Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has said it is “extremely proud” of its staff for their commitment to supporting the local community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The local leisure trust, which operates over 30 citywide venues, has seen more than 35 furloughed employees take on volunteer or secondment roles, supporting partner agencies, since the lockdown restrictions forced venues to close last March.
Sport Aberdeen employees have turned their hand to several different roles in positions supporting the NHS, Aberdeen City Council, Grampian Assessor & Electoral Registration and Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership. These roles include; Contact Trace Practitioners, Logistics Coordinators, Call Handlers, Refuse Loaders and Temporary Electoral Registration Assistants. This support is vital to these organisations and has been very gratefully received.
Nickie Scorgie, Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development, said:
“This last year has been extremely challenging for Sport Aberdeen and so many charities and businesses, despite this I am extremely proud of our team for stepping up and helping local organisations. So many have been willing to come forward and assist our partners.”
Aimee Beatie, a Sport Aberdeen employee, said:
“During the first national lockdown I was supporting the child services team within Mile-End Primary School. It was really great to get out and support my local community in such uncertain times and it was very positive for my mental health, giving me purpose during the first lockdown.”
“Thank you for being here with us. We’ve had so much fun with [Active Schools], they’ve helped us in the classrooms and played really fun activities outside.”
A young person from Kaimhill Primary School
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team have also been supporting children of key workers and vulnerable children in over 10 schools across the city, delivering physical activity outdoors following the appropriate local and national guidance as well as supporting young people in the classroom.
A number of Active Schools coordinators have been working with targeted young people to support their overall wellbeing, delivering sessions and creating new ways for young people to stay active during the lockdown.
Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE (Supported Physical Activity for Care Experienced) programme Project Activator staff have been delivering one-to-one sessions both in specific schools or within the local community, engaging with those most at risk.
Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Head of Sport and Active Communities, said:
“Allowing and encouraging young people to continue to stay active and improve their mental and physical wellbeing throughout this challenging time has been at the forefront of our efforts.
“The Active Schools workforce have played a key role in helping to keep young people in Aberdeen active by working in schools and hubs throughout the city and we are extremely proud of each and every one of them.”
Read more about how Sport Aberdeen supports the community here.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has provided grants of up to £400 to local sports clubs to help alleviate the negative effects of Covid-19.
This funding is aimed at supporting local clubs to reactivate after the devastating impact the lockdown restrictions have had on the sporting community.
The support is available to clubs that are linked to any of the five Community Sports Hubs, supported by Sport Aberdeen, based within Aberdeen City.
Community Sports Hubs is a national sportscotland initiative that aims to bring together sport clubs and community organisations that want to develop and grow the sporting offering locally.
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities, said:
“Creating opportunities for people to participate in physical activity within local communities is at the heart of the charity and we are delighted, with support from sportscotland, to be able to offer some help through these grants to the clubs who are part of the various Community Sports Hubs in the city.”
Graeme Dale
“The impact that Covid-19 has had on the whole sporting community, from grassroots clubs to professional athletes is devastating and will take quite some time to recover from.
Aberdeen Bon Accord MBC Hockey Club said:
“We know how hard the pandemic has been on everyone and members of our hockey club, we have continued to remain positive throughout by providing virtual support and luckily for us at the tail end of 2020 we did manage to get onto a hockey pitch to play our beloved sport.
“We applied for the Covid-19 Re-activation Fund from our local hub and were successful in gaining £400 which we have put to good use and are grateful for and encourage all clubs to find their nearest hub and become a member as we have found it a useful community membership.”
Northstar Community Football Club said:
“Thanks to the Sport Aberdeen Community Sports Hub reactivation grant of £400, the club has been able to continue to invest in equipment and volunteer development for our latest and youngest age group.
“This grant has helped purchase equipment for training such as training balls, training bibs and cones and been utilised to provide first aid and coaching badges to ensure that the team and coaches are ready to hit the ground running when the government relax current restrictions.
“The funding has been hugely beneficial as a starting age group requires funding for initial set up which would have not been possible to generate during this time without the funding from this grant. Everyone from Northstar Community Football Club are grateful for this support and we will continue to support the hub and our local community.”
