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AVA: Supporting you to make a difference
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AVA Supports Communities throughout Aberdeenshire. If you or your group are based in Aberdeenshire and are looking for some support - contact your local Development Officer:
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Deveronvale Community Football Club Community Hub
Banff based Deveronvale Community Football Club have pulled out all the stops in order to support their local community in the wake of the Covid pandemic by introducing the Deveronvale Community Hub.
Deveronvale Community Hub opened back in July, originally accepting donations of children’s clothes, books, toys, activity packs, arts and crafts, football kits, boots and trainers and school clothes and shoes to help families who have been impacted financially by Covid-19. However, the service has since expanded and now also distributes clothes for teenagers and adults, bedding and baby equipment.
The Hub - based at Princess Royal Park in Banff - is not-for-profit and works alongside several community groups and organisations to offer help and support in neighbouring towns and villages. Within just 60 days of opening, the hub recorded an impressive 250 volunteer hours and support over 50 local households.
Head over to their Facebook page Deveronvale Community Hub to check the opening hours for donations and
collections.
 
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 Living and working rurally in dramatic Deeside and Donside is a daily reminder of what a beautiful place we live in.
Many of the communities I work with are small and isolated which means the people living there are the most resilient, self-sufficient and organised communities because they have no other choice in order to flourish.
Under normal circumstances I would be out and about in South West Aberdeenshire meeting groups and holding drop-in surgeries. Things have been very different over the last six months with video calls and outdoor chats with weather permitting, replacing meetings. As well as working with groups I sit on the Marr Community Planning Group and SALAG LEADER panel so work strategically with other partners in Marr and South Aberdeenshire.
Although at the height of the lockdown we were, quite rightly, focussing on Covid-19 and Resilience groups, while that continues to a lesser extent more ‘normal’ work is coming in. Funding support for many groups has become critical due to the pandemic and governance advice and volunteering opportunities are on the rise as groups start to reopen as many people are still working from home in a lot of instances.
Its not all doom and gloom though here in Deeside we have an exciting project just completing one which I have been involved with since day one. The Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed is very near to completion. This epic project was started over four years ago by AVA Member Aboyne Men’s Shed who have had to jump through hoops of fire to achieve this amazing build. Downstairs is the Workshop and upstairs is the Community Shed complete with Arts and Crafts Workshop, Kitchen, Office, Display area and Social area which will be available to local groups and organisations. Stalled by lockdown but very nearly completed it sits nestled in the woodland in part of Aboyne Castle Estate.   Other projects in my area to develop and thrive despite lockdown are also AVA members. A Bear Named Buttony based in Ballater launched their Young Adult Packs to support people who are having surgery to create their own stoma. We helped them recruit a team of sewing volunteers recently.
Lumphanan Moving Pictures were supported by us to start up their Bags of Cinema Sunshine DVD door drop service.
Working rurally with these groups and communities so closely you really get an understanding of how they work and I feel invested in their cause with the support I can offer. No two days are the same as an AVA Development Officer and the variety of groups and work we get helps in turn broaden our own learning and understanding that we can share with our AVA team and our AVA members.
If you are part of a group and are not already AVA Members, remember its free to join. By being a member you get regular updates, discount legal fees to name but a few benefits and prioritisation of my time.
I work in a part time basis but I am very flexible and can usually fit in with you. If you think I can help please don’t hesitate to contact me on 03718 110008 or email enquiries@avashire.org.uk
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 I’m Meriem Kayoueche-Reeve, one of six Development Officers working at AVA, providing support to organisations and community groups with promotion, funding advice, governance, business planning, charitable status and volunteering.
Aberdeenshire is a big place with a lot going on, each Development Officer covers a specific area, so that we get to know the organisations and communities within our patches. I am your local Development officer for Huntly and District up to Banff and Macduff then back down to Turriff and District.
Before lockdown I spent a lot of my time visiting organisations and community groups who needed support from AVA. We’d sit down over a cup of tea and talk about their various projects and ideas and I’d ask how I could support them. I’d also meet up with individuals looking to volunteer in cafes, community centres and libraries. We’d chat about their interests, past experiences and motivations for volunteering and I’d suggest volunteering opportunities. If they needed help making contact with the group, I’d introduce them. Once a month you would have also seen me with an AVA banner at your local AVA drop-in session in either Banff, Macduff or Turriff Library. In Huntly, you could find me in the old paint shop on Castle Street.
 
Since lockdown things may have changed, but AVA’s six Development Officers are as busy as ever. You can still get in touch with me and get support with promotion, funding advice, governance, business planning, charitable status and volunteering. For now, I won’t be able to sit down with you over a cup of tea, but I can speak with you over the phone or if you prefer, share a virtual cuppa over a video call.
Over the past 6 months I’ve supported organisations and community groups in various ways. For example, AVA member Deveronvale Community Football Club reached out as they were looking for support with governance. I helped them understand what it meant to become a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations) and guided them through that process.
