The magazine for Council employees

Dealing with antisocial behaviour

Letters from the front line

The view from a muddy field

Landscape Services

June 2009 Worksmart | Aberdeenshire to Africa | Medical Guinea Pig Welcome

Welcome to the third issue of SQ, the employee magazine for Aberdeenshire Council.

In this issue you can learn more about the work of Calum Davidson in Landscape Services, how the council deals with anti-social behavior and find out how Ann Ruxton got on in the ITV Taste the Nation programme. We also have some tips for those of you thinking of heading to a festival this summer, and there’s a caption competition on the back page.

If you have an idea you would like to submit for a future issue of SQ simply send a 50 word summary of your idea to your service representative (see below). They will then take the idea to the editorial panel who will decide if it should be included. Here’s the list of service representatives:

Chief Executive Graham Hobson 01224 664906 Education, Learning and Leisure Rachael Cowin 01224 664333 Finance Margaret Ross 01224 665409 Housing and Social Work Fiona Westland 01569 767553 Law and Administration Kirsty Doull 01224 664208 Personnel and ICT Don Lamont 01224 665375 Planning and Environmental Services Michael Padilla-Lamb 01467 627510 Transportation and Infrastructure Louise Mackie 01224 664574

SQ is now available electronically on Arcadia. If you’re happy to view a copy online, or to share a copy, then simply let your service representative know. Don’t print a copy off in your own office though as this will be more expensive than the copies we produce.

Let us know what you think of SQ We’re always keen to hear what you think of SQ so we can continue making improvements in the future. Simply email us at [email protected] or call us on 01224 665585 to let us know.

SQ is printed on Revive recycled paper stock

SQ | 1 Contents

3 3 Worksmart 18 5 NEWS

9 Letters from the front line

11 Dealing with antisocial behaviour 17 Worksmart Run Balmoral 09 Could you help? 14 The benefits of some time in the garden

15 Visits to Africa

17 Record breaking year for Run Balmoral 09

9 18 Could you help at a Child 19 Letter from the front line Contact Centre? Momentum - learning about cars

11 19 Momentum - learning 25 about cars

21 Ann Ruxton reaches Taste The Nation final 23 Antisocial behaviour 22 Medical guinea pig Calum Davidson Things to do

23 Insight into Calum 15 Davidson’s job

25 Things to do in Aberdeenshire

27 ACHIEVEMENTS

29 The view from a muddy field 29 Aberdeenshire to Africa The view from a muddy field

SQ | 2 Aberdeenshire Council is changing – we’re looking at new ways of working which will make us more Modernising our working lives to efficient and able to provide the best … • Services for our customers provide better services • Ways of working for our staff for our customers. • Future for all

Many of us travel long distances Worksmart will have four separate to get to work and many more of profiles which can be tailored to us have to travel long distances represent different employees’ to deliver our services. But are we requirements across the council – being as efficient as we could be? these are Fixed, Flexible, Mobile and Home. The Workstyle Transformation Programme has been renamed as Worksmart. Worksmart gives us all the chance to spend less time travelling to and from places and more time to do the things that matter, like delivering quality services and reducing the additional hours we work.

SQ | 3 Presentations are currently being delivered to managers to provide more details on Worksmart and The employee: The employee: help employees get a better • • Works full-time at single place Requires access to corporate understanding of what the project of employment systems to perform their role in involves. Worksmart Manager Mark • Has a desk, PC workstation the office Baker explains: “It’s important to • and telephone extension Requires full access to stress that Worksmart is about so allocated specifically to them corporate systems and much more than home working. • Requires access to corporate business applications to Although some people may home systems to perform their role perform their role in the field work on a full time basis, our • Has no requirement for mobile (e.g. mail, calendar, case work) emphasis is on mobile and flexible • working (from home/out of Has no requirement to have a working across Aberdeenshire. the office) fixed desk in a specific office but is assigned a building as “If I could give just one key message their ‘base location’ to employees about the project at • Is office based for less than this stage, it would be this – we want 50% of their time work to be something that you do, • Has a requirement to work in not a place that you go. The employee: multiple council offices • • Is office based for more than Predominately works remotely, “We are also developing information 50% of their time at home, or out of the office pages on Arcadia so employees can • Requires access to corporate (3 days a week) find out more about Worksmart.” systems to perform their role in the office The next phase is to work with • Requires limited access to services to identify relevant groups corporate systems to perform of employees to survey, to find out their role in the field (e.g. mail, if they would be interested in joining calendar) The employee: Worksmart. This survey will be • Has no requirement to have a • Works full-time at home going out over the coming months fixed desk in a specific office (spends around 90% of time to collect information about current but is assigned a building as at home) working practices and identify areas their ‘base location’ • Provided with the required ICT where immediate improvements can • Has a requirement to work in equipment and support be made. multiple council offices • Requires access to corporate • Occasionally works at home systems to perform role Further information regarding or remotely (1 or 2 days • Has no requirement to work in Worksmart will be made available a week) the field through Core Brief and Arcadia in due course.

