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Celebrating40 years of

Making the

Difference

Celebrating40 years of PKAVSPage 3

Inside this issue:

Spotlight on a Young CarerPage 5

West Highland WayCharity HikePage 12

Spring/Summer 2013

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From small beginnings forty years ago, PKAVS has developed into a diverse charity that has touched the lives of thousands of people all over Perth & Kinross. From giving kindness to unpaid carers, encouragement to people with mental illness, and support to ethnic minorities, PKAVS continues to support those in need in our community and helps other organisations to develop.

I hope that the far sighted people who created PKAVS all those years ago would be pleased with the difference that the dedicated, hard-working staff and volunteers have made and continue to make.

Mary Cairncross,

Honorary President

Welcome

PKAVS is the leading charity advancing lives of thousands of people and the voluntary sector in Perth and Kinross.

PKAVS at 40!

PKAVS starts life as the

“Committee on Service to

the Community”

1972

PKAVS needed

to raise £8,900

and had two

members of staff 1981

1985

1989

1992

1998

2010

PKAVS moves to

The Gateway

premises in Perth

The Christmas Goodwill Scheme

launches and delivers over 1,000

parcels to people in need that year

2013

The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre

(as it was then known) is opened at

The Gateway by the lady herself.

The Walled Garden and Shopmobility

projects begin

PKAVS needed to raise

£685,000 and had 25

members of staff

PKAVS Services for

Minority Ethnic

Communities starts

TODAY

5,000+ beneficiaries 4 Departments:• Carers Services• Mental Wellbeing Services• Services for Minority Ethnic Communities• Voluntary Action Perthshire

£1.5 million PKAVS needs to raise

62 staff

100 volunteers

MEADCulture Matters

TODAY

Welcome to the first edition of PKAVS Newsletter - a biannual publication that celebrates the work we do to advance the lives of thousands across Perth & Kinross.

From supporting a Young Carer aged five to empowering an adult with mental ill health to take steps towards recovery, our work is as diverse as it is vital. We also develop the voluntary sector through our Voluntary Action Perthshire Team which provides support, training and help with volunteer recruitment to hundreds of other organisations. PKAVS is also part of the Community Planning Partnership and works with partners and communities towards common aims.

As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we are looking to our communities for support. PKAVS has a significant fundraising target of half a million pounds to sustain its current services in the coming year. Whether you’re a service user, carer, donor or partner organisation, your support means the world to us.

We hope our stories will inspire you to help PKAVS ‘Make the Difference’.

Helen Mackinnon,

Chief Executive

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– Please remember to notify the team if you

move house or if your circumstances change at all. It really helps us deliver the best service we can!

Keep us up to date

“When 13 year old Joanne* started coming to PKAVS Young Carers Project, she was not having that much contact outside of her family’s home and she was missing school on a daily basis as there were issues with bullying so she just did not go.

Six months ago, Joanne was contemplating suicide when the bullying and the caring responsibilities she had at home got on top of her and she felt unable to cope. It was at this point that she became involved with our Young Carers Project.

At first she was a shy quiet girl who liked to remain in the background of the group. Since joining the project, she’s built up a network of friends and regularly enjoys the activities as well as the occasional sleepover with the other Young Carers. Some of the Young Carers who she did not know before coming to the project are also now in her class. This has been extremely beneficial to her and has helped her to re-engage with school as she now has friends who are in a similar position and can understand what she goes through on a daily basis.

It’s a slow process but Joanne is gradually building up her attendance at school and the goal is to have her going on a full-time basis. Joanne tells us that she really enjoys coming to the groups and likes how everyone interacts together and that they look out for one another when the need is there.

“She calls everyone in the project her ‘Young Carers Family’”

Joanne also took part in a play that we did for our Annual Consultation Evening with her new found confidence which was a massive step forward for her.”

Kim Stockwell,Young CarersSupport Worker

A recent survey found that more than two million people in the UK have left jobs to care for sick or disabled loved ones, joining the ranks of millions of others. It’s a staggering figure, but one that we at PKAVS can believe. Our Carers Services staff are focused on giving the best support they can to carers in Perth & Kinross – whether by running our Carers Cafes, providing respite in the form of Day Clubs for the cared-for, to simply offering a sympathetic ear.

We recently regrettably had to scale back our provision of the monthly Carers Therapies sessions that give unpaid adult carers some much needed time out, because of funding considerations, but are working towards reinstating these once further funding has been secured.

If you would like to contribute to this or any of PKAVS other services, please drop us a line.

