Welcome to your latest IN Touch newsletter
Aberdeen’s volunteers are an inspiring and powerful force for good.
The list of things that makes Aberdeen great is long, varied, and inspiring – but sitting right at the very top are the people of the Granite City.
We are blessed with having a community spirit second to none, where so many people are willing to volunteer their time to make life better for those around them and for the communities where they live.
That was very much in evidence at the weekend, not just once, but three times.
On Saturday night, the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards put the city’s Third Sector firmly in the spotlight in a celebration that was by turn deeply moving and enormously uplifting as the unsung heroes of these outstanding charities, organisations and individuals had their moment to shine.
Their stories were rightly greeted with cheers – and a few tears – and Aberdeen Inspired is so proud to have been one of the sponsors of this very special ceremony.
The real winners, though, are the people and communities of Aberdeen whose lives are enriched every day by everyone involved in our wonderful Third Sector.
Community spirit was also to the fore earlier on Saturday when dozens of people gave up their time – and braved the harsh weather - to answer Our Union Street’s call to help spruce up our historic St Nicholas Kirkyard.
Also on Saturday, more than 150 volunteers descended on Aberdeen Beach to do their bit in a litter pick up to help clear the mess and debris left by Storm Babet, leaving organiser Mike Scotland overwhelmed by the turnout.
Each of these three events underlines the simple fact that the vast majority of Aberdonians love the city they call home and have a passion for making it even better.
That so many ordinary people are willing to roll up their sleeves and do their bit – whether it’s being part of a life-changing charity or picking up a bit of litter – is a powerful force for change and good that we should all celebrate.
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
Stories
Image credit - Celebrate Aberdeen
Awards night was glittering way to Celebrate Aberdeen
The Celebrate Aberdeen Awards night put the unsung heroes of Aberdeen’s
Third Sector firmly in the spotlight in a glittering celebration.
It was an evening of cheers and tears as so many worthy groups, organisations and individuals were recognised for their outstanding volunteering work to improve lives, boost communities and make the Granite City a better place to live, work and play.
Seeing the joy and hearing the inspirational messages from winners at the glitzy event in the Chester Hotel, on Saturday was a humbling and uplifting experience for everyone who attended.
Aberdeen Inspired was among the many sponsors for the night, backing the Large Organisation of The Year award, and we were delighted to see CFINE pick up this particular honour for their outstanding work.
You can find out more about the Celebrate Aberdeen awards here.
You’re invited to say YES to the little card that delivers BIG benefits to your people, your business and our city!
Our recent webinar giving city companies the opportunity to share in the success of Aberdeen Gift Card for rewarding staff and boosting the city centre was so successful we are doing it again.
We saw a great turnout for the online event last month and had such glowing feedback, the team here at Aberdeen Inspired wants to make sure no one misses out on this great opportunity for their company and their people.
Join us for our next lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, 8 November, at noon and we'll give you the means to help transform your rewards and benefits scheme for your people with the Aberdeen Gift Card.
In this webinar you’ll hear from three trailblazing Aberdeen businesses who have made the move to the Aberdeen Gift Card and why it meets the diverse needs of their teams, across all ages and interests.
Register and find out more about the webinar here.
Spread the joy with the Aberdeen Gift Card and join our team as a Seasonal sales assistant based at our pop up sales point in the Trinity Centre, Aberdeen.
We're hiring enthusiastic part-time Seasonal sales assistants to promote and sell the UK's best selling town and city gift card.
Operating 7 days a week from 20 November until 23 December the part time hours will be 10am - 2pm and 1:30pm until 5:30pm each day. Rate of pay will be in line with the minimum living wage.
From driving sales to fulfilling click-and-collect pick-up, you'll be a confident and positive ambassador for the Aberdeen Gift Card and make the magic happen for the 300 plus businesses it supports.
Interested? Email your CV and a covering paragraph saying why you think you’re suited to the role and the hours and days you can work to: info@aberdeeninspired.com
Please title your email 'Seasonal Sales Assistant application'.
Image credit - Abermedia
Volunteers roll up their sleeves and pick up their brooms to spruce up St Nicholas Kirkyard
Our Union Street has staged its first volunteer clean-up, with dozens of hardy folk braving the elements to spruce up the historic St Nicholas Kirkyard.
