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Projects

VSA currently has a range of on-going projects, including:

16-25's Saturday Fun Club
A club for those over 16 with additional support needs. It has 12 members, meets at Broomhill Acitvity Centre on Saturdays from 2 - 4 pm. The club enables young people to develop their interests and social skills, as well as giving carers a break.
Aberdeen Children's Society
VSA's Aberdeen Children's Society, which is part of VSA Children & Family Services, helps to build better lives for children and their families in our local community.
Aberdeen Children's Society - Counselling advice for young people
VSA's contribution to the growth of counselling services in Aberdeen continues and we are currently taking a lead role in the shaping and promotion of a city-wide strategy for the development of counselling services for children and young people.
Aberdeen Children's Society - Day Care Organisers for Children with Additional Support Needs
As well as having responsibility for our own playschemes our Day Care Organisers, Elaine Michael and Sarah McLenan have a city-wide role for the co-ordination and provision of playscheme places for children with additional support needs.
Aberdeen Children's Society - Social Work Support for families in crisis
Many low income and one-parent families find it increasingly difficult to cope. One child in three in Scotland now lives in poverty and recent research shows that Aberdeen, generally regarded as a wealthy city, has its share of real poverty creating all sorts of difficulties within a family.
Aberdeen Children's Society - Supporting children with additional support needs
Children with disabilities sometimes miss out on the fun, freedom and social development other children enjoy. At our Playgroup and selection of Clubs, children can meet, mix and enjoy themselves like other youngsters while their parents enjoy a short break.
Aberdeen Children's Society - Supporting Families going through distress or separation
Family breakdown can be one of the most distressing experiences for any child and one which can have long-term affects if help is not available.
Activity Centres
With more people retiring earlier and remaining fit and active for longer, many of them want to fill their time with accessible and varied leisure opportunities.
Agelink/AgeCare Befriending Schemes
The Agelink scheme is for people who live within the King Street area, including Seaton, Powis, Tillydrone and Woodside.
Arrdeir House
Arrdier House is eleven-roomed granite built establishment located up a short tree lined driveway off Great Western Road in the quiet Mannofield area of Aberdeen. It is well served by local buses with a bus stop at the foot of the drive. There is a variety of shops and services a short walking distance from Arrdier House. The service we offer at Arrdeir is called Housing Support.
Broomhill Activity Centre
Broomhill Activity Centre is a new, bright, spacious and modern centre, opened in October 2005 to replace the old Broomhill Activity Centre
Broomhill Park
Broomhill Park was opened in 2005 and boasts the most up-to-date accommodation, equipment and services. The development for older people consists of 41 apartments, 37 of which are single occupancy, and four are for couples. There are several communal rooms, where activities and board games take place and where tenants can socialise. There are even cafes where you can purchase meals, snacks, tea and coffee. Located at the corner of South Anderson Drive and Broomhill Road, Broomhill Park is on the main bus routes, near local shops, supermarkets and the Duthie Park.
Care Homes - Locations
Our seven care homes include five within the St Aubin's Project, Woodgrove, Millbank House and Craigton Grove. These provide a range of care home and support packages to people who experience a mental health problem which includes mental illness or mental disorder, whether that be organic by nature e.g. dementia, learning disability, acquired brain injury or to people who experience functional illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Care Homes - Projects
Our aim is to encourage people to be as independent as possible, but we recognise that there may come a time when people need assistance with everyday tasks such as bathing/showering, dressing, getting in and out of bed and with meals. VSA's AgeCare Aberdeen Care Homes at Forestgait and Ruthrieston House provide this assistance and much more. Care and support is provided according to the agreed needs and preferences for each individual.
Central Activity Centre
Our Central Activity Centre holds a range of activities every weekday afternoon. The activities are varied, so there's something to suit every member - from crafts to country dancing, painting to tai chi.
Children's and Family Counselling
Our highly skilled counsellors work on a confidential basis with families where there has been a separation or divorce, to help reduce the distress experienced and help everyone involved adjust to the new situation. The combination of a Children’s Counsellor and a Family Counsellor allows for full exploration of differing points of view before coming together to share feelings and perceptions. This is a well established and valued service and appointments can be made by contacting the counsellors.
Cloverfield Grove
Cloverfield Grove is a purpose-built development for older people which opened in 2001. There are 40 apartments, 36 single occupancy and four for couples. There are also several communal lounges where tenants can get together to play board games and enjoy various organised activities. There are also cafes where tenants can enjoy a meal or simply have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. Located in spacious landscaped grounds, Cloverfield is situated in the Bucksburn area of Aberdeen just off Kepplehills Road in close proximity to the bus route and near local shops and amenities including the Beacon Centre.
Contact Centre
Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Contact Centre offers children of parents who have separated the opportunity for some relaxed time with the parent who no longer lives with them. The volunteers assist children and parents to settle in, and this, along with the centre being arranged so that there is no need for parents to meet, helps ensure the contact goes smoothly. It should be noted that the volunteers do not provide supervision of the contact, nor does the centre provide reports for courts, solicitors, social workers or any other third parties.
