Hi Everyone,
When people ask me what VASA does, I never know just what to say. It’s not that I don’t know what they do. It’s more that they do so much.
The easy way out is to say “They make help happen” but that’s a bit mysterious. However, when you read this year’s Annual Report (and you really should!) it won’t be a mystery to you at all. You’ll see that help happens in all sorts of ways – The Living Well Programme, South Ayrshire Lifeline signposting service, Telephone Befriending, Out and About service, the Food Pantry, FootcAyr, the Digital Helpline, a wide variety of Volunteering and so much more.
These initiatives can only happen with the enthusiastic involvement of a huge range of partners – like the Third Sector Providers, the Health & Social Care Partnership and South Ayrshire Council. Together with VASA they all help to make that help happen. VASA offers the Third Sector a voice, training opportunities, information, advice and support. You can read all about it in the report.
In a year fraught with challenges of every sort, VASA’s work with its partners, clients and volunteers has brought support, relief, guidance and yes, a positive attitude – all tools to help the people of South Ayrshire not only to cope with all these challenges, but to face with increased confidence whatever else may come our way.
I am proud to be connected to such an organisation, and I hope you are too!
M. Muir – Chairperson, VASA Board
Linda
Linda
Currently there are six Third Sector Provider Forums and an Ageless And Active Champions Board. The purpose of the Provider Forums is to facilitate representatives from the Third Sector to come together to discuss topics of common interest, share knowledge, local intelligence and experience, identify areas of good practice that contribute to, and influence planning of all Third Sector services. The Forums are led by local Third Sector representatives and aim to harness and communicate the views and voices of the people their services support. The Forums bring opportunity for peer support, relationship building, and ensure the Sector are up to date with relevant information and news. The more recent establishment of the Ageless And Active Champions Board ensures the voice of our older citizens is captured. The Board are hoping to support South Ayrshire in becoming the first local authority area in Scotland to be recognised as an Age Friendly Community.
Forum members rated the quality of forums as an average of 4.7 out of 5.
Over 30 guest speakers at forum meetin with forum members rating the quality them as an average of 4.4 out of 5.
Representation involves working closely stakeholders to gain a thorough understanding challenges faced. Stakeholders inclu CEO’s, senior managers and leaders agencies such the Scottish
New training was delivered directly to the Third Sector throughout 2022, including:
· Adult Support & Protection Training level 1
· Child Protection Training Level 1
· Animation 3 Workshop, Ask, Tell, Save A Life
Between VASA training and external trainers, 89 Third Sector staff were trained.
Training participants rated the quality of the training a 4.6 out of 5 on average
Without a team of dedicated and committed volunteers, governed organisation that it is, nor would some of vulnerable in the community be able to function. Historically VASA have always included volunteers delivery of our services and some of the current staff volunteers.
VASA are also proud that some of our staff also volunteer in their spare time - giving back to the community and demonstrating strong community focus that the staff team have.
VASA always try to ensure that our volunteers receive which in turn ensures that we maintain the prestigious Investing In Volunteers award. Each year all the volunteers come together at our This year’s event took place on 1st December at the Horizon Hotel.
Other volunteer get-togethers take place throughout a range of training as well as support.
VASA’s number of volunteers has increased during 2022 as the opening of Ayr Food Pantry has offered new and exciting volunteering opportunities. A yearly anonymous questionnaire is also sent out to all volunteers to ensure that we continue to offer a first-class volunteering experience. Feedback from this year saw 90% of volunteers stating that they found volunteering “a very enjoyable experience.”
We will continue to develop and grow our volunteering opportunities to meet the demand of our current services as well as any new services.
The start of 2022 saw an emergence from the constraints and barriers we had all lived under for nearly two years due to the pandemic. This was also true for the voluntary sector across the nation.
This year, VASA have seen the capacity building enquiries grow by approximately 80% which is very encouraging and a trend that we hope continues. The one-to-one bespoke support to groups has seen existing organisations and voluntary groups look for new ways to adapt their services, govern their organisations, seek new funding, explore collaborations, recruit volunteers and generally ‘get back on their feet’. As seen at the end of last year, the increase in enquiries with an entrepreneurial idea has continued to grow this year, seeing a three-fold increase. Most of these new groups were interested in setting up as a social enterprise.
Capacity Building support was requested, offered and methods:
Individual Face-to-face support – 87 organisations requested bespoke one-to-one support this year, which was delivered the offices, at their premises, on the phone or via zoom. This equated to 560+ hours of direct support, follow up, research and travel.
“Your guidance in tackling the business and trading side of has been invaluable. I understand better now.”
“I have a better clarity around where I go now and the steps towards my goal.”