PKAVS Carers Services

Thank you! Thanks to all who came along to the Carers Services Coffee Morning in May, we raised £540 for the service. Beautiful sunshine brought the crowds in and all the scones were gone within a couple of hours! Thank you to everyone who contributed to the event!

Caring for carers

Making the Difference to a Young Carer

*not her real name

PKAVS Carers Services

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Steven was 18 years old and 11 stone when he went into psychiatric inpatient care. He put on weight over his two years in hospital and by 2010 he had escalated to 28 stone. On joining our Mental Wellbeing Services, he started work in the cafe at the Walled Garden and went on the group walks organised at Wisecraft. It was his idea to create a healthy living project to support him and the other mental wellbeing clients and so ‘Slim Pickings’ was born!

Despite all the challenges he faced because of his weight, Steven put huge effort into participating in every activity that was arranged. With the help from the Mental Wellbeing staff, he began to keep a food diary and developed a more positive attitude to exercise and food. It was tough-going at times but he began to see the progress he was making week by week.

His comments turned from “what’s the point?” to

“I can see a future now”

Steven has now lost over 13 stones in weight and has been a massive inspiration to both staff and clients. He says “I would not have lost the weight if it had not been for PKAVS Mental Wellbeing. I used to be in bed all day but now I jump out of bed and feel really happy and really, really positive!”

The latest news is that Steven has now secured a part time job in a local restaurant and will soon be leaving the project. All the staff will be sad to see him leave but are so proud of his achievements and we wish him all the luck for the future.

90 Years Young! Donald Marshall, a regular user of our Shopmobility service in Perth recently celebrated his 90th birthday! Donald, from Inchture, has used the service since 2006 and just loves his twice weekly visits to Perth by local bus. He says “without the Shopmobility scooters, I’d not be able to get around town as my mobility is limited”.

He recently featured in the local newspaper and can often be seen out and about in Perth city centre, so as he says, he now has an army of female admirers!

PKAVS Shopmobility

Located in Perth city centre,The Gateway offers a range of meeting and conference spaces from as little as £8 per hour. The Gallery Conference Room is ideal for seminars, trainings and events with a capacity of 50 and an interactive Smart board.

For smaller events, our two meeting rooms can each comfortably seat up to 14.

We can provide for all your catering needs from sandwiches, teas and coffees through to a delicious buffet and from £2 per person, our prices are highly competitive! Rooms are available Monday to Friday 9 am to 9.30pm and on Saturdays by prior arrangement. We can work to your specifications and help you to get the best from your event.

For more information or to book a space, please contact Lynsay on 01738 567076.

The Gateway – the perfect low-cost venue

PKAVS Mental Wellbeing Services

After

What a transformation! Did you know?

Shopmobility helps over 600 people with mobility problems get out and about each year

Before

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Times are tough out there, not least if English is your second language. The minority ethnic communities MEAD serves can now benefit from some expert help and advice by attending our Work Clubs to help build their confidence in the recruitment process and get their CVs looking ship-shape.

The small class sizes mean each person gets lots of attention, and they’ve proved so popular they now have a waiting list!

For more information contact Magda at MEAD’s on: 01738 634789

The 10th annual Perth & Kinross Voluntary and Community Sector Conference took place on the 26th April in Kinross. Organised by our Voluntary Action Perthshire team, this year’s theme of “Changing Landscapes, Changing Lives” proved popular with attendees who got the chance to hear from some of the voluntary sector’s movers and shakers, participate in workshops and network with others working in the same field. The day-long event covered issues affecting the third sector including the impact of the recession, funding availability and sustainability.

Martin Sime, (SCVO’s Chief Executive), Gerry Power (National Lead in the ‘Re-shaping Care for Older People Programme’) both gave talks and the event was extremely well received by everyone who went, with some commenting:

“Absolutely brilliant – proof yet again that the voluntary sector should have

more recognition, respect and support!”

“Really worthwhile – lots of food for thought”

PKAVS Services for Minority Ethnic Communities

Last year, our Eastern European Mum’s Group was established. After a successful first six months, it was decided to open the group up to the wider Eastern European community. Now they all have a chance to spend time together, enjoy a shared meal and meet people from various local organisations to get information and support.

These groups are held on the last Friday of every month.

For more information please contact our MEAD office on 01738 634789

MEADCulture Matters

Let’s work it out Changing Landscapes, Changing Lives

Voluntary Action Perthshire

Did you know?MEAD helps hundreds of people

improve their employability

and gain access to services

through advocacy, training,

one-to-one and group support?

