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ANNUAL REPORT 2023

Contents 3 A Word from the VASA Chair

25 FootcAyr

4 Representation

26 Community Support

6 Capacity Building

27 Attendance Allowance

8 Volunteering

28 Meet the Dream Team

11 VASA as a Fund Administrator

31 Celebrating 25 Years of VASA

12 How We Have Helped

Day of Older 32 International Persons

14 Living Well Programme

Well Champions Board 34 Ageing and Age Friendly Communities

16 Out and About Service

Companions’ 22nd 35 Christmas Year

South Ayrshire Lifeline Community Information Service

2023 Achievements and 36 Our Hopes for 2024

20 Digital Helpline and Drop-In

38 Cost of Living Support

22 The Food Pantry

39 VASA Services

24 Telephone Befriending

40 VASA Contact Information 2

A Word from the VASA Chair CHANGE IN THE AIR For VASA, 2023 has been a year to celebrate. We’ve been established in South Ayrshire now for twenty-five years and were delighted to receive recognition for our work from South Ayrshire Council in the shape of a Civic Reception in September. You can also see from our extensive Annual Report just how much we have achieved working alongside our valued partners this year. From capacity building to volunteering, befriending to digital support, the Food Pantry to Footcayr, Living Well to Ageing Well, VASA has reached out to the local community to Make Help Happen. Clients have been signposted to helpful organisations and even been helped to maximise Attendance Allowance claims. We’re proud of our achievements. Looking back to the pandemic, the past two or three years have been focused on dealing with the crises faced by young and old alike. Now there’s a change in the air. 2023 has seen a move from tackling crises to planning for growth and development. We’re looking at moving forward again with plans to create a better future for the people of South Ayrshire. The Living Well Programme has moved from hybrid meetings to 100% face-toface meetings. The demand for support back into the community and telephone befriending has reduced (a very positive sign), while the Ageing Well Champions Board with all their energy and enthusiasm are busy recommending the kind of Ayr they want for the future. This year VASA has strengthened the voice of the Third Sector in South Ayrshire, making sure each specialist area has a chairperson who contributes to the strategic plans for South Ayrshire’s future. Without our partners, stakeholders, volunteers, and dedicated staff, none of this could have happened. It’s not just the year of VASA’s achievement, it's your year of achievement too. Thank you for working with us.

Linda Linda M Muir Chair of VASA Board

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Representation: The Strongest Voice of the Third Sector in 25 years South Ayrshire’s Third Sector now has the strongest voice it has ever had with seats at all the Key Strategic public sector meetings. Two consultation events were held with over 100 Third Sector organisations and the Community Planning Partnership leading to a total revamp of the Representation model. There are now 6 Third Sector Forums that are linked to the Community Planning Strategic Delivery Partnerships and they include: Third Sector Community Food Forum Third Sector Employability and Social Enterprise Forum Third Sector Children and Young Persons Services Forum Third Sector Health and Wellbeing Forum Third Sector Welfare Forum Third Sector Sustainability Forum The diagram below highlights the new Third Sector Representation Model

These Forums are open to any constituted group/organisation that delivers services in South Ayrshire.

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VASA has secured a place round the table at each of the Strategic Planning Delivery partnerships for the chair of each of the Forums. In addition, the Forum chairs also meet on a 8 weekly basis and have input to the newly formed Community Planning Participation and Engagement Group which will ensure that local people will be able to participate and be actively engaged in consultations that affect them.

VASA attend a total of 77 meetings covering a broad range of topics and will work on a new system to disseminate all relevant information to the sector.

The Forums will focus on actions whilst 3 new networking groups will focus on sharing best practices, offering an opportunity to discuss current issues and peer support. The new networks include: Chief Officers’ Network Volunteer Managers’ Network Trustee Network These networks will be starting in January 2024 and will be open to all relevant parties. Progress on the success of the new model will be reported on in VASA’s Annual Report 2024. In 2024 we will be collating a directory of Third Sector Organisations to share with the sector and other partners to demonstrate the diversity of services delivered to enhance lives of those in the community. To find out more about the forums or networks please email enquiries@vasa.scot

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Capacity Building Capacity Building Support from VASA encompasses many areas that relate to the sustainability and growth of organisations within the voluntary sector in South Ayrshire. 2023 has been a very positive year for many within the sector and it has been extremely encouraging to see so many new enquiries about setting up a charity or seeking to explore ways to refresh and grow again after a few years of recovery from the pandemic.

Charity Set-Up

Governance

Recruitment

Events

Workshops

Training

Areas of Capacity Building Support

Marketing

Anything else required

Volunteering

Funding

Social Enterprise

I now feel our charity and its services are back where we left off at the start of the pandemic and we are now in a position to look to grow Direct Capacity Building Support This year, there have been over 100 interactions face-to-face with 70 different organisations or individuals looking for specific Capacity Building Support. Many of these meetings have taken place in our offices but where possible they have taken place at the organisation/group’s premises. This has allowed us to gather richer intelligence about the sector, seeing first-hand what is being delivered. It has also allowed for stronger relations to be formed, making it easier to signpost to other VASA services where appropriate. Outwith the face-to-face meetings, Capacity Building Support is never-ending with daily emails and telephone calls answered. Everyone knows we are at the end of a phone or keyboard and can support them easily and quickly that way. Information Sessions and Events Let’s Talk VASA kicked off 2023 with a series of ‘Let’s Talk’ information sessions held virtually. Subjects covered were Funding, Social Enterprise, Trustee Responsibility, Governance and Community Benefits. Return to Index

A total of 64 organisations attended one or more sessions which also offered participants a chance for questions and networking. Charity Bill Review This year has seen the progression of the new Charities Bill which will supersede the 2005 Act once it has been passed. The main changes to be adopted will give OSCR stronger powers around regulating Registered Charities. 3 sessions to update the sector in South Ayrshire were offered, one face-to-face and 2 virtually. A total of 42 Trustees from 38 organisations attended. Funding VASA and South Ayrshire Council worked in partnership to offer a full-day Funding Extravaganza to organisations in South Ayrshire. 98 representatives from 75 organisations attended the day, browsing the funders’ stalls, listening to presentations and attending 3 separate workshops throughout the day. Information gathering, learning and networking was abundant as well as much chatter over lunch! National Intelligence and Partnerships Participation and attendance at regular national meetings ensure a wider view of the sector, particularly across Scotland, where ideas, information and feedback are shared with the benefits of peer support. National and Pan-Ayrshire Meetings attended: TSI Social Enterprise Practitioners Meeting TSI Governance Forum TSI Funding Forum National Network for Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund NHS Community Benefits Gateway Short Life Working Group Community Wealth Building Lead Officers Working Group

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Volunteering 2023 has charted a brighter course for volunteers across South Ayrshire, with a whole new range of organisations participating and opportunities available. We have used new marketing campaigns and community events to match potential volunteers with South Ayrshire organisations. Our promotional work has meant an increase in young volunteers aged 12-25 through the Saltire Awards, as well as supporting volunteers through CV building and reducing isolation.

