Volunteer Friendly Award
The Volunteer Friendly Award is a user-friendly quality standard to support, recognise and reward groups who are good at involving volunteers. 
Many essential services in Scotland’s communities are enhanced by volunteers. The Scottish Government recognises that volunteering matters and it is all about new experiences, feeling good and making a difference.
It has never been more important for groups to be able to show how good they are at involving and managing their volunteers.
Volunteer Scotland believe regardless of your group or organisation size or set up you should be rewarded and recognised for the difference your volunteer programme makes.
Find out more here. 
 
Could you be a CJS employer?
SCVO is delighted to announce that they have been granted funding for the next phase of the Community Jobs Scotland (CJS) Local programme – and they are looking for new voluntary sector employers to get involved and help young people find employment! 
Learn more here. 
 
Warmer Homes Scotland
The Warmer Homes Scotland scheme is open and helping Scots who are struggling with energy bills. The Scottish Government has increased funding for the scheme to help support a ‘green recovery’ from the coronavirus pandemic and help tackle fuel poverty in Scotland.
To find out more, call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit the website. 
 
Reserves – what are they and why should Charities have a Reserves Policy?
OSCR has published a handy factsheet aimed at charity trustees of small to medium-sized charities looking to produce or update a reserves policy. It explains:

• What is meant by the term “reserves”
• The charity trustee’s responsibility to consider whether their charity needs reserves
• Key points to consider when developing a reserves policy

Download the factsheet here.
 
ASDA Foundation Bringing Communities Back Together & Green Token Giving
Bringing Communities Back Together is a new grant which will be targeted at reuniting communities, celebrating togetherness, and supporting groups as they resume their activities in person again.
Green Token Giving means Asda customers have the chance to vote for their favourite local good cause when they shop in-store.
For more details click here. 
 
Goodmoves has a new look!
Goodmoves is SCVO’s charity and voluntary sector jobs website. The service has recently undergone a brand refresh – take a look at the website to see for yourself!
 
Protect your Business & Data from Hackers
Is your organisation protected online? It’s crucial that you consider your online security to keep your business and clients data safe.
Join Business Gateway on Friday 18th June at 2pm for guidance on some simple steps you can take to minimise the risks, and signposting to available support to help you and your business.
To learn more and book, click here. 
 
Free Microsoft Training for Charities
SCVO has partnered with Microsoft’s Experience Centre training team to provide FREE training on Microsoft products to Scottish charities. The sessions will run every other Wednesday from 2nd June to 15th December.
Click here for the list of courses, and to book your place. 

KDP is here to help in any way we can.  Please let us know how we can support you or your organisation.  We will continue to share information and guidance in our Bulletins, however, due to the speed of change and quantity of information, the most current details will be found on our Facebook page (@kincardineshiredevelopmentpartnership).
 
Should you wish to get in touch, our contact details are as follows:
Jacky Niven              Development Officer                       jniven@kdp.scot
Margo Titmuss         Office/Windfarm Admin                  officesupport@kdp.scot

All of this information was correct at time of writing. 

Robert Gordon University, along with Aberdeenshire Council’s Employment Support Team are running the Enterprise Booster programme again in August.

The Enterprise Booster comprises of six online workshops and an online course for young people interested in starting their own business or becoming self-employed.

The programme is funded through the Young Person’s Guarantee and is open to Aberdeenshire residents aged between 16-24. The Enterprise Booster will start on Wed 18 Aug and runs till Wed 22 Sept.

If you know a young person who would benefit from the programme, please ask them to visit:  www.rgu.ac.uk/enterprise-booster

The second phase of a survey looking at the impact of Covid-19 on Aberdeenshire communities is now underway.

Views are being sought on the effects of the pandemic over the past six months – a period that saw the country move into a second lockdown and more recently the introduction of a ‘levels’ system of restrictions.

The feedback will form part of a ‘community impact assessment’ to help the council and community planning partners gain a better understanding of the many different experiences of people across Aberdeenshire.

The first survey, conducted in August last year, saw people comment on how Covid-19 had affected their jobs, education and safety in their communities since the lockdown in March 2020, as well as sharing details of their lifestyle, fitness habits and wellbeing.

This second phase of the study will enable further understanding of the ongoing impact and any new or emerging issues, new challenges, and changes to individual and community priorities.

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Cllr Andy Kille said: “The first survey gave us a good impression of the early impacts of Covid-19 on our communities, and as we continue to live through the pandemic it is important that we look at the ongoing effects.

“So much has changed over the last few months, and we are keen to learn how people have adjusted, and continue to adjust, to the changing circumstances. In particular, we’re keen to hear from a greater percentage of men, our younger residents, and those who have settled in Aberdeenshire from other parts of the UK and abroad.”

Deputy Leader Cllr Peter Argyle said: “The more information we can gather will give us a better picture of how individual communities have been impacted, so I would encourage everybody to share their thoughts over the coming month.

“With the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine and the gradual reduction of restrictions things are looking more positive but we want to build a complete picture of how people have been affected at each stage of the pandemic.”

The survey can be found at https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/cia and is open until Monday, July 5. The survey should take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.

As well as the survey itself, there be discussions involving local groups such as community councils, business/traders associations, charitable organisations and resilience groups, as well as others.

Those seeking additional information, or for a copy of the survey in a different format, should email customer.services@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call 03456 08 12 08.