Visit www.meadproject.org.uk

From left to right: Gerry Power, Pete Wishart MP, George Millar (VAP Manager),Bob Gillespie (VAP Development Officer) and Martin Sime.Community get together...lunch, relax and chat

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Good company

As a local company, there are lots of ways you can help PKAVS. Why not make a regular charitable donation like car dealership Peter Vardy does, you could collect for PKAVS at your events, like The Salutation Hotel.Or you could get a team together for our West Highland Way Charity Hike, or perhaps organise a ‘dress down Friday’ for your staff! Whatever your idea, we can help you to help us make a difference in Perth and Kinross!

For more information contact our Kerrigan on 01738 567076 or email fundraising@pkavs.org.uk

Kilt RunWe’re delighted PKAVS has been chosen as one of two charity partners for this year’s Perth Kilt

Run! Join us in attempting to break THE World Record on Saturday, 10th August. Organised by Perth & Kinross Council and held on the North Inch, the 5km course is open to all ages and you can opt to be a fundraiser for PKAVS and ABF The Soldier’s Charity when you register at www.perthkiltrun.co.uk Or by emailing us for a sponsor form and ideas on how to fundraise at: fundraising@pkavs.org.uk.

Last year our twin city Perth, Ontario beat us to the record so we are extra keen to claim the world record for Scotland! Join us for a tartan-clad day of family fun!

Upcoming Events

Fancy doing something daft for PKAVS?We need runners for our very own pantomime horse race! Or just come along to a fun-filled family-friendly day at Perth Racecourse. Join us on 14 July, 11.30am, kids go free!

Toys are us!

Some time ago, we received an anonymous donation of over 30 highly collectible dolls and teddies. Over the last few weeks we’ve been busy turning them into cash for PKAVS by auctioning them on eBay! They’ve been a huge success and have so far raised over £1,200!

Do you have any hidden gems that could raise funds?

Name of Event Date Location

Mini-Cateran Trail 29th June Kirkmichael circuit20 miles in one day

PKAVS Panto Horse Race 14th July, Perth Racecourse Family Day at Perth Racecourse from 11.30am

Charity Bag Pack 27th July, ASDA, PerthHave fun and help out! 11am-4pmEmail: fundraising@pkavs.org.uk

Perth Kilt Run 10th Aug, North Inch, PerthHelp us beat the world record from 12pm

Annual Open Day 17th August The Walled Garden, The Walled Garden Murray Royal Hospital

The Glencarse Games 24th Aug, Inchyra HouseCome and say hello! 12-5pm

Charity Bag Pack 7th Sept, Morrisons, PerthVolunteers needed! 10am-4pm

PKAVS Hollywood Charity Ball 20th Sept Hilton Dunkeld HouseSave the date!

West Highland Way Charity Hike 4th-8th Oct Milngavie to 97 mile challenge for PKAVS Fort William The Casual Ceilidh 8th Nov The Salutation Hotel, The friendliest ceilidh in town Perth

The Walled Garden Festive Fayre 23rd Nov The Walled GardenFestive treats galore!

Visit www.pkavs.org.uk for all the latest on our exciting events! If you would like to volunteer or participate in any of our events,please contact Kerrigan or Lisa on 01738 567076

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West Highland Way Charity Hike Join us on an epic 97 mile journey across the West Coast of Scotland from the 4th - 8th October! Stunning scenery, magnificent mountain views and a chance to glimpse Scotland’s rarest wildlife are promised on this five day challenge.

And we’re inviting you to come along! For just £399, plus the pledge to get sponsored by friends and family, the package includes transfers, four nights’ accommodation, breakfast, lunches and T-shirt, excellent company and the feel-good factor of doing it all for PKAVS! It’s not for the faint-hearted, and good levels of fitness are advised. You might want to try out your fitness on the Mini-Cateran Trail on the 29th June!

Feel inspired? For more information please contact Kerrigan or Lisa using the details below.

PKAVS’ work includes: CARERS SERVICES

SERVICES FOR MINORITY ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

MENTAL WELLBEING SERVICES

VOLUNTARY ACTION PERTHSHIRE

SHOPMOBILITY

Contact us…www.pkavs.org.ukThe Gateway (Head office) North Methven Street, Perth, PH1 5PPTel: 01738 567076

Email: admin@pkavs.org.uk

PKAVS is a registered Scottish charity (SC005561) and a company Limited by Guarantee,registered in Scotland (86065) Photo credits: Fraser Band Photography, Design: Pistachio Creative

/PKAVS @PKAVScharity