Online event will showcase work of third sector groups in Aberdeenshire
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A new event will highlight the value and diversity of Aberdeenshire and Garioch's third sector organisations.
Aberdeenshire Third Sector Week will showcase the work across the many groups in the region, highlighting their value as well as promoting key messages across the sector.
Taking place from Monday to Friday it will highlight key topics including health and wellbeing; tackling poverty, equalities and additional support needs; community transport; community housing; preserving heritage and the environment.
The inaugural event was originally planned to have interactive workshops and drop-in sessions across a wide range of third sector organisations, however the programme has been revised in light of current Covid-19 restrictions to be delivered virtually across multiple online channels.
Content will instead be shared across a range of websites and social media platforms, to create a mix of features including online presentations, films, blogs, infographics, training and resources.
The term third sector is used to describe all organisations operating outside the formal state or public sphere that are not trading commercially primarily for profit in the market. This includes charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals.
The event is driven by Aberdeenshire’s Third Sector Strategy Group, a collaboration between the Aberdeenshire Rural Partnership Federation, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action and Aberdeenshire Council.
The Garioch Partnership is part of the Aberdeenshire Rural Partnership Federation, and has more than 100 members across the Garioch area, including community groups, charities and social enterprises.
Groups involved include Greener Kemnay; Inverurie and District Men's Shed; Premnay Hall and Community Association; and SensationALL.
The partnership provides a range of practical support and advice to help these groups build stronger, more successful and sustainable communities.
Development worker at The Garioch Partnership Dawn Brown said: “The Third Sector Week is intended to provide a platform for third sector organisations to promote and share their stories in the context of demonstrating their value to the communities in which they operate.
“The impact of Covid-19 has forced us to move the 2020 vision with its more practical hands on experiences to 2021.
"However, we felt strongly that the original week be marked, especially in light of the recent extraordinary response and contribution made by communities and the third sector during extremely challenging times.”
It is hoped that individual third sector organisations will take ownership of the event and maximise opportunities to engage with the public sector and other organisations and their networks.
Organisations are encouraged to get involved online by engaging across their own websites and social media channels.
The full programme and a supporting toolkit are available on The Garioch Partnership social media channels and website at www.gariochpartnership.org.uk