Evaluation training – 50 individuals from 31 organisations Evaluation Support Scotland, facilitated by VASA. Each one-to-one, face-to-face support by VASA to create bespoke This should see a legacy for organisations as they develop and grow their funding applications experience and evaluation.
Trustee Support – This year a new Trustee Networking Forum was set first meeting was face-to-face and the second was online. A attendees from 20 organisations have participated in the first discussing areas such as Why Be A Trustee, Barriers to Recruitment, Governance Code, Data Protection and the ICO, Virtual nd Your Governing Document and also the member benefits of SCVO. We look forward to growing this forum in 2023. informative session covering a variety of very important subjects
“It’s great to chat to other Trustees and know that we are not alone in some of the issues we face.”
VASA also delivered Trustee Responsibility Info Sessions attendance from 23 of their Trustees.
“I was so worried that we had responsibilities we were not fulfilling has given us a clear vision of what we need to do and how we go about tackling them.”
Funding – 51 Bespoke Funding Reports were created for 45 during 2022. After discussions with groups about any new upcoming a report of funders that they can apply to at that time is produced for them. “Thank you for pointing us in the direction of the Chance to Flourish We received £2,500 today to put towards our summer camps. your help and support.”
“Thank you for your help in applying for the grant. We were help, we wouldn’t have crossed the finish line.”
A variety of Funding Information Sessions and Surgeries were facilitated and delivered by VASA throughout the year. The funders involved included Corra Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, Foundation Scotland, Postcode Lottery, North Carrick Community Benefit Company (NCCBC), South Ayrshire Council, VASA Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and Ayrshire Rural and Island Ambition Fund (ARIA). Two surgeries were also held by the National Lottery Community Fund where 14 organisations had one-to-one surgeries about prospective projects.
The Gathering – Literally a Gathering of the Third Sector, run by SCVO where an array of seminars, info sessions and training opportunities are offered. Six VASA staff attended 28 workshops over the two days, giving an opportunity to address general Third Sector issues as well as learn and share ideas that have been brought back to South Ayrshire to help the sector grow.
Social Enterprise – There are many organisations within South Ayrshire who are delivering enterprising activity and doing it very well. Many of these organisations attend the variety of forums on offer by VASA, giving the opportunity to network and share. 2022 has seen some of these organisations look for support. Since VASA manage two social enterprises, one of which has been financially sustainable for five years now, without the need for funding, discussions around best practice and hints and tips have been positively met.
As seen starting at the end of last year, 2022 has seen a steady influx of entrepreneurial enquiries from individuals who are interested in setting up a social enterprise. This year, VASA saw around four new entrepreneurial enquiries per month where support meetings have taken place, one-to-one, with discussions around options for legal setup and governance structures.
As with any voluntary organisation, VASA can offer all groups a bespoke support package whether that is at the first initial meeting or by giving them access to the many capacity building services we have on offer from networking, forums, volunteering, governance, funding, training, policies, digital, advertising and anything else they may need.
Community Benefits This is an area that often seems like a minefield, mainly due to the variety of portals, wish lists and ever-changing contracts and contractors within the local area. VASA have been building relations this year with some of the main ‘players’ in this area. South Ayrshire Council are due to activate their new community benefits portal by the end of 2022 and discussions and information with Hub South West and around the NHS Portal have taken place. In early 2023, VASA plan to deliver a concise workshop that will give a bit more clarity on what is out there for the sector to access and how they go about it.
Community Wealth Building VASA, along with their colleagues in North Ayrshire, The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT), continue to be part of the Community Wealth Building Lead Officers Working Group. The individual workstreams are newly, or almost, in place with VASA leading on the Volunteering workstream. VASA will also be part of the Land and Assets workstream with a keen interest in respect of Community Asset Transfers.
Harbour Ayrshire is a new charity, registered in July empower individuals recovering from drug and/or alcohol become independent and supporting their integration back into the community. Eddie, the Development Officer, started his engagement with VASA in April this year. Initial conversations gave an opportunity for VASA to hear more about their vision and look at avenues of support we could offer. The trustees had already started the process of obtaining charitable status with OSCR.
Harbour Ayrshire have grown from strength to strength governance, volunteers and training quickly to allow them starting the delivery of their service. This is down to their support and guidance from VASA.
Support from VASA this year has seen Eddie interact with the Capacity Building Team, Volunteering Team and also our Training Officer. The organisation has been very successful in recruiting volunteers. VASA supported them with best practice guidance and templates of handbooks, policies and procedures. VASA will also be delivering Safe Talk and Adult Protection Training to all their volunteers.
Harbour Ayrshire know we are just at the end of the phone or email if they require any further support in their development. VASA wish them good luck in the delivery of their service.
