Volunteering
Mindful Colouring
Read on to discover how Pillar have used colouring in to enhance the lives of many…
“Mindfulness” is a bit of a buzzword in mental health nowadays, but is in fact rooted in the ancient traditions of Buddhism. Tried and tested for centuries, the art of mindfulness encourages us to slow down and focus on the present moment. It urges us not to worry about a past that cannot be changed and a future that will not be improved by present anxiety. Experiencing all that the present moment has to offer is, from this point of view, truly living, and will have numerous benefits for both our physical and our mental health. ReachOut.com lists these benefits as including less anxiety, better problem solving and sleep and greater happiness overall. Read the rest of this entry »
Get active this summer with the Ranger Service
The nights are getting shorter, the days are getting warmer and summer is just around the corner. This year get out and about, explore a bit more and improve your health and well-being at the same time, by going along to some of the Ranger Service events. The Rangers’ 2015 Summer Programme launches at Easter, with a mix of family favourites and new events for you to try across Aberdeenshire. ![ranger_logo[1]](https://kandmcommunities.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/ranger_logo1.gif){kind=logo}
Ranger Service Coordinator, Fiona Banks explains: “This year we will take you along parts of our coastal path where you’ll hear tales of smugglers and shipwrecks to a background chorus of kittiwakes and guillemots. We’ll be climbing the high peaks of Bennachie with rewarding views as far as the eye can see. If you prefer a shorter walk you can discover a different side to our countryside with our ‘Wild Food Walk’ or explore the local area’s prehistoric past on our ‘Stones, Great and Small’ walk.
“For our younger visitors we’ll be delving into the depths of ponds, rummaging in rockpools and, for the brave, we’ll be venturing out after dark to discover some of our night hunters.”
For those who are keen to be hands on with supporting the Rangers programme, the Service is also looking for volunteers to help with the James Ramsay wildlife garden. All volunteers will be rewarded with a tea party and if you can’t help at this time but would like to put your name forward for other projects please email bennachie.warden@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
The full 2015 Summer Programme is available to view on the council’s website under Rangers at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/rangerservice
Volunteers wanted….
Volunteer Open Morning at The Lifeboat House in Johnshaven 
on Saturday 11th April from 10-12am.
Join in for a friendly and informal morning to hear all about the project to renovate The Lifeboat House and how you can get involved with this exciting new venture.
The Lifeboat House is largely managed by volunteers and as they embark on our first season open to the public they urgently need more volunteers to help with a range of activities. This could include planning events, welcoming visitors on days the venue is open, organising small exhibitions and working with school groups. They are looking for volunteers with a range of interests and will provide training to suit to ensure a highly rewarding and social experience.
They will be joined on the day by Sandy Stewart from The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, who will be talking about his experience volunteering for over 15 years.
There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the project and the work of the Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Society as well as a chance to have a chat with a cuppa and fine piece.
The project began after the society was gifted the Lifeboat House in order to store and display a growing collection of photographs and artefacts relating to the heritage of Johnshaven and Benholm. It is hoped the venue will not only provide a place for people to come and enjoy this rich heritage but also an exciting hub for talks, performance, art shows and much more!
If you would like to be involved in this project, they would love to hear from you. They are looking for volunteers to be involved in all aspects of running the heritage hub. Or, if you have memories of life in the Johnshaven and Benholm area which you would be happy to share they would delighted for you to get in touch.
Contact: Donald Marr, Chair of Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Society, 01561 361658
A New Year and a New Voice for the Third Sector!
Let’s hear from David Rodger, Chief Executive, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action about his hopes for the New Year and the future for the newly formed AVA.
“Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA), was officially formed on 1st December 2014 following the merger of CVSA, Bridge CVS and Volunteer Centre Aberdeenshire. We are committed to building on the strong foundations laid down by the three merging organisations, but, as the new single Third Sector Interface (TSI) there is a lot of work ahea
d in shaping this new organisation and establishing our distinct identity, culture and vision. A key part of this will be actively engaging and consulting with our stakeholders and partners, to better define what the TSI strategic priorities will be going forward, and ensuring that AVA is genuinely representative of the sector.
