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Ruthrieston Community Centre has been part of the Aberdeen community for generations. Dating back to around 1875, the building originally opened as a school for local children before going on to serve a range of educational purposes. Since 1979, it has operated as a community centre, and since 2010 it has been self-governing, run by a local committee committed to keeping it open and accessible.
Today, the centre hosts a wide variety of activities – from the weekly Friday Café to cooking classes, arts and crafts, book clubs and wellbeing sessions. It offers a welcoming, informal space where people of all ages can connect, learn new skills and access support.
Like many community organisations, the centre relies heavily on volunteers, who support everything from preparing refreshments and welcoming visitors to shaping engagement and managing communications. Their involvement is central to the day-to-day running of the space.
Alongside this people-powered approach, the centre is also working to strengthen its long-term sustainability. With support from the Just Transition PB Fund, distributed locally by ACVO, it secured funding for a project that will introduce solar panels and insulation—reducing energy costs and improving sustainability for years to come.
Amanda Stephen, Manager and Development Officer, highlights the importance of volunteers:
“Volunteers are absolutely essential to Ruthrieston Community Centre. They help run our weekly café, support activities, welcome visitors and bring new ideas that help us grow. Funding helps us invest in the building and plan ahead, but it’s volunteers who make the centre feel active and welcoming each week. Their time, skills and commitment mean we can continue offering accessible activities for the wider community.”
We spoke to four volunteers about what brought them to Ruthrieston, what they do and why volunteering matters to them.
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Anita
Anita first came to the centre through a University of Aberdeen internship – but she says she had already decided she wanted to stay before she even knew if she had the role.
“When I first came in and listened to Amanda speak about her mission here, I was really inspired” she says. “After the interview, I told myself that even if I didn’t get the internship, I would still come and volunteer.”
She did secure the placement, working on engagement strategies and sustainability ideas. But after speaking with community members and seeing the range of activities in action, she chose to continue beyond the internship.
“After I spoke with the community members, saw all the things the centre had going on and wrote up the engagement strategy, I decided I just couldn’t leave.”
Originally from the United States, Anita sees volunteering as a way of giving back. “This is my way of paying Scotland back for being such a lovely country that I can come and live in”
While the experience has helped her develop communication and interpersonal skills, she is clear about her motivation. “I’m mainly in it so I can help others,” she says. “Everything we do is because of the volunteers we have. It’s so worth it – it’s a really great part of being a member of society.”
Penny
Penny has been volunteering at the centre since April 2025, mainly supporting the Friday Café. “My main duty is helping in the kitchen,” she explains. “I welcome people who come to our community centre for coffee and tea. I also help with advertising on Facebook for classes or new activities.”
She sometimes supports the food bank as well. For Penny, volunteering is about contributing to the community at a stage in life where she has more time to give.
“My children are grown up, so I’m happy to contribute some of my time to support and help people,” she says. “When I help people, they feel happy as well.”
Originally from China, Penny also values the personal development volunteering has brought. “Another way it helps me is by improving my English,” she explains.
As she looks for new career opportunities in accountancy or financial administration, volunteering keeps her engaged and connected. But what stands out most is how she feels about the centre itself.
“The people at the centre feel like a family to me,” she says. “I look forward to coming weekly.”
Susan
Susan is completing a 12-week university placement at the centre, focusing on social media and communications. “My main role here is to manage the social media pages,” she says. “I’m trying to raise awareness because a lot of people don’t actually know where we’re located.”
Each week, she shares information about cooking classes, mental health and wellbeing sessions, arts and crafts and the Friday Café – many of which are free.
“I think it’s really important for people to be aware of what’s actually going on in their community,” she says. “It’s quite beneficial for people to come together and just have fun, that’s the most important thing.”
She highlights students and newcomers to the city as groups who can particularly benefit from accessible activities.
“For a lot of people coming into the city who’ve never joined a class before or don’t know anybody, it’s a good chance to get out there and encourage people to step out of their comfort zone.”
Her message is simple: follow the centre online and get involved.
Keith
Keith joined the centre recently and now volunteers at the Friday Café. “I’ve just been here for a couple of weeks making teas and coffees and so forth, washing up,” he says.
A retired teacher, Keith was looking for ways to stay active and involved. In addition to his time at Ruthrieston, he volunteers with Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust several days a week.
“It just keeps me busy,” he explains. “It gets me out of the house and doing stuff.” For Keith, the importance of volunteering is straightforward. “The things that people volunteer in wouldn’t be able to run or even exist without the volunteers”
At Ruthrieston, that might mean practical tasks behind the scenes – but it is part of what ensures the café and other activities can continue week after week.
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