-Would You Like To Help Make Your Community A Better Place? Have you ever asked yourself the question “Why doesn’t someone do something about that?” Well, you can start to bring about a change by joining your local Community Council. The elections for Community Councils in Aberdeen take place in October 2021 and this will a good opportunity to get involved. -What are Community Councils? Community councils are set up by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, established by Local Authorities as set out in the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils. They have no executive powers although, being close to and part of the local community, they play a vital role in representing the views of the community to local authorities and other public bodies. The number of Community Councillors in each area depends on the population figures for the area; a larger population has more Councillors. -Role and Responsibilities The general purpose of Community Councils is to act as a voice for their local area. This will involve them articulating the views and concerns of local people in their area on a wide range of issues of public concern and make representations to the Local Authority, other public sector bodies and private agencies on matters within their sphere of interest. Community Councils are a statutory consultee on all planning applications and licensing applications relating to liquor. Members of the Community Council can also participate in City wide groups e.g. Community Council Forum and Civic Forum to share ideas and discuss common issues. -How do they work? • They usually meet once a month to discuss the issues of current concern in their area, particularly major planning applications and steps to improve our local environment. • They contact and are contacted by relevant agencies to put forward the views of the community which involves collating views from members of the community, including individuals, families and groups. • They discuss and negotiate solutions to local issues and concerns. • They attend meetings with relevant groups, liaise with City Councillors and officials. • When necessary they campaign on big issues of local concern. -Community Council Achievements • Production and distribution of newsletters to keep the community informed • Organising community gardens and floral displays • Supporting local galas and festivals • Setting up and managing websites and other social media • Clean up activities for their area • Securing funding for local projects • Influencing planning and licensing decisions • Campaigning on local issues e.g. road safety, roads maintenance -Who can be a Community Councillor? Community Council candidates must be named on the current electoral register for the Community Council area in which they reside as a local government elector. The minimum age to stand for election as a Community Councillor is 16 years of age and we encourage young and older to get involved. You don’t need any special skills or experience. People who become Community Councillors should have an interest in their community and often begin with an interest in a specific issue such as youth activity provision, protecting the environment or the quality of local services. -Information Sessions Why not sign up to attend one of our information sessions? They are all being held via Microsoft Teams so you will need the link to join ( available by contacting email: communitycouncils@aberdeencity.gov.uk ) • 7pm – Thursday 12 August • 7pm Wednesday 18 August • 2pm Tuesday 24 August • 10am Monday 30 August -Election Timetable • Publication of Notice of Election - Wednesday 11 August • Close of Nominations - 4pm Thursday 9 September 2021 • Closing date for withdrawal of Nominations - 4pm Wednesday 15 September 2021 • Notice of Poll (or Uncontested Election) - Monday 20 September 2021 • Polling Day (if required) 8.00am - 8.00pm - Thursday 7 October 2021 -Find Out more Would you like to stand as a Community Councillor? Do you know someone else who would be a good Community Councillor? Please contact the Community Council Liaison Officer (CCLO), Karen Finch on 01224 522723 or email communitycouncils@aberdeencity.gov.uk for more information.

New Trustees should be able to attend meetings, and to read papers in advance of meetings. Participate in other tasks as arising from time to time, such as interviewing new staff or helping with fundraising. Trustees must keep informed about the activities of WFC and wider issues which affect its work. Each new Trustee must also have a commitment to WFC and its objectives; an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Trusteeship and a willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a Trustee. Key shared duties include setting and maintaining Wigtown Festival Company’s vision, mission and values; ensuring that WFC complies with the law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. Ensuring that WFC pursues its objectives as defined in its Articles of Association and Bye Laws and ensuring the financial stability of WFC, and ensuring that financial resources are well managed, used effectively and applied exclusively in pursuance of its objectives. Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of WFC, including the proper investment of WFC funds. Appointing WFC staff and monitoring their performance. Individual trustees should work collaboratively with other Trustees and staff to actively develop strategy, setting policy, goals and targets, and evaluating performance against agreed targets. Trustees will safeguard the good name and values of WFC, acting as its ambassador and advocating for its work; representing WFC at meetings and functions as appropriate. Trustees must abide by the Equal Opportunities Policy and declaring any conflict of interest while carrying out the duties of a WFC.

