History and Origin
Interesting Landmarks in the History of VSA
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1870
Aberdeen Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor The Agency was inaugurated at a public meeting on 10th March, 1870 as Aberdeen Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor. |
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1870 (Circa)
Cards Issued For Strangers Begging Round the Doors Cards were issued to the public to pass on to strangers begging round the doors, directing them to the Association's office. |
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1871
A Day Nursery for Under Fives A day nursery for under fives was established in East North Street to prevent neglect; operated from 5:30 am to 6:30 pm while mothers worked at cleaning or washing jobs. |
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1875
Prisoners Aid Society was Established Prisoners Aid Society was established, interested in the reformative aspects of the treatment of prisoners, and giving support and aid after discharge. |
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1880 (Circa)
Penny Banks Established in Aberdeen Penny banks established in various sections of Aberdeen to encourage the habit of saving; administered by the Association until 1895, when taken over by Aberdeen Savings Bank. |
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1883
Handbook of the Charities of Aberdeen A Handbook of the Charities of Aberdeen was compiled, and published annually as part of the Aberdeen Almanac. |
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1884
House Provided for Women Discharged from Prison A house was rented for women on their discharge from prison, providing temporary accommodation and support until permanent arrangements were made. |
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1887
Firelighter Workshop Moved to Rogers Walk The firelighter workshop was moved from Spring Garden to larger premises in Rogers Walk. |
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1890
Office Transferred from McCombie's Court to 18 Adelphi The office was transferred from McCombie's Court to 18 Adelphi. |
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1895
Workshop Moved to 15-21 Princes Street The workshop moved again to 15-21 Princes Street, where a day nursery was also run until 1902. |
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1898
Sick Mans Friend Society Handed Over to the Association The administration of the Sick Mans Friend Society was handed over to the Association. |
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1899
Offices moved to 38 Castle Street The offices were moved to 38 Castle Street, the Parish Council Offices being purchased for GBP1,600. |
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1904
New Voluntary Visitors Recruited 150 new voluntary visitors were recruited in a revitalisation of the system of section visitors. |
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1908
Old Age Pensions Act 1908 Has Little Effect on Association The Old Age Pensions Act 1908 has little effect on the Association. |
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1910
Central Register of Beneficiaries Re-established A central register of beneficiaries was re-established following a meeting of representatives of 24 trusts (39 having been invited). |
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1911
National Insurance Act 1911 Led to Fall in Applications National Insurance Act 1911 led to a fall in the number of applications to the Association by 400. |
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1912
Central Agency for Collection of Funds A central agency for the collection of funds was established: a single donation to the Association can be allocated according to the donor's wishes. |
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1913
Aberdeen Female and Domestic Servants Benevolent Fund The Aberdeen Female and Domestic Servants Benevolent Fund was transferred to the Association by the Court of Session. |
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1918
New Problems During the First World War New problems emerged during the First World War. |
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1922
Applications Soared Due to Colossal Unemployment Applications soared from 990 the previous year to 8,216, due to colossal unemployment. |
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1925
Aberdeen Children's Shelter Opened Aberdeen Children's Shelter was opened, on the first floor at 38 Castle Street. |
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1926
Record Number of calls for Help in the Year of the General Strike A record number of calls for help on the Association in this year of the General Strike. |
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1927
Children's Shelter Established at the Beach As an adjunct to the Children's Shelter's work, a shelter was established at the beach for lost children during the summer months. |
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1928
Increasing Focus on the Needs of the Elderly Increasing focus on the needs of the elderly, particularly during the cold fist of winter; 210 bags of coal delivered to elderly, sick persons. |
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1929
Lady Provost's Willing Shilling Fund Towards Christmas, the Lady Provost's Willing Shilling Fund was established. |
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1935
Association Incorporated Under the Companies Act 1929 On 9th May, 1935, the Association was incorporated under the Companies Act 1929 as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. |