This year has seen VASA manage funds and also be involved in some external fund support. Although touching on distribution of funding, as an anchor organisation through COVID, this year has been exciting as it has allowed VASA to not only create grants and distribute, but also develop deep relationships, intelligence and support within the sector, leaving a legacy of experience and learning to strengthen the sector as a whole.
Scottish Government - Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults over 16 – Year
For 21/22, The Third Sector Interface Network (TSI’s) were each given a share of £21 million to distribute within their own local authority area. VASA were given £358,654.94.
31 organisations were funded to deliver a variety of projects and are being given ongoing support from VASA teams.
Scottish Government - Communities Mental and Wellbeing Fund for Adults over 16 –
For 22/23, As part of the Recovery and Renewal Fund, the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care (Scotland) announced a further £15 million for Year 2 of this Fund. This year VASA have been allocated £337,068.36 to distribute. The Steering Group agreed to allocate 10% of this fund as small grants up to £2k for those delivering Cosy Spaces during autumn/winter 22/23 in response to the cost-of-living crisis.
Scottish Government
projects.
The Community-Based Adult Learning (CBAL) recovery fund
VASA were allocated £32,000 to help improve engagement of adult learners in community-based learning opportunities. VASA worked in partnership with SAC Community Learning and Development to distribute the funds between the six localities.
The Ayrshire Rural and Islands Ambition replaced EU rural development fund LEADER. It is part of the Scottish Government’s Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme. Delivered by representatives from the local area, the Local Action Group (LAG). VASA, together with their colleagues at The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT), are supporting this seven-month programme of support which is administered by Lead Partner South Ayrshire Council.
Other external funds VASA have been strengthening links with other local funding decision makers and representatives who distribute monies within the sector in South Ayrshire.
VASA have been invited to sit on a variety of other external funding panels this year, in an advisory capacity or as part of a decision panel.
The
says: "I'm so impressed with the approach VASA are taking around the fund and supporting the
Particularly in how you are encouraging networking and partnership working amongst those funded."
Early in September, as the cost of living crisis started to hit, the team at VASA began to discuss the best plan of action to ensure that local people could access all the help and support numbers they might need this winter as the price of food and fuel escalates.
Although not part of the remit of VASA, as always the team respond when they see a need - as they did during COVID.
It was evident that local people needed to have access to a range of support numbers covering everything from mental health to where to get food or help to maximise benefits and how to make their homes more energy efficient.
The only way this could be achieved was to ensure every household had a paper directory giving them all the information they needed. The idea was then presented at several strategic meetings to ensure buy-in from the public sector as well as the funding required to print and distribute the South Ayrshire’s LIFELINE magazine.
Sponsorship came from South Ayrshire Council, the Health and Social Care Partnership, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Scotland and Assel Valley.
By the end of November, the majority of homes had receiving very positive feedback from the community use this LIFELINE when the going gets tough.
The magazines were delivered by Royal Mail, a Belmont Academy pupil, 1st Alloway Boys Brigade, 1st Alloway Scouts, Scotland MSP Sharon Dowey and her team, Fire and a VASA staff member.
So a very big thank you to all the team for the effort into this piece of work and of course the volunteers we be without them!
The two main issues facing people this winter are the homes.
VASA had already started to hear about people not putting on their heating and although October and part of November remained mild for creeping in, which could have a major impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
With regard to food, even in August the food banks were already seeing a sharp rise in the number of people looking for support.
Some of the VASA team had also heard about people looking for non-cook food which, together with the lack of warmth in the home, would lead to a pretty miserable few months.
With this in mind, VASA like other parts of the UK started to look at venues/organisations in South Ayrshire that could offer a warm, welcoming space with some refreshments and also some activities and support.
Working in conjunction with the Health and Social Care Partnership, VASA held an event to bring groups together to look at what could be offered and what resource would be needed.
The outcome is a directory of Cosy Spaces which will welcome local people from November until the end of March. The Cosy Spaces will be advertised across South Ayrshire and it is hoped that local people will want to get together with others and not see the space as “charity”.