For further information on the Worksmart project in the meantime please contact [email protected] or call 01224 664055

SQ | 4 NEWS

Tributes paid to respected Customer Service Week to archaeology figure Ian be celebrated at

reconnaissance in the area, adding conference considerably to the knowledge of archaeology. As a council we focus on our customers every day, but we Over the years, Ian built up a vast can all do more to learn about knowledge of both the how to make our customers’ archaeology and architecture of experience of dealing with the north-east Scotland and became council even better. highly respected by his peers in both disciplines. National Customer Service Week runs from October 5 – 9 and Ian was a driving influence on following the success of last year, many trusts over the years in both Aberdeenshire Council will be Aberdeenshire and Moray – including hosting another programme of events and activities to develop the North East Scotland Preservation employee skills in providing an Trust, Pitsligo Castle Trust, the improved level of customer service. Burghead Trust, and Kinloss Abbey Tributes have been Trust – and was a major contributor The highlight of the week will paid to well-known to the setting up of the Archaeolink again be the Customer Service council archaeologist Prehistory Park at Oyne. Conference. It will involve special guest speakers including the Ian Shepherd, who died He was also heavily involved with the Chairman of the Institute of following a long-term Aberdeenshire Design Awards since Customer Service, Dr Ted Johns, its inception. and a range of activities to assess illness in May. how we deal with our customers. Outwith the council, Ian made Ian was Aberdeenshire Council’s significant contributions to The conference takes place on Friday, October 9, in Woodhill principal archaeologist and team archaeology in the wider field and House and will be particularly leader for specialist services, and gained an international useful for frontline employees followed a local authority career that reputation both through his – for example, those working at spanned almost 35 years. membership of the Bronze Age a reception, community centre, Studies Group and through his library, as a waste operative, in After graduating from Edinburgh publications on architecture. roads or landscape services. University, Ian joined Grampian To register contact Morag Black, Regional Council in 1975, becoming Paying tribute to Ian, Aberdeenshire Customer Service Manager, on the first archaeologist in local Council archaeologist Moira Greig 01224 664358 or by emailing government in Scotland. said: “Archaeology has lost a unique [email protected]. individual who was highly respected uk. Ian, along with close friend and fellow both internationally as well as at home Edinburgh graduate Ian Ralston – in Scotland.” More information about the other who became a lecturer in activities taking place as part of National Customer Service Week archaeology at Aberdeen University – Ian is survived by his wife Lekky, an will be announced through Core were instrumental in starting archaeologist in her own right, and his Brief and Arcadia over the next systematic aerial photography two daughters, Bryony and Sunniva. few months.

SQ | 5 Travel planning made easy with new technology

A £1.2 million journey stop using the very latest in As well as the 43 upgraded bus planning project which will interactive technology. stops, 19 on-street locations have also been provided. provide improved access The user-friendly system is part of to public transportation the council’s ongoing commitment to The information provided covers all throughout Aberdeenshire provide high quality public transport bus, coach and rail journeys and passenger information throughout throughout Aberdeenshire, has been launched. the region’s bus network. Aberdeen City and Moray.

The project has seen the development The terminals, which include a of 43 bus interchange points across mapping capability, also provide a the Aberdeenshire bus network. print out of your planned journey details that can be retained for In addition, the project will also reference during onward travel. provide a wide range of other passenger benefits including new The units have also been installed at illuminated bus shelters, raised and Fraserburgh Bus Station, Members of the public will now be dropped kerbs for easy access and Interchange and Ellon Park and Ride, able to access bus routes and improved passenger information. as well as the council’s offices at timetables while they wait at the bus Woodhill House and Gordon House.

Director of Education, Learning and Leisure launches bus stop campaign

Following the tragic loss Stop reflective triangle and a “My of two Aberdeenshire Visibility” certificate. school pupils after leaving Primary 5 to Secondary 6 pupils will their school bus last year have the opportunity to view two Education, Learning and short, hard-hitting DVDs that focus on the distractions which can have Leisure Director Bruce tragic consequences on school/ Robertson was determined public transport. to look for a way to try and prevent another similar Parents and other family members can also view both short films, as tragedy happening. the message is as important to drivers as it is to young people. A new ‘Bus Stop’ campaign has been developed. This will initially You can access the ‘Bus Stop’ be delivered in schools across campaign at www.1second1life. Aberdeenshire by giving Primary co.uk 1-4 pupils a specially designed Bus

SQ | 6 Self-service with a difference from the

ICT Service Desk

ICT has recently introduced a self-service option as part of a wider programme of service improvements.

The self-service option is available to all employees and enables you to do the following:

• Check the progress and ask for an update on calls you Reception of the Year – do you have what it have logged takes to beat the Ellon Area Office? • Log the following service requests – New Starts request 2008 saw the first From all of the entries submitted, a – New Hardware request New Blackberry or Mobile Aberdeenshire Council short-list will be drawn up based upon – what you have told us and focusing Phone request Reception of the Year upon the service that you offer the – ICT Equipment Disposal awarded to the Ellon Area customer and what you have done to request Office and now we’re make your reception area as inviting – Software Installation as possible. request asking if you have what it – General ICT request takes to beat them. Each of those short-listed will be visited in mid-September by a You also have the ability to log The awards are one of the highlights mystery shopper, independent of the faults – where something that was of National Customer Service Week council, who will assess the overall working, now isn’t. which takes place in October. customer experience using set criteria. A note of the criteria and the However, in these cases you are Entries are invited from all public scores against each is available on encouraged to call the ICT Service reception areas to show that the Arcadia, along with hints and tips and Desk to allow them to resolve your level of service they provide is of what the judges said last year. fault at the first point of contact the highest standard and exceeds whenever customer expectations. The com- To enter your reception area for the they can. petition is open to all – whether your award, please check out the pages reception is in an office, a leisure on Arcadia under Customer Services The ICT Service Desk can be service, a library, a caravan site, or where you will find all the contacted by telephoning 01224 any of the other facilities that we information including entry forms, top 664000 or emailing provide, you can take part – the only tips, comments from the judges last ictservicedesk@ criterion is that you must deal directly year and the awards timetable. aberdeenshire.gov.uk with the public on a regular basis.

SQ | 7 Personnel and ICT move into Chief Executive Service

Personnel and ICT officially became part of the Chief Executive service on Friday, May 1.