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1939
Children's Shelter Closed due to Risks of Bombing The Children's Shelter was closed due to the risks of bombing. |
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1940
Aberdeen Citizen's Advice Bureau Established The Aberdeen Citizen's Advice Bureau was established within the Castle Street offices, to help counter bewilderment of wartime society. |
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1946
First Trained Social Worker Appointed Recently formed Aberdeen Old People's Welfare Council requests the Association to provide administrative services. |
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1947
Title of Agency was changed to Aberdeen Association of Social Service Title of Agency was changed to Aberdeen Association of Social Service. |
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1948
Association Summer Shelter at the Beach Taken over by Town Council Steps were taken to initiate the Aberdeen and North-East Association for Mental Health. |
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1949
Aberdeen Children's Welfare Council Took initiative in forming the Aberdeen Children's Welfare Council (a co-ordinating body), with Association providing administrative services. |
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1952
Aberdeen Children's Shelter Moves Aberdeen Children's Shelter moves from 38 Castle Street to 'Millbank', 139 Hardgate, Aberdeen. |
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1958
Aberdeen Committee for the Welfare of the Disabled Established Established the Aberdeen Committee for the Welfare of the Disabled. |
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1960
Central Collection Agency renamed 'Charities Aid Scheme' The Central Collection Agency was renamed the Charities Aid Scheme. |
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1962
Formation of the Scottish Association of Voluntary Child Care Organisations Involved in national discussions leading to the formation of the Scottish Association of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (now the Scottish Child and Family Alliance). |
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1963
Linn Moor Scotland's First Residential Occupational Centre Linn Moor decides to alter its function and re-opens in the following year as Scotland's first residential occupational centre for severely mentally handicapped children. |
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1964
The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society altered its title to Aberdeen Prisoners and Families Aid Society. |
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1965
First Thrift Shop Opened on King Street First Thrift Shop opened at 183 King Street, both as a fundraising venture and as a service to low income families. |
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1966
Social Studies Course Established The Association participated in moves to establish a Social Studies Course at Aberdeen University. |
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1967
Requests for Financial Help Continue Despite social security provisions, requests for financial help continue, and material aid now exceeds GBP10,000 per annum. |
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1968
Association Launched Comprehensive Service for Unmarried Parents The Association launched a Comprehensive Service for Unmarried Parents. |
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1969
Nursery for Children of Single Mothers Established in St Katherine's Centre A nursery for children of single mothers was established in St Katherine's Centre. |
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1970
Scottish Office Grant to Prisoners' and Families' Aid Society Ceases Scottish Office grant to Prisoners' and Families' Aid Society ceases (due to the setting up of Social Work Departments) and the Aberdeen Society is wound up in 1973. |
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1971
Family Support Group of Volunteers Formed Despite advent of new Social Work Departments, the numbers coming to 38 Castle Street seeking help continue to increase. |
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1972
Inauguration of Easter Anguston Farm Training Scheme 32 babies placed for adoption. |
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1973
Linn Moor and Aberdeen Children's Society Merged with Aberdeen Association of Social Service Steps taken to develop weekend camping expeditions for underprivileged children. |
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1974
Richmondhill House and Aberdeen Old People's Welfare Council Merge with the Association Richmondhill House and Aberdeen Old People's Welfare Council merge with the Association in agreements protecting their identity and financial independence. |
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1975
Linn Moor is Re-designated as a Residential Special School Linn Moor is re-designated as a Residential Special School. |
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1976
Aberdeen Citizen's Advise Bureau Branches Off as an Independent Organisation Aberdeen Citizen's Advice Bureau, which formed part of the Association since 1940, branches off as an independent organisation. |
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1977
Day Centre for Elderly in St Katherine's Closed Day centre for elderly in St Katherine's closed. |
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1978
Youth Opportunities Programme is Sponsored A Youth Opportunities Programme is sponsored: temporary employment for 12 youngsters in conjunction with Social Work Department. |
