration
New Website to provide support to anyone affected by alcohol and drugs in Aberdeenshire www.aberdeenshirealcoholdrugs.support
Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) have a new website to help support anyone affected by alcohol and drugs in Aberdeenshire. The online resource www.aberdeenshirealcoholdrugs.support aims to provide information and signposting to a range of support services and organisations across Aberdeenshire and nationally.
The website was developed in response to feedback that there was a lack of information in an easily accessible format on what drug and alcohol support was available and how to access help when it was needed. The ADP have worked with service users, family members and people in recovery to make sure that the information on the website is useful, easy to understand and access.
The resource aims to help people using any drug including alcohol, whether worried about their own drug or alcohol use, a friend’s use or family member’s use. www.aberdeenshirealcoholdrugs.support provides a one-stop shop for information on support, treatment and recovery. Within each section, people can find out more about a particular area of support and advice and then clearly see which organisations provide this support and their contact details.
The Aberdeenshire Alcohol Drugs Support website will always have the most up to date information on the Substance Use Service Gateway in Aberdeenshire. . The Gateway is part of the NHS and Council Substance Use Service team and provides confidential, non-judgmental assistance towards the right treatment, support or information. The GET HELP button either the Alcohol or Drugs section of the website displays phone and email details as well as arrangements for drop in facilities around Aberdeenshire.
Professionals and agencies can help any of their clients to engage with the Alcohol or Drug Use Service by calling 01224 558844 or email to nhsg.kessockclinic@nhs.net (North Aberdeenshire) nhsg.grampianscspa@nhs.net (South and Central Aberdeenshire)
Sci-Gateway and Track Care can also still be used for referrals from NHS.
Print materials, posters and cards, promoting the website and access to the Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Service will be delivered to agencies soon. The ADP would be grateful if these could be displayed widely and offered to people who might need help with their alcohol or drug use in Aberdeenshire. To get a supply or resupply contact aberdeenshire.adp@nhs.net
The ADP have identified a wide range of information that they think is useful to people and communities however they welcome approaches from services, groups, community members with information to add or changes to make. Please use the website to share your own news. Send news items and suggested changes to the adp email above. 
Are you a Fearless Femme?
A new grassroots movement to challenge sexism, reduce mental health stigma, and save the lives of young women across the world has kicked off in Scotland.
Young women are the highest-risk group for mental illness in the UK. Research estimates 46% of young women between 11 and 21 years old have sought out treatment for mental health conditions including anxiety, depression and eating disorders.
Research has shown that psychological distress amongst young women is linked to the growing pressures that this group faces: pressures to look beautiful and thin in an age of ‘airbrushing’; social media pressures; stress at school and university; and an increase in sexual harassment. Very often, these pressures lead to low self-esteem and body image problems, with evidence suggesting that young girls start to worry about their body image from the age of 11.
Existing magazines targeting young women can compound these problems with picture perfect models gracing every page. Fearless Femme sets about challenging these cultural norms by empowering young women to overcome stress and other mental health challenges through its new online magazine and growing community of ‘rebelles’, as well as its research and campaigns for policy change.
Want to know more? Fearless Femme can be found at https://www.fearlessfemme.co.uk/our-story/
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS
A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are now recognising that ‘progress’ should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy.
March 20 has been established as the annual International Day of Happiness and all 193 United Nations member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority.
In 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which recognised happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and called for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples”.
In 2012 the first ever UN conference on Happiness took place and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution which decreed that the International Day of Happiness would be observed every year on 20 March. It was celebrated for the first time in 2013.
In 2017, the Smurfs joined the UN in celebrating the International Day of Happiness as well as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals – #SmallSmurfsBigGoals
The details of 2018 celebrations have not yet been announced, but whatever you have planned for the day, be happy!
Linking Generations
Connections between generations are proven to enrich the lives of both young and seniors in long-lasting and meaningful ways.
When young people find ways to engage and develop relationships with the elderly, these experiences can build self-esteem, develop leadership skills, and encourage a lifelong commitment to volunteering.
For seniors, intergenerational connections provide the opportunity to transfer knowledge and wisdom, acknowledge self-worth, and feel they are contributing members of society.