In addition to the service’s existing activity driving forward policy and promoting the council’s work, it will now: • provide support to managers and elected members as well Project delivers potential improvement as employees opportunities for council • co-ordinate and deliver corporate training for employees Aberdeenshire Council’s “Identifying these areas for improve- • provide health and safety participation in the national ment will undoubtedly bring long term advice benefits to the council and serve to • support and maintain the Diagnostic Pathway prioritise and validate many major and information systems and ICT Project came to a planned projects and initiatives.” • infrastructure for the council successful conclusion Over the past eight months the recently with the devel- This transition should not affect Diagnostic Pathway Project has: employees adversely as they have opment of a series of • Analysed how service delivery is been asked to continue working business cases, outlining supported across all services towards their stated goals to potential areas for improve- • Compared the effectiveness of ensure that the council is ready to that support respond to the changing demands ment across the council. • Identified and confirmed of its customers. opportunities for improvement The council’s senior management • Underpinned decisions for a clear New pages have been set up team will now consider these areas improvement process on Arcadia where you will be for improvement before they are • Provided evidence to inform able to get more information reported to the Policy and Resources future investment in service about the service and any new committee. delivery arrangements. Speaking as the project came to an For further information please email The move follows the retirement of end, Project Manager Craig Howell diagnosticpathway@aberdeenshire. former Personnel and ICT director said: “The project team would like gov.uk Peter Hay who left the council to thank all the employees that recently after 13½ years. supported the process. This project required a significant contribution from across the organisation, without which the team could not have met its objectives.

SQ | 8 Life on the front line a week of living dangerously

Have you ever wondered what life would be like on the front line of a war-zone? Have you considered the armed forces as a career option in the past and wondered how well suited you would be?

John Masterton, a Support Analyst in ICT, is one council employee with experience of serving on the front line, having served in Bosnia during the mid 1990s.

John explains: “I had been chosen to visit some of our Army and RAF counterparts in Bosnia-Herzegovina for a week. It was January 1994 and the Bosnian war was raging on many fronts. One day I will go back to Bosnia. I won’t however witness a 25 ton Warrior ‘Drifting’ like a Nissan Skyline. War is indeed not what you think.”

Here we show some extracts from John’s letters he wrote on the front line.

The intense rattle and loud hum of the Sea King’s engines ensured we had little opportunity to chat to each other. There were a lot of worried faces almost hidden by flying helmets and ear defenders. At Divulje Barracks, Split, we jumped out of the cabin, ducking down to avoid the downdraft of the Sea King’s blades and ran to the edge of the red shale playing field. In the dining hall visitor’s book were names like Kate Adie, John Simpson and Martin Bell.

After lunch we collected our Kevlar helmets and flak jackets, our personal weapon and 60 rounds of live ammo then met some of the RAF and Army personnel that were our land-based equivalents They immediately impressed us. Anecdotes in the Sergeants’ mess that evening brought home the reality of war.

SQ | 9 In our ‘thin-skinned’ White Land Rover we dipped up and down in the mountains for miles and miles. As we approached Gornij-Vakuf, I bit my nails to the quick as I realised the Warrior APC that had came to escort us was battening down all the hatches. It had armour and we had about 2mm of steel. Helmets on and grin and bear it.

The journey to Vitez involved going around Scit Lake where big Russian made tanks could be seen way down in the valley. We had to negotiate Bosnian-Croat roadblocks all the way to Vitez where the Army camp had swallowed up the local secondary school. We got there in time for tea.

Up at 5am the next day and reality struck. We had to go and pick up a bus load of Muslim women, children and old people at a Serbian road block. I helped the old ladies onto an Army truck that I had just been on. The Serbian official laughed. We escorted the refugees through bombed out villages with streets littered with smashed roof tiles and onto the Zenica refugee centre. I never saw the centre due to the security risk. I had to transfer and stay in the back of the Warrior for hours.

The next few days were a blur of early morning briefings and very long days escorting convoys, meeting local Muslim and Croat militia. I wrote a poem about an event that happened while on patrol in Travnik. The mud, the snow and the cold reminded me of home. Even the trees looked the same. After an eventful journey back to Split on our sixth day in Bosnia-Herzegovina we relaxed in the Sergeants’ mess.

We’d been shot at on the return journey, shook hands with a Russian General during our Vitez days, given out sweets to kids and seen the utter devastation of local life.

I couldn’t wait to get back to the ship. I received mail from home. A picture of my son on his first birthday. News that a poem of mine was to be published.

SQ | 10 DEALING WITH ANTISOCIAL

BEHAVIOUR“We’ve had a very good success rate with mediation and entering into voluntary contracts with perpetrators. All of this means that we have actually only issued 10 ASBOs since the new legislation came into place in 2004.”

SQ | 11 In this issue of SQ we focus on the work of the council in dealing with antisocial behaviour within Aberdeenshire.

Legislation introduced in 2004 means that it is now a statuary requirement for local authorities to have a strategy in place to tackle antisocial behaviour. Delivering on this strategy and dealing effectively with antisocial behaviour is a process that involves many different teams across the council and many external partners.