South Ayrshire Volunteering Awards South Ayrshire volunteers were honoured at our annual awards ceremony in Ayr Town Hall during Volunteer Week in June 2023. A total of 205 volunteers from 37 community organisations and charities were nominated. “The South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards are a

261 New adult volunteers in 2023

chance for us to say a very big thank you to the many people who give their time so generously to help others.” - Marie Oliver, Chief Executive Officer

Support given to Volunteer Involving Organisations Marketing & Promotion

Developing Volunteer Roles

Support with Saltire Awards

Opportunities to network & share best practice

Recognising volunteers via SAVA awards

Online Registration of Volunteer Roles

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683 Volunteers Required

Young Volunteers Volunteering is becoming more diverse than ever before here in South Ayrshire, and our Saltire Awards participants play a pivotal role in making that happen. VASA supports South Ayrshire’s young volunteers aged 12-25 to participate in the Saltire Awards, which recognises, celebrates and rewards young people’s dedication to volunteering.

The Saltire Squad

In 2023, VASA gave the reins to Saltire Awards participants through our new team of Saltire Ambassadors. This group of South Ayrshire young people are promoting volunteering to their peers by arranging events, creating social media content, and even putting volunteering into schools as part of the curriculum! Saltire Ambassador Sara said, “Volunteering has not only given me the opportunity to help others, but it has also shown me that I am capable of being independent and that my voice is heard.”

641

12,948

204

Saltire Awards achieved so far in 2023

Saltire Award volunteering hours registered in 2023

New Saltire Award volunteers so far in 2023

VASA continues to provide support to schools, colleges, and organisations through training and presentations on the Saltire Awards. In 2023, we worked with teachers and pupils in every South Ayrshire secondary school through attending events, giving talks, providing staff training, and working one-to-one with pupils. We have also worked closely with staff at Ayrshire College to ensure that youth participation in volunteering goes beyond the school gates. 9

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Volunteering News Our quarterly volunteering newsletter has been a huge success. Published in digital and paper format, this is distributed at our regular events, local venues such as libraries, to stakeholders, to job coaches and teachers, as well as to members of the community. Volunteering news

Volunteering news

Winter 2022

Spotlight on opportunities

Volunteering news

Ideas to spring back into volunteering.

Ways to volunteer during the winter months 1. Write and send greeting cards. Sending cards is not just for the holidays 2. Give a friendly weekly call to someone who's suffering from loneliness. 3. Make hats and blankets to donate. Help others stay warm by gathering fleece or wool and putting it to good use. Join a knit and natter club. 4. Throw a party to fundraise for your favorite cause. 5. Drive your 4x4 in adverse weather and get key workers/supplies to their destination. 6. Fight hunger in the community. You can make a world of difference. 7. Be part of a retail team in a warm charity shop. 8. Bring some cheer to residents in care homes. 9. Spend time with hospital patients and alleviate the pressure in wards. 10. Mentor a young person through the cold winter months. 11. Create social media posts for charities. 12. Drive a minibus to allow communities get together. 13. Shop for someone who cannot get out of the house as easily. There's a volunteering opportunity that suits everyone, so flip through and find something you like. Visit www.southayrshirelifeline.org to search for local volunteering opportunities. 1

1. Collect care packages. 2. Conduct a public cleanup. 3. Organise a fundraising event at your workplace. 4. Sponsor a youth sports team and check if they have any volunteering roles available. 5. Cultivate a garden.Check if there are any community gardens in your area. 6. Join a retail team in a charity shop, new stock has to replace the winter stock. 7. Support a local park. Most local woods and parks have a wide range of volunteering activities. 8. Go play. Local sports groups organise programs, leagues, competitions for the local community. Most of these groups rely on volunteers.

Spotlight on opportunities

Scottish Charity Number: SCO28234

Contents

Summer is an excellent time to explore volunteering abroad, but there are excellent opportunities closer to home too. Here are some reasons why you should volunteer this summer.

Ayr North, Annbank, Braehead, Craigie, Dalmilling, Lochside, Mossblown, Tarbolton, Wallacetown, Whitletts................... p 2 Alloway, Ayr South, Ayr Town Centre, Belmont, Castlehill, Coylton, Doonfoot, Forehill, Holmston, Kincaidston............................................ p 5

1. Flexibility - your time, your place. 2. Enhance your CV. 3. Develop your skills. 4. Meet new people. 5. Try something new. 6. Give back to society. 7. Add to your personal achievement. 8. Gain a whole new perspective. 9. Make change happen. 10. It's fun!

Heathfield, Monkton, Newton North, Prestwick, Symington..................... p 13 Barassie, Dundonald, Loans, Muirhead, Troon................................. p 16 Crosshill, Dunure, Fisherton, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Straiton, Turnberry............................................. p 18 Ballantrae, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Dailly, Girvan, Lendalfoot, Pinmore, Pinwherry............................................. p 21 South Ayrshire................................... p 23

Visit www.southayrshirelifeline.org to search for local volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering news

Summer 2023

Spring 2023

Spotlight on opportunities

Scottish Charity Number: SCO28234

Autumn 2023

Spotlight on opportunities

Scottish Charity Number: SCO28234

Contents Ayr North, Annbank, Braehead, Craigie, Dalmilling, Lochside, Mossblown, Tarbolton, Wallacetown, Whitletts................... p 2

Autumn brings golden leaves, crisp weather, and a whole new range of volunteering opportunities!

Alloway, Ayr South, Ayr Town Centre, Belmont, Castlehill, Coylton, Doonfoot, Forehill, Holmston, Kincaidston............................................ p 6

Why should you volunteer?

Heathfield, Monkton, Newton North, Prestwick, Symington..................... p 11 Barassie, Dundonald, Loans, Muirhead, Troon................................. p 14 Crosshill, Dunure, Fisherton, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Straiton, Turnberry............................................. p 15 Ballantrae, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Dailly, Girvan, Lendalfoot, Pinmore, Pinwherry............................................. p 18 South Ayrshire................................... p 21

Visit www.southayrshirelifeline.org to search for local volunteering opportunities.

1. Gain skills and experience. 2. Meet new people. 3. Develop your confidence. 4. Strengthen your CV. 5. Give back to your community. 6. Try new things. 7. Add to uni/college applications. 8. Make change happen. 9. It’s flexible to you & your needs. 10. Volunteering is fun!

