In this issue: GRAMPIAN PRIDE MENTAL HEALTH RNLI www.shmu.org.uk/press Summer 2024
Summer Edition 2024 CONTENTS 3 Kiltwalkers 4 shmu IN FOCUS 5 Mastrick Libraries 6 Elected Officials 7 Cruyff Court 8&9 Grampian Pride 10&11 Mental Health 12 Kerry’s Return 13 Kevin’s Page 14 shmu 15 RNLI Editorial Welcome to the Summer edition of the Mastrick Matters community magazine! Read on to find out about Grampian’s biggest Pride yet, Mastrick’s kiltwalkers and more! If you would like to get involved and join the editorial team, or if you have ideas for the community publication, you can easily get in touch with us. The staff at shmu are able to support and train anyone living in the area who are interested in developing their ideas and skills in either writing, photography or proof reading. So please don’t be shy, this is your magazine written, edited and designed by the good folk of Mastrick. If you live in the Mastrick area and would like to come along to the editorial meetings (when it is safe to do so) or submit an article then get in touch with Rose at shmu on 07752586312 or you can email her on rose.ross@ shmu.org.uk. You can also get in touch with us via our Facebook page - look up ‘Mastrick Matters’ and hit that ‘like’ button, and you can view this magazine alongside previous editions on the shmu website: www.shmu. org.uk then click the ‘PRESS’ option You can be reassured that our distribution company is taking every measure to ensure they are delivering your magazine safely and within government guidelines. Mastrick Matters is a community publication and the views expressed are not necessarily those of the editorial team or of shmu. Supported by
Mastrick 2 Highlanders ACF were proud to host Cllr Dr David Cameron, Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeen City to perform the official opening of the newly built Mastrick Detachment. The Lord Lieutenant was greeted by Major Stuart Eddie, Battalion Executive Officer to the sound of the pipes and drums. Mastrick Kiltwalkers Pavements and pathways across in Banchory, with most of the walk Aberdeen’s City and Shire were following the Deeside Way (which a sea of tartan at the beginning of follows the line of the Old Royal June for what was a record-breaking Deeside Railway). Kiltwalk. A remarkable 5,200 people laced up their walking shoes to raise funds for over 400 Scottish charities, in what was the biggest ever Granite City Kiltwalk to date. Jay explained, “This was my first Kiltwalk and I was nervous beforehand whether I’d manage to complete it. Having Ian there to push me on made all the difference, Among the walkers was Jay especially for the final few miles. It Thomas, the newly appointed was an incredible day and seeing so Church and Community Worker many people take part helped me from Aberdeen North Parish Church to realise that the Kiltwalk is more in Mastrick. He was joined in the than just a scenic stroll through the challenge by Church Elder Ian city and surrounding countryside. Anderson, and together they were It’s a celebration of community spirit raising funds to help send a number and charitable giving, where every of young people and their families Cadets demonstrated their skill gained in the weekly parade nights to the assembled guests before a scrumptious buffet was consumed and guests dispersed. Commented SSI Melville Detachment Commander “We have a fantastic facility here in Mastrick right in the heart of the community and I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. Sincere thanks to our colleagues in the Woodside Detachment for the shared use of their building while construction was ongoing. Returning to their spiritual home is a great feeling for the Scots DG cadets.” step taken translates into support for to the ReFuel Festival taking place The Lord Lieutenant then addressed the Battalion Staff, Cadets and assembled guests before unveiling a commemorative plaque. worthy causes.” later in the summer. A massive well done to Jay and Both took on the Mighty Stride, Ian, who at time of publishing an 18 mile route starting at Duthie have raised £1000 towards their Park and finishing at Bellfield Park fundraising goal. 7
We have officially launched our shmu IN FOCUS podcast! You can listen on Spotify, https:// bit.ly/InFOCUS This series explores mental health in Aberdeen. shmu volunteers shared their own mental health journeys and interviewed organisations on the frontline supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing. Here is just a taste of one of the episodes where our volunteers discuss their own lived experience of mental health. We hope you will be inspired to listen to full series. Our Adult Wellbeing Development Worker, Sarah, joined our brilliant volunteers, Dave, Rachael, Jay and Sadique in the studio. “We Know that mental health is a complex and challenging issue to talk about, but we think it is really important that we get the lived experience of those who are battling mental health every day” explained Sarah. “It can help us challenge the stigma, break down those barriers and raise that awareness.” Sadique reflected on some of the stigma he has seen, “People like to label people, that makes people feel 4 kind of alienated from being normal. I have never found the reason for that.” As part of Sarah’s role, she sees Everyone was in agreement, Dave