NEWS
Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon 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!
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week in 2025 will take place from Monday, May 12 to Sunday, May 18. This annual event aims to raise awareness and promote open conversations about mental health. The theme for this year is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health,” encouraging individuals to focus on physical activity as a means to improve mental well-being. The event has been led by the Mental Health Foundation since 2001, bringing together communities across the UK to focus on mental health.
For further information, please click on this link: Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 – Mental Health UK
National Children's Day 2025
National Children’s Day UK (NCDUK) is on 18th May 2025 and is all about the importance of a healthy childhood, and how we need to protect the rights, freedoms and flourishing of children and young people.
The aim of National Children’s Day UK is to get as many people as possible to create events and activities that
a) highlight the importance of healthy, happy childhoods
b) celebrate all the great work that is going on nationwide to support child and family wellbeing
c) champion children’s participation.
This is a day that is all about the importance of children and young people and how their rights, freedoms and wellbeing all need to be protected in order for them to grow into happy, healthy adults.
Aberdeenshire Council funding cuts for Home-Start in the NE
From the end of April, Home-Start Deeside, Alford and Strathdon have moved offices within the Banchory Business Centre. We are now tucked away towards the back of the building – a smaller office but more cosy for us! Unfortunately, as we now do not have as much space, we are unable to accept donations for the shop anymore because we don’t have anywhere to store them. Any potential donations can be dropped directly at the shop in Alford. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this.
Please pop in and say hello to us any time in our new office – the kettle is always on!
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
Volunteer Thank You Day!
On Thursday 1 May, Home-Start is having our first ever Thank You Day to express heartfelt appreciation to all volunteers, supporters, donors, partners and Home-Start colleagues across the network.
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 us on: admin@homestartdeeside.org.
Aberdeen Kilt Walk - Sunday 1st June
All Kiltwalk fundraising will go directly to your chosen charity plus all eligible Gift Aid – this means we can get up to 125% of all the funds you raise on our behalf !
If you want to take part in one of the 2025 Kiltwalks, get in touch with us today for your free sign-up code: admin@homestartdeeside.org
Click on the link below for more information:
https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/aberdeen
Alford shop NEW opening times!
From every Wednesday, starting on 5th March 2025, our Alford Home-Start shop will be closed from 1pm to allow for stocktaking and re-organisation of shop goods. All other hours remain the same:
Monday – Saturday 10am till 4pm (except Wednesdays)
Wednesday 10am till 1pm
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.
