Community projects across the city awarded grants – as chosen by local residents

29 March 2018

Dozens of community groups across Aberdeen have been awarded funds for projects – voted in by residents in their own communities.

More than £74,000 was shared out to projects ranging from a farmers’ market, to free school summer holiday activities, to ongoing support to local veterans, to a children’s orchestra.

Four Participatory Budgeting (PB) events were held to award funding to initiatives aiming to improve the communities in their areas. The four PB areas are; George Street, Castlehill and Pittodrie, and the city centre; Tillydrone, Woodside and Seaton; Northfield; and Torry.

Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Jenny Laing said: “It is wonderful to see such a wide range of projects receiving funding as a result of the latest round of participatory budgeting events. The successful groups will obviously be delighted and I’m looking forward to hearing more about the projects as they begin to be delivered throughout Aberdeen.

“Participatory budgeting is community empowerment at its best as it allows communities to vote for the projects they regard as a priority for their area and I am sure those selected will have a very positive impact.”

Total funding of £25,000 was available from Aberdeen City Council’s Fairer Aberdeen Fund for the George Street, Castlehill and Pittodrie, and the city centre areas, and 21 proposals were presented and then voted on by residents. Funding was awarded to 14 projects that were most popular.

The projects (and the organisations behind them) are Hanover Street Outdoor Adventures (Hanover Street Primary School), Connecting Cultures (Hanover Street Primary School), Kids in the Kitchen (CFINE), Awesome Tech in TX (Digital Maker CIC), Common Room Upgrade at Greig Court (Greig Court Tenants Association), Youth Activities at Froghall (Froghall Community Centre Association), Capoeira Martial Arts and Dance (Froghall Community Centre Association), Solidarity Fridges (Claire Delhumeau and Josh Willey), Out & About (Four Pillars), Grampian T Folk (Four Pillars), Girls Club @ Cruyff Court (Active Girls Committee, Active Schools, Sport Aberdeen), Improvements to ASLSC Changing Huts (Aberdeen Surf Life Saving Club), Replace Doors in Changing Huts (Aberdeen Surf Life Saving Club), and Farmers Market and May Day Fun Day (Greater George Street Traders Association).

The other three PB areas each had £16,417 to share for projects within their communities.

For Tillydrone, Woodside and Seaton area, the chosen projects are Youth 1-2-1 (11B Printfield Walk), After School Club Tech Kids (Woodside Partnership After School Club), ALC Nursery Garden Messy Play (Aberdeen Lads Club), Fersands Summer Play Scheme 2018 (Fersands and Fountain Community Project), Free Meal Monthly (Fersands and Fountain Community Project), Free Summer Holiday Activities (Sport Aberdeen), Riverbank Primary School Football Team Kit (The Lighthouse Support Centre), Riverside Restoration (Aberdeen Community Energy), and This Space (The Lighthouse Support Centre).

For Northfield Total Place, the chosen projects are Awesome Tech in Northfield Academy (Digital Maker CIC), Boogie at the bar (AFCCT), Community Café (Mastrick Parish Church of Scotland), Extreme Summer (Transition Extreme Sports Ltd), Lunchtime Drama Club (Working with Shazam Theatre Company SCIO), MUSC: Meet You in St Clements (St Clements Scottish Episcopal Church, Mastrick), Streetsport (Denis Law Legacy Trust), Veterans Aberdeen - Ongoing support for local veterans (North East Scotland Disabled Veterans Association), and Gay Glory (Simple Glory).

For Torry, the chosen projects are Breakfast and Lunch Club (Jesus House Church), Support Big Noise Torry (Sistema Scotland), Torry Out of School Club (Community Link Childcare), Torry Dancers (Walker Road Dancers), St Fitticks Church Roof and Repair (St Fitticks Church), and Streetsport (Dennis Law Legacy Trust).

Participatory budgeting is part of Community Planning Aberdeen, a multi-agency approach which is aimed at creating a city where all people can prosper. A Local Outcome Improvement Plan has been created to tackle main issues identified, breaking the cycle of deprivation which exists for some communities to create a cycle of prosperity, and the ultimate aim of a prosperous city for all.

Pic caption: Fairer Aberdeen Fund participants with Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing.