Latest News

ACVO-Volunteer Centre Join the North East Scotland Equalities Network

As part of our commitment to equality of opportunity for all ACVO-Volunteer Centre have joined the North East Scotland Equalities Network (NESEN).

NESEN is a new user-led initiative facilitated by the local Regional Equality Council GREC. Through keeping members connected and informed of events, news and requests for assistance it builds equality and celebrates diversity.

NESEN is also part of the local Third Sector Action and Liaison Groups ensuring a strong, positive voice for equality matters in Community Planning.

For more information about NESEN and latest news and information relevant to equality matters please visit www.nesen.org.uk or contact Amanda Walker on 01224 595505.

Nomination for Shmufties ‘Partner Organisation Award’ Category

This years SHMUfm, community radio awards ceremony, ‘The Shmufties’ is fast approaching, with Aberdeen's event of the year being held on the evening of Friday 28th October

Aberdeen Volunteer Centre who present a weekly programme on volunteering, entitled ‘So Why Don’t You …Just Volunteer’ have again, this year, been nominated in the Partner Organisation Award category.

The programme is presented by Rod McDermid Mike Melvin and volunteer Mel Cadger from the Volunteer Centre, highlight volunteering issues, features, news, views and guests from the Third/Voluntary sector

As part of the voting system SHMUfm will be uploading audio clips from the Partner's shows to their website to help listeners to vote for their favourite.

You can check out the SHMUfm Radio webpage just follow the links ….and remember, don’t touch that dial …!!

Local Teenager Receives Award for Volunteering

Seventeen year old Northfield Academy pupil, Liam Jolly received an award for his voluntary work at a city centre ceremony on Tuesday. Liam, who volunteers as a Junior Sooyang Do Instructor with local community project Give Kids a Chance, was awarded the Exxon Mobil Award for Service to the Community at his school’s annual awards ceremony at The Music Hall on Tuesday 14th June.

Liam was nominated for the award by Depute Head Teacher, Mike Will, who is also Chairman of YMCA Scotland. Mike had been unaware of Liam’s voluntary work until bumping into him at a recent European Year of Volunteering reception at the Town House.

Mike explains, “If it wasn’t for attending the reception as a YMCA volunteer, I would not have been aware of the tremendous commitment that Liam has demonstrated in giving of his free time to help make a huge difference in the lives of others. I’m pleased that Liam’s inspirational volunteering work will be recognised by other students, parents and staff and hope that this will help others to recognise the importance of volunteering.”

Heather Wilson, Project Manager with Give Kids a Chance, said, “We are very proud of the progress Liam has made at the Sooyang Do and the additional responsibility he has accepted by making the decision to volunteer.  Liam is proof that young people have so much to offer society and are more than willing to volunteer their own time when given the right opportunity.”

In addition to the Exxon Mobil Award, Liam was also presented with an MV Award Certificate. The MV Awards, which are administrated in Aberdeen by ACVO-Volunteer Centre, recognise the contribution made by volunteers aged 16-25 years old.

Mike Melvin, Volunteer Coordinator with ACVO-Volunteer Centre, said, “This is excellent news and highlights the fantastic contribution and real positive difference volunteers are making in our communities. Congratulations to Northfield Academy, Give Kids a Chance and most of all to Liam.”

*For latest updates about how to get involved in volunteering in Aberdeen please visit: www.volunteeraberdeen.org.uk

*Come along to Insight Aberdeen-Third Sector & Volunteering Fayre at the Music Hall, Saturday 2nd July 2011, 10am-3pm.

*For further information regarding Give Kids a Chance please visit: www.nhsgrampian.org/gkac

Volunteers Celebrate European Year of Volunteering on Europe Day

The Head of the European Commission Office in Scotland, Neil Mitchison, Lord Provost Peter Stephen (pictured above) and Sandy Mathers, Unit Leader, ACVO Voluntary Action & Active Citizenship Business Unit welcomed over 150 volunteers, volunteer organisations, representatives from Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Europe Direct and highlighted the fantastic contribution volunteers make across Europe and how Aberdeen’s estimated 44,000 volunteers help make the City a better place. Rod McDermid, ACVO Voluntary Action & Active Citizenship Business Unit showcased the range of volunteers and volunteer involving organisations present welcoming the involvement of:

Crossroads Care-Cornerstone-the Cyrenians-Aberdeen Samaritans-Befriend a Child-GREC-Grampian Regional Equality Council-Silver City Surfers-CHAS-Children Hospice Association Scotland-VSA (Contact Centre)- REACH Scotland-Kittybrewster Family Learning PEER Project- MEAL (Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd.)- SHMU-Station House Media Unit-Terrence Higgins Trust- Aberdeen Foyer (Global Xchange)- Home-Start Aberdeen-Aberdeen University Students’ Association-Aberdeen Action on Disability-Give Kids a Chance-Aberdeen Football Club Ladies Team-Thai Buddharrum Temple & Cultural Centre-CFINE-Community Food Initiative North East-Alzheimer Scotland-Mental Health Aberdeen-Learning Disability Group of Aberdeen-CLAN-Cancer Link Aberdeen & North-Lighthouse Project-Alcohol Support-Camphill-YMCA

It was a very enjoyable evening and a great recognition and celebration of the contribution volunteers make.

In addition Neil Mitchison, the Head of the European Commission Office in Scotland recorded a special interview for the ‘So Why Don’t You….’ Volunteering show that ACVO-Volunteer Centre present on SHMU-FM to help spread the word about the European Year of Volunteering and inspire people to get involved. The interview is available to listen to here. For latest updates about the European Year of Volunteering please go to www.europa.eu/volunteering and www.volunteeraberdeen.org.uk. Listen to the ‘So Why Don’t You…’ Volunteer Show on SHMU-FM-99.8fm-every Wednesday, 2-3.00pm (repeated Mondays 9-10am) for latest European Year of Volunteering 2011 updates, volunteering and third sector news.