Contents Ayr North, Annbank, Braehead, Craigie, Dalmilling, Lochside, Mossblown, Tarbolton, Wallacetown, Whitletts................... p 2 Alloway, Ayr South, Ayr Town Centre, Belmont, Castlehill, Coylton, Doonfoot, Forehill, Holmston, Kincaidston............................................ p 5 Heathfield, Monkton, Newton North, Prestwick, Symington..................... p 10 Barassie, Dundonald, Loans, Muirhead, Troon................................. p 13 Crosshill, Dunure, Fisherton, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Straiton, Turnberry............................................. p 15 Ballantrae, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Dailly, Girvan, Lendalfoot, Pinmore, Pinwherry............................................. p 16 South Ayrshire................................... p 19

Visit www.southayrshirelifeline.org to search for local volunteering opportunities.

Winter 2022 124 roles 57 organisations

Spring 2023 146 roles 66 organisations

Summer 2023 170 roles 71 organisations

Autumn 2023 121 roles 58 organisations

Volunteer Drive Events We have organised 8 volunteer drives to promote volunteering in South Ayrshire over the course of 2023. These have included: Maybole

Prestwick

Girvan

Ayr

Troon DWP Job Centre And more!

South Ayrshire Volunteering Strategy 2021-24

Developed from the South Ayrshire Volunteering Strategy action plan, VASA have been working on a new VolunteerHub website. VolunteerHub South Ayrshire is a tool for all volunteer involving organisations, community groups, main stakeholders in South Ayrshire and all individuals who have an interest in the Third Sector and Volunteering. This new resource will launch in early 2024.

Volunteer Friendly and Investing in Volunteers are two quality standards regulated by Volunteer Scotland. We are proud to say that VASA members, Bfriend and Riverside Community Trust, have achieved their Volunteer Friendly Award in 2023. The following VASA members are being supported on their recognition pathway: The Ayr Ark (VFA), Ayr United Football Club (IIV), Ayrshire Cancer Support (IIV), The Carrick Centre (IIV), and River Garden (IIV). Return to Index

VASA as a Fund Administrator 2023 continues to see VASA as a funder, with an allocation of £333,000 to be distributed to organisations across South Ayrshire for projects delivered from January 2024 – March 2025. This is year 3 funding, given to VASA by The Scottish Government to administer under the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults. Applications deadline was at the end of November 2023 with grants to be awarded by mid-December 2023. The successful applicants for year 2 funding, awarded at the end of 2022, have been busy delivering their projects throughout this year. VASA has visited many of the projects throughout this year continue to offer on-going support to these organisations, especially around evaluation and impact.

This year the successful recipients of the ‘Cosy Spaces’ grant have been opening up halls and community spaces, through the winter of 22/23, for their local communities to pop in, get a heat, a hot drink or meal and a good blether. 19 groups from local villages and towns across South Ayrshire were successful in securing this funding from Ballantrae to Symington. After the evidential success of many of these projects, they were all offered an extension to funding to extend their delivery either all year or again during Autumn/Winter in 23 - 24. 11 of the original projects were able to do this, allowing them to build on the engagement from their communities. 11

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Living Well Programme The Living Well Programme is a self-management programme open to any South Ayrshire resident who lives with the physical, emotional and social impact of a long-term health condition. Where 2022 saw a move to hybrid delivery after COVID, this year has seen the service move out into the community with 100% face-to-face group delivery, mainly within Sheltered Housing Units. The programme is a free informal, four session, bespoke programme delivered over two weeks and designed around the needs of the residents within each Unit. This year, the Living Well Programme has delivered 44 sessions in 11 Sheltered Housing Units with an average of 8 participants at each session.

The aim of the sessions is to provide a range of workshops, facilitated by VASA staff and other speakers, that cover Physical, Emotional, Safety, Practical and Social topics in a friendly and informal way, sharing useful information that will aid their self-management going forward and encouraging lively discussion. We include input on digital safety, food and mood, keeping active, volunteering, relaxation and quizzes. Sessions have included speakers from a number of settings and professions, such as: Positive Steps with Falls Prevention Occupational Therapy Services with ‘Staying Ahead of the Curve’ Scottish Fire and Rescue with Fire Safety and Prevention

Police Scotland with Crime Prevention and Intervention South Ayrshire Lifeline with accessing information and groups, and digital safety

All the speakers have been very positively received and informative.

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Moving forward into 2024, the programme delivery will expand into new venues such as independent living premises, the care sector, private sector and residential retirement homes. The service has also just started to recruit volunteers to both help with delivery and also to continue to facilitate a monthly face-toface social group within each venue after the Living Well Programme has been delivered and moved on. This hopefully will encourage the participants to continue meeting and socialising.

Feedback from participants includes:

“Great information from everyone”

“Now thinking about being a telephone befriender”

“Enjoyed the company and all the discussion; speakers were very interesting and helpful!” “I liked best the fact that everyone got on and enjoyed the session and learned a lot”

“It was fun and I learned a lot”

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Out and About Service The Out and About Service has seen some changes this year, not least a new Coordinator to the service who came into post in early July. During the first half of 2023, a reduction in referrals had been noted, as well as an increase in the ages of potential clients being referred. This service is now delivered on a part-time basis with the Co-ordinator also assisting part-time in the set up and development of our new Ageing Well movement. Referrals for the Out and About Service are now only being accepted for those 55+. These changes reflect what we are seeing across many of our services and support areas where the issues resulting from the COVID pandemic are not so prolific. This is allowing almost ‘normal service’ to resume where we can develop our projects again, identifying gaps and progress forward. The Out and About Service continues to provide support to people in South Ayrshire, who are feeling isolated or are looking for support to boost their confidence in getting back into their local community, focusing on socialising and becoming more active. The service supports people for a maximum of 6 visits aiming to build their confidence and independence. Those referred get an initial telephone call, sometimes several, to introduce the service and get to know the Co-ordinator a bit n Health Occupatio better and for both to explore where they could go. The first faceto-face meeting continues on with that discussion and allows South Ayrshire Lifeline both to get to know each other better, formulating a plan for next steps based on the client’s aims and wishes for the service. Sensory Support Normally within that plan of activity is signposting to other services and support as identified through the time spent together. Other noticeable changes to referrals this year is an increase in those who are seeking support to deal with day-to-day activities such as shopping and hairdressers appointments. Increasing independence and enabling people to confidently complete these daily tasks alone, remains the focus of this service. There has also been an increase in referrals for people who have spent an extended period of time in hospital and who require additional assistance to get their independence back and build their routines again. Return to Index

So far this year the support has covered travel and attendance at activities, from Troon to Ballantrae and many areas in between. Not all referrals end up in interactions, with some being signposted to other services. This year the service has seen 60+ referrals with 42 being taken forward. This has seen over 400 hours of direct face-to-face contact and over 350 hours of travel across South Ayrshire.