In today’s world, many young people are experiencing less interaction with seniors because of homogenous neighborhoods, dispersed extended families, and increasing segregation of seniors living in care facilities or in isolation
Some of the benefits of intergenerational work include:
- Creation of age friendly communities.
- All generations have a lot to both teach and learn from each other and contribute to lifelong learning.
- Tackles issues around stereotyping and ageism.
- Increases understanding and respect between older people and younger people.
- Chance to make new friends and combats social isolation.
Be Active
If you were told by a Dr – take this magic pill daily and you will reduce numerous health risks, be fit and healthy……would you take it? Unfortunately the wonder pill doesn’t exist, however in its place we are going to prescribe everyone regular physical activity/exercise and put you on the path to the same results. A little motivation can go a long way.
Walking: the most accessible and easiest way for most to incorporate exercise into our lifestyles. It’s free, gentle &low-impact that requires no special training or equipment. Almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time. You could join a health walk, become a rambler or just walk to the shops. Check out the Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service to find out about the rich natural heritage surrounding us.
If walking isn’t your thing, how about cycling? You could go for the standard cycle or try out an electric bike. Electric bikes (e-bikes) work much the same as ordinary bicycles except they have an electric motor which works when you pedal to give a bit of a boost, making going uphill a lot easier! You don’t need a special license to ride one (as long as you are over the age of 14) and the bikes can be used on cycle paths the same as ordinary bicycles.
Talking of cycle paths, Aberdeenshire Council transport strategy team have just finished new local ‘Walking & Cycling maps’ for several Aberdeenshire towns which are to be launched soon. We are also hearing whispers of ‘Treasure Trails’ which sounds interesting, and as far as we are concerned – anything that encourages us to get out and about is a winner in our eyes. Want to know more? Visit http://getabout.org.uk/ for more information.
Tell us what would make you more active in your community. Is there a path near you which could be a great walking route, perhaps you would like to be able to commute to work by bike? We’d love to hear from you at kandmcommunities@gmail.com
Pride of Aberdeen Awards
We are delighted to let you know that Fly Cup Catering Inverurie was nominated for these prestigious awards and have now been selected as a finalist! As you may know, Original 106fm launched once again the Pride of Aberdeen Awards earlier this year to recognise those doing amazing things in our lives and workplaces today. The Original 106fm panel of independent judges then shortlisted the nominations and selected their final three to go forward as finalists in each category. We are thrilled to announce that Fly Cup Catering have been chosen as one of the three finalists in one of the categories.
What happens next? Well, the overall winner of each category will be decided by open public vote and announced on the night of the ceremony. All the finalists in each category are being revealed over the next few weeks on air, but in the meantime all the finalists will be listed for public vote on the event’s website as of tomorrow (Tuesday the 11th of October):
http://www.prideofaberdeenawards.com/
Please do feel free to share all this information with your friends, family and colleagues so they are able to support Fly Cup Catering by voting online, which is absolutely free to do.
Fly Cup Catering was set up for adults with learning disabilities in recognition of the self-esteem, social and economic benefits that can be gained by being part of a supportive work and training environment. Trainees gain work experience by helping to run the Fly Cup Coffee shop at Burghmuir Circle, Inverurie. The trainees are also involved in the delivery of outside catering services, and the production of bakery goods which they supply to local shops and businesses. Fly Cup is a Scottish charity which enables adults with learning disabilities to access training and employment opportunities within the catering sector.
Register your interest in The Crucial Conversation Cafe
Wednesday, 25 Nov 2015 or Friday, 27 Nov 2015, 10 am – 12.30 pm or 1 pm – 3.30 pm
Venue to be confirmed depending on interest
An opportunity for you to share your views and ideas on 
the new strategy for Integration for Health and Social
Care. Good integrated care can reduce: Confusion,
Repetition, Delay, Duplication & Gaps in service
delivery and, People getting lost in the system.
Integrated care will achieve: better planning, free
access to good information and personal involvement of the person using the services.
To note your interest, date and time preference, please contact:
Carla Angus on 01358 720824. Website: http://www.vsa.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
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
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 