Craigton Grove
Craigton Grove provides excellent community-based supported accommodation for adults with learning disabilities either at 4 Craigton Grove, a purpose-built core house with neighbouring bedsits in Peterculter, or in two or three bedroomed houses in Peterculter and Aberdeen.
Easter Anguston - Skills for Life
Easter Anguston Farm (Training Centre) provides vocational training for young people with learning disabilities.
Easter Anguston Farm
Since it was established in 1972, Easter Anguston's aims have been to ensure that trainees develop the vocational, social and daily living skills needed to enable them to get the most out of life and to live as independently as possible in the community.
Easter Anguston Farm - Training
Trainees are taught a variety of practical land-based skills in key areas such as horticulture, livestock and arable farming.
Easter Anguston Farm - Visiting the Farm
Easter Anguston is located one mile west of the busy village of Peterculter on the outskirts of Aberdeen, off the A93 Banchory Road, and visitors are always warmly welcomed.
Easter Anguston Farm - Recreation & Leisure
Trainees are encouraged to take part in regular sporting activities.
Family Support Project
The Family Support Project is a volunteer project for one parent families. Following assessment, a volunteer is matched as a befriender with a family and will support them to maintain normal activities through periods of particular stress or isolation. The timing and the range of activities is flexible, according to the individual family's needs and volunteer availability. We mainly cater for children up to early secondary school age. We are not a respite project. Enquiries are welcome, either directly from parents or from professional workers.
Forestgait
Forestgait Care Home provides homely and comfortable accommodation for 43 older people. All of the bedrooms are single and tastefully decorated. Every room is equipped with a smoke detector, a two way speech alarm system and a hand basin. Toilet facilities and bathrooms are close to bedrooms and lounges.
Forestgait Lodge Sheltered Housing
Forestgait Lodge is a 20 unit sheltered housing complex situated in a pleasant garden setting on the corner of Richmondhill Place and King's Gate, adjacent to Forestgait Care Home for older people. The area is well served by local buses and there are shops and other services nearby.
FreeTalk
Our Counselling Service for looked after children offers a confidential and independent counselling service for all children looked after and accommodated by Aberdeen City Council. The counsellor is an experienced professional with a background in both social work and counselling. Accommodated children and young people are encouraged to refer themselves via text, telephone, a return slip which is part of FreeTalk’s leaflet, or by asking an adult to refer them. Counselling takes place in FreeTalk’s room in Castle Street, and children and young people may need an adult to ensure their safe transport to and from there.
Glenmhor
Glenmhor offers longer term accommodation and support to adults who have experienced severe and enduring mental ill health.
Hazlewood After School Club
A specialist resource for children with additional support needs who would not manage in a mainstream club even with extra support, designed to provide stimulating play and social interaction for the children, while enabling their parents to work. The club meets daily from 3.00pm - 6.00pm at Hazlewood School, though children do not necessarily have to be pupils of the school. It takes a maximum of 8 children, with a range of special needs. Also open on inservice and holiday periods.
Holiday Playschemes
The Saturday Fun Clubs for 8-12s and 12-16s, become Holiday Playschemes for some weeks in the Easter, Summer and October holidays, and so do the Hazlewood and Marlepool After School Clubs. In addition we run an under 8s Playscheme, again for children with additional support needs. We also take on extra Linkworkers to enable some children with additional support needs to attend mainstream playschemes run by the city and other organisations. Our own playschemes are based at Hazlewood and Beechwood Schools, and some places are available for children not normally part of the clubs. The under 8s Playscheme is based at the Maisie Munro Children’s Centre.
Housing with Care and Support
Our Housing with Care and Support developments at Broomhill Park and Cloverfield Grove offer modern, well-appointed flats to rent, together with Care at Home and Housing Support Services, tailored to suit the specific needs and preferences of individual tenants.
Linkworker Scheme
This scheme provides children with additional support needs with a trained worker who acts as a 'bridge' between them and mainstream After School Clubs or other play facilities. The Linkworker is temporarily placed at the club to advise on the child's needs and assist the staff in developing ways of meeting them. When the child has become well integrated into the club the Linkworker is gradually withdrawn. There is no extra cost to the child’s parents for this service over and above the club fee which all parents pay.
Linn Moor School
VSA's Linn Moor School provides education, support and meaningful activities that meet the needs of each individual child so that they can fulfil their potential.
Long Term Support Worker Scheme
This is an extension of the Linkworker Scheme, and is based on recognition of the fact that some children with additional support needs will always require extra support if they are to get the most benefit from attending mainstream provision.
Marlpool After School Club
This club offers the same service as Hazlewood except in Marlpool School. It is open Monday - Friday between between 3.00pm and 6.00pm at the school, and is registered for 8 children.
Millbank House
Millbank House provides long-term supportive accommodation for up to 21 residents who have mental health problems. We provide a safe and welcoming environment in order to assist residents to obtain their maximum potential and independence.
