Our impact

Right: Denise Patterson, RLSS Scottish Northern Branch Chair presenting the Stanley Peck trophy to Graham Dutton

SPORT ABERDEEN VOLUNTEER RECOGNISED FOR WATER SAFELY COMMITMENT

Graham Dutton, an aquatics co-ordinator with Sport Aberdeen, was recognised for his hard work and commitment to educating the community in drowning prevention and water safety.

Graham has been volunteering and actively involved in lifesaving for over 17 years and received the Stanley Peck trophy at the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) Honours Ceremony in October 2020 for his volunteering efforts.

The accolade recognises a person who does their utmost to carry out the objectives of the society in their local area and is presented to people in the organisation who have carried out work either voluntary or paid, to educate and reduce drownings.

Graham has ensured that several aquatics safety courses have continued to run within Sport Aberdeen over the last few years and piloted a scheme which saw 16 children achieve the Survive and Save Bronze award.

EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION AWARDS

At the one-year anniversary of the first UK lockdown, the Sport Aberdeen Human Resources and Organisational Development Committee took the opportunity to acknowledge the exceptional contribution that many staff had made to charity during the pandemic, a very challenging 12-months. Around 60 members of staff gathered virtually with the board of directors to allow the Board to acknowledge their appreciation of their hard work and to virtually present certificates and a commemorative booklet.

LOCAL CHARITIES JOIN FORCES TO HELP THOSE MOST IN NEED

At the beginning of lockdown in April 2020 Sport Aberdeen donated perishable food and drink items to north-east charity and social enterprise Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE), and held a stock of sanitary items for the charity, in the hope of reaching those most in need in the area.

“CFINE is grateful for the generosity of Sport Aberdeen. The highly useful donations will be put to good use to help those self-isolated individuals and families who are food insecure. We are experiencing a significant increase in the demand for CFINE’s support services. We are delivering 1,000 emergency food parcels weekly with the help of our partners; therefore, support of any kind is much appreciated.” - Lisa Duthie, CFINE Chief Executive

STAFF TRAINING CONTINUES

The impact of COVID-19, and the widespread shift to home working as a result of the pandemic, has not hindered Sport Aberdeen’s approach to staff training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) with over 600 training sessions undertaken, which included;

• 41 NPLQ renewals (National Pool Lifeguarding Qualification) • 7 First Aid at Work Qualifications • 21 First Aid at Work renewals • 12 CIMSPA Health & Safety Management in

Leisure & Culture Facilities revalidations • 14 First Aid Trainer updates • 34 IHASCO Online Fire Warden training • Mandatory COVID-19 inductions for all returning staff