This can include employees from housing, social work, legal services, education and environmental health. It will also include external partners such as the police, the fire service, registered social landlords and voluntary sector support services Corporate Policy Officer, who will “The next steps in delivering on the such as Barnardos, SACRO and arrange a meeting with all the council antisocial behaviour strategy are to Turning Point. services and partner organisations review the current practice in line involved in the person’s life. with the new framework for tackling This has led to an improvement in antisocial behaviour from the Scottish partnership working between these The approach is always to look for a Government and look at progressing groups and better ways of sharing positive outcome that will suit certain things we have not been able information. all parties. to in the past, such as developing a partnership approach to dealing When an issue arises it will be dealt Kathleen Power, Policy Officer for with noise nuisance and ensuring all with by the individual service or Antisocial Behaviour within the Chief private landlords meet the ‘fit and partner organisation involved in the Executive Service, explains: “There proper’ criteria.” first instance. For example, if it is an are a number of different options open issue that relates to a council tenant to us when dealing with antisocial it will be dealt with by the housing behaviour including warning letters, If you would like to find out more service as part of their day-to-day mediation, referral to other support information on the way antisocial work, which will include liaising with services or signing an acceptable behaviour is dealt with in officers from other relevant partner behaviour contract. An antisocial Aberdeenshire then please contact organisations at a local level. If there behaviour order (ASBO) will only be Kathleen Power on 01224 665279 or are continuing issues after this, the issued if these options have by emailing kathleen.power@ issue will be passed to the council’s proved unsuccessful. aberdeenshire.gov.uk

SQ | 12 Employees recognised for hard work with offenders

Two council employees who work with offenders New feedback process to help have been nominated to council make improvements The Butler Trust annual awards scheme.

As a council we are always Services will still have the same Carol-Ann Black, Social Worker, looking for ways to improve responsibilities as previously to ensure and Stewart Dickson, Team that this feedback is dealt with Manager, both based in the receiving feedback from effectively. This will include forwarding addictions team within the Housing customers and employees compliments and comments to the and Social Work service, have about our processes and appropriate employees, investigating been recognised by the trust for complaints, managing responses and contributions to their how we work is a vital communicating with the feedback respective fields. part of planning future team for reporting purposes. improvements. The Butler Trust is an This is the first stage in independent charity set up to To help with this a new feedback introducing the new feedback system recognise skills and creativity system is being introduced to the to the council, which will supersede on the part of those working in council – and it’s really easy to use. All the existing ‘Comments, Compliments criminal justice services across the you need to do is fill out a new, user and Complaints’ system in due UK. It identifies and celebrates the friendly form on Arcadia and when course. achievements of people who work you click ‘submit’ all the in the UK correctional services who information will automatically be Full information on the system and have shown exceptional created in the new feedback system. where to locate the form will be dedication, skill or initiative in available in the customer services their work. Any feedback is appropriate – from a section of Arcadia. Also included general comment about how we are within this section is guidance on Ernie Taylor, from Northern performing, to a compliment about what constitutes a complaint, a Horizons/Turning Point, is also our employees or a complaint about a service request and a comment – nominated alongside Carol-Ann process. But the most important thing however, any form of feedback can be for their work together with service is that all information logged onto the logged using the form. users who have chronic alcohol system will be provided to services on and/or drug dependencies. a monthly basis, so you will be able to Look out for more details on Arcadia have evidence to see what is working, soon. In the meantime, if you need Together they have instigated and where any further information on the new low-level support from groups improvements could be made. system please contact Morag Black, aimed at enhancing social and Customer Services Manager, on self-care skills. With the Customers will also be able to log 01224 664358. assistance of Banff and their comments directly onto the College they have since expanded council’s website, with all this the service into opportunities for information also being collated into those attending to increase literary the reports which are provided skills, employability and gain to services. access to education.

SQ | 13 The benefits of some time in the garden

An employee from the small cash donations from two mental the allotment and greenhouse. This Housing and Social Work health charities, which went towards helped the group to develop social the cost of tools and materials. Since skills, how to work with one another service has come up with its inception the group has met twice and establish new friendships. a novel idea for helping a week during the growing season. service users with mental They were also delighted at being Elizabeth explains the success of the able to take home their own their own health issues – by starting group: “Group members have told us produce. Group members were also a gardening group. that they enjoy a sense of wellbeing shown how to make chutney and jar after each gardening session. They beetroot with the vegetables they Outreach Worker Elizabeth Richards also say that they enjoyed the benefit had grown. came up with the concept of starting of working and being outdoors, that the group for those with a severe doing something positive took their Elizabeth is looking forward to the and enduring mental health problem, minds of their problems and made growing season even more this year, with the focus being on recovery. The them feel more upbeat about life. as the group already has seven group was started in Spring 2008, members who can’t wait to get initially with four clients, when an “The group has been so successful started again. allotment was identified for the group that one of the members has now to use. taken on her own allotment.” For further information on the gardening group please contact The project then received a major When they first got together the Elizabeth Richards by emailing boost when a local business, which group were taught how to prepare the elizabeth.richards@ wishes to remain anonymous, gifted a ground and how to plant the seeds, aberdeenshire.gov.uk greenhouse. The group also received as well as learning how to look after

SQ | 14 The council’s Internal Not content with Waste Management looking at the council’s Officer, Amanda own waste, Amanda Ingram, works to help undertook a two week improve the way we voluntary project manage waste at work, recently to assist with from setting up new waste management in initiatives to providing West Africa. information on Arcadia and one-to-one visits to raise awareness of opportunities to reduce, From reuse and recycle. Aberdeenshire to Africa – managing waste wherever she goes