For more information on support available for your club, please email: communitysportshub@sportaberdeen.co.uk
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has developed a programme to specifically support people with respiratory conditions to be active and live well, in partnership with NHS Grampian.
The programme is aimed at people with a lung condition whose ability to be active and participate in exercise is affected by breathing difficulties, including those with Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease (COPD).
Participants will be offered the opportunity to attend virtual exercise classes online or alternatively receive one-to-one phone call support.
Qualified exercise instructors will work with participants to build confidence and activity levels safely whilst talking through any concern’s patients may have about introducing exercise into their daily lives; helping to improve lung capacity and overall fitness so participants can feel more confident doing everyday tasks.
Andrinne Craig, Sport Aberdeen Healthy Communities Manager said:
“Working in partnership with NHS Grampian has allowed us to develop this programme, specifically aimed at helping a group of people who can really benefit from engaging in activity. Although physical activity won’t offer a cure, it can result in hugely positive changes for individuals living with certain respiratory conditions and we are thrilled to be able to deliver this in the city.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to take part in exercise and lead a healthy and active life. For people living with a respiratory condition even simple tasks can become testing, so by helping participants to improve lung function and muscle strength we believe we can make a real difference to many lives in the north-east.”
Andrinne Craig
Anyone living with a lung condition can refer themselves into the programme by completing an online referral form or by contacting Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles team on 01224 047924. Health Professionals can also refer patients who would benefit from the programme by completing an online referral form.
Click here for more information on the Winter Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme.
Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles programme creates opportunities for everyone to get active and participate in physical activity regardless of whether you are starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long-term health condition or an older adult.
Adventure Aberdeen has been working hard to support schools throughout the north-east over the last few months, with over 2,000 pupils taking part in outdoor learning in and around schools from Aberdeen City.
Outdoor learning provides different environments for pupils to thrive in while working on personal and social development alongside learning lifelong skills that can be transferred to school, the workplace and everyday life. From climbing mountains to jumping in the North Sea, pupils have achieved things they would never have thought possible.
Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Head of Sport and Active Communities said:
“Scotland has an abundance of world class outdoor learning opportunities which can help children and young people both in and out of the classroom and we believe it should be available to all. We would like to thank the staff and pupils that we are currently, or have previously, engaged with and we look forward to continuing to provide these opportunities in the New Year.”
Graeme Dale, Head of Sport and Active Communities
“Now is an ideal time for schools to develop, create and deliver outdoor learning which can be easily embedded into an existing curriculum. Adventure Aberdeen will support with this and create learning opportunities from the school grounds and surrounding streets, to forests, farmland, coastlines and the mountains.
Please contact Adventure Aberdeen on 01224 270990 if you would like to explore outdoor activity learning opportunities for your pupils or visit the website for more information.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was able to breathe life back into a number of bicycles belonging to a local children’s care home, completely free of charge, thanks to funding secured through the ‘Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme’.
A total of five bikes from Barnardo’s Linksfield Residential Service, an established childcare service in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, were taken to Adventure Aberdeen’s bike workshop in Kingswells.
Adventure Aberdeen, part of registered charity Sport Aberdeen, was the first organisation in the city to sign up to the ‘Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme’, a free bike repair and maintenance service funded by the Scottish Government and delivered through Cycling UK. The scheme aims to remove barriers such as cost while encouraging active travel; allowing more people to take part in cycling through access to free bike maintenance.
Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Head of Sport and Active Communities said:
“After a hugely positive response, this is the second round of funding we have secured to deliver free maintenance to people in the north-east who may ordinarily struggle to gain access to bike servicing.
“Thank you so much to Adventure Aberdeen for the service. We are really happy that the bikes have been fixed and it means we can go for long bike rides and socialise with our friends.”
A young person from Linksfield Residential Service
“We are targeting this latest funding towards those who are really in need of the services and I’m absolutely delighted that we could help and breathe life into their five bikes. Sport Aberdeen has a responsibility as a Corporate Parent for these young people, so it is only right that we ensure that they have bikes in a condition that they are able to enjoy.
“A key aim of the scheme is to give more people of all ages access to safer cycling – encouraging participation in physical exercise, while educating people on the benefits of greener travel. Working with services such as Linksfield Residential Service underpins Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for more people to get active, regardless of challenges they may have.”