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1979
Voluntary Service Aberdeen was Adopted as New Operational Title. Voluntary Service Aberdeen was adopted as new operational title. |
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1980
Refugee Vietnamese Families Resettled in Aberdeen Co-ordinated the resettlement of 12 refugee Vietnamese families in Aberdeen. |
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1981
Aberdeen Children's Shelter Closed Aberdeen Children's Shelter closed, and also Ferryhill Home for Children, the latter building being then purchased by Voluntary Service Aberdeen. |
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1982
Deemount House and Millbank House Opened Deemount House and Millbank House were opened, new supported accommodation units for elderly people. |
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1983
Aberdeen Volunteer Bureau Established Aberdeen Volunteer Bureau established. |
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1984
Major Upgrading of Linn Moor Swimming Pool Major upgrading of Linn Moor swimming pool. |
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1985
Adoption Society Phased Out Adoption Society phased out. |
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1986
Ruthrieston House Constructed For Elderly Persons Ruthrieston House, new 30-bed unit for elderly persons, constructed at cost of nearly GBP1 million. |
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1987
Opening of StAubin's Rehabilitation Unit Opening of St Aubin's as longer-stay rehabilitation unit for discharged psychiatric patients. |
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1988
Children's Counsellor, Family Counsellor and Access Centre Established Children's Counsellor, Family Counsellor and Access Centre established. |
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1989
Development Officer for Carers Appointed Development Officer for Carers appointed to help identify carers in the community and open up channels of communication between them and statutory and voluntary organisations to help meet their needs more effectively. |
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1990
Saturday Fun Club Set Up Saturday Fun Club set up to enable children with special needs to meet and play in a safe environment and let carers enjoy a short break. |
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1992
St Aubin's Project Expanded St Aubin's Project expanded to provide long-term residential accommodation at Glenmhor for 8 people with mental health problems now back in the community. |
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1993
New Accommodation Opened in Peterculter New accommodation opened in Peterculter, helping to integrate Easter Anguston trainees into the community, following a Special Appeal which raised over GBP300,000. |
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1994
Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre Officially Opened Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre in Belmont Street officially opened in April 1994 by the Princess Royal. |
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1995
A 125th Anniversary Appeal raised GBP250,000 A 125th Anniversary Appeal raised GBP250,000. |
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1996
A New St Aubin's Project Unit Comes on Stream at Westerton Crescent A New St Aubin's Project unit comes on stream at Westerton Crescent, providing 9 flats with wheelchair access for older people with both mental health problems and physical disabilities. |
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1997
Woodgrove Unit is Opened Woodgrove, a new 40-bed unit for older people with dementia, is opened. |
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1998
'AgeCare Aberdeen' Introduced A new title was introduced for Aberdeen Old People's Welfare Council : AgeCare Aberdeen. |
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2000
At Linn Moor a Unit for Pupils with High Support Needs is Created At Linn Moor a unit for pupils with high support needs is created, and separate living areas and programmes developed for those children with autism. |
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2001
New Shop-front Premises for Aberdeen Volunteer Centre are Secured New shop-front premises for Aberdeen Volunteer Centre are secured, adjacent to the main office in Castle Street. |
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2002
Young Carers Activities Centre is Opened in Justice Street, Aberdeen A Young Carers Activities Centre is opened in Justice Street, Aberdeen. |
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2003
New Housing Support Services are Developed New housing support services are developed within the St Aubin's Project and through Richmondhill House. |
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2004
Bill Howie Retires from Post as Director of VSA In March 2004 Bill Howie retires from post as Director of VSA and Kenneth Simpson takes over in the new post of Chief Executive. |
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2005
A New Management Structure is put in Place The Strategic Review is completed and gradual implementation of findings begins. |
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2006
Voluntary Service Aberdeen Changes it's Operation Name to VSA After consultation with OSCR (Office of Scottish Charity Regulator) and major stakeholders, Voluntary Service Aberdeen formally changes its operating name to VSA on 1st April |
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