www.pkavs.org.uk

PKAVS is the leading charity advancing the lives of thousands of

disadvantaged people and the voluntary sector in Perth & Kinross

2013/2014 Annual Report

ContentsChief Executive’s Report Page 2

Chairman’s Report Page 3

PKAVS Carers Services Page 4, 5

PKAVS Services for Minority Communities Page 6

PKAVS Mental Wellbeing Services Page 7

Voluntary Action Perthshire Page 8

Community Engagement Team & Shopmobility Page 9

Making the Difference Page 10

Summary Income and Expenditure Page 11

For over 40 years, PKAVS has been ‘making the difference’ in communities across Perth & Kinross. We’ve been changing lives, preventing crisis and empowering people of all ages to achieve their goals. Like so many other Third Sector Organisations, our work is often unspoken. Our staff and volunteers work quietly, reaching out to some of the most isolated individuals in our communities and helping them feel supported and connected.

In 2013/14, we took time to celebrate our achievements and demonstrate our impact. Having built a strong and dynamic team, we challenged ourselves to promote excellence in everything we do. Our service users remain our inspiration. A renewed focus on future strategy has enabled PKAVS to seek out the opportunities where it can make the biggest difference to people’s lives.

The rapidly expanding Carers agenda, the prevalence of mental illness in our society, and the increasing diversity of our communities have meant that PKAVS services have never been more in demand.

The landscape around us continues to shift at a pace. As the interface for the Third Sector, PKAVS has played a key role in supporting Public Sector Reform, helping partners to engage communities in shaping and influencing future services.

The difference we make is only possible because of our people and supporters. I would like to thank the Board, staff and volunteers for their commitment and passion; qualities that define us both as people and as an organisation.

Helen MacKinnon, PKAVS Chief Executive

Chief Executive’s Report

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PKAVS Staff Away Day 2013

Chairman’s ReportThe Third Sector today is a fast-moving environment and, driven on by the growing number of people in Perth & Kinross who are accessing our services, PKAVS has embraced the changes needed. In the last annual report we acknowledged the transitional period which PKAVS was undergoing, and celebrated the hard work and commitment which was transforming the organisation. This has resulted in a more skilful, ‘business-like’ approach to the day-to-day running of the charity, whilst continuing to provide a caring, person-centred approach to our clients’ needs. We are now reaping the rewards of these changes, as you will discover in this year’s Annual Report.

During 2013/14, our attention turned to planning and strategy. As anyone in the Third Sector knows, sourcing funding has become increasingly difficult. Funders look for ever clearer evidence of an organisation’s success and sustainability. While our strategic plan is in the early stages of development, we are well aware of its importance in establishing the foundations upon which we create, measure and demonstrate our success; not only to our funders and partners, but to the wider public.

And of course, we preach what we practice! As the Third Sector Interface for Perth & Kinross, we are extremely fortunate to also be a provider of services. The achievements of our direct services provide our Voluntary Action Perthshire department with real evidence of success which is invaluable when offering support and advice to other charitable and community organisations.

As we transition from a period of internal change to an exciting future of development I would like to thank all our staff, volunteers, and supporters for their patience and dedication to PKAVS over the last few years. More importantly I would like to thank everyone playing a part in PKAVS’ future, helping us in making the difference in advancing the lives of thousands of disadvantaged people, and the voluntary sector, in Perth and Kinross.

Stephen Bolland, PKAVS Chairman

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PKAVS Carers Services

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Adult Carers Service

In 2013/14, PKAVS Adult Carers Service provided support to 826 Adult Carers. The service provides support to these unpaid carers in a number of ways, including one-to-one sessions, respite through our Day Services and Carers Therapies and information and advice, where carers are signposted to other relevant organisations.

It also works closely with other partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors, such as the NHS and Local Authority, for example by delivering several Carers Cafes. The service puts carers first, and treats them as equal partners in all that it does, regularly engaging with them to ensure their views are represented.

The service also offers Carers Therapies, once each month in four locations, the therapies offered are Indian head massage, reiki, reflexology, shiatsu and cranial sacral massage and are proving very popular amongst carers with many making use of the time to come along and have a coffee and informal chat with other carers.