said, “I think it’s just easier for people.” mental health. “A lot of the adults “Lack of education, lack of awareness, people who don’t know”, Sarah added. responding because of something “It’s horrible to put people in boxes like that.” with it. And it has such a huge impact Rachael had her own experiences with negative stigma surrounding her mental health. “When I was at school, you were seen as attention seeking if you struggled with mental health. I felt I was brushed off and no one has ever really understood.” a lot of people who are dealing with the effects of not treating their that are coming into shmu, when you start to unpick the way, they are that happened to them 20, 30, 40, years ago and they’ve never dealt on their future life.” Dave, who is one of our fantastic volunteer mentors, has seen a marked improvement in many people’s mental health since engaging with shmu. “I have seen you guys go from, ‘I don’t know The group also discussed the difficulty in accessing treatment for mental health. what to do’ which was you Rachel, Dave felt strongly that, “Everyone has a right to be diagnosed correctly and the right to receive the right healthcare”. shows. It is fantastic to see the work In agreement, Sadique shared his own experience. “It’s very hard to receive treatment, you have to be on the waiting list, waiting just makes you want to give up.” and you Sadique who didn’t say anything, to doing your own radio that Adult Services has done for you guys.” This is just parts of the fascinating discussions had in the studio. We hope you will check out the full podcast episodes by searching for shmu IN FOCUS on Spotify.
Mastrick is one of ten libraries across Aberdeen City which, along with the Central Library, are all warm, welcoming spaces for their local communities and those visiting from further afield to use our fantastic services and resources. Visit www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/ libraries-and-archives/find-yourlocal-library for information on all our libraries. Mastrick Library’s current opening hours are Monday and Wednesday 10am-7pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-1pm 2-5pm. We have recently extended our opening hours to include Saturday afternoons. Be sure to come in and pay us a visit! Pathways – Helping people find jobs since 1998! Job coaches from Pathways meet at the library every week and offer 1 to 1 support with CV writing, training opportunities, online applications and interview skills. If you think this would be of help to you, please contact Pathways directly on 01224 682939 or email info@ pathways-online.org Our Bookbug sessions at Mastrick Library take place on Tuesdays every 4 weeks. Spaces are limited, and booking is essential. Look out for details on our Facebook page or check with the library staff to see when the next session is being held. Lego Club for 8–11-year-olds is back. These sessions run every 4th Monday from 3.45pm-4.45pm. Check with the Library Staff for the dates. We’d love to welcome more children to these sessions. Master Builders should book their place in advance. To register visit Mastrick Library or call 01224 788558. Visitors to the library can browse and borrow items. We offer books (including large print and audio books) and Junior and Adult DVDs. Borrowers can also request items, subject to availability. We are looking to start a new book group at the library. We are hoping to have our first meeting on the 7th of September at 2:30pm and will meet on the first Saturday of the month. If you are interested in joining, please contact the library for more information If you know anyone who would be interested in borrowing library items but are unable to visit the library due to disability or illness, give us a call and we can give you more information on our Home Library Service where we deliver items to customers in their own homes every 4 weeks. We are always delighted to meet new We offer up to two hours per day of PC access. These slots can be booked online via Netloan or by contacting libraries. We also offer printing services and have photocopying and scanner facilities. gov.uk or telephone: 01224 788558. faces. For more information on how to become a member, please visit our website or contact your local library. For information on our services and online resources, please visit www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/libraries or contact Mastrick Library by email: MastrickLibrary@aberdeencity. We are looking forward to launching Aberdeen Reads steps back in time! Running from Saturday 22 June until Saturday 24 August, this challenge is open to people of all ages, so get family and friends involved and encourage each other to keep reading over the summer. Children and young people aged 4-15 years will earn incentives throughout this Summer of reading. For every 350 books read, challenges completed, and library activities attended, you will unlock the next portal and help Library Bear time travel through history! For more details visit www. aberdeencity.gov.uk/ AberdeenReads 5