Rebecca Christie, Linksfield Residential Service Senior Practitioner, said:
“We would like to extend a massive thanks to Sport Aberdeen, and the staff at Adventure Aberdeen. It’s great to work in partnership and to have such a good service which will help to promote health and well-being for the young people we support.”
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen took the top spot in the Team Aberdeen category at last night’s HEART Awards (Thursday 3 December), an annual event organised by Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, recognising people working and volunteering in health and social care in Aberdeen.
The Active Lifestyles programme, run by Sport Aberdeen, won the ‘Team Aberdeen Integrated Working’ award at a virtual ceremony following the postponement of the awards evening in March.
The programme provides inclusive opportunities for everyone to get active and participate in physical activity regardless of whether they are starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long-term health condition or are older adults.
Sport Aberdeen was nominated for the award by colleagues in the NHS CAARS (community adult assessment and rehabilitation service) team for the way in which the charity works collaboratively with them and service users on a range of co-produced projects.
Sport Aberdeen have been heavily involved in several joint initiatives and projects over recent years, of note, the co-design and delivery of the Carer’s Stable and Able Group which runs on a weekly basis with support from NHS occupational therapy staff.
Part of Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles programme, Carers Exercise classes were developed in response to a need for ongoing support for carers and those being cared for, as identified by NHS Grampian colleagues.
Working in partnership with participants, the organisations developed parallel classes which allow both carers and cared for to participate at the same time, mitigating anxieties around leaving loved ones alone and allowing for more people to improve health and wellbeing, reducing risk of a fall and the potential for re-referral back to stretched NHS services.
Andrinne Craig, Sport Aberdeen Healthy Communities Manager said:
“This award really highlights that by working collaboratively we can change people lives through the many projects, services and programmes that we deliver and is testament to the incredible work that is carried out by the Active Lifestyles team year after year.
“I am thrilled that we have been named ‘Team Aberdeen’ and would like to congratulate all the other nominees and winners from this year’s HEART Awards. I would also like to thank our valued partners at NHS CAARS for nominating us for this award. It really is fantastic to see the sheer amount of partnership working that is carried out in the north-east, and I am proud that Sport Aberdeen can play a key role in this.”
“Sport Aberdeen certainly embody the values of the partnership and are prepared to go that “extra mile” to make collaborative working with them so seamless.”
Sandra MacLeod, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership
Speaking at the virtual ceremony, Sandra MacLeod, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership Chief Officer said:
“The team at Sport Aberdeen have made every effort to work in partnership with many different teams in Aberdeen but have certainly become an important and consistent partner to AHP’s working within the partnership. This is reflected in the reciprocal referrals that are regularly made between the services and the confidence with which these referrals are made.
“Sport Aberdeen certainly embody the values of the partnership and are prepared to go that “extra mile” to make collaborative working with them so seamless.”
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has said it is ‘proud’ to be providing complimentary sanitary items throughout the city again, with the aim to help tackle ‘period poverty’.
The free period products are being distributed by Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE), a charity and social enterprise, for Aberdeen City Council to public venues across the city where significant footfall has been identified. Sport Aberdeen’s venues will be restocked within the coming weeks after the local charity took part in the initiative earlier this year.
The Scottish Government made funding available in 2018 to supply products with the hope of eliminating ‘period poverty’ and this week MSPs voted unanimously to end period poverty for women and girls throughout the nation, making Scotland the first country in the world to make free period products available in all schools, universities, colleges and public buildings.
‘Period poverty’ refers to having a lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints. A study released by charity Plan International UK has revealed that almost a third (30%) of girls aged 14-21 have had issues either affording or accessing sanitary wear in lockdown and over half (54%) of these girls have used toilet paper as an alternative to period products. But even that hasn’t always been an option during lockdown, as one in five girls (20%) said their periods have also been harder to manage due to the lack of toilet roll available. 1
“Sport Aberdeen is proud to further support this nationwide move in tackling period poverty by providing free sanitary products at a number of our citywide venues with the potential to expand this offering where there is substantial footfall.”
Sport Aberdeen venues that currently provide free sanitary products:
- Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre
- Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Linx Ice Arena
A further five city venues will be stocked within the coming weeks.