SQ | 15 As part of a waste management task “Despite very little resources being force of 12 waste professionals from thrown away, many people scavenge Building ten across the UK, Amanda travelled to the dumps for materials such as Sierra Leone, one of the world’s least plastic bottles for reuse and cans houses – in just developed countries, to assist in the for recycling.” delivery of training and the one week development of a waste management The World Bank, Freetown City plan for the capital city, Freetown. Council and other stakeholders are Another Aberdeenshire Council keen to improve the current method employee will be making the trip to Speaking after she returned from the of collection and disposal of waste Africa later this year – this time as part project Amanda said: “Poor waste through improving the infrastructure of a project aiming to build ten houses management is a major health and available, investing in new in just a single week. environmental problem in Sierra opportunities to deal with waste and Leone. Burning waste is common and increasing public awareness. Marion Clark, from the Housing results in air pollution and breathing and Social Work Service, is one of problems. Waste is often dumped in Amanda explains: “Some of the 12 friends from the north-east of the sea and on unsuitable dump sites work we delivered was to produce Scotland going to Cape Town, South causing safety concerns for residents, a draft waste management plan for Africa, in September to be part of The polluting drinking water supplies and Freetown, bring together key Habitat for Humanity ‘Desmond Tutu reducing the potential for tourism. stakeholders in discussions and Building on Faith Week’. deliver training on waste management and awareness raising. Marion said: “This is the third year that we have sent a local team from “I led an educational session and the north-east to Mfuleni, a township workshop to over 100 students outside Cape Town. The reception from ten secondary schools whilst we receive is tremendous. People ask in Freetown. During the session, we us why go so far, why not help out discussed waste management in here in Scotland? To answer that you schools in the UK and in Sierra Leone would have to experience the poverty and how the two countries could that these people live in.” learn from each other. The group are looking to raise funds “I have worked on awareness raising to cover the costs of flights, projects in other African countries in accommodation and more importantly the past but this is the first time I have the materials for the house, so anyone worked specifically in waste who would like to make a donation, management. The experience was or simply wants more information, can both challenging and inspiring and I call 01651 843004. plan to help with the continued work of the Waste Management Task Force both in the UK and hopefully through future visits to Sierra Leone.”

SQ | 16 Record breaking year for Run Balmoral 09

The twelfth annual Run Balmoral was hailed as an outstanding success by organisers following a record turnout this year.

More than 4,000 competitors registered to take part in the event which was held at the royal estate on Saturday, April 25. Organisers estimate that more than 8,000 runners and spectators paid a visit to Balmoral on the day, providing a valuable boost to the local economy.

A record number of Aberdeenshire Council employees took part this year with more than 100 employees competing – 63 entrants in the 10k and 42 in the 5k.

Andy Miller, acting Principal Sports Development Officer for Aberdeenshire Council, helped organise the event and was delighted with the record number of entries this year. He said: “The event continues to grow in popularity year on year and this year attracted a record field of Michael O’Sullivan – who we caught Council well 4,100 entries from around Scotland up with in the last issue of SQ. and beyond. represented at Baker A large number of pupils also took Hughes 10K “With ideal weather for runners and part in the Active Schools trophies spectators there was a great family for primary and secondary schools. The council was also well represented atmosphere in this most beautiful Chapel of Garioch clinched the at the annual Baker Hughes 10k on of settings.” trophy for a small school with roll Sunday, May 24 in Aberdeen. The less than 100. Banchory Primary course is based around the city’s A total of 1,996 runners took part in won the large primary school trophy beach and harbour area, providing the Stena Drilling Tartan 10k and the and Aboyne and Mearns Academies spectacular views of the North Sea. winners were Keith Hood in a time were declared joint winners of the of 34 minutes and one second and secondary schools category. Around 50 employees took part, Toni McIntosh in 37 minutes and representing all the council’s services seven seconds. North-east charity Cash for Kids was while running on behalf of a number the race’s official sponsor. Money is of different charities. A number of groups competed for the still being collected but prior to race Aberdeenshire 5k team trophy which day more £2,500 had been raised for was eventually won by ‘Planners the worthy cause. on the run’ – Daniel Harrington, Alison Hogge, Sarah MacRitchie and Congratulations to all who took part!

SQ | 17 Could you spare two hours a month to help out at a Child Contact Centre?

Helen Geddes and Sonia Milne are two council employees who give up their spare time to help out at Counselling and Family Mediation Grampian (CFMG) Child Contact Centres.

Child Contact Centres provide children with a safe, neutral, child- centred environment, away from parental conflict, so they can see the parent who does not live with them. The centres are open on Saturdays and Sundays depending on what suits the families using the service.

There are currently four Child Helen added: “We take an active and “It can be a challenging task at times, Contact Centres run by CFMG supportive role in promoting contact, added Sonia, “particularly where the in Aberdeenshire at Banff, Turriff, helping children and parents enjoy child does not know the birth parent, Fraserburgh and Peterhead. It is their time together, but we’re not there or if there has been an extended hoped that more centres will be to supervise or write reports on the period of no contact. But we’re opened in the near future. contact. We remain neutral and are there to support parents, and can there to ensure the well being of help initiate play activities, and then Volunteers welcome families and the children.” withdraw at an appropriate point to let children to the centre, and assist the parent and child interact.” with the ‘handover’ of children to the This is called ‘supported contact’. contact parent. Full training is given, Experienced volunteers can also take The Child Contact Centres are a vital and all volunteers are subject to part in further training, and become service for both parents and their clearance from Disclosure Scotland. Supervisors and Support Workers. children, but they rely heavily on the These posts are paid meaning the support and commitment of volun- Speaking about her experience Child Contact Centres can also carry teers. If you would like to volunteer at volunteering at the centres, Sonia out ‘supervised contact’ sessions, one of the centres (particularly in Banff said: “I really enjoy helping out at the where contact takes place in the or Turriff), please contact June Taylor Child Contact Centres. It’s only a constant presence of a trained (CFMG) by calling 01779 490790 or couple hours each month and they person with the direct responsibility emailing [email protected] provide an important service to help to observe and ensure the safety of children retain contact with both their those involved. parents after a divorce or separation.”