“A wonderful brochure – well done! It’s fantastic, very easy to read, great layout and a fabulous help. I can’t believe the effort that creating and distributing such a wonderful resource must have taken. Thank you!” South Ayrshire Resident
“I want to thank your organisation very much for the arrival this morning of your magazine offering help and support services in South Ayrshire. What a wonderful guide to resources during our troubled times! I’ll be using it to help all the elderly and infirm folk that I know. It will be invaluable. I felt so proud of Ayrshire’s swift response to this critical era. We were way ahead of my friends in London when it came to our speedy delivery of Covid 19 vaccines and here we are again – dispensing valuable information really quickly. And all without cost! So thank you again for all the wonderful work you are doing” - South Ayrshire Resident
“This is a brilliant resource for our staff to use when supporting people” - Ayr Job Centre
“Since the magazine has gone out, there hasn't been a day I have not had an enquiry from someone calling in or getting in touch as a result of seeing our advert in the magazine. Enquiries have been across a whole range of matters and it proves that your magazine has worked!” – Age Concern Ayr
The free, six week Living Well Pr resident who lives with the physica term health condition. The aim of skills to better manage their own referred from a heath care professi
The Living Well Programme has br Sheltered Housing complexes, programme called Happier and He a less formal four week bespoke p is designed around the needs of t each centre It was noticed that different challenges depending on l financial and personal circumsta speakers are arranged after takin into account
We include digital safety, connecti have had speakers from Home En Team at Scottish Fire and Rescue 30% and 50% of the residents engaged with the programme. The programme ends to evaluate the delivered at two Sheltered Housing the New Year.
The volunteer facilitators have been offered training opportunities throughout the year:
Miss L was living with agoraphobia, anxiety and social isolation. Used the group as an opportunity to meet new people and become more socially engaged. Then went on to engage with the Living Well, Moving On activities, particularly the weekly catch up. After a period of time she felt confident enough to drive to Girvan to meet with other participants at the Quay Zone in Girvan, the first time she had been out in several months Miss L continues to get out and about, and is now considering moving back into employment
The Telephone Befriending service is for clients suffering from mood or who are matches a referred c trained volunteer, who once a week, or more friendly voice and a listening ear. The ‘chat’ is a socia hobbies, ‘days gone simply the weather. to lift the client’s mood.
The service currently matched to a total of 61 matches have matches ended where clients on to other se naturally end when cope better and move forward with their
lives again.
55 new clients have volunteer and are receiving their weekly calls.
volunteers have had a variety of training opportunities this year. These have also had the several VASA social including the Volunteer afternoons, and also our VASA Volunteer Thank You Night.
included 'Dementia Awareness Training', 'Mental Health A Practical Approach', 'Suicide Prevention Training Ask, Tell, Save a Life', as well as 'Bereavement Awareness' sessions.
Connecting people with their communities is at the heart of the South Ayrshire Lifeline signposting service. That has been a key theme over the past year for our team too, as we reconnect face to face with local communities and partner organisations.
In January, the South Ayrshire Lifeline regular outreach drop-ins were able to start again with 10 visits each month to libraries from Girvan up to Symington. These sessions give people an opportunity to pop in somewhere local and access a wealth of information on groups, activities and services.
As well as taking our information service back out into the towns and villages, we have also been delighted to get back out to a whole range of local events. From galas and Highland games to carers’ days, the South Ayrshire Lifeline stall has been set
out at 15 community events to spread the word about how we can help Attending events has also been a great opportunity to further strengthen our links with many other organisations we have formed good working relationships with. The commitment to re establishing the ‘in person’ aspect of the service
has continued with the building up of a busy calendar of drop-ins at the Book & Bun. Eleven organisations from the Sensory Team to Ayr Housing Aid Centre have provided 183 walk in advice and information sessions hosted by South Ayrshire Lifeline.
This year, new services have started drop ins with us, including South Ayrshire Council’s Information & Advice Hub
The last year has seen the number of activities on the website more than double and building up that database of information is a constant focus for the team. Even in the early stages of the cost of living crisis, there has been a sharp increase in the number of calls to the freephone helpline from people facing food and fuel poverty.
Armed with a wide knowledge of what help is available locally, South Ayrshire Lifeline staff have been able to signpost quickly and effectively to emergency support
Calls from people of all ages, from every corner of South Ayrshire, with wide-ranging appeals for help and advice – it’s all in a day’s work on the South Ayrshire Lifeline freephone helpline…
Ms A is a mum of four. Benefits not due till next week and she only has £1 89 left on emergency electricity Contacted Room @ Newton and they will provide emergency fuel voucher that day.
Ms N is fleeing domestic abus and has lost many of h belongings. Needs children’s bed bedding and crockery. Contacte Seascape Pass It On project an made referral. They delivered th items.
“It’s so hard to keep a directory u date so hats off to the South Ayrs Lifeline team South Ayrshire Lifeline’s directory of services is notch” Information & Advice H Community
Ms F is blind with slight learning difficulty and is looking to make friends. Interested in art and dominoes. Signposted to Three Sixty groups, Anyone CAN Paint, Hope Wellbeing, the Grub Club and Afternoon at the Ark.