“The group management team members are volunteers who each have equal say in setting priorities, selection the films to be shown each year and resolving issues. Usually, but not necessarily, the also volunteer in other Cinema role(s). Attending around 4 evening Cinema Group Meetings per year and helping deliver action points outside of this time.”

“Volunteers who, as part of a small team, identify relevant grant awarding bodies and submit effective applications for money to fund the Trust's projects. They will consult with relevant volunteers from the Trust groups (Pen-y-Coe Press, Paper Making Museum, Open House, Cinema and Lost Garden). They will either become a member of the PCDT Management Committee and thereby become a Director of the Trust, or they may attend in an advisory capacity. Desirable experience: Fundraising, particularly experience of making applications to grant awarding bodies. Microsoft Word and Excel. Desirable qualities: Attention to detail. Enjoy working collaboratively. Reporting to around 10 evening Committee Meetings per year plus periods of concentrated activity over several days preparing grant submissions within deadlines.”

“Our volunteer projectionists help set up the Sunday evening cinema in the Town Hall and collect tickets. If required, they introduce the film. They play the DVD, with subtitles when available, and with a pause at an appropriate moment for an intermission for refreshments to be served. Sunday evenings except during summer holidays.”

Macmillan has an exciting opportunity to create a brand new Fundraising Group in Midlothian to raise vital funds and awareness so that we can support more people affected by cancer when they need us most! There is no pressure, and you can give as much or as little time as you like! Fundraising is a great opportunity to be social and have fun, while making a great difference to people affected by cancer. Join our new Group, and invite your friends to find out more information! We would love to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/665473656945661/

Food waste is a big issue in the UK and beyond. It’s estimated that a third of all food gets wasted. Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed. Help us look after the fridge in the following ways: * Operate fridge during allocated opening times * Collection of food from donors * Fridge cleaning and monitoring * Local fridge promotion * Assist with events to support the fridge and the local community Experience required: Interest in food. Confident and happy to work on own. Friendly and helpful manner.

The role involves sharing your own experiences of living with Borderline Personality Disorder with groups of participants and helping to facilitate training workshops. You will need good communication skills, lived experience of BPD , and be willing to share personal experiences with people from a variety of different backgrounds. A strong sense of commitment and willingness to travel throughout the Lothians are also important. CAPS /LEARN will provide training and mentoring for this role. Due to Covid 19 CAPS we have had to alter the way we work. Groups and volunteer roles are currently taking place online until we can resume face to face meetings.

Aberdeen Women's Alliance are a small, local, charity that was set up in 2004. Our aim is to enable Aberdeen womens' voices to be better heard by decision-makers. Since 2013 we have also run a successful local women's history project. Most recently during the pandemic, we have worked with our partners to make sure some disadvantaged women are having their basic needs met. We are keen to recruit some women to become new members of the Lead Group. Our Lead Group oversees our governance much like a Board or Management Committee. If you're interested in finding out more, please in the first instance email awainfo@btinternet.com

We are delighted to welcome back Volunteers and have opportunities across our services in Aberdeen. So, no matter where you live in the city, there could be an opportunity near you! In the first instance we are seeking Befrienders. Many of our Service Users have been shielding for over a year. We are looking for Volunteers to become befrienders, being a befriender means you could be supporting someone with an outside walk, build up confidence with support to a supermarket, help with laundry, just enjoy sitting having a chat over a cuppa, or maybe help with some light domestic duties or cooking. All Volunteers will go through pre recruitment checks that include, Interview, PVG and References. Volunteering is such a worthwhile act, not only can your support be lifechanging for an older person, but you can also gain, increased confidence, experience improve your own self-esteem, feel part of a team, and make new friends. For more details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: jsuttar@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 07901944728.