SQ | 18 youngsters on fast track to becoming better drivers

A new programme to help The Community Learning and young drivers learn more Development team in the Alford area, in partnership with Community Safety about cars and encourage Aberdeenshire and Grampian Police, road safety has been is currently running the momentum launched by a team from programme for young people aged between 15 and 17. the Education, Learning and Leisure service. Momentum is an informal education programme that uses young people’s interest in cars as a starting point for learning the basic knowledge and practical skills needed to become safe drivers. It is a fun project with serious aims and requires a time commitment of 30 hours and mature approach from those who take part.

SQ | 19 The programme has By focussing on these elements, the The group meets with two Youth programme will help participants to Workers and have used an IT three key elements: develop positive attitudes towards package to create both their dream owning and using motor vehicles and car and their ideal car and compare In the Mind – promoting discussion provide them with the correct costs, benefits and appropriateness on attitudes, rights, responsibilities information to help them become of each. The group have also explored and a variety of issues around motor safe and responsible road users. the Highway Code and have attended vehicle use and ownership There will also be an opportunity for a session at Aberdeen College where participants to acquire basic practical they concentrated on mechanics Behind the Wheel – covering skills in vehicle use and care, gain and maintenance. the basics of good driving and the knowledge of road safety and the law fundamental principles of road safety, and develop self confidence. The group have already had a fun including real driving practice aiming session at Deeside Activity Park with to develop skills and awareness Alford Community Learning and quad bikes and go-karts, where a behind the wheel. Development are currently working safety lesson was also incorporated. with a group of eight young people The programme will come to an end Under the Bonnet – a workshop and have already covered much of with an on-track ‘learning-to-drive’ of instruction covering the basics of the programme. session with qualified driving motor vehicle care and maintenance instructors at Alford Transport Museum.

For further information on the momentum programme please call 01330 825146

SQ | 20 Ann reaches Taste the Nation Final

Ann Ruxton (who we by saying: “Ann is a school cook but Summing up the experience, Ann featured in the last issue of to my delight can turn out Michelin said, “We all feel proud that we have star quality food.” done well for Aberdeenshire and SQ) and the Aberdeenshire Scotland.” team swept aside opposi- During the competition Ann admitted tion from the counties of that things were pretty tense but the Since the final Ann has appeared on , Glamorgan, critics involved were amused that she the STV programme The 5.30 Show Perth and County Down, could casually take a cup of tea amid to speak about her adventure. She the hustle and bustle in the kitchen. even managed to get one of the Northern Ireland, to take Ann says: “Siobhan and I were pretty show’s presenters the hold up a copy on in the relaxed with our preparations while of SQ magazine for the nation to see. final of the ITV programme the boys ran about like headless Taste the Nation recently. chickens.” Ann gave a cookery demonstration at the recent Taste of Grampian food For the final the two teams cooked festival at the Thainstone Centre Between quarter and semi-final for well known food critics Henrietta in Inverurie as well as the Foodies rounds the Aberdeenshire team Green, Richard Johnston, William Festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow in visited the Anton Mossiman Cookery Sitwell and guest diners included July and August, respectively. school where the team mentor, Nick Ingrid Tarrant and Eddie Nairn, showed them how to make a ‘The Eagle’ Edwards. Recipes by all the competitors of the superb caramel soufflé. Taste the Nation series can be found The cook-off was a tense affair where on the STV website at www.stv.tv They also visited Fulham Football the teams were judged out of 50 ground where the team had to cook a points per course and in the end signature dish they had devised earlier Northumberland prevailed by a for 20 food critics. Nick praised Ann mere 1½ points.

SQ | 21 Meet Adam, the medical guinea pig

Adam explains: “The residential periods are very relaxed, with ‘dosing’ happening at pre-determined times of the day and night, although for the most part, much of the time is spent catching up on books or counting down the minutes until the outside caterers come round with the ‘3 courser’.

“It’s a good time to relax and for any of you that remember the 1970s and 1980s sitcom Only When I Laugh you’ll have an idea what it’s like.”

“An amusing incident that springs to mind was when I was testing a new suncream. Not being allowed exposure to sunlight, we had to be escorted by nursing staff from our Over the past few years Trial products have ranged from ward to the laser room, so in order to Planning Gain Officer cancer treatments and suncreams to avoid contact with sun to the skin, we the annually updated flu vaccination. had to wear white sheets with eyes Adam Sime has Trials can last anything from one day cut out and sunglasses over the top. transformed himself into right up to several months, although As you can imagine, we received a something of a medical the average is one to two weeks, mixed reception.” which usually involves residential guinea pig by taking part stays. On a serious note, Adam explains in a number of different that these studies are important medical studies. The studies aim to examine the for medical advancement and they effects on the system in healthy are always looking for volunteers: Adam, from the Law and volunteers so, for example, Adam “These studies are essential and very Administration service, has been hasn’t been required to have the flu rewarding, so if anyone is interested involved with these studies for over six in order to qualify for a flu vaccination in taking part then please email adam. years and has taken part in a variety trial. All volunteers receive a com- [email protected]” of different trials, especially during his pensation payment on completion of time as a student. the study period which, on average, The studies are carried out at equates to around £200 a day. Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