“Love your website. The team were very impressed with what you provide for clients and what you have done for CAP. We negotiated the website no problem it is very user friendly” - Christians Against Poverty
“We previously had some leaflets from yourselves to give to patients re your services and I would be so grateful if some more could be handed into us as our clinicians have found these very useful” - GP Practice
“I promised to let you know how I got on with your recommendations to help me meet people and socialise as I am new to the area and was feeling quite lonely. Well, I have joined the local women’s group and a walking group Just about to start the badminton I will hopefully fit in some dancing but knitting will have to wait for now as I’m so busy! Thank you so much for your support. What an amazing service you provide” Woman recently moved to South Ayrshire
The Out and About within South Ayrshire get out into their community. The service co-ordinator 'buddies' those referred help get them back about, building confid getting them socialising again.
Clients are supporte five sessions with moving them on through recovery.
Each client has a support created for them, depending their needs, health and circumstances.
For all clients, there is an underlying on socialising and getting active Many clients are also signposted other local organisations which provide support and friendship.
Some of the activities that clients have experienced, supported by the co-ordinator, are Invigor8, walking groups,
Mr P is a 32-year-old gentleman with autism who was referred by his support team to introduce him to Green Gym, to guide and assess his ability to travel there independently via public transport.
Initially I established the most direct and simple bus route to take, this involved us meeting at a familiar location and walking to the bus station.
I highlighted the safest places to cross the road at every relevant point. The bus left from the same stand, at the same time, each week and Mr P would get off at the
lunch clubs, cycling and walking football to name but a few.
clients move on independently several support outings, integrating back into their community. For a few, due mainly to or continued confidence there is still a need to keep
This group is client-led, focusing on the social element rather than specific activities.
same drop-off point, walking the last few hundred meters to his destination. After guiding him the first week, I encouraged Mr P to take the lead on subsequent weeks, four in total.
Mr P was easily distracted during the trip, and despite remembering exactly where to go and when to be there, Mr P lost track of time and that could cause him to miss the bus. However, the service meant that this risk was quickly identified and allowed further support to be arranged to help him travel to the Green Gym.
VASA, on behalf of our Community Food Network Forum, successfully secured funding to open an Ayr pantry and fund a 6-month pilot in Maybole and Girvan. VASA took the reigns in developing and managing the Ayr pantry while The Carrick Centre operated the Maybole pantry and Children’s 1st the Girvan pantry. All three have been a massive success. Each organisation is now managing and operating their own pantry individually but collectively supporting one another.
Now open for one year, the food pantry @ Ayr operates on a membership basis, offering households in South Ayrshire items of food, drinks, toiletries and other provisions at a fraction of their original cost. The majority of the items are branded, surplus food items, in date, that would be going to landfill.
Members can shop once a week, or wice if they are a family, for £2.75 per shop which allows them to choose 10 tems from colour coded sections, ensuring all food groups are included.
Great working partnerships have been created with many of the local supermarkets, the food bank and some local churches.
819 memberships have been taken out totalling 1,514 adults and children. 80% of these memberships come from Ayr North, Kincaidston, Annbank, Mossblown and Tarbolton. In it’s first year, the Ayr pantry has seen a total of 8,361 shops by members, saving between £14-£20 per shop. This equates to a yearly saving of approx. £142,137 on food and provisions for members. An amazing team of 14 volunteers have been with us from the start. We also have 2 full-time staff members and have been fortunate to engage with 3 long term unemployed staff members funded through SAC Employability programmes, one of which has now become a full-time member of staff. We have a waiting list of members which is now closed. 2023 will see us explore how we grow capacity to allow us to satisfy the demand.
The Ayr pantry is located in premises that also sees daily drop-ins available for members and the general public, from a variety of agencies and support services. The footcAyr service also operates in the building.
“Can I seriously get all that for £2.75”
“I like it in here –everyone is so nice and cheery”
“My daughter thinks it's great that her packed lunch stuff is the same as her school pals – often there is branded yoghurts, Cheestrings etc in the Food Pantry fridges”
FootcAyr - VASA’s social enterprise - is an affordable toenail-cutting service for anyone who is having difficulty cutting them.
The Ayr and Girvan clinics have now come back to their pre-pandemic numbers, working almost at full capacity.
Now at 650+ clients between the two clinics, this social enterprise funds three part-time employed staff members as well as easing the financial burden on clients who come to get their toenails done.
Privately, people can pay anything between £25 and £35 to get their toenails cut. FootcAyr offers this same service for £12 per appointment.
VASA’s footcAyr service is not subsidised by any funding and is now financially sustainable.