We are operating in challenging times and its evident there is a growing need for us all to balance increasing demands for our services and expertise, within the context of a contracting public finance pot. No easy task, but in my experience this sector is resilient, with an outstanding track record in demonstrating adaptability, responsiveness and creative thinking when tested. These characteristics will underpin the ethos of AVA and how we will work with, and support you, over the coming months and years.”
David is keen to meet with community representatives and organisations from across the Kincardine and Mearns area to discuss how AVA can work with you. If you’d like to arrange a discussion please contact David at david.rodger@avashire.org.uk
Shared Lives – Fiona’s story……
I read about Shared Lives a few years ago and Sue came out and spoke to my parents and I about it. She told us that I would get 1-1 support from a Shared Lives Carer in the carer’s home. I like the idea that the Shared Lives team would get to know me and match me with a Shared Lives Carer who shares my interests. This means that we got on from the start and can share things we both enjoy.
I am matched with two Shared Lives Carers. My Shared Lives Carer, Dot, offers day support. Dot has given me the opportunity to be part a different community which I really appreciate. Dot and I go to the local library. Sometimes we go swimming which I feel gives me a chance to relax and I get to try out and feel comfortable in a different pool. We have been to Castle Fraser and Drum Castle. I like going for a walk in the castle grounds and we went to the plant sales. This began my interest in gardening. We now visit garden centres together and choose plants for the garden. Read the rest of this entry »
Home-Start Kincardine – Families Need You!
Are you a parent? Could you use your experience to help make a difference to local families?
“…of all the agencies, departments, organisations we have had help from…Home-Start has been the most helpful, consistent, reliable and supportive.”
Home-Start Kincardine is a voluntary organisation which offers free confidential support and practical help to parents with young children in the local community.
We are currently recruiting volunteers who will visit families in their own home; Read the rest of this entry »
caring/ˈkɛːrɪŋ/
Do You Care???
adjective – displaying kindness and concern for others.
noun – the work or practice of looking after those unable to care for themselves, especially on account of age or illness.
December in K & M Communities is Caring month.
We’ve all had to care at some point in in our lives, haven’t we?
Babies, children, grandparents or even the family dog!
Caring is such an important part of life. It’s simply part of being human. Carers are holding families together, enabling loved ones to get the most out of life, making an enormous contribution to society and saving the economy billions of pounds.
Yet many of us are stretched to the limit – juggling care with work and family life, or even struggling with poor health ourselves. We often find it difficult to make ends meet if we’re unable to work or if we’ve reduced our working hours to care.
December in K & M Communities is Caring month. Read the rest of this entry »
The Value of Reminiscence to Kincardine & Deeside Befriending
K & D Befriending exists to reduce the impact of social isolation and loneliness in older people by matching them on a one to one basis with a volunteer befriender. A regular visit from a befriender provides companionship, practical and emotional support, and generally improves physical and mental wellbeing. Reminiscing is recognised as an integral part of what happens. Read the rest of this entry »
Education – a human right?
LITTLE FIGHTERS
Kids are sitting quietly at their desks and concentrating on the day’s lesson. No romping about, no noise or giggling, even though there is no teacher around. Only a soft murmur fills the small classroom in the convent near Kalaw, Myanmar. Nothing can distract the children. Definitely not the foreign-looking woman who enters, watches for a while and takes 
a picture. In every child, there is something of a little fighter. They have an uncompromising will to learn, to evolve. As if they sense that learning is a way out of their current lives.” Read the rest of this entry »
Community Support Project Gets Out and Gets Active! Could You Join Them?
Families, supporters, service users and anyone interested in finding out more about the Aberdeenshire Council Shared Lives Scheme were invited to get out and get active at Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore for a weekend in June.
Would you have be interested in joining Shared Lives and any future fun? Read on to find out. Read the rest of this entry »
Community spirit celebrated at special strawberry tea…
Stonehaven Community Centre celebrated their Volunteers by having a Strawberry Tea on Wed 13 June where over 50 volunteers were invited. Read the rest of this entry »
THE ABERDEENSHIRE SIGNPOSTING PROJECT IS LOOKING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS IN K&M!
The Aberdeenshire Signposting Project is a client support service covering the Aberdeenshire area. The project works with clients to find sources of help and support with the issues in their lives causing them concern.
Victoria Lake, Deputy Manager for the Signposting Project said: “Our service is growing with new and exciting developments and we are looking for volunteers who can support us in the work that we do”. Read the rest of this entry »
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