400 350 Hours Hours with clients

travelling

CASE STUDY Ms S was referred to the service by an Occupational Therapist at a local hospital. Due to a fall resulting in a broken joint, the client was feeling lonely and lacking confidence about leaving the house to complete daily tasks. Ms S had a very supportive family circle however, they all lived a significant distance away and were unable to be available daily. Ms S was looking for support to get back to shopping and being independent whilst

managing her health. An initial appointment was set up to attend the local hairdresser as she had been unable to get her hair done and felt very conscious and anxious about this. Since then she has been taken on a short shopping trip in the area to build confidence getting back out into the community. Support will be ending soon as she has managed to secure accommodation near to family out with South Ayrshire.

CASE STUDY Ms K was referred to the service by an Occupational Therapist as she had lost confidence and was struggling to get back out into the community and also to travel. Ms K had been invited to a family gathering but was unsure about attending due to having to travel in a car as well as being out of the house for an extended period of the day. Through the service, Ms K was supported in taking a few small trips away for the afternoon, traveling in

the car and going for a walk. After a couple of visits, Ms K was comfortably getting in and out of the car, without assistance and walking around. Ms K decided that she would be capable of attending the family event. Although she felt it would be tiring, she would find it not too difficult to manage. She enjoyed her event thoroughly, catching up with family and friends whom she had not seen for many months or years.

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SOUTH AYRSHIRE LIFELINE COMMUNITY INFORMATION SERVICE Connecting people with their communities is at the heart of the South Ayrshire Lifeline signposting service. It is also at the heart of the team as they continue to look at ways of connecting the people of South Ayrshire with their local and wider communities as well as support services and activities. Website The South Ayrshire Lifeline website (www.southayrshirelifeline.org) is an easy to use, one-stop resource website used by the general public as well as agencies to find information, activities, events, services and resources within South Ayrshire. 2023 has seen a huge increase of information available through the website, especially around Activities and Events. This is reflective of the overall changes noticed this year as groups, services and people themselves bounce back from COVID. Helpline The 0800 432 0510 free helpline number is open Monday – Friday 9-5pm, taking calls from members of the public as well as colleagues from other agencies. Calls into the helpline can be as simple as someone looking for a contact number or

can be very complex calls from vulnerable people requiring signposting to a variety of agencies. Some of our calls can require urgent, instant support, especially around food, utilities and even suicide. The team will do what they can and often go ‘above and beyond’.

Outreach Monthly drop-in sessions are delivered by a South Ayrshire Lifeline team member at all local libraries across South Ayrshire. The sessions give local people the opportunity to pop in and access information on groups, activities and services. The team also now have a regular drop-in at Maybole Health Centre as well as a regular slot attending VASA Living Well Programme, delivered once or twice a month in Sheltered Housing, raising awareness of the service. This year has also seen the team getting out and about to ‘map’ areas again. Focusing on a village or a town at a time, information for the website is gathered, contacts are made and records updated. Return to Index

Attending local events as a stallholder continues to be a great way of engaging with the general public to raise awareness. This year we have attended The Holy Fair, Lowland Gathering, Carers Days, Ageing Well Events, Volunteer Drives and OIR Welcome Day – to name but a few!! These events are also a great way to strengthen our links with other organisations. Giving one-off presentations to other agencies has continued this year again including visiting and presenting to Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Sheltered Housing Units, ‘Stay Ahead of the Curve’ Team, Reablement Teams, GP Surgeries, Voluntary Organisations, and groups and many more. Medical Students During 2023 we have again hosted approximately 6 final year medical students who spent one afternoon in our offices watching, listening, and talking to the VASA services staff. This gives them an insight into the work we do in the background Feedback from the GP Practice: “We are very grateful to you for introducing B to your team recently – he spoke very highly of your team and the work you do, and I’m sure this will be one of the very few opportunities medical students have to see this aspect of healthcare”

Case Studies Mrs G is a lady with a hearing disability looking for groups to attend. Created a list for her and also let her know about the phone app ‘Live Transcribe’ that can show a conversation on her phone in real time. Mrs G was delighted with this. Mrs S calling to ask for help with her husband who had been in hospital for a long time but is now home and finding it difficult as he was previously very active. Referred her to our Out & About service and compiled a list of suitable walking groups in their area that may be suitable. Also referred to SAC Community Transport for day and half-day trips that would be suitable for both of them. Mr R used to love fishing but is now disabled. Referred to ‘Spinfish’ website which lists rivers accessible for the disabled. 19

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Digital Helpline and Drop-In Now in its third year, 2023 has seen the Digital Helpline grow from strength to strength. There has been a significant increase in interactions and community engagement over the last 12 months. The Digital Helpline Service is free for everyone in South Ayrshire, offering them an opportunity to ask any questions about any devices, or to ask anything about the digital world in general. No question is too easy, silly or complicated! Clients call into the free helpline number and are offered an initial 1-hour slot to discuss any digital concerns or queries they have. This year the service has seen an increase in calls from people with sight and hearing impairments. As technology advances and offers them a new way to continue connecting with the world, or a way to continue to live independently, they are curious about embracing this to allow minimal impact on their lives from their impairment. Many referrals have come from partner agencies, such as the Sensory Support Team with Social Work, Occupational Health, GP Practices and Third Sector Sensory Support Groups or from word of mouth. The Digital Service offers support remotely, face-to-face via the 12 dropin options per month around South Ayrshire in Sheltered Housing Units, Public Libraries and Community Hubs, or a one-to-one pre-arranged 2hour meeting if necessary. One drop-in session this year was attended by 13 people! all of whom were seen that day and almost all of whom reached out to the Helpline for one-to-one support later on. The average attendance of a drop-in session is 6 people. The Digital lead has also been out and about this year presenting group talks to vulnerable people around topics such as: Scam Awareness and Internet Jargon, helping to keep people safe and stop them being confused while online. This includes presentations once or twice a month to the VASA Living Well participants, a series of Zoom talks for Third Sector organisations across North and South Ayrshire on keeping their organisations safe, and one off visits to community groups around South Ayrshire on staying safe online. In the last 12 months...