David Selkirk, Sport Aberdeen Director of Community Leisure Operations, said:
“Sport Aberdeen is proud to further support this nationwide move in tackling period poverty by providing free sanitary products at a number of our citywide venues with the potential to expand this offering where there is substantial footfall.
“Results show an increasingly large number of girls and women often do not participate in sport due to lack of sanitary products, and this problem has clearly been significantly heightened by the current pandemic.
“As a charity we look to support the community wherever possible and remove barriers so that we can encourage more people to take part in physical activity.”
Lisa Duthie, Chief Executive of CFINE, commented:
“We are delighted to see Scotland taking the lead in ending period poverty by providing access to free sanitary products for everyone who needs them.
“We are proud to have been an advocate of tackling period poverty since 2017. CFINE successfully hosted the Access to Free Sanitary Products pilot in 2017 and have been making free period products accessible in partnership with the Scottish Government through FareShare, and Aberdeen City Council ever since.
“A massive thank you to all our Sport Aberdeen, partners, volunteers and staff who has worked on the Access to Free Period Products Project.”
“It’s a confidence boost with the loss of my husband, to do things on my own.”
Valerie Souter
After a lifetime of cycling together, Valerie’s bike was left in the shed when her husband became ill. The Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme has inspired her to discover the joy of cycling solo.
Valerie Souter, 63, has cycled for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Portsoy on the Aberdeenshire coast it was the best way to get around and have fun with her friends. Living and working in Aberdeen as a police officer alongside her husband Sandy, cycling became part of their daily lives together.
She said: “My bike was a vital element for both enjoyment and commuting to work in and around Aberdeen city centre. Parking in the city centre was hard so the only logical way to travel was by bike.”
Cycling together was a big part of their relationship, especially exploring Scotland’s stunning landscapes while on holiday.
Sadly, Valerie and Sandy’s cycling journey came to an end when Sandy was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017. The physical limitations of the condition were particularly difficult for him as he had always enjoyed such an active lifestyle. Valerie said: “He did what he could to remain as active as possible, but the illness slowly took away everything he loved.”
Sandy died in February, just before the lockdown was imposed due to the coronavirus crisis.
“I take comfort in the fact that I spent time with him as I was able to visit him in the hospice while that was still permitted.”
It was seeing large numbers of people out cycling and walking with dogs at the start of the pandemic which encouraged Valerie to look the bike out from the shed again. Although her beloved bike looked OK, Valerie was concerned about the safety of riding a bike which had been stored for three years.
“My husband always gave our bikes a good check over and carried out any maintenance, but my capabilities extended to brushing off the cobwebs and giving my bike a good clean.”
Inspired to act by the launch of the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, Valerie checked her bike in for a service with Adventure Aberdeen, part of award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen. Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered through Cycling UK and participating retailers, the scheme provides free bike repair and maintenance work up to a value of £50 with the aim of bringing bikes back to life.
Adventure Aberdeen was the first provider in the city to sign up to the scheme, which coincided with the recent launch of the charity’s new in-house bike maintenance service; offering limited free places alongside its full offering to those who may not usually have access to these services.
It wasn’t long before Valerie was back out cycling for the first time in three years, rediscovering her favourite local routes and experiencing the pleasure of cycling as a way to help cope with her loss.
“Life must go on although it’s been rough, tragic and sad. For me cycling is a nice escape.”
As well as providing an escape, cycling near home and testing the capacity of her panniers with shopping trips to the local supermarket, has had other benefits too.
“It’s a confidence boost with the loss of my husband, to do things on my own.”
Looking back, Valerie says that some of her happiest memories are of the holidays she and Sandy took with friends twice a year to Aviemore. The couple would spend their days exploring the beautiful Cairngorm mountains on their bikes, meeting up with friends for a meal and a cosy evening together.
Although she enjoys now riding solo, Valerie is looking forward to creating new memories with some friends who have also rediscovered cycling during lockdown, when conditions allow.
Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Head of Sport and Active Communities said:
“Giving people in Aberdeen access to free cycle maintenance, made possible through funding from the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme, is an extremely positive step towards seeing more people of all ages and abilities take part in physical activity. By encouraging participation in safe cycling, we can play our part in creating a healthier and greener Aberdeen.
