NEWS
Leah Bruce (Scheme Manager) and Lizzie Sutherland (Coordinator) have sadly left the Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon team recently.
Kairen Griffiths is currently in the office on a Monday and Tuesday morning (8am till 1pm) – please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01330 824443 or email admin@homestartdeeside.org if you need anything and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
We will update this webpage with further information as we get it. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding !
Volunteers week - June 2025
The Board of Trustees of Homestart Deeside, Alford, and Strathdon and staff all know that volunteers are at the heart of our charity and would like to express our sincerest thanks to all the volunteers for their hard work, time and invaluable support they give to the parents and children who access our service.
We would also like to thank all the shop volunteers for their time and hard work given to this important support that our charity and it’s service users benefit from.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week - 9th - 15th June 2025
Infant mental health is an often overlooked and misunderstood subject. Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides an annual opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting babies’ mental health and wellbeing.
Not everyone bonds easily with their baby. Parents who are overwhelmed by trauma, or struggling with mental or physical health difficulties, need support. More than one in ten babies in the UK today, are living in fear, confusion and distress.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 will shine a light on gaps in services that support these vulnerable babies and their families. Our research shows a growing number of parent-infant relationship teams. But in many areas, help is still not available. We will highlight some of the excellent practice that is happening across the UK, and urge commissioners, service planners and policymakers to make sure they know ‘who is holding the baby’.
We have moved !
We have moved offices! We are still based in the Banchory Business Centre, but we are now found tucked away towards the back of the building in a slightly smaller office. Due to lack of space, we are unfortunately now unable to accept large donations for the Home-Start shop in Alford. Donations can be dropped directly off at the shop in Alford High Street.
Please come and see us anytime in our new office – the kettle is always on!
Aberdeenshire Council funding cuts for Home-Start in the NE
Some of you may have heard about the funding cuts to Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon by Aberdeenshire Council in the coming months and years. In these days of austerity, it is more important than ever to try and raise funds to maintain the same level of care and support that we can offer to our families. If anyone can help with this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
For more information on the planned cuts by the council, please read the P&J article by clicking on this link : Home-Start bosses vow to fight on as council slashes funding
Volunteers Week - June 2025
On Thursday 5th June, Home-Start UK is hosting a Virtual Meet-Up for Volunteers via Zoom. All volunteers are welcome to join.
And don’t forget the highlight of our Volunteers’ Week our Virtual Volunteer Meet Up on Thursday 5th June 10:30 – 12:30 where we’ll be joined by four Home-Start volunteers to chat about their experiences and share some favourite memories!
Please find the zoom link below:
Join Zoom Meeting <br><br>https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83413764558?pwd=LqQngdUZaRUBOocyg3vM4hPariRD77.1 <br>
Meeting ID: 834 1376 4558 Passcode: 499796
We want to say how much we appreciate and value our volunteers at Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon – we couldn’t survive without you!
If anyone is interested in finding out more about volunteering for us, please contact :
https://www.home-start.org.uk/find-out-more-about-volunteering-for-home-start
Ewan Black - our new ambassador!
We are so delighted to welcome Ewan Black as our new Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon Ambassador. Ewan is a London based actor, originally from Banchory, Aberdeenshire. He trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he won the Peter O’Toole Award. Ewan recently performed in Mark Rylance’s ‘Dr Semmelweis’ at Bristol Old Vic Theatre Royal & the West End. He has acted in numerous other productions, including Lord of the Rings, The Crown and most recently in Macbeth with Ralph Fiennes.
Ewan loves coming back to Banchory to spend time with family and friends and he says he is very excited to join the Home-Start family!
Keep your eyes peeled for future appearances and messages from Ewan on the website and social media.
