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News
Bon Accord Rotary – Bike Ride 2009
Bon Accord Rotary recently presented Aberdeen Foyer with a cheque for £2,000, monies raised from the annual bike ride which was held in May 2009.
The event, launched by Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council in April, attracted well over a hundred entrants and despite the economic downturn thousands were raised for division between Aberdeen Foyer and Rotary International.
Bright, sunny weather drew a number past participants and many first time entrants including a number of family groups to join in the fun. Young riders from 6 upwards took part along with parents, many adopting the 7 mile route. At least one 8 year old completed the 22 mile route finishing before some adult riders!
This generous donation from the members of Bon Accord Rotary will enable the Foyer to provide ‘starter packs’ ie toiletries, basic store cupboard items for those new tenants most in need when they move into supported accommodation.
A big thank you to everyone who supported the bike ride.
Global Xchange
Global Xchange is a volunteer exchange programme between Aberdeen and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The programme was launched at the Foyer Restaurant at His Majesty’s Theatre in October 2009 and welcomed 18 volunteers, aged 18 to 25, from across the UK and Tanzania.
Global Xchange is a cross-cultural programme, managed in partnership by the British Council and VSO, which provides opportunities for young people to volunteer in the community and promotes global citizenship. In Aberdeen, Global Xchange is funded by the Wood Family Trust and delivered by Aberdeen Foyer.
The volunteers will live with local host families and volunteer with North East charities and local community projects involving health, wellbeing and employability, including Inchgarth Community Centre, Community Food Initiative North East, Transition Xtreme and Aberdeen Foyer’s health and learning programmes. The aim of the programme is to help the volunteers to become active global citizens and encourage long-term community development in both Aberdeen and Tanzania.
Ken Milroy, Chief Executive at Aberdeen Foyer said, “This is a new and exciting venture, not only for the Foyer, but also for VSO and the Wood Family Trust. We are thrilled to be the first delivery partner for Global Xchange in Aberdeen: the programme complements the range of activities and services that the Foyer offers.”
Clothes Line
Clothes Line is a new initiative set up by Chevron in partnership with Aberdeen Foyer where Chevron staff will donate good quality work and causal clothes. Chevron was looking for a partner with the right connections in the community that could manage the distribution end, and make sure the clothing got to the right end user. ‘Aberdeen Foyer immediately sprang to mind. We already knew the Foyer and the work they do in the community and we thought they would be the perfect partner for us in this project’- Muriel Roberts, Chevron Upstream Europe, policy, government and public affairs manager.
Clothes Line was launched in Chevron House on 24 September with a catwalk demonstration from some brave volunteer models (members of staff) of the kind of clothing that employees are being asked to donate. This ranges from smart attire that would be suitable for an interview, for example – suits, shirts and blouses, trousers, jackets, skirts, ties and appropriate shoes – to clothing more useful in hands-on occupations, such as jeans, t-shirts, work shirts and sweaters.
This initiative will make a great difference to Foyer tenants and programme participants when attending interviews, going to work and college. There are also informal clothes for socialising, especially useful for young people who, on arriving to take up a tenancy, often have little more than a change of clothes. Wearing appropriate clothing for specific circumstances does so much to boost self confidence and in many cases will help people to fit in.