273

791

individuals assisted Return to Index

interactions 20

Case Study J is a profoundly deaf lady in her late 70s. She is widowed and about a year before she was connected with the service, her son passed away. J’s only way of communicating through her whole life was lip-reading. As an adult, J explained, she relied on her husband to make telephone calls on her behalf to the likes of doctors or banks, and then later she relied on her son. J had no idea how to engage with these essential organisations without those people bridging the gap for her and so was avoiding the doctors and avoiding dealing with her rising energy costs. Through a partner Third Sector organisation, J was introduced to the Digital Service and from there, she was encouraged to use technology to allow her to live independently. First she was shown TextRelay to help her communicate with services, then she was introduced to emails and guided in how to utilise certain organisations deaf-friendly modes of communication. J got her energy bills sorted, saving her literally hundreds of pounds a year, and she got in touch with her Doctor, who had been trying to reach her since shortly after her son passed away about an appointment with audiology. J updated her new living address with them and an appointment for her cochlear implants was made. All of this was very helpful to J in empowering her to live by herself and make sure her needs were being met. But the biggest thing to come from all of this, was once the cochlear implants were in, J was able to use her new wee smartphone to link to her hearing aids and listen to music for the first time ever. J has stated music is “better than I ever imagined” and she can often be seen walking down the street bobbing her head to it. Feedback “I would just like to say a big “Thank you” for coming along to the Sheltered Housing Unit so faithfully and helping myself and the service users with our mobile phones, tablets, etc, it is a wonderful service. Nothing ever seems to be a problem and the service users look forward to the drop-in every month.”

Joe from Dundonald at a drop-in session Used with permission 21

“I am so glad that my friends recommended you - not only for your expertise but also for the clarity of your explanations and for your patience with elderly beginners like myself. It seems too good to be true that this service is free! I have been telling other friends about it, and about how you have helped me. I hope you will continue to provide this wonderful service.” Return to Index

The Food Pantry The Food Pantry @ the Book and Bun has continued to offer members good quality and choice of foods at an affordable cost during 2023. Operating on a membership basis, currently the Pantry is only accepting new members with a postcode starting KA8 or who live within the outlying villages of Annbank, Mossblown or Tarbolton. Members can shop once a week for £2.75 for 10 items, or twice a week if they have any children. They choose from a colour-coded system, ensuring they get good quality, in-date produce from all food categories that allow them to make at least 2 meals. Every day there are also complimentary items to top up their shop which usually includes breads and fruit and vegetables. This year has seen its challenges both in demand for the service and the balance of ensuring enough food is available for all members. With constraints around staff resource time, funding and food supply, the Pantry opening times were reduced to 4 days per week to allow the Service Team Lead to further develop relationships with food suppliers, have time to run around doing pick-ups, and also deal with the admin associated with the operations of the Pantry. Other challenges this year include the huge increases in utility costs. These are all areas we will be looking at for 2024 as we try to sustain and develop the service further. Our pick-ups and donations of surplus foods are mainly from the supermarkets and now include picks ups each week, sometimes multiple times a week, from:

We also connect with other food banks to help reduce any items being wasted. Across our 4 days of opening per week we are satisfying 250-300 visits for shopping per week from members, providing food for approximately 1000 people within those households. Each shop saves each household around £16-£20, equating to a combined saving over the year of £247,860. Return to Index

Our amazing team of volunteers has expanded this year and we can’t thank them enough for the support they give to the Pantry and its members.

Recently we received a card from one of our members who comes in every week she is 86 and the card read: Hello Sunshines. We’re so pleased you’re here and I am sure so many other customers are too She is very grateful to all the staff and volunteers for all their hard work.

We had a young couple join recently and they are expecting their first child in December. They have come from a difficult background and come in every week to do a shop. The gentleman is the one that does the cooking, and we help by giving them suggestions of items that can go together to make meals. He says that we are making such a difference in the amount that they spend on food and that the Pantry is a Godsend, especially with a child on the way.

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The Telephone Befriending Service The Telephone Befriending Service is for referred clients who are feeling socially isolated and lonely. The service will match the client with a trained volunteer who is PVG checked. The volunteer contacts their matched client once a week. The telephone call will offer a friendly voice and a listening ear, a social call to lift the client’s mood and be upbeat wherever possible. The “chat” could be about hobbies, days gone past or simply the unpredictability of the Ayrshire weather. The social call is not suitable for clients who have greater needs around counselling or severe mental health issues. Where referrals are made for people with more complex issues, we signpost them to other services and inform the referrer.

45 60

Volunteers

Clients

Matches ended

In-House Matches

Clients were signposted or no longer needed the service

new matches

This year has seen a pilot project take place to assess the viability of on-screen matches using a digital device such as a tablet. VASA’S digital lead has led the trial involving 4 clients known to the organisation. The aim is not only for the client to receive a befriending call face-to-face – albeit virtually - but to gain confidence in accessing a much wider online community. The trial is going well and will be offered to new referrals at the start of 2024. Over the last year the telephone befriending volunteers have been offered training in: Suicide Awareness Alcohol and Addiction Awareness Dementia Awareness Our amazing volunteers have also been invited to attend several VASA social events including the Volunteer Awards, the annual Volunteer Thank You Evening and the coffee afternoon during Volunteer Week in June. Feedback from a Befriender “It’s good to know that you’re helping someone else to feel that they are still part of a wider community” Feedback from a Befriendee “I love the calls from my befriender. My son told me he feels “pity” for my befriender having to listen to me! It’s a great match” Return to Index

FootcAyr FootcAyr is one of VASA’s social enterprises. It is an affordable toe-nail-cutting service for anyone who is having difficulty cutting their own toenails. Now running a full-time clinic at the book & bun, Newmarket Street, Ayr and a once-a-week-clinic at the Townhouse in Girvan, the service has seen an explosion of new clients utilising the service, taking it to near full capacity. With over 800 clients, the service continues to be fully financially sustained requiring no funding to subsidise the already affordable cost to have toe-nails cut. Clients pay £13 for a 20-minute appointment which would otherwise cost them anything up to £35 in the private sector. The service also funds the employment of 3 part-time staff. The technicians offer a whole-person support to clients, listening and watching to see if they require signposting and support in other areas of their lives such as mobility, social, financial, housing and anything else that is picked up on while they chat getting their toenails cut. The technicians see these clients every 6 to 8 weeks and can often spot changes in appearance and mood.

I didn’t realise till now how much my overgrown nails were affecting my walking

Thank you for giving me the leaflet about South Ayrshire Lifeline the last time I came for my appointment. I phoned and they were really good

I’m so glad I made the appointment as I have hurt myself before trying to do this myself

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Community Support This year VASA has been contracted to carry out low-level support in the community, with referrals coming from the Reablement team. VASA has also been collecting and delivering Level 3 medication to those who are isolated and are unable to collect their prescriptions themselves in the Ayr, Troon, and Prestwick areas. Whilst this service still has certain issues, they are now settling down as all parties become accustomed to the new service.

145 prescriptions delivered

100 hours spent on prescription delivery

Case Study The client had lost confidence after a period of ill health. The service reintroduced her to her hobby of bird watching and encouraged her to engage with other enthusiasts who came up to talk to her. She became more confident and engaged with the wider community, socialising more easily. She also joined a local church and became fully involved with it, developing a good social network within the Church.