Key Adult Carers Services activities in 2013/14 included:

• Organising eight recreational trips including visits to the Arbroath, Loch Leven, Baxters at Blackford and Stewart Towers.

• Providing over 50 Support Group meetings in Perth, Crieff and Aylth for 382 Carers, so they feel more connected.

• Continuing to run monthly Carers Cafes in Kinross, Invergowrie and Crieff in partnership with key partners including NHS and Local Authority. These Cafés also allow the “cared for” to come and socialise, feel involved and part of the community, make new friends and get support.

• The reinstatement of the Carers Therapies as a result of funding from Short Breaks, The Soutar Trust and Bank of Scotland. The funding has allowed the service to provide 320 free 45 minute sessions, in Perth, Aberfeldy, Crieff and Kinross, giving carers some much needed respite to enhance their wellbeing.

• Providing a “Long Term Conditions Support” programme a four week Self-Management course, held in Perth and Alyth, Heartstart Training course for Carers in Perth as well as activities including Glass painting, jewellery making, cake decoration and gentle exercise, so carers got new experiences and gained in confidence.

“I found the therapies give me a chance to switch off and recharge. I feel more able to cope and can meet other carers

who understand what I’m going through, helping me keep things in perspective.

Without the therapies, my life would be so much more difficult.”

PKAVS Carers Services Client

Young Carers Project

In 2013/14, PKAVS Young Carers Project supported 288 children and young people aged between five and 16; an increase of 40% compared to last year. The children supported often have significant caring responsibilities in the home, whether caring for a sibling, parent or guardian. Their caring role can have a profound impact on their mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as their education. The Young Carers Project provides a key source of support through group sessions, one-to-one support, holiday activities and breaks away.

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2013/14 was a huge time of development for the Project. Key achievements included:

• Securing £460,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The funding, due to start in 2014, gives the project a greater measure of sustainability over the next three years and provides PKAVS with a chance to develop and deliver existing and new Young Carers services. Plans include the appointment of a new Schools Outreach Worker to develop partnerships with 86 local schools to help identify new and hidden Young Carers.

• Four residential breaks were delivered, with Young Carers having the opportunity to go to Devon, Alton Towers, the Isle of Mull and the annual Young Carers Festival. Day trips during school holidays to places like the Landmark Outdoor Centre, bowling and the cinema meant 150 Young

Carers received respite from their caring role in the company of other Young Carers and our skilled staff.

• 200 one-to-one support sessions were delivered, an important aspect of the service that allows Young Carers to speak openly about their stresses and anxieties with a dedicated staff member.

• The Young Carers Consultation event was held at the Salutation Hotel, the biggest and best ever, with 200 Young Carers, their parents/guardians and voluntary and statutory sector partners in attendance.

• Three weekly groups ran that meant 70 Young Carers had reduced social isolation and regular respite.

Research shows that

13,000 of the UK’s

Young Carers care

for over 50 hours

each week.

Did you know?

PKAVS Services for Minority Communities (MEAD) is a joint initiative between PKAVS, Perth & Kinross Council, the Community Health Partnership and local minority ethnic communities. The service was created in 2010 to serve the needs and respond to the challenges of an expanding migrant and black minority ethnic population in Perth & Kinross.

2013-14 saw the conclusion of key fixed term funding from Big Lottery, with a corresponding reduction in staffing resource. Despite demand for the service remaining high, client numbers by necessity did reduce during this time.

MEAD helped over 502 people play a full and active role in their communities by delivering the following activities:

• Supporting 84 Chinese, 305 Eastern European and 113 South Asian individuals. Dealing with 1,761 enquiries relating to physical/mental health and wellbeing, finances, social inclusion/participation and employment related issues.

• MEAD continued its collaboration with 24 other service providers, delivering awareness raising presentations and training. For example, running Cultural Awareness Trainings to services including the Child Protection team, Social Workers and Environment Service staff and facilitating 69 surgeries enabling more effective links between service providers and minority ethnic clients.

• Running Work Clubs that provided 158 migrant workers with employability support.

• Contributing to and organising nine cultural events for many hundreds of participants including Chinese New year, Eid, Diwali and St Nicholas Day.

