16th March, The Scott school presented to the whole of Seaton/ Linksfield neighbourhoods, giving us all hope for the future, here is our journey so far. Sam Raion
My vision for Fresh & the community 2020
I absolutely loved receiving temporary accommodation, then permanent accommodation In Seaton/ Linksfield neighbourhoods. Now in my 5th year staying there, I could see only possibilities. Due to recovering from disabilities and multiple life threatening events, following 3 months in ARI, I was moved into the area.
Due my injury, I find it easier walking gently with breaks, than staying sat down or lying down. Also as a result of these I get very little sleep, but this is being worked on. Throughout my recovery, and moving into wellness I had volunteered for multiple charities & groups, noticing many familiar faces in my local area. As well as many new ones, as I have a tendency to chat with anyone I bump into. Although I found it a fascinating area of hidden gems, I struggled to see why more was not being done to regenerate this area. So Fresh was commenced, steadily building. From walks & talks with special dispensation during covid19, to tidy ups and joining up with Keep Scotland Beautiful in 2021.
During 2021 3 tonnes of litter was collected by our group sessions, and through discussions, as well as joining multiple working groups, it was evident a lot more could be done. I sought out permissions, chatted with residents – then as a group we went on to do over 1,000 hours of chats, holding several large consultations too. With a good relationship with local ACVO, we got the expertise and guidance for moving forwards, and at last minute decided to try for full charity status, instead of just a community group. This was awarded by OSCR end of the year, October 2021.
Within working groups, consultations and advisement with professionals, stake holders, and of course ACC and ACHSCP, I realised that everything I had been ‘chewing over’, fitted in with priorities for the area. I also found that Seaton neighbourhoods had not been forgotten, but was part of ongoing regenerations for the whole ward. It’s voice had been lost, due to collapse of a community council and other attempts. So our little group stepped up. Thanks to assistance from many, I simply cannot name them all, but will mention Steven Shaw & Katie Reekie. We started advertising, press, podcasts and with Shmu assistance a website.
The year came close to wiping me out, and although I had places in mind, ideas and thoughts. I find it hard to not only express all these, but it is simply too much for me to try and add in all the essential statistics, comparisons, research, designs and much more that are needed! Thankfully a colleague from the Drugs Death Taskforce, and other groups, the amazing Caroline Butler, referred me to Stephanie Morrison, RGU. As public health, she has a unique position to be able to see where students and academia can help local areas, such as ours, as well as for correct students at the correct time.
Arranging this at the last minute over Christmas/ Start January – we went straight into meetings, site visits, discussions with Dr Quazi Zaman and his team at the Scott School. Of the areas we walked around, they took 10 of my suggestions, and simply took it to a whole new level!! They presented this to over 100 people in the pouring rain, in the old totem pole corner. This included members of local groups such as Aberdeen Gurudwara, STAR community flat, Aberdeen City Council, Cllr Grant, Fresh SCIO board, committee & trustees, Aberdeen St Nicholas Rotary Club and local residents
We will shortly be explaining what is going to be happening now, in 2022, with Fresh SCIO and with activities & engagement opportunities for 2022. Thanks to funding received from the MH&W fund, Coastal Fund, Fairer Aberdeen funds & Health Improvement Fund. We will be utilising data from these visible updates to the area, which could be considered as phase 1, of a much larger plan. We will be doing corner pockets including (2). We will start (3) underpass, (4) playpark, (5) Allotments is our SNUG garden already started. At (8) we will continue our partnership with Aberdeen Gurudwara and be offering free football & outdoor sports. Additionally we will be working on gardening areas for all 4 supported living blocks. We will also be starting Seaton Trails from (5), along past (4) building this into the larger cohesive, connected, salutogenic project theme.
We ask anyone keen in helping with designs, gardening, street art, fitness, sports, befriending, ideas and more to contact us!