Northfield Lodge
Northfield Lodge provides single room, barrier free accommodation for eighteen residents.
Playgroup
This is a very special playgroup, offering integrated care to mainstream children and children with additional support needs. There are only 12 places in the group and all the children can enjoy a wide range of both structured and free play for only £1 per morning. Children attend the playgroup on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9.30am - 11.45am and it is staffed by two paid organisers and a group of dedicated volunteers. Enquiries should be made in the first instance to Cathy Maxwell, Resource Worker for Children.
Richmondhill House
Richmondhill House is VSA's long-established Family Support and Assessment Centre, offering periods of residential care to families, single parents and couples with children - as well as a growing range of outreach services.
Room To Talk
'Room To Talk' is our student counselling service at St Machar Academy. Our professionally qualified Student Counsellor is based in a room specially converted for counselling within the Academy. She offers a self-referring counselling service to all pupils in the Academy, as well as accepting referrals from Guidance teachers and others whom a child or young person has agreed should approach Violet for them. The service is for children and young people, and does not focus just on school issues - any and all issues can be discussed.
Ruthrieston House
Does living in a quiet residential area with an attractive landscaped garden overlooking the old Deeside railway line appeal to you? Then look no further than Ruthrieston House.
Saturday Fun Clubs, 8-12 year olds, 12-16 year olds
These clubs are for children and young people with additional support needs, and meet each Saturday at Hazlewood School, the 8-12 years at 12.30pm - 2.30pm, and the 12-16 years at 3.00pm - 5.00pm. They provide a range of activities and outings, and are staffed by a co-ordinator, two support workers and a number of volunteers
Social Work Reception Team
Our Reception Team provides a professional Social Work service. A Team Senior and 3 part-time social workers offer advice, skilled help and practical support helping local people in times of crisis. They can access some Trust Fund monies, and offer services to single people as well as families. A Duty Social Worker is available on Monday mornings at the Community Flat in Tillydrone and on Tuesday to Friday mornings, by appointment, at our office in Castle Street.
St Aubin's
St. Aubin's provides accommodation for eight people who have experienced problems with their mental health.
St. Aubin's Project
Not so long ago, many people with mental health problems were consigned to long stay beds in hospital settings, largely forgotten by society in general. In 1987, the St Aubin's Project set out to change that situation.
Support in the Community
Our Support in the Community provides a dedicated Older People's Team of social workers who provide valuable advice for older people on services, housing, residential care, personal problems and benefits, and who have access to various VSA Funds to give financial support in appropriate circumstances. Our services also include three activity centres for people over 55 years of age and various volunteer schemes.
Support Services
Support Services offer a range of outreach based services to a wide service user group covered by 'Mental Health', from Weekend Day Care (supporting carers of people with dementia) through to the Supporting People Team who provide Housing Support to people with dementia, and 'Connect' our Mental Health Befriending Scheme. Easter Anguston, our Farm resource for adults with a learning disability, also forms a part of the Support Services.
The Special Transport Scheme
The Special Transport scheme provides outings for housebound and isolated older people. For many of the older people we help, the bus trips are a lifeline in their isolation, helping them maintain contact with the world outside their homes.
Toy Library
This free service offers a wide range of toys suitable for babies, pre-school children and children with additional support needs. Parents, grandparents, foster carers, playgroups and childminders throughout the city are all welcome. The library is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.15 am to 2.15 pm., (Tuesdays only during July and August) and can be contacted during those hours on 01224 624290.
VSA AgeCare Aberdeen - Accommodation
VSA's AgeCare Aberdeen offers a wide range of accommodation for older people and can help you to plan your move and make a smooth transition when you decide that the time is right.
VSA Funds
There are a number of Funds which our experienced social workers can access to give financial support to people in need living in the community.
VSA Volunteer Schemes
There are a number of Volunteer Schemes provided by VSA which support people in need living in the community.
VSA's Crisis Fund
The Crisis Fund is a vital source of help to individuals and families facing extreme hardship.
VSA's Fuel Fund
Keeping warm in winter is essential for vulnerable older people and children. Our Fuel Fund eases the burden of winter fuel bills for hundreds of older people, those with disabilities and young families on the lowest incomes, ensuring they can afford the warmth they need to keep healthy.
VSA's Holiday Fund
Our Holiday Fund can provide a short holiday for families and older people coping with illness or disability - or just the everyday stress of making ends meet on a low income.
VSA's Telephone Fund
The VSA AgeCare Aberdeen Telephone Fund helps isolated older people aged 75 and over by installing a telephone in their home.
Westerton Crescent
Westerton Crescent was opened in February 1995 and was purpose built to provide barrier free accommodation for nine people who, as well as having a history of severe and enduring mental health problems, also have a physical disability.
Woodgrove
Woodgrove is a specialist dementia unit.
Woodside Activity Centre
A long-established activity centre, Woodside offers a weekday programme which includes dancing (both line and sequence), movement to music, tai chi, games mornings for men, crafts, painting and whist.