Members of the Fairer Aberdeen Board have visited charities over the past week which are tackling poverty and deprivation across the city.
The Fairer Aberdeen Fund for 2023-24 was allocated £1.54m by Aberdeen City Council, which is dispersed by the Fairer Aberdeen Board.
Visits were made to Station House Media Unit (SHMU), Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) and Pathways, who have all had projects that have been awarded funding through the Fairer Aberdeen Fund.
Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of Finance and Resources Committee who is also Chair of the Fairer Aberdeen Board, said: “The organisations funded by the Fairer Aberdeen Fund Programme provide much needed support to individuals, families and communities across Aberdeen.
“It was incredibly valuable for us as board members to visiting the organisations who have benefited from funding, to speak with staff and volunteers, and to find out more about the work they are doing.”
The first visit was to Station House Media Unit (SHMU), where projects have included creative opportunities and employability support and development for young people, as well as working with ex-offenders and supporting the production of community media in regeneration areas.
Board members also visited CFINE, which provides services to tackle food poverty and were updated on CFINE SAFE, a project that was awarded funds and provides financial capability support on benefits, budgeting and debt to those using its food bank.
Pathways support people into employment by providing tailored support for individuals, from job seeking through to securing and maintaining employment, with over 400 people receiving support in 2022-23.
It is also the Lead Partner at the Torry Skills Centre, which opened in March 2022 and brings together a number on agencies to make employability support as accessible as possible to local residents.
The Fairer Aberdeen Board are made up of community representatives from priority areas and the Civic Forum, and partners from the Council, Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Police Scotland and ACVO.
This year, 38 initiatives are being delivered by 26 voluntary and third sector organisations. The Fund supports communities to tackle poverty and inequality in priority areas and across Aberdeen.