Another AVA member, Deveron District Age Concern (DDAC) celebrated their 35 year anniversary this summer, and as part of their thank you to their volunteers DDAC nominated 21 of their volunteers for an ‘Aberdeenshire Volunteer Awards’, 3 of these were for over 20 years of service.
So, if you’re an organisation or community group with an idea or someone looking to volunteer, AVA’s Development Officers are here to help. Give us a call on 03718 110008 or email enquiries@avashire.org.uk
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AVA works with a network of voluntary organisations across Aberdeenshire and is the one-stop shop for all aspects of local volunteering. As a voluntary organisation, we support and reward volunteers by delivering a series of awards aimed at a variety of age groups and organisations. Our Volunteering Awards are a great way of acknowledging and celebrating the work that volunteers of all ages contribute to life in Aberdeenshire.
Since the lockdown announcement in March this year, we have witnessed outstanding volunteering achievements. From neighbourly wellbeing checks to community resilience groups and everything in between; you have shown a true example community spirit and strength during this global pandemic. These efforts should not go unnoticed, and for this reason we would like to remind you of the volunteer recognition awards that AVA delivers.
Contact your local AVA Development Officer for more information on any of the awards below:
Saltire Awards: The Scottish Government volunteering award 
for volunteers aged 12-25
Saltire Awards are the Scottish awards designed to formally recognise the commitment and contribution of youth volunteering to voluntary organisations. Supported by the Scottish Government, the Saltire Awards enable young volunteers to record the skills, experience and learning gained through successful volunteering placements provided by local and national voluntary agencies.
For more information, please email saltire@avashire.org.uk
iVolunteer (formerly YAVA) for volunteers aged 5-11 
The iVolunteer award is aimed at 5-11 year olds and was previously called the YAVA award. The aim is to recognise the commitment to volunteering by young people by celebrating their achievements and acknowledging the time and effort dedicated to volunteering activities. Young people regularly volunteer without even realising it – the iVolunteer award lets us all celebrate and encourage that achievement!
For more information, please email Ivolunteer@avashire.org.uk
Aberdeenshire Volunteer Awards for volunteers aged 18 and over
The Aberdeenshire Volunteer Award recognises the valuable contribution that adult volunteers make to communities and individuals across Aberdeenshire. We know that individuals who volunteer deserve recognition for the years they spend giving their time to the work of charities, voluntary organisations, community groups and the many other ways that they volunteer. The awards recognise individual commitment to volunteering for 5, 10 and 15 years and for volunteers who have given 20 years or more there is a Lifetime Volunteering Achievement Award.
For more information, please email volunteering@avashire.org.uk
Volunteer-Friendly Awards for groups and organisations 
that involve volunteers
The Volunteer Friendly Award is a simple, user-friendly quality standard designed to support, recognise and reward groups and organisations that are good at involving volunteers. Many essential services in Scotland’s communities are enhanced by volunteers so it has never been more important for groups to be able to show how well they involve and manage their volunteers. Volunteer Friendly helps you to take a systematic look at what you do and how you do it with the opportunity to make positive changes if needs are recognised. There are no restrictions on the type or size of groups or organisation that can apply for this award.
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Magpie promotes the re-use of furniture and household goods, directly reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. In 2019, we diverted over 168 tonnes of goods from landfill. Instead, these items have been donated to families in crisis around Aberdeenshire or sold on for new use from our charity shop in Banchory.
We're delighted that Magpie is now open post-lockdown, accepting donations and providing quality items to our community once again. As with all retail outlets, we have introduced new measures to ensure the safety of our customers, staff and volunteers whilst we work to encourage reusing and recycling in Aberdeenshire.
Our current opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 3:30pm. We ask that customers call ahead on 01330 823800 to arrange delivery of donations as due to current guidelines, we are required to quarantine all items for 72 hours before displaying within the shop.
Magpie Charity Shop & Furniture Store
Units 3 & 5
Tillybrake Industrial Estate
Banchory
AB31 5UN
Telephone 01330 823800
 Several volunteer vacancies at Magpie in Banchory
Volunteers are vital to our work in promoting sustainable living and reducing waste.
We are currently have a variety of volunteer opportunities to assist in the day to day operation of Magpie. For more information, please click on the role title:
Retail
As our shop volunteer you will be part of a team that delivers high levels of customer service and undertakes a wide range of activities such as serving customers and merchandising stock to look appealing and tidy.
Delivery Driver
As one of our delivery volunteers you will support Magpie with deliveries of furniture to customers and the collection of donations by volunteering alongside our van driver.
Electrical Tester (PAT)
As our electrical tester you will support Magpie with carrying out initial checks and ensuring that electrical items are in good order and are safe and suitable for sale.
Social Media
As a social media volunteer you will raise the profile of Magpie and help us raise funds to support our work by promoting our stock on social media platforms.
Administration
As an administration volunteer you will ensure the smooth-running Magpie behind the scenes and will be responsible for set office duties.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Magpie, we would be delighted to welcome you into the team. You can apply for any of the positions above by completing our online application form.
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