Cllr Donna Clark It has been a busy time in the Mastrick area as well as the wider Northfield/ Mastrick North ward since my last update. Are you interested in improving your community? The North Priority Neighbourhood Partnership could be for you! We aim to work together to jointly deliver action to address community priorities. Join the Partnership to: Provide a voice on behalf of people and your community Share your knowledge , skills and experience Get involved in work to improve your community Support the delivery of Locality Plans – Read the refreshed Locality Plan for Central Locality at Refreshed Central Locality Plan I hold monthly surgeries at @theHub on Manor Avenue on the first Wednesday of the month at 7pm, which are well attended by local residents. I also hold surgeries at the Cummings Park Community Flat and Northfield Community Centre on the third Monday of every month during the day which also are very well attended. In addition to this, I hold regular surgeries with tenants from Mastrick Land as well as Quarryhill Court. The most common issues which I have been dealing with include various housing issues such as mould and damp, issues with windows, garden maintenance, void properties as well as issues such as potholes and antisocial behaviour. On Wednesday 6th March was the budget meeting to set out the council’s spending plans for the 2024-25 financial year. As part of the council’s budget, the administration committed to the freezing of council tax for this financial year, which means that no one will have to pay more on their council tax, which will help many individuals and families, especially as we are still living in a cost-of-living crisis. I recently attended the Aberdeen City Music School concert which was held at the Music Hall on 8th June. Pupils from Find out more about how to join the Priority schools right across the city took part in this concert, displaying Neighbourhood Partnership, or the Central Locality their musical talents. I would like to commend the efforts of Empowerment Group at Get Involved - Community all pupils who took part, particularly those from the Northfield/ Planning Aberdeen. Mastrick North area. Ways to Get Involved I attended Northfield Academy’s annual awards ceremony, There are different ways for you to get involved in to celebrate the remarkable work of pupils throughout the working with us towards a brighter future for our academic year, across all year groups. Once again, I would city and you neighbourhood, please visit our NEW like to congratulate all pupils, irrespective of whether or not website at https://communityplanningaberdeen.org. they won an award, on their remarkable efforts throughout uk/ to explore the different ways, or email us directly the year. I would also like to wish those leaving Northfield at communityplanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk Academy all the very best as they move onto their next Webinar – hear more about Community Planning venture. Additionally, I would like to wish those pupils making Aberdeen and our Refreshed Plans the move from primary to secondary school over the summer, Community Planning Aberdeen are committed to the best of luck. continuing our work to improve the lives of people, On Saturday 22nd June Sport Aberdeen will be holding an communities and businesses in Aberdeen. We would opening event at the Northfield Outdoor Sports Centre from love you to Sign up to our webinar on 4 September 2-4pm to officially launch the tennis courts at the centre at noon to hear more about our refreshed City Wide reopening after many months of redevelopment works to and Locality Plans and our collective vision that improve the existing courts. Aberdeen is “a place where all people can prosper” . You can sign up at https://tiny.cc/# If I can ever be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on 07977 399622 or email me at; donclark@ aberdeencity.gov.uk 6
Aberdeen’s third Cruyff Court is fabulous to see the kids coming down just play in our school field. And our and enjoying it” Miller noted. school field has a bunch of holes on the ground because kids are digging.” officially open, making Aberdeen tied “You know, I came from East End of with London as the only two cities in Glasgow in the 1960s, which was a Of course, it was an interesting break the UK to have 3 pitches. rather tough area. And we didn’t have from the normal school day to meet this type of facility, but you managed, the former Aberdeen Captain. you still managed to get out and kick “It was quite exciting seeing Willie Cruyff Court Willie Miller, located in Tillydrone was opened on the 13th of May, by the legendary defender. The footballer took to the pitch, alongside Lord Provost, David Cameron, staff from the Denis Law Legacy Trust, the ball about in the streets. When you get a facility like this, it’s just wonderful for the community and a facility that I’m sure will help the kids, Miller today as well.” Said Millie, giggling she added “I didn’t expect him to be that old, but yeah”. She didn’t leave empty handed, getting The Cruyff Foundation and pupils you know, fill their time. from Riverbank Primary. “I think that’s important when you’re for her brother. Aberdeen is able to benefit from the growing up is you’ve got something to Emil was also enamoured with the Cruyff Courts due to a successful partnership between the Denis Law Legacy Trust, Aberdeen City Council fill your time. You can fill it good ways and bad ways, I think we all know that. This is a good way for them to fill and the Cruyff Foundation. their time.” It