On discharge from the service she said life was better for her now than it had ever been since moving to this area.

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Attendance Allowance Service The Attendance Allowance service started in October 2022. It offers help to complete the Attendance Allowance forms and complete Blue Badge application forms. The visit also identifies the need for any aids or services and referrals are made to the Community Care Team, Sensory Impairment Team, and other agencies where appropriate. The referrals have been from a variety of healthcare professionals including occupational therapists, nurses, and physiotherapists, and also from Sheltered housing complexes, individuals, or family members. There have been 184 referrals to the service, which have produced 148 visits to members of the general public. From these visits, 96 Attendance Allowance claims have been filed with a 96.9% success Attendance rate over the last 12 months resulting in successful claims totaling Allowance Claims £9676.90 per week, which works out to £503,198 per year.

£503,198 in 12 months

There has been 100% success rate with blue badge applications. There have been 42 applications for aids to the Community Care Team which have all been processed.

Health Care Professionals have said... I don’t know what we would do without this service.

Keep up the good work. Great service.

Clients are very grateful and have said... “I burst into tears when I saw the letter. We feel like millionaires now we can keep the heating on more than a few hours.”

“I am now able to visit friends and do my own shopping as I can afford to pay for a taxi. I do not feel so isolated and have some of my independence back.”

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Meet the Dream Team To achieve all that VASA does, we need to have a fantastic team all working together. Our strong, committed and skilled workforce all come together to ensure that we deliver an absolutely excellent quality service. The 2023 team includes: Chief Officer, Marie Oliver: marie@vasa.scot. Responsible for strategic and operational delivery. This includes financial transactions, budgeting, strategic representation with public sector partners, health and safety of staff and volunteers and ensuring the business maintains a respected profile and continues to deliver on our Core remit for all our stakeholders. Marie is also leading on the Age Friendly Communities from the local community aspect. Depute Chief Officer/Capacity Building Manager, Angela McWhinnie: angela@vasa.scot. Manages staff and resources to ensure the delivery of capacity building activities as well as overseeing VASA services. The role also includes leading the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund administration as well as offering training and support on good governance, funding, organisation set-up, training and deputising for the Chief Officer. Representation and Services Team Leader, Yvonne McGill: yvonne@vasa.scot. Responsible for the effective and ongoing engagement and representation of Third Sector organisations through strong networking and meaningful Forum activity. Building partnerships with colleagues within the commissioning bodies. Also responsible for managing the South Ayrshire Lifeline Team and the Food Pantry Team. Yvonne will also compile funding reports for groups to enable them to grow capacity. Volunteering Involvement Organisation Officer, Audrey McNeish: audreym@vasa.scot. Development and growth of volunteering within Volunteering Involving Organisations. This includes all aspects of volunteering management regardless of the size or structure of the organisation and offering best practice volunteering systems. Office lead Support, Rae Gray: rae@vasa.scot. Promotion of VASA through various social media platforms. Also ensuring VASA complies with latest Health and Safety regulations, ensuring all staff team members’ personal records are kept up to date and in line with latest legislation, support to the CEO, Sage accounting and ensuring the general wellbeing of staff. Return to Index

Admin Support, Carol Pritchard: carol.pritchard@vasa.scot. Support to both the Representation and Networking Strategic Lead and the Depute Chief Officer, covering clerical tasks including taking minutes, formatting agendas, recording daily takings, holiday allocation and other tasks as directed. Youth Officer – Saltire Awards, Sarah Quinn: sarahq@vasa.scot. Responsible for promoting the benefits of volunteering and the Saltire Awards to young people aged between the age of 12 and 25 and matching volunteers to opportunities. Also responsible for leading a team of Saltire Ambassadors and managing Saltire Colleagues. Adult Volunteer Placement Officer, Gillian Kay: gillian@vasa.scot Responsible for matching older volunteers (25+) to suitable quality volunteering opportunities. Also works with the rest of the Volunteering Team on the yearly South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards. South Ayrshire Lifeline Telephone Befriending Coordinator, Jill Haigh: jill@vasa.scot. Co-ordination of the Telephone Befriending Service, recruiting volunteers and matching them with clients who need a little extra social support, alleviating loneliness and isolation. Continued support and guidance to both volunteers and clients ensures a rewarding experience for both. South Ayrshire Lifeline Services Support Worker, Josie McMurdo: josie@vasa.scot. Responsible for ensuring that residents of South Ayrshire who use VASA services receive a quality experience and that they feel supported, that enquiries are responded to in a timely manner and partner services are engaged with regularly. South Ayrshire Lifeline Service Support Worker and FootcAyr Appointment Coordinator, Pauline Johnston: pauline@vasa.scot. Responsible for ensuring that residents of South Ayrshire who use VASA services receive a quality experience and feel supported, maintaining the South Ayrshire Lifeline Website ‘Events’ and ‘Activities’ pages, and managing the appointments for the FootcAyr Clinic. South Ayrshire Lifeline Living Well programmer, Christina Webster: christina@vasa.scot. Responsible for the promotion of the Living Well service and ensuring that the participants of the Self-Management Programme receive an excellent positive experience with positive outcomes. South Ayrshire Lifeline Income Maximiser Lead, Joyce Anderson: joyce@vasa.scot. Supports eligible clients to complete the Attendance Allowance application form, Blue Badge Applications, signposting to Occupational Therapists and other services. 29

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South Ayrshire Lifeline Attendance Allowance Support, Lesley McConnachie: lesley@vasa.scot. To help completion of Attendance Allowance application forms, Blue Badge Applications, signposting to Occupational Therapists and other services. South Ayrshire Lifeline Ageing Well Officer, Fiona Craig: fiona@vasa.scot. Focus on improving the quality of life, predominantly for older people, who are anxious about getting out into the community focusing on confidence, health and socialising by way of a short intervention service. Fiona is also responsible for supporting the Ageing Well agenda. South Ayrshire Lifeline Digital Lead, Sarah McWhirter: sarah@vasa.scot. Responsible for responding to all digital enquiries to the South Ayrshire Lifeline, through both remote assistance and face-to-face support. Sarah deals with a diverse collection of people, including members of the general public, social workers, community links practitioners, occupational therapists, etc, and works to support people in a way that best suits them and empowers them to get connected to the digital world. She also offers a number of drop-in sessions across South Ayrshire. South Ayrshire Lifeline Low-level Support and Level 3 Prescription Delivery Service, Bill Giddings: bill@vasa.scot. Enhance the lives of older people within the community who have been referred by the Reable Team for a finite period, delivering level 3 medication and supporting those with complex needs within the community. Food Pantry Operational Lead, Danielle Lowndes: danielle@vasa.scot. Responsible for ensuring Food Pantry customers receive quality service and volunteers have a positive volunteering experience. Also responsible for the day-to-day operational delivery of the Food Pantry using a “hands-on” approach, paying particular attention to customer care and rotation and display of food as well as supporting the volunteers, café staff, and work placements. Food Pantry Assistants/ Sessional Workers, Eileen Kieller, Kara Reilly, Jane Dare, and Catriona Findlay are responsible for supporting the daily Pantry operations. Food Pantry Work Placements Angela O’Pray and Taylor Davidson support the daily Food Pantry operations. FootcAyr Technicians, Lorraine Wells and Kate McTaggart, our friendly toenail-cutting technicians offer a relaxed, friendly and affordable service to footcAyr clients while attending their appointments. They also monitor their fragility and signpost where necessary. Return to Index

