Celebrating Resilience and Remarkable Volunteers

Celebrating Resilience: Attending the Community Resilience Conference

Earlier last month, ACVO joined colleagues from Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) at the excellent Community Resilience Conference. The conference brought together Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, statutory, private and community groups all committed to building community resilience.

With over 100 people participating, it was a fantastic, jam-packed day of learning. Attendees explored a wide range of aspects including cyber security and resilience, learning and experience from Aberdeen Sports Village Rest Centre, preventing and tacking wildfires, PROTECT, Ice Crew/Snow Warden-winter resilience.

There was a ChatGPT resilience exercise, first aid demo, Red Cross Rest Centre overview and Flood Bus demonstration.

Whether preparing for emergencies, supporting neighbours or sharing local knowledge, every small action helps make our communities safer and stronger.

For more about community resilience in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, visit:

• Aberdeen City Council – Community Resilience
• Aberdeenshire Community Resilience Strategy
• Ready Scotland

Celebrating Young People: Dominic Reaches the Saltire Summit

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The contribution young people are making in our local communities continues to be outstanding and inspiring.

This was highlighted recently at a special presentation at the always brilliant Inchgarth Community Centre where local volunteer Dominic Dargie, was presented with the Saltire Summit Award by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Councillor Dr David Cameron in recognition of exceptional volunteering.

Dominic was nominated for the award by Jules Ory, Volunteer Coordinator, and Paul O’Connor MBE, Centre Manager at Inchgarth Community Centre, for the huge help he provides at Inchgarth Community Centre and the real difference this makes for people and the community.

Dominic’s experience at Inchgarth includes being a Youth Club Volunteer, assisting with the community response at the community centre during the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing food to people in the community who would have otherwise been vulnerable and faced isolation, and continuing to volunteer at the Phoenix Club at Inchgarth, a group for adults with additional support needs.

At the presentation of the award, Jules Ory and Paul O’Connor thanked Dominic for all he does at Inchgarth Community Centre, highlighted the impact this has and also presented Dominic with a Volunteer Thank You Certificate and Queens Award badge for the voluntary service Dominic provides.

“I further extended ACVO’s huge thanks and congratulations to Dominic and Inchgarth Community Centre for all it does which is so momentous.”

Lord Provost Councillor Dr David Cameron expressed his thanks and congratulations to Dominic, stating how important such exemplary volunteering is to Aberdeen City.

Dominic’s family, local councillors and fellow Inchgarth Community Centre volunteers and staff also attended and recognised the great contribution Dominic makes and his achievements.

Audrey Nicoll MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament thanking Dominic and congratulating him on the Saltire Summit Award achievement.

The full motion is available at: Dominic Dargie Wins Summit Saltire Award.

The Saltire Awards are national awards endorsed by the Scottish Government and delivered in each local authority area by Third Sector Interfaces (ACVO in Aberdeen).

They recognise the marvellous contribution young people, aged 11-25 years, make through volunteering and the achievements of young volunteers.

Certificates are awarded in recognition for undertaking 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours of volunteering and volunteers can also be nominated for a Summit Award in recognition of particularly outstanding contributions.

For more information about Inchgarth Community Centre and the Saltire Awards (for volunteers aged 11-25 years) please visit:

• Inchgarth Community Centre
• Volunteer Aberdeen (Young Volunteers)
• Saltire Awards

Let’s continue celebrating the small acts of generosity that make such a big difference every day.

Get involved

If you’re interested in volunteering, visit Volunteer Aberdeen to explore the latest opportunities in your community. Organisations can also submit opportunities, visit volunteeraberdeen.org.uk for further details.

Stay informed with ACVO’s So Why Don’t You… programme on SHMU Community Radio, broadcast live every Friday from 2 to 3 pm. Episodes are also available on demand at acvo.org.uk/sowhydontyou.

If you’re aged 12-25, ACVO coordinates the Saltire Awards locally – recognising young volunteers for 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 hours of service. Find info and get involved at saltireawards.scot.

Join ACVO and over 200 Scottish organisations as a Volunteer Charter Champion by pledging support at volunteerscotland.net.

For info on the Volunteering Action Plan for Scotland, involvement opportunities, and volunteer recruitment tips, volunteeringactionplan.co.uk.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions around volunteering: mike.melvin@acvo.org.uk

Get involved: Volunteer in Aberdeen!

There are hundreds of different ways you can give your time as a volunteer in Aberdeen! The great thing about volunteering is that it is so inclusive, no matter your experience, time you have to give or age, there is a volunteer opportunity to suit you and an organisation in Aberdeen that would really value your contribution.

Have a look below at some of our recently added opportunities and discover how you can make a big difference in your local community!