is a free unbookable space, open The local youngsters are chuffed with to the community to use at all times. the pitch and eager to make the most her t-shirt signed as well as a football football legend. “He’s a nice person. I think, in my best opinion, he was the best defender for Aberdeen.” Willie Miller also reflected on his time spent living in Tilly, long ago. “Yeah, I did actually live in Tillydrone. The space includes an artificial pitch, of what the facility has to offer. basketball and dodgeball courts, Emil felt it was a great addition to the a house, stayed here for about two area. “I think it’s really fun that you get years, in Don Gardens, I enjoyed my to play with all your friends and make time here. running track and mini tennis courts. DLLT will run a number of their Streetsport activities at the facility too. new friends. It’s a safe space for It was a long time ago, um, but I had “It was a lovely house that we The Gothenburg Great gave an people to come.” insight into the dedication. Blake noted the improved quality from remember where your roots were, “It’s an honour, you know, first and the school pitch. “Before this place and that was when I first came up foremost, to be associated with was open, when we would want to to Aberdeen, so it was, it was an something like this. Um, but it’s play football, we would, we would enjoyable time for me.” stayed in as well. I think you always 7
pia am st Gr ge t! g Bi Ye ide Pr Saturday the 25th of May, saw the streets of Aberdeen painted technicolour as the parade lined the streets for Grampian Pride. The Parade crowd, 10,000 strong, and watching it, is the number of in spectacular full colour. “I am a record-breaking number, gathered people who will be lining Union here with BP, we are marching in at the end of Union Street on the Street today, that will be waving Grampian Pride to show our support glorious sunny morning. and cheering. What’s not to love to the LGBTQ+ community.” Ross One of the parade leaders about that amount of love in the city anticipated a fun filled, colourful day centre. I think we should have one but emphasised the importance of the importance of the day. “It is every weekend!” Pride’s history. important to have Pride because Steph was delighted to be there is still a lot of prejudice shown “Pride has its roots in protest, it was celebrating her first parade. “I to the LGBT+ community, especially about gaining rights for the LGBTQ+ have spent the last 14 years living community. Thankfully, today at somewhere that this would never least in the UK, we have a lot more happen, so this is just a great thing freedoms to come out and celebrate for me. It’s a positive atmosphere, but it’s good to have the visibility I’ve already walked down Union to show people who don’t feel so Street and people stopped, smiled, comfortable or don’t think they can Alan, shared his thoughts on trans people. We reported last week the United Kingdom has dropped down the ILGA listing for how friendly a country it is to LGBT+ people. Dropping down in the 21st century.” ILGA is an independent international organisation connecting and nurturing alliances for LGBTI in society. what more do you want?” “This is extremely important. and support them.” Everybody forgets that Pride is also The community and support are clear a protest, that’s what it started as. People have embraced it for the Alan continued, “If you ask me how positives which is great, but we can’t this is important, I couldn’t think of forget that there is still a lot that has anything more important to do on to be done and the protest needs to a day like today. And the sun has continue. Everybody’s voice needs come out”. to be heard and this is a great way “One of the nicest things about be themselves to give them a voice to do it.” to see. Partners Violet and Jayden were also enjoying the atmosphere. Violet felt, “It’s one of the best things that Aberdeen has done for the queer community and it’s nice to have this overwhelming sense of community.” Jayden, in agreement, added, “I think it’s absolutely amazing, I feel so doing a Pride march from the BP were one of the events sponsors accepted, it’s like my safe inside of it, as opposed to sitting this year and the team marched space here”. 8
blown away by the support this year. “I’m surprised how many people are here, they have really come out to support. I love it. “It shows the support that people have that they might not feel like they do have. I think Aberdeen is growing to be more open minded, each year it gets better. Each year Pride gets bigger and bigger.” The fun didn’t stop with the march down Union Street, the Party continued at the Pride Village at Duthie Park, were over 6,000 showed their support. There was plenty to enjoy, from live performances, food, drink, a silent disco and charity stalls too! shmu who had their first ever stall at the village said “It was fantastic to be part of Pride and the atmosphere in the village was amazing. We had a fabulous day engaging with the community”. You can visit shmu’s YouTube channel, shmuTV, to see the short film our Multimedia Team volunteers made on the day. Happy Pride month from the Tilly Tattle! “Pride has its roots in protest, it was about gaining rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
Fleepit Digital © 2021