Celebrating 25 Years... ...of VASA serving the Third Sector and the South Ayrshire community “From an acorn grows a mighty oak…” and that’s certainly a way to describe the last 25 years at VASA. From its humble beginnings as the South Ayrshire Local Volunteer Organisation (SALVO) based in Kyle Street, Ayr with an income of £32,000 per annum, and just 1.5 members of staff, there have been a great number of changes over the years. These changes, of course, have led to the creation of Voluntary Action South Ayrshire and the team of 23 staff that makes it up. It has grown and developed over the last 25 years to meet local needs and become the Third Sector Interface for South Ayrshire, now with an income of over £1,000,000. South Ayrshire Council hosted a Civic Reception to honour VASA’s 25th Anniversary, bringing together partners, volunteers and staff of VASA, both past and present, on the 15th of September 2023. It is no secret that the team at VASA go above and beyond their dayto-day role to ensure that everyone who reaches out or crosses their path gets the help and support they need. VASA staff need to be empathetic, compassionate, flexible, non-judgemental, and problem solvers with the ethos of putting themselves in the shoes of those who need help and support. Hence when recruiting it is the so-called ‘soft skills’ that are vital to us as an organisation. Like many Third Sector organisations, VASA has faced challenges throughout its 25 years; however, due to its resilience, excellent governance structures, and commitment from staff, its board, and volunteers, they are the organisation they are today. In a world full of uncertainty, with constant technological growth and an increasing demand for services by the local community, VASA looks forward to growing to meet each challenge as it arises in the next 25 years. 31

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International Day of Older Persons 2023 VASA has committed itself to make South Ayrshire an Age Friendly Community and so, instead of International Day of Older Persons, VASA decided to make a week of it, holding events across all of South Ayrshire, and celebrating our first year taking part in style. Each of these events allowed VASA to promote the Ageing Well Champions Board to encourage local people to join and gave residents information on where to access help and advice when needed. With over 80 older people attending to experience Laughing Yoga and Chair Zumba, VASA’s first event on the 25th of September at the Walker Hall in Troon was a huge success. They enjoyed entertainment from the Ayr Rock Choir and a local Rat Pack singer. Between all the merriment, there were talks about Older Carers and the importance of their role in our community, round table discussions focusing on Team Around the Locality, and the issues facing older people locally, all of which have now been fed back to the Ageing Well Strategic Board.

The first week in October saw a wide range of events take place – starting with an activity taster session at the Cutty-Sark in Ayr on the 2nd of October. This saw members of the public trying out Native American Drumming, a relaxing Sound Bath, Line Dancing to get their blood pumping, some Laughing Yoga to bring out their smiles, and Zumba Gold to get them grooving. Amongst all this, there was information available on Volunteering, South Ayrshire Lifeline, Opportunities in Retirement, and the University of the Third Age. For that event alone, VASA had more than 100 people visit and join in on the sessions throughout the day. Return to Index

On the 4th of October, Colmonell celebrated by hosting almost 80 people for an Afternoon Tea. They had the entire pupil and staff body of the local school attend and entertain the audience, as well as entertainment from Phil White of the Health and Social Care Partnership and several local musical acts. From one end of South Ayrshire to the other, the focus then moved to Dundonald Castle Visitors Centre on the 5th of October, where another Afternoon Tea was served with local entertainment providing plenty of joy to the attendees.

And to top it off, the grand finale of the week was an Afternoon Disco Party for people over 50 in Vinyl Night Club in Ayr, a location many people remember from their youth as Club De Mar and its many

monikers. The event was such a success and provided so much enjoyment, that there was calls for it to become a regular event with the next being on the afternoon of the 15th of December.

The Ageing Well Champions Board will be working with VASA to make sure the celebrations for 2024 will be even bigger and better. 33

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Ageing Well Champions Board and Age Friendly Communities Working in partnership with the Health and Social Care Partnership, and South Ayrshire Council, VASA are delighted to be supporting South Ayrshire to become the second local authority in Scotland to be an Age Friendly Community.

launch of the Age Friendly Communities took place on 8th of June at Ayr Town Hall and was attended by over 80 local people. The launch had presentations from key Health and Social Care leads, such as Billy McLean, Tim Eltringham, Elaine Young and Phil White, as well the Older Person Champion for South Ayrshire – Councillor Mary Kilpatrick. The attendance of these key people at the launch of this event gave those attending confidence that their voices would be heard, and so several lively round table discussions took place around the main topics covered by Age Friendly, which are included in the ‘Flower’ logo.

With South Ayrshire holding the largest population of older people in the world after Japan, we need to look at new ways to support the growing demand on services, whilst encouraging older people to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing on the journey to ageing in style. The agreement was signed by the Leader of the Council in June of 2023 and so the

Age Friendly Communities are connected to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and they are spread across the world, with 66 of them currently in England. Whilst it will take years to achieve everything required to ensure that South Ayrshire is the best place to Live Well and Age Well, it is important that when the time comes the right services are in place for the ageing community. And the Ageing Well Champions Board will be the people to make that happen. VASA have established, and will continue to support, the Ageing Well Champions Board – this was launched on the 8th of June as well, and has over 100 local people taking part. The Champions Board are supporting and working with the Ageing Well Strategic Board to produce an Ageing Well Strategy and Action Plan to move the initiative forward. The Champions Board is also making itself known around several strategic tables, with a place at the likes of the Integrated Joint Board and the Community Planning Engagement and Participation Group. Working with the Champions Board over the coming year, VASA will be leading on a number of projects, including the Age Friendly Volunteering Opportunities, Age Friendly Employers, the Take a Seat campaign, and setting up an Access Panel, among other things. Return to Index