“I feel so much more stable on my feet now its not so uncomfortable to walk”
The Digital Helpline is a free service for everyone in South Ayrshire if they are having any issues with digital devices. The service offers people a helping hand to get set up, get connected and get online. The helpline assists the general public and voluntary organisations with their computers, tablets, phones, smart TV’s, voice controlled devices and basically any other device that requires connectivity to access digital platforms.
This year has seen the Digital Helpline developing new relationships with other organisations and the people they support - from social work to the local knitting club, the helpline has supported a range of people. People have largely used the telephone service to get in contact and get support, however with restrictions having been lifted the service is able to support those with more profound challenges on a face-to-face basis where necessary.
After several referrals of residents from sheltered housing wardens, one new aspect of the service has been holding drop-in support sessions at Sheltered Housing units. With drop-ins attended by between two and nine people from both the unit and the local community, this avenue of assistance is something for which there is a clear need in South Ayrshire.
Ms P is a lady in her late 60's who called the helpline to do an online colour match for foundation. She did not like to leave her house or show her face to strangers, only leaving with a mask on or a scarf across her face. Over the phone I guided her on her tablet to the best recommended site to colour match her and from there we went through the process step-by-step. At the end I guided her through placing an online order for foundation and concealer. Ms P called me several days later crying, as for the first time in years she felt confident to leave the house without something over her face. Ms P has a large scar over the lower half of her face that she has struggled to cover since acquiring a few years ago and she has been very conscious of it. With the foundation and concealer that the colour match site recommended for her, it is almost unnoticeable. Due to the scarring she had become increasingly socially isolated and felt her mental health was suffering. Now she has joined a lunch club and has expressed a desire to join a local knit and natter group as well.
VASA has a strong, committed and skilled workforce to ensure that our Strategic Plan, set by the trustees, is delivered to best meet local need. Below is the 2022 team:
Chief Officer (Marie Oliver) – contact marie@vasa.scot
Responsible for strategic and operational delivery. This includes financial transactions, budgeting, strategic representation with public sector partners, health and safety of staff and volunteers and ensuring the business maintains a respected profile and continues to deliver on our Core remit for all our stakeholders.
Depute Chief Officer/Capacity Building & Services Manager (Angela McWhinnie) contact angela@vasa.scot
Responsible for managing staff and resources to ensure the delivery of capacity building activities as well as overseeing VASA services. The role also includes leading on the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund administration as well as offering training and support on good governance, funding, organisation set-up, training and deputising for the Chief Officer.
Representation and Networking Strategic Lead (Linda West) – contact Lindawest@vasa.scot
Responsible for the effective and on-going engagement and representation of Third Sector organisations through strong networking and meaningful Forum activity. Building partnerships with colleagues within the commissioning bodies. Linda’s role focuses on both Community Planning and also the Health and Social Care Partnership.
Volunteering Involvement Organisation Officer (Audrey Gatt) – contact audrey@vasa.scot
Responsible for the development and growth of volunteering within Volunteering Involving Organisations. This includes all aspects of volunteering management regardless of the size or structure of the organisation and offering best practice volunteering systems. Audrey is also developing the South Ayrshire Volunteering For All Website, a resource for Volunteer Managers and volunteers.
Office lead Support (Rae Gray) – contact rae@vasa.scot
Responsible for promotion of VASA via a range of current social media methods. Also ensuring VASA complies with latest Health and Safety regulations, ensuring all staff team members’ personal records are kept up to date and in line with latest legislation, Support to the CEO, Sage accounting and ensuring the general wellbeing of staff.
Admin Support (Carol Pritchard) – contact carol.pritchard@vasa.scot
Offers support to both the Representation and Networking Strategic Lead and the Depute Chief Officer, covering clerical tasks including taking minutes, formatting agendas, recording daily takings, holiday allocation and other tasks as directed.
Volunteering Promotion and Development Officer (Anna Stark) – contact anna@vasa.scot
Responsible for “selling” and promoting the benefits of volunteering to the people of South Ayrshire over the age of 12. The development of a promotional campaign aimed at different target audiences, creating all publicity material, delivering presentations on volunteering and matching potential volunteers to opportunities. Working closely with local community groups and charities to create new and exciting volunteering opportunities and use a range of media to promote vacancies. Promotion of the benefits of the Saltire Award in North and South Carrick.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Community Capacity Builder (Vivienne McNeill) – contact vivienne@vasa.scot
Responsible for ensuring South Ayrshire Lifeline is the “go to” site for information covering all activities, support and signposting and that both organisations and those making enquiries receive a first-class service. Vivienne carries out outreach across South Ayrshire. Vivienne also compiles funding reports for groups to enable them to grow capacity.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Telephone Befriending Coordinator (Jill Haigh) – contact jill@vasa.scot
Responsible for the co-ordination of the Telephone Befriending Service, recruiting volunteers and matching them with clients who need a little extra social support, alleviating loneliness and isolation. Continued support and guidance to both volunteers and clients ensures a rewarding experience for both.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Services Support Worker (Josie McMurdo) – contact josie@vasa.scot
Responsible for ensuring that residents of South Ayrshire who use VASA services receive a quality experience and that they feel supported.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Living Well Lead (Joyce Anderson) – contact joyce@vasa.scot
Responsible for the promotion of the Living Well service and ensuring that the participants of the Self-Management Programme and volunteers receive an excellent positive experience with positive outcomes.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Living Well Support (Colin Malkin) – contact colin@vasa.scot
Responsible for ensuring the Living Well service volunteers and participants receive a positive experience. Also tailoring programmes to suit the clients attending.