SQ | 22 Insight into Calum Davidson’s job

SQ | 23 Q+A

What does an average day in your We hear you have recently Calum Davidson role involve? qualified as a Green Flag judge. There is no such thing as an average What does that involve? Landscape Assistant day. One day I could be answering The Green Flag Award is the national in Transportation and emails and phone calls, and another standard for parks and green spaces I could be out and about doing tree in England and Wales and has Infrastructure, surveys and planting plans or recently been introduced in Scotland. Inverurie. undertaking green audits for our caravan parks. Judging ensures that the standards of the award are high, but fair. Judges Calum’s expertise in horticulture and What’s the most interesting part are independent arbiters of the award arboriculture covers landscaped areas of your job? scheme, acting as points of contact throughout Aberdeenshire, including It might sound corny but I find it all between the scheme’s management country parks, parks and open interesting. It’s the variety of work, and users of the sites that they judge. spaces, beaches and burial grounds. subjects and meeting people that keeps it interesting. It’s also the ability Judges have a background in nature We caught up with Calum to find out to achieve and see the end results. conservation, ecology, parks and more about his role. landscape management, community What are the best things about engagement, environmental issues, When did you start working for working in landscape services? horticulture or related disciplines. the council? Again it is the variety of roles and Judging is carried out in two stages September 2007 subjects that interest me and doing a – a desk assessment and a site visit job that I have specifically trained for. during the summer months. What changes have you seen at My remit is Aberdeenshire-wide so I the council in that time? get to work in some beautiful parts of Are there any perks of the job? In the short time I have been working the countryside. As a father of two the perks are the for the council I have seen the family friendly policies, flexible working new Chief Executive come in and And what things are you not so and generous holidays. Training and introduce a more open dialog through keen on? seminars are also very beneficial, as ‘Colin’s Blog’. I have also seen other To be honest there are not many. is being able to play a part in large changes as colleagues have gone I guess some times travelling and projects such as Aden Country Park’s through Single Status and working alone especially in cold and arboretum and being able to see my modernisation reviews. wet weather. work followed through to completion.

If you would like your, or one of your colleague’s, job featured in a future issue of SQ then please let us know by emailing communicatebetter@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

SQ | 24 With summer now officially here COUNTRY PARKS Aden Country Park in is one (well, supposedly at least) it’s a of four council-run country parks, with the others being Haughton Country good time to be getting out and Park in Alford, Balmedie Country Park about and discovering some of and Haddo Country Park in Tarves. Facilities at Aden include the the great things you can do in Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, a restaurant, and a craft shop at the Aberdeenshire. Farm Square. A particular feature at Aden is an arboretum (a botanical Here are some of our suggestions, but for more details please visit garden primarily devoted to trees and www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/leisure other woody plants) which dates back to Victorian times.

This feature had been suffering from lack of maintenance but has now been restored to display a range of different trees.

The park is open during the hours of daylight every day of the year.

SQ | 25 MUSEUMS COUNTRYSIDE WALKS VISITOR ATTRACTIONS

The council runs 13 museums New guidelines now allow walkers When the weather is not as good as throughout the area, each of which more access to the countryside and you had hoped, don’t panic – there’s is graded annually by Visit Scotland. there are literally hundreds of miles still plenty of things for you to do. For These are: of great walks within example, why not take a trip to one of Aberdeenshire, including: these visitor attractions:

• Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, • The Formartine and Buchan • Macduff Marine Aquarium – Aden Country Park Way – 54 miles of off-road routes visitors come face to face with • Arbuthnot Museum, Peterhead linking Dyce with Ellon, Maud, hundreds of native fish and • Banchory Museum Fraserburgh and Peterhead invertebrates normally only seen • Banff Museum using the level trackbed of a by scuba divers. The aquarium’s • Brander Museum, Huntly former railway line through rolling deep central exhibit, which • Carnegie Inverurie Museum farmland displays a living kelp reef, is the • , Banff • The Gordon Way – a 12 mile way- only one of its kind in Britain and • Fordyce Joiner’s Workshop and marked hill and forest footpath divers hand feed the fish on a Visitor Centre from the Bennachie Centre to regular basis • Garlogie Mill Power House Suie Hill • Archaeolink Prehistory Park – • Peterhead Maritime Heritage • The Aberdeenshire Coastal visitors travel through the ages • Sandhaven Meal Mill Path – gives the opportunity to from Mesolithic to a Roman • Tolbooth Museum, Stonehaven experience the variety of coastal Marching Camp. With indoor and • Maud Railway Museum landscapes that surround the outdoor exhibitions, workshops North Sea including dramatic and guided tours every day Duff House in Banff has a five star cliffs, windswept beaches and Archaeolink is suitable for Visit Scotland grading and organises sheltered coves all ages. a regular artistic programme of • Grampian Transport Museum – exhibitions, music and lectures. With For more information please see various historically important extensive grounds and woodland visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ local vehicles, such as the walks by the river Deveron there is outdooraccess Craigievar Express, a steam plenty to keep you busy. Visit www. powered tricycle built in 1895, duffhouse.org.uk for the Sentinel Steam Waggon of further information. 1914 and the beautifully restored Tram.

For more information on these visitor attractions please visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/visit/visitor

SQ | 26 ACHIEVEMENTS

Louise picks up trainee of the year accolade Stuart gives reading at International Poetry Festival

Scotland’s International and is now a Professor of English Poetry Festival (StAnza) in America, the New Zealand Poet Laureate Bill Manhire, Ian Rankin is one of the most sig- and Carol Ann Duffy, who has just nificant events in the UK been appointed as the UK literary calendar and this Poet Laureate.

year Stuart B Campbell, “Being in the company of such Child Protection Manager eminent writers was within the Housing and interesting,” Stuart added “but it’s Social Work service, was a very sociable gathering, there’s lots of conversations and people invited to give a reading swapping ideas.” from his latest poetry collection. When asked if his work influenced his writing, Stuart replied, “It Louise Nicol, a trainee doesn’t really. I don’t write directly Construction Engineer in Stuart said, “This year’s StAnza about social work, but the use of the Transportation and was one of the official Homecoming language is fundamental to both Infrastructure service, saw Scotland events, which made par- activities; if there’s a connection it’s ticipating even more of a privilege”. at that level.” off competition from across the UK to be named With the festival’s Homecoming Stuart will also be reading at the trainee of the year at a theme, the programme included Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival Jay Parini, who studied in Scotland in July. national awards ceremony recently.