“It’s heartening to hear of Valerie’s story and the team at Adventure Aberdeen were thrilled to be able to help in getting her back on her bike and reengaging with an activity she clearly has many fond memories of. It is my hope that we can help more people in the community make the most of this brilliant opportunity.”
Valerie was pleased to receive guidance on how to carry out regular safety checks on the bike from mechanic Joe, who was especially impressed by her beautiful hand-built Italian bike.
Sport Aberdeen’s 2019/20 Annual Report has revealed that a staggering 1.4 million people used its facilities in the last financial year while fitness attendance was up by 30,000 visits on the previous year.
Get active members grew by 13% from 2018/19 and the award-winning charity recorded a 26% increase in income generated through ‘Get active’ memberships, with all profit invested back into the people, projects and communities that Sport Aberdeen serves.
Over 260 free memberships were given to looked after children and young people, 672 additional support needs participant visits were recorded by Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports and over 33,000 active lifestyles programme visits were logged; targeted opportunities for everyone regardless of whether you are starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long-term health condition or an older adult.
The highlights reported are underpinned by another year of award successes, which saw the north-east’s largest leisure provider winning in categories recognising excellence in employment, volunteering, capital investment, fitness venues and commitment to the community.
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen Chairman, said:
“I had the privilege of stepping up to lead this brilliant and inspiring charity last September, having served as vice chairman over the previous two years and I have enjoyed every moment since.
“Sport Aberdeen is at the heart of community sport and wellbeing within our city and this body of work, which is just a glimpse into what the charity has achieved, highlights how we continue to create opportunities and change lives through sport and physical activity.
“The continued developments and triumphs are testament to the hard work and dedication of every employee, volunteer and board member. This was reflected in the ‘Staff Matter’ award that was handed to Nickie Scorgie, Head of HR and Organisational Development, at last year’s Northern Star Business Awards, accepted on behalf of everyone who helps to make a difference through sport in Aberdeen.
“Our volunteers were also rightly celebrated last year when we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest accolade a charity or voluntary group can receive in the UK and yet another tribute underpinning the exceptional work Sport Aberdeen can be proud to have its name against.”
“We have once again worked hard to break down barriers, offering opportunities to participate in physical activity to everyone and continuing to foster sport at all levels within the city. I look forward to another challenging yet inspiring year ahead.”
Alistair Robertson, managing director of Sport Aberdeen, said:
“2019/2020 was not without its challenges, but the resilience of Sport Aberdeen, and all those who work together in our company; employees, volunteers and our board of directors, has enabled us to continue to break down barriers and work towards a healthier city.
“I am extremely proud of the difference that we continue to make to so many people’s lives throughout the city and the north-east. During this period, Sport Aberdeen generated over £7 million in social value through targeted programmes. Converting the work that we carry out into a monetary value brings home the positive impact that our charity has on our varied communities.”
The north-east’s largest physical activity provider has, for the first time since reopening after lockdown, officially reopened the city’s ice rink.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was also delighted to inform members that extra gym and sports hall provisions will come into play this week, allowing more people to get active in the area.
Among the venues to benefit from the extended opening hours and extra bookable sessions are the Linx Ice Arena, Get active @ Kincorth, Get active @ Beacon, and Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre, which also welcomed back its popular Learn to Swim programme.
Aberdeen’s ice rink officially reopened last Saturday (7 November) after being closed for more than seven months, welcoming back members of the public and Learn to Skate participants.
“The team were thrilled to welcome skaters back to Linx Ice Arena at the weekend and the response we have received so far has been extremely positive.”
During the closure, Sport Aberdeen staff carried out a comprehensive body of maintenance works which included re-laying the entire ice pad ensuring the best possible experience for skaters upon reopening.
Sport Aberdeen’s gymnastics programme will also restart at Get active @ Beacon this coming Friday (13 November), for the first time since venues were forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic, alongside additional gym sessions at the venue.
David Selkirk, Sport Aberdeen Director of Community Leisure Operations, commented on the good news:
“Being able to extend our opening hours means we can welcome even more people back to sport in the city. Everyone at Sport Aberdeen has worked incredibly hard during this challenging time and the support and understanding we have received from all our customers has been fantastic. The team were thrilled to welcome skaters back to Linx Ice Arena at the weekend and the response we have received so far has been extremely positive.”