Rolling up their sleeves, and picking up their rakes, shovels and brushes, the purple-bibbed crew cleared leaves, branches and weeded the cemetery over five hours last Sunday, despite the stormy weather.
Brightening up the street is one of five action areas detailed in the latest Our Union Street whitepaper on its plans to help rejuvenate the Granite Mile.
You can read more about the St Nicholas clean-up operation here.
TechFest celebrates 30 years of putting Aberdeen on the cutting edge of science and technology
TechFest in Aberdeen’s popular science festival is in full swing – and everyone is being invited to join in the fun as the event celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Running until November 18, it offers more than 25 fun workshops, lectures and hands-on experiments aimed at children, teenagers and adults alike.
Reflecting the latest advances in science and technology, the event boasts world-renowned speakers, a family fun day and even a Q&A session with an astronaut.
You can find out more here.
Image credit - Aberdeen City Council
Sweet smell of success as Aberdeen wins gold in Britain In Bloom awards
Everything is coming up roses in the Granite City - Aberdeen has won a Britain In Bloom gold award.
The Aberdeen Communities Together bid won the top prize in the ‘city’ category, beating several other well-regarded entries.
Aberdeen City Council In Bloom Champion Councillor Neil MacGregor said: “A huge congratulations to our environmental services staff and all the community groups involved in getting a gold for the city in the most prestigious community gardening competition in the UK.”
The Britain in Bloom judges came to Aberdeen in August, and visited all around the city including parks, a school, an allotment, and community areas after starting at the David Welsh Winter Gardens in Duthie Park.
You can read more about it here.
Out and about this weekend? Don’t forget the night buses are back!
Here is your friendly reminder that Night buses have made a welcome return to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
These services will help people enjoy the city’s restaurants, bars and venues over the festive season, thanks to funding from Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council.
The expanded Stagecoach Bluebird night network run on Fridays and Saturdays until 15 January, from midnight into the early hours, departing at Union Square.
The night buses will support the recovery of Aberdeen’s night-time economy, encouraging more people to enjoy the city’s restaurants, bars and other venues by offering a safe way home for revellers and hospitality workers.
The routes will serve many locations throughout the city, as well as major north-east towns such as Stonehaven, Portlethen, Banchory, Westhill and Ellon. Customers can travel to any stop along the route.
Full timetable details can be found here.
Last chance to see Matthew Bourne’s masterpiece of dance at His Majesty’s Theatre
Aberdeen ballet fans have the last chance to see Matthew Bourne’s stunning dance epic Romeo + Juliet before it ends its UK tour and heads for Paris and Las Vegas.
Full of drama and passion, light and dark, this unforgettable take on Shakespeare’s classic story of star-crossed lovers has been wowing critics and audiences alike – including here at His Majesty’s Theatre.
It’s a brilliant show and a great night out and runs at HMT until Saturday.
You can read our review of Matthew Bourne’s Romeo + Juliet here.
Don’t forget to have your say on the new city centre roads layout
The new bus gates and road layout in the city centre have now been in place for more than two months, with Aberdeen City Council’s consultation period on the changes due to end on 23rd January.
Aberdeen Inspired is urging all our levy payers to make sure they air their views on this important issue by completing the council’s survey with their specific concerns and feedback on the new scheme.
You can find out more about the changes and complete the survey here.
Meanwhile, the map above is a reminder of where general traffic can go in the city centre and how car parks can be reached. This might be useful information to share with visitors and customers, especially in the run-up to the busy Christmas season.
Meet The Levy Payer: Fierce Beer
Fierce Beer is fiercely proud of being an Aberdeen born-and-bred brewery that is now reaching out across the UK and around the world.
Key to that success is Operations Director Hazel Meehan, who looks after the brewery, the team and ensures the operation runs smoothly with the great range of Fierce beers going out the door on time and at the highest quality.
Hazel told us about the company’s new visitor centre and taproom at the Dyce brewery, its plans for the future and why its city centre bar at Exchequer Row has such a special place in the heart of Fierce.
Read Hazel's full interview here.
Wish to be featured in a coming Meet the Levy Payers interview? Email Scott.begbie@aberdeenspired.com
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