• Playing a lead role in engaging and supporting migrant workers in rural Perthshire through a variety of means including its Multi-agency Working Group (comprising of MEAD, local authority, Scottish Police, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and voluntary sector organisations), organising two Information Road Shows (in Blairgowrie and Crieff) and delivering 94 rural outreach surgeries.

• Supporting 18 BME families of disabled children through culturally appropriate short breaks, befriending and peer support, providing respite for the carers in these families.

• In 2013/14, the team also began developing a new social enterprise offering interpreting and translation called Language Base in response to demand for this service from other voluntary and private organisations.

In addition, MEAD continued to deliver ESOL (English as a Second Language) classes, with 234 such classes being delivered 2013-14. The South Asian and Chinese Women’s Group, Chinese baking group, ante-natal group, and monthly lunch clubs(in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council) continued to run with good attendance.

MEADCulture MattersPKAVS Services for

Minority Communities

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Minister for External Affairs and International Development, Hamza Yousaf joins MP Pete Wishart and MSP Roseanna Cunningham to meet MEAD’s Steering group.

PKAVS Mental Wellbeing Services is based at two locations – The Walled Garden in Perth and Wisecraft in Blairgowrie. The service supports people in their personal journey of recovery from mental illness, helping them to achieve their personal goals and ambitions. From gardening, creative arts, joinery and woodwork, to serving customers in the Walled Garden Café, clients are offered a range of activities and work related experiences designed to empower them to live fuller and more socially connected lives. The clients also benefit from a Healthy Lifestyles programme encouraging physical activity and healthy eating – both of which help to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. In 2013/14, Mental Wellbeing Services continue to provide support for over 70 adults often with serious and/or enduring mental illness.

PKAVS Mental Wellbeing Services

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“It’s a place to feel a sense of belonging, not being judged and free to be myself…

it has saved my life.”

PKAVS Mental Wellbeing client

Some of its activities in 2013/14 included:

• Nine clients undertook educational qualifications including the ASDAN Award, SVQs in Customer Service, Peer Support training, and Art Courses at Perth College. The courses all helped the clients gain in confidence and helped broaden their outlook.

• A total of 14 clients moved on from the project to take up education or volunteering places and paid employment.

• Raising awareness of Mental Health and Wellbeing with Spring, Summer and Winter Fayres and Open Days, bringing in over 500 visitors to the service.

• Eight clients participated in photography classes, with their final exhibition open to the public. The project was really well received by clients and visitors alike. Clients also had the opportunity to take part in the Scottish Mental Health Art and Film Festival, producing a film entitled “My Reality”, that was shown during the month-long event.

• Staff continued to implement the Recovery Star model (a method of measuring and demonstrating progress across a range of wellbeing indicators), with a total of 48 clients receiving Recovery Star sessions. Longer-term clients have adjusted well to using the Recovery Star model in this the second year of implementation.

VAP supports a strong voluntary sector in Perth and Kinross by providing business support for organisational development, representation and advocacy of the third sector as well as social enterprise and volunteering development. Through its work, more people become volunteers, more organisations deliver better outcomes, the social economy grows and the local third sector feels more connected and better able to influence local policy and planning.

Voluntary Action Perthshire

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Key activities and impact during 2013/14:

Volunteering

• Advertising 334 volunteering opportunities throughout Perth & Kinross, responding to 452 individual enquiries about volunteering, with 60% of those that registered with VAP going on to find a volunteer placement.

• Assisting young volunteers to achieve 679 Saltire Awards in recognition of their contribution to the local community with two organisations achieving the ‘Volunteer Friendly’ Awards.

• Helping to set-up and run four Time Banks in Perth & Kinross. Between them they have 124 members, have facilitated 1,426 exchanges and have banked 9,289 hours of volunteering since they were set up. An ‘social return on investment’ report was undertaken on the Coupar Angus Time Bank and concluded that for every £1 invested, £6.90 of ‘social return’ was created.

Organisational and Social Enterprise Support

• Responding to 432 enquiries from voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and charities. One-to-one support, information on funding, governance, HR, quality marks, business planning and involving volunteers was provided. 11 training courses on these topics were also delivered.

• Hosting six Volunteer Manager’s Network meetings and ten Local Social Enterprise Network meetings.