Christmas Companions’ 22nd Year! Another year, another visit from Santa's Little Helpers on Christmas Day – to over 115 socially isolated older individuals. Each year we do our best to vary the gifts we send, and this year is no exception – all recipients will receive puzzle books, a calendar, a selection box, Terrys’ Chocolate Orange (yum) and a Ferrero Rocher decorated with a hand knitted hat courtesy of a lovely knitting group in Girvan, plus a selection of biscuits to enjoy with an afternoon cuppa, a number of information booklets and a delightful handmade Christmas Card from a local school. The ladies on Santa's list will also be treated to 4 7 11 perfume whilst the gents will be able to spend their time completing their new jigsaw puzzle. The main feature of any good Christmas Day is, of course, the Christmas meal, and thanks to Wiltshire Farm Foods, our Elves will be able to deliver a wonderful Christmas meal (main course ad dessert) to everyone on Santa's list. The local Wiltshire Farm Foods Franchise, based in Kilwinning, has been incredibly generous and gifted all the meals this year, so a very big thank you! This Elf Delivery Service would not be possible without the kind donations from local companies and individuals, as well as a team of volunteers who take time out of their own festivities to deliver goodie bags or those behind the scenes that help with the huge amount of preparation that goes into getting ready to deliver Christmas to someone. We would like to thank all the wonderful individuals who have donated to Christmas Companions this year, and of course, we cannot go without mentioning all the generous local organisations that support this cause: Diocese Of Galloway Hillhouse Quarry James Bell & Co Accountants Thomas Davidson Trust Sprang Terras

St Leonards Church Age Concern (Ayr) i7Creative Accurate Fire & Security Hozah Ltd

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Our 2023 achievements and our hopes for 2024 by Marie Oliver Whilst reading through the annual report, you will see that it offers a keen insight into the work that the VASA team has achieved during 2023. This year has been particularly challenging with more than a third of the staff moving on to pastures new, as well as with the extensive development and growth of the new and existing services. However, it has demonstrated how reliable we can be and also provided an opportunity to reevaluate the roles and services of those that have departed and allowed us to restructure them to better meet the needs of those they are intended for. Our new team members have all now settled down in their positions and know that they each play a valuable role in our organisation. Key things that have occurred this year: The strengthening of our relationship with South Ayrshire Council, with an agreed upon Partnership Agreement There has been an update to the Partnership Agreement with the Health and Social Care Partnership Worked to remodel and strengthen the Third Sector Representation Mode, including chairing the new Community Planning Engagement and Participation Group Awarded the third year of the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund to distribute Established and continuing to grow the Ageing Well Champions Board Started South Ayrshire celebrating International Day of Older Persons with multiple events Initiated a service to grow and develop Income Maximisation services via Attendance Allowance support Organised and hosted the South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards 2023 With no idea what 2024 has in store for us, as we look forward there is one thing we can be sure of – VASA will continue to be resilient and will overcome any challenges that come our way, allowing us to support the local community in the most effective way possible.

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Keep a look out in the new year for our pop-up ‘shops’ in each of the localities. We will be establishing these stores for a few months in different central locations to ensure people know the difference they can make by volunteering, and what support and activities are in their local community for them to join in on, and to help increase their Health and Wellbeing. By the start of Spring VASA will have a brand new, updated website full of information and the delayed Volunteering Hub website will be up and running! The South Ayrshire Lifeline website will also be getting a make-over and have new facilities, including the ability to search by locality. In 2024 we will be celebrating 40 years of Volunteers Week so please keep a look out for more information in our weekly bulletin in the run-up to June – you won’t want to miss it. Be assured that the VASA team will continue to ensure that the Third Sector’s voice is heard at all Strategic Delivery Partnership meetings and ensure that the work of the Sector is included in official reports and other publications. I, personally, hope to continue with my passion and drive as I work with the Health and Social Care Partnership and South Ayrshire Council, and the Ageing Well Champions Board to ensure that South Ayrshire is the best place to live, work, play and age in Scotland.

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Cost of Living Support - Cosy Bags The start of 2023 found VASA continuing with Cost of Living support – this time by supplying a Cosy Bag to those at risk of hypothermia. The Cosy Bag contained a number of items that could help people fight off the cold – a fleece blanket, fleece socks with grippy soles, a Snoodie, hot water bottle (with safety instructions), a flask, a battery powered lantern with batteries included, hot chocolate powder, biscuits and a selection of information leaflets. We identified those most in need of a Cosy Bag through referrals from partner agencies such as Social Work, the Reablement Team, and other Care Professionals. The bags were delivered during the first three months of this year. Everyone in VASA came together to prepare the bags and get them out in those cold months to the most vulnerable in our community. The Cosy Bags were sponsored by Age Concern Ayr and Assel Valley, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to offer this much-needed support.

Thank you so much…I couldn’t afford to buy anything that came in my cosy bag…Now I can have a full meal and not sit in my bed all day shivering! - Nancy

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VASA Services

footcAyr

SOUTH AYRSHIRE LIFELINE

AFFORDABLE TOENAIL CUTTING SERVICE

Freephone:

Your community information service

Having difficulty cutting your own toenails?

0800 432 0510

Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Or visit us 24/7 at:

AYR - Book & Bun, Newmarket St GIRVAN - Townhouse (Wed only)

www.southayrshirelifeline.org

footcAyr offers an affordable toenail cutting service to people, across South Ayrshire, who have difficulty cutting their own toenails.

On your first visit you will be issued your own nail clippers that you keep and bring with you to every appointment. Apt's are currently 30min due to COVID guidelines. WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN SOUTH AYRSHIRE THE TEAM WILL FIND AN ANSWER

Your first apt. will cost £19 and then £13 thereafter. First apt. made by phone and payment over the phone by card. NO CASH HANDLING. For more info, or to make an apt, call:

01292 281800

Public Services

Volunteering

Advice and support

Crisis Numbers

Groups and activities

Digital Support

Free Hearing Aid Batteries

(leave a message and we will call you back asap) Charity No: SC028234 | Company Limited by Guarantee: SC253334

Charity No: SC028234

FREE DIGITAL SUPPORT HELPLINE

HAVING A BIT OF TROUBLE USING YOUR DEVICE? Would you like some support to connect online with your Phone, Laptop or Tablet? The Digital Support Helpline can: Set up and use emails Order prescriptions online Connect to family & friends Find information Help connect to your Broadband And so much more... You can call South Ayrshire Lifeline's Digital Support on Freephone (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)

0800 432 0510 Our dedicated team member will support you over the phone to try and resolve your issues or to help you get online. This service is FREE. Note: We cannot assist with device maintenance or repairs. Scottish Registered Charity: SC028234

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Contact Information

Contact: 01292 432661 enquiries@vasa.scot

Contact: 0800 435 0510 enquiries@salifeline.scot

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