Louise, 22, won the Association for Louise started with the council in July “I get a lot of support from the council Public Service Excellence (APSE) 2007 and is based at the Inverurie and it helps that I can study and do Local Authority Apprentice/Trainee depot where she carries out bridge my degree too,” said Louise. of the Year 2009 for Highways and maintenance work in Banff, Buchan Street Lighting. and Formartine. She is responsible Louise is no stranger to award wins for pricing and supervising minor as she won best student in her year Speaking after picking up the award construction works and also provides in first and second year and can now Louise said: “I didn’t expect to win. assistance to engineers on larger add the APSE award to her list I was pleased and have put in a lot construction projects. of accolades. of work into university so the award made it all worth it.” Alongside the practical work, Louise APSE is a local government body that attends the Robert Gordon University works with more than 300 councils in The judging panel was particularly in Aberdeen part time and is in year the UK. Its aim is to promote impressed with Louise’s knowledge of four of a five-year degree course excellence in public services. bridges and bridge works and also by studying a BSc Hons in Construction, her attitude to team work. Design and Management (Civil Engineering).

SQ | 27 Pupils get on their bikes after Woodhill House restaurant gets the competition success big 500

Four students from Mearns The pupils’ policy highlights the use The Woodhill House staff Academy impressed a of trees and plants to reduce carbon restaurant has recently dioxide levels and increase oxygen been awarded the 500th panel of high-profile judges levels thus helping to benefit Healthy Living award recently – and each picked the biosphere. given in an initiative by up £250 of mountain bike the Scottish Consumer vouchers. Bronwyn Tudor, The tree and garden plot will also create a natural habitat for local Council and Scottish Stuart Burdett, Rebecca wildlife therefore helping to conserve Government. Petrie and Darren Rooney it. When the trees mature they could delivered an excellent be sold for a variety of uses. Seeds, Liz Wood, Catering Manager, plants and saplings are also likely presentation at the Robert attended an award ceremony in products for sale and the profits could Perth on May 11 to receive the Gordon University as be used for improvements in and award from celebrity chef part of the ‘S’ Factor around the school and also to Nick Nairn. replace trees. competition. This is the second year the The policy would also provide a restaurant has won this award, The competition was part of the much-needed local recreational area underlining the commitment to Economic and Social Research for pupils, staff and the community. providing healthier meal options. Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Community relationships would The restaurant’s 15 employees Science week where the Mearns benefit as the team would wish to work to provide visitors and Academy pupils success- involve the community in the set-up employees with freshly-prepared fully designed a policy to try and and running of the garden and plot. healthy soups and sandwiches, encourage environmental sustainabil- along with healthy choices such as ity and improve people’s awareness of pasta and baked potatoes. caring for our planet by having a tree plot and garden area in the school.

SQ | 28 SQ | 29 This summer will see SUN CREAM OR WELLIES? thousands of music fans making the annual trek to Another age old festival conundrum, festivals across the UK and anybody who’s been to Glasto will know you probably need a small boat Europe, such as T in the to navigate, whereas it seems to be Park, Glastonbury and Rock purely down to Mother Nature at AM Ring. We caught up with other festivals. regular festival goer Thomas Ogilvie, a Web Development One way or another, you either end up getting covered in mud or sunburnt Assistant from ICT, who had or both! Best to take both just to be these top tips. safe.

Wherever you’re pitching your tent CASH this year, here are a few of the ‘golden items’ every festival goer should never Always a good idea to take some with leave home without. you and try to budget for each day. Festival ATM’s charge an obscene THE TICKET amount in fees and tend to break down constantly under the strain of Sounds incredibly obvious I know but 60,000 people using them all at once. making sure you actually have your precious ticket with you when you That’s pretty much it – there are a lot arrive on site should be more ‘golden rules and items’ when everybody’s number one priority. it comes to festival going but part of I have actually seen people spend the fun is finding out what they are by hour upon hour travelling to the yourself. So, whether you’re dancing festival, only to find their ticket is still with Basement Jaxx or moshing in at home! Now imagine what that the pit with Slipknot, have fun this would feel like if you were travelling to summer wherever you go. a festival abroad...

SQ | 30 Caption Competition - win £50

Competition winner from March 2009 SQ Issue

Congratulations to Alison Bruce from Library and Information Services who was the winner of the competition in the last issue of SQ.

Alison correctly identified the four images in the competi- tion as Aboyne, Fyvie Castle, Pennan and Stonehaven and won a £50 voucher for the high street shop of her choice.

The competition in this SQ Competition issue of SQ needs you Aberdeenshire Council Corporate Communications Unit What do you to be a little bit creative Woodhill House think of SQ? – simply come up with Westburn Road what you think is the Aberdeenshire Council What do you think of the employee AB16 5GB magazine, Shire Quarterly? best caption for this photograph for your The winning entry will be chosen Are there still some chance to win a £50 by Aberdeenshire Council Provost improvements that you would like William Howatson (pictured above). to see us make? Is there anything voucher for the high we’ve changed that you would street shop of your The deadline for entries is 10am on like to see return to the way it was before? choice. Friday, July 17, 2009 and the winner will be published in the next issue We would love to hear what you Simply email your caption to commu- of SQ. think so we can keep making [email protected] improvements in the future. Please note that the competition Alternatively, you can send your is not open to employees from the Simply email us at name, address and a contact phone Corporate Communications Unit or communicatebetter number to: from the SQ Editorial Panel. @aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call us on 01224 665585 to let us know.

Serving Aberdeenshire from mountain to sea _ the very best of Scotland SQ | 31