Ukraine Welcome Host (Pauline Johnstone) – contact pauline@vasa.scot
Working as part of the South Ayrshire welcome team, Pauline supports those in resettlement, offering support and advice. Pauline also supports the South Ayrshire Lifeline services when required.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Out and About Community Connector (Alison Thomson) contact alisont@vasa.scot
Responsible for improving the quality of life, predominantly for older people, who are anxious about getting out into the community after the COVID 19 pandemic, focusing on confidence, health and socialising.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Digital Support (Sarah McWhirter) – contact sarah@vasa.scot
Responsible for offering excellent customer service by predominately facilitating all digital helpdesk enquiries to the 0800 number from a diverse range of people including the public, social workers, community links practitioners, occupational therapists etc, as well as supporting customers remotely and face to face, dealing with their digital connectivity issues.
South Ayrshire Lifeline Community Support and Prescription Delivery Service (Bill Giddings) – contact bill@vasa.scot Bill both works and volunteers for VASA. He delivers level 3 medication as well supporting those with complex needs within the community.
Food Pantry Operational Lead (Danielle Lowndes) – contact danielle@vasa.scot
Responsible for ensuring Food Pantry customers receive a quality service and volunteers have a positive volunteering experience. Also responsible for the day-to-day operational delivery of the Food Pantry using a “hands on” approach, paying particular attention to customer care and rotation and display of food as well as supporting the volunteers, café staff and work placements.
Food Pantry Assistants (Ross MacDonald and Jade Holland)
Responsible for supporting the daily Pantry operations.
FootcAyr Technicians (Lorraine Wells and Kate McTaggart)
Our friendly toenail-cutting technicians offer a relaxed, friendly and affordable service to footcAyr clients while attending their appointments. They also monitor their fragility and signpost where necessary.
Christmas Companions is
This year the VASA Christmas Day volunteer “Elves” will be delivering goodie bags and a Christmas meal to around 100 local people over the age of 65 who would otherwise be alone.
Each guest will receive a teddy fleece blanket, courtesy of Jill Haigh, our Telephone Befriending Co-ordinator, who completed a 600 km cycle to raise funds towards this yearly event, which is organised and delivered totally by volunteers offering their time and resources. A big thank you to the following for their generous
The children from Southcraig School in Ayr also make a contribution to the bags by creating a card for each person. The recipients love them!
Our “Elves” come from all walks of life and many have been volunteering with VASA for a considerable period of time, so many thanks to them for giving up their time on this special day.
VASA are committed to ensuring that their staff team have a good work life balance and although, like many other employers in the Third Sector, we can’t compete with public sector salaries, this year full-time staff were offered the opportunity to condense their working week to four days, which means that every second week they have a long weekend off. This has been welcomed by the team and will continue for the future.
The commitment and dedication to the community is also demonstrated by the team as many now have been with VASA for several years and witness the difference they make often on a daily basis. A team truly to be proud of.
I am delighted to announce that Angela McWhinnie is the new Depute Chief Officer and other team members will be encouraged to build up their skill levels going forward.
We have a new team member this year. Anna Stark, who will be promoting the benefits of volunteering during 2023 and developing Saltire Awards which are for younger volunteers.
Four members of the VASA team are now able to carry our Independent Examinations of accounts to small charities with an income of under £200,000. We are offering four free Independent Examinations in 2023 so please let someone at VASA know if you are interested.
The VASA Board of Trustees has grown over the year and we now have a wide range of skills ensuring that the organisation has the skills required for the organisation to be well governed. A yearly Good Governance check takes place to ensure we are always striving for excellence. A yearly meet the team event takes place plus other opportunities for the board and team and volunteers to come together.
VASA are looking forward to working alongside the Health and Social Care Partnership and South Ayrshire Council to help make South Ayrshire an Age Friendly Community.
