Latest News from PKAVS

The Walled Garden Open Day - Summer Sizzler

PKAVS Walled Garden is hosting its annual open day on Saturday 21 August in the grounds of Murray Royal Hospital. The family fun extravaganza offers a chance to enjoy live music, a barbeque and see the stunning gardens in full bloom. Visitors and supporters of the project are welcome to drop in anytime between 12noon and 4pm (entry by donation). The Summer Sizzler event also includes various charity information and fundraising stalls and the chance to browse the Walled Garden's many products for sale including plants, vegetables, garden furniture, artwork and refreshments from the cafe.

Andy Gray to take the stage at PKAVS Charity Ball

Scottish actor Andy Gray announced his return to PKAVS Charity Ball this year, as he fronts up the Perth 800 Charity Ball hosted by PKAVS in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council. The spectacular charity event will take place in Perth Concert Hall on Friday 3 September and will bring together supporters from across Perth & Kinross for an evening of dinner, dancing and charity fundraising.

PKAVS Voluntary Action Perthshire team launches new website

PKAVS VAP Team launched Perth & Kinross' brand new community web portal in July 2010. The new website www.vaperthshire.org will offer a one-stop-shop for local charities and community groups to access information relevant to the Sector, advertise events and opportunities, and take part in discussions via an online forum. Funded by the Rural Tayside LEADER Programme, the new site aims to particularly reach out to voluntary organisations in rural areas of Perth & Kinross.

Unsung Heroes recognised at "Volunteer of the Year" Awards

Over 130 charity representatives and volunteers of all ages attended Perth & Kinross' Volunteer of the Year Awards event on Friday 28 May in Perth's Salutation Hotel. Hosted by PKAVS community engagement department, Voluntary Action Perthshire, the glitzy event celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups of volunteers giving their time across Perth & Kinross. Seven awards were given for significant contributions to volunteering, including recognition for youth volunteering and long service awards. BBC's River City star and Perth-based actress, Lorna Craig, joined Councillors Liz Grant and Bob Ellis to present awards to the deserving winners.

PKAVS launches new logo

Following a period of strategic review in autumn 2009, PKAVS took steps to redesign its logo and strap-line. Our new visual brand and corporate colours were launched in April 2010 and our strap-line Making the Difference is already helping spread the word of PKAVS' impact on the community of Perth & Kinross.

"The Most important people in the World: Honesty"

‘Not equal to but better than’ is a phrase often used by Photographer Graham Miller over the last year.  In his first personal project Graham has been photographing workers who are recovering from severe and/or enduring mental illnesses in PKAVS Walled Garden Project.

Through the project ‘The Most important people in the World: Honesty’ Graham is seeking to address the stigma attached to mental illness while reminding those affected of their importance to society. "In the recent past we’ve all been reminded of the importance of honesty" says Graham "And the people I’ve worked with have that characteristic in abundance".

The work, which consists of striking large scale portraits printed, unusually, on an aluminium composite material, was first exhibited at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre in Perthshire from July 3rd to 31st 2010. Plans are already in place to publish a book which will be designed by the workers. Graham now hopes that the photographs will attract sufficient interest to be be exhibited further afield and he added "The more people who look into the eyes of those featured and who are encouraged to think again, the more I will feel that I have created something of value". A sample of the images can be seen at www.gilmar.turnpiece.net .

Voluntary & Community Sector Conference 2010

"The Perth & Kinross Voluntary Sector Conference has a reputation as one of the best events in the Scottish voluntary sector calendar" says keynote speaker at this Friday's annual Conference, Norman McAskill, Head of Rural Policy at SCVO. PKAVS Volunteer Centre and CVS teams have once again joined forces to host the ninth Voluntary & Community Sector Conference for Perth & Kinross in Crieff Hydro Hotel. Delegates, exhibitors and presenters from a wide range of local charities will come together to network, increase their knowledge of issues affecting the sector, and share ideas and best practice. PKAVS is delighted to be joined by Annabel Goldie, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, to open the conference. 

Perth's Salutation Hotel tops £3,500 for PKAVS

Staff and customers at The Salutation Hotel in Perth successfully raised £1,100 for PKAVS through their 2009/10 Christmas and Valentine's Party Nights. A series of special raffles saw hundreds of tickets sold in support of PKAVS, bringing the local hotel's fundraising total for PKAVS to an impressive £3,500 since 2007.

Carers knowing their Rights

In conjunction with National Carers Rights Day on Friday 4 December, The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre (Perth & Kinross) offered carers the opportunity to raise issues of concern with local MPs, Pete Wishart and Gordon Banks and local councillor Peter Barrett. The event was one of nearly 1,500 taking place across the UK to raise awareness of carers' rights and entitlements amongst professionals and policy makers. 

Laing O'Rourke builds support for charity

Following 12 months of fundraising, construction firm Laing O'Rourke has raised over £1,000 for PKAVS. The proactive team, based at Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross, called upon sub-contractors to assist with a series of charity raffles offering star prizes. The fundraisers presented a cheque for £1,049 to PKAVS to tie in with "The Big Weekend" in November - three days of community celebrations marking the opening of the new Campus.

Big Lottery Fund supports local Minority Ethnic Communities

PKAVS was delighted to be awarded £259,569 from the Big Lottery Fund to develop a new project that will support Minority Ethnic Communities in establishing, developing or adapting their lives in Perth & Kinross. The Minority Ethnic Access Development (MEAD) Project is a joint initiative between Perth & Kinross Council, PKAVS and the Community Health Partnership in collaboration with local Minority Ethnic communities and MECOPP (the National Development Programme funded by the Scottish Government Equalities Unit). The project aims to give the expanding migrant population support to play a full and active role in their community while helping service providers to respond more effectively to their needs. Funding will support the project over 3.5years and January 2010 will see the project go live from a new office base in Perth.  

Annual Meeting between Politicians and Voluntary Organisations

CVS Perth & Kinross hosted the annual meeting between Perth & Kinross Voluntary Sector and Politicians, creating an opportunity for over 50 voluntary sector delegates to take part in an open discussion about issues of concern. The 'question and answer' panel session was preceded by the premier of two short films created by young volunteers at Strathmore Centre for Youth Dialogue (SCYD) which highlighted the diversity of voluntary organisations within Perth & Kinross. Represented on the panel of politicians were John Swinney MSP, Pete Wishart MP, Councillor Ian Miller and Councillor Peter Barrett. 

Day Club Volunteers recognised at Appreciation Dinner

Nearly 50 staff and volunteers from The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre enjoyed an appreciation dinner at the Isle of Skye Hotel on 3 September. The event was in recognition of the hard work and commitment of the Carers Centre's many volunteers who take on vital roles helping in four day centres across Perth & Kinross. Volunteers received certificates marking various lengths of service to their volunteering roles.