Connecting, Advocacy

VAP helps ensure the involvement of the third sector at strategic planning levels. In 2013/14, VAP participated in the outcome delivery groups for community planning; supported the delivery of P&K’s Community Planning Conference and hosted four Voluntary Sector Community Planning Network meetings. In addition we participated in local community planning partnerships and supported winter resilience planning across our communities.

“It was great to have VAP’s help with our funding application. We were awarded our funding!I don’t think we’d have got there without your knowledge and expertise. Thanks again for your help.”

VAP client

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PKAVS Shopmobility provides a welcoming and much-needed service to hundreds of people each year. It lends out scooters and wheelchairs, enabling people with limited mobility lead independent lives.

The Community Engagement Team, PKAVS’ multi-agency team, help local people influence the care provision for older persons in local communities. Not only has its work impacted on the Reshaping Care for Older People agenda, but the team play a key role in developing locality working for Health & Social Care Integration.

The combination of consistency of focus and time to build relationships has enabled the team to make effective and wide ranging links within geographic communities and this has created a good platform for Health and Social Care Integration Planning with communities.

ShopmobilityCommunity Engagement Team

Key achievements in 2013/14 included:

• Bringing together people to identify and map community assets, networks and services.

• Working to improve relationships and effective collaboration between Health and Social Care services with the local community. Hosting and facilitating discussions with community members to clarify how they want to relate to local health and social care decision making structures.

• Undertaking creative dialogue to offer the opportunity for local people, people who use services, carers and practitioners to explore new ways to support people to age well

• Engaging with 174 community-based assets including community organisations, community councils and community groups.

Key achievements in 2013/14 included:

• 2,849 total hires of wheelchairs and scooters, an increase of 10% on last year.

• Cultivating a total of 1,648 registered users, with 178 new users joining the service.

• Winning the prestigious Tom Hillier Award, from the National Federation of Shopmobility, granted annually in recognition of the outstanding work PKAVS Shopmobility does.

“Before, I felt so isolated at home, but thanks to Shopmobility and its friendly

staff, I can get out and about. It’s really made a big difference to me.”

Shopmobility user

PKAVS Hollywood Ball

PKAVS’ annual Charity Ball celebrated a Hollywood theme with guests enjoying the red carpet treatment. Supporters from communities and businesses joined together for a 1920s extravaganza, thoroughly embracing the evening’s theme. Inspired by the Great Gatsby movie, guests enjoyed the sounds of a Dixieland jazz quartet and helped raise over £8,000 through an auction and raffle on the night.

PKAVS Panto Horse Race

Proving that PKAVS will do almost anything to raise its profile, staff, volunteers and several Young Carers donned panto horse costumes and raced the final furlong at Perth Racecourse during a race day in the summer!Participants and crowds enjoyed the spectacle, while members of the public showed their support by making donations to

the bucket collectors afterwards.

New Websites launched

Thanks to a grant from Awards for All, two new websites were developed and launched in 2013/14, replacing the previous websites and integrating MEAD’s own website, streamlining how we share information about the work we do. The sites improved accessibility, with content now available in lots of different languages including Polish, Urdu and Chinese. The PKAVS site also made it easier for people to donate to support our services, either through PayPal or debit or credit card. The VAP site gives us a stronger web portal to ensure information for the Third Sector is widely available.

Christmas Appeal

The second ever PKAVS Christmas Appeal ran in 2013/14, aimed at raising much needed funds for the charity’s work. The Appeal included bucket collections, press and media involvement as well as direct appeals to our supporters. The Appeal raised over £5,000 in just a few weeks. PKAVS Christmas Goodwill Scheme was also able to run again. Thanks to generous donation of £5,000 from The Cameron Group, we were able to distribute food, fuel and gift vouchers to hundreds of impoverished children, families and the elderly over the festive period.

Making the Difference

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Summary Income and Expenditure 2013/14

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Annual Report 2013/14

PKAVS Registered Office:North Methven Street

Perth, PH1 5PPTel: 01738 567076

Email: admin@pkavs.org.uk

/PKAVS @PKAVScharity

www.pkavs.org.ukPKAVS is a registered Scottish Charity (SC 005561) and a company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland (86065)

Photo credits: Fraser Band Photography