An Age-friendly Community makes it possible for people to continue to stay living in their homes, participate in the activities that they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible. Being Age-friendly means designing services and facilities with older people, not for them. It may take several years to get there, however as a community we can play our part by being part of the Ageless and Active Champions Board (for more information email enquiries@vasa.scot). South Ayrshire now also have a new Older Person Champion Councillor Mary Kilpatrick and we are looking forward to working with them on the above initiative.
From January VASA will be delivering Cosy Boxes to older people within the community who may be struggling with the cost of heating their home. The box will contain a fleece blanket, hand muff, flask, hot water bottle, gripper toasty socks and a welcome booklet and information leaflets. A team of volunteers will deliver the boxes and VASA are in the process of looking for funding towards the cost.
As part of the Third Sector we have no idea how the year ahead will turn out. It's not going to be easy, however as we face more uncertainty, our resilience seems to continue to grow and we will endeavour to ensure that the sector has a strong voice at national and local level and Linda West will continue to ensure that we move towards being an equal partner.
VASA has not had any additional funding for more than 14 years for the core work we deliver, however we will continue to strive to deliver the best possible service we can to serve our stakeholders for many years to come.
2 PinsCommunity Company
ABC Home Education
Aberlour Child Care Trust
Acorn Wellbeing Hub
Action Against Stalking Action for M.E.
Affinity Trust
AILN (Ayrshire Independent Living Network)
Alloway Scottish Women's Institute
Alzheimer Scotland
ARC Scotland (NIN Ayrshire Invovement Network)
Ayr & Prestwick Lions Club
Ayr Ark
Ayr Arts Guild
Ayr Development Trust
Ayr Film Society
Ayr Housing Aid Centre
Ayr United Football Academy
Ayrshire Cancer Support
Ayrshire Council on Alcohol
Ayrshire Hospice
Ayrshire Housing
Ayrshire Pregnancy Crisis Centre
Ayrshire Sportsability
Ayrshire Tigers Powerchair Football Club SCIO
Ayrshire Women's Hub CIC
Ayrshire Young Parkinsons Group Barnardos
Biosphere Bikes
Bipolar Scotland
Blue Triange
British Red Cross
Bruce Tait Associates
Brush Strokes
Cafe 141
Carrick Activity Centre
Carrick Community Leisure Groupt
Carrick Complementary Therapies
Carrick Rugby
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Children 1st
Circles Network Advocacy Colmonell Community Association SCIO
Coylton Community Association Crossroads (South Ayrshire)
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
DEBRA
Dementia Arts Trust
Dundonald Community Sports Recreation & Heritage Association Dundonald Gymastics Club Enable
Equal Futures
Faith in Older People
FFU Scotland CIC 563212
FreshAyr CIC
Friends of Dundonald Castle
Friends of Newton Park
Girvan Community Market
Girvan Community Sports Hub Girvan Youth Trust Hansel
Headway Ayrshire
Home Energy Scotland
Hope Counselling & Wellbeing Impact Arts
Irvine and Troon Cancer Care Key
Kirkmichael Village Renaissance Ko-Nekt
L & M Wellbeing Consultancy CIC
Little Art stars
Maybole Regeneration Project Narture CIC
NAS One Stop Shop - Ayrshire New Life Trust (Diamonds)
No One Dies Alone
North Ayr "The Gither" OiR Ayr
Oshay's FASD Partners for Inclusion Group
Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development SCIO
Poppy Scotland
Prestwick Howie Bowing Club
RHET Ayrshire & Arran Countryside Initiative
Riverside Community Trust
RNID
Royal Voluntary Service
Sanctuary Care Queens Care Home
Scottish War Blinded
Seascape Shelter SISG
South Ayrshire Befriending Project
South Ayrshire Christmas Toy Bank
South Ayrshire Community Transport
South Ayrshire Dementia Support
South Ayrshire Foodbank
South Ayrshire Table Tennis Club
Spred Galloway
Spring Back
St Ninian's Episcopal Church
Stepping Stones for Families
Symington Community Projects
The Ballantrae Trust
The Carrick Centre
The Conservation Volunteers
The Richmond Fellowship Scotland
Three Sixty Troon Old Parish Church
Tsukure Hub CIC
Turning Point Scotland
Unity
Vics in the Community
Victim Support Scotland
Whiteleys Retreat
Whitletts Victoria FC
Who Cares? Scotland
Workers Education Association
Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) Company Limited by Guarantee Company Reg. No: 25334 Scottish Registered Charity SC028234
Our Accountants Stewart Gilmour &Co 24 Beresford Terrace, Ayr KA7 2EG