One in six children aged 5-16 have a probable mental health disorder and since Covid, mental health issues in young people have increased by 58%. In 2025, children face many challenges such as bullying and complicated home lives which can result in depression, low self-esteem and difficulty making friends. They can be angry with the world and subsequently can be withdrawn or disruptive at school and home, because they struggle to cope with their emotions.

Our Flourish Project helps to improve mental and emotional well-being, self-esteem and resilience by supporting children to see their own potential, giving them ‘permission’ to dream and helping them to develop future aspirations with achievable goals.

Our project is not a ‘Quick Fix’. It supports them to face and cope with their everyday life challenges and long-term objectives. Over 8 weeks (8 x 1 hour sessions) our volunteer trainers help young people to see themselves in a more positive way by looking at:- how personal life beliefs are formed; the power of thought and how it effects behaviour; effects of social media; positive self-esteem and healthy self-talk and celebrating personal growth and development.

Since starting 3 years ago, we have worked with 580 children with very positive, long-term results. With your help, we aim to work with 400 more in North Aberdeen in 2025, aged between 10 and 14. Our Flourish Project really makes positive life changes in young lives and we want to make that difference to every young life that needs it.

Afristyle will be providing a one-day open day and 6 months free inclusive free

dance classes for young people and adults, packaged around active activities such

as dancing, yoga and offer workshops too such as behaviour management, easy

meal budget and more, also connecting for the promotion of individuals mental

health and wellness and to harness inner strength in Northfield. We don’t just

dance, we offer listening sessions, emotional support and signpost. We endeavour

to make everyone feel welcomed, belonging and invigorated.

We want to provide the opportunity for high quality, accredited bike maintenance training through the delivery of the nationally recognised Velotech Bronze award.

Velotech are the UK industry leader in mechanical cycle maintenance training and we would like to be able to deliver the nationally recognised Bronze level award to young people living in Northfield. This training will present an opportunity to gain a vocational qualification and increase employability as well as empowering participants to not only fix and maintain their own bikes but to also offer that service to others as a qualified person.

This funding will allow for up to 20 people to take part in the 2 day course which can be delivered in the community by qualified Adventure Aberdeen staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for young people interested in developing their skills in basic mechanics or interested in career pathways in this area

In order to support families in the local area, we would like to develop our space to be more child friendly.

For safety, we would like to purchase child gates to prevent access to the kitchen and to outside, allowing parents and carers to be more relaxed within the space.

We have a number of toys but require storage space to make them more accessible and would like to purchase suitable units for this purpose.

The floor is hardwood which makes it great for riding bikes and pushing buggies around, but cold for little ones, so we would like to purchase a large rug for the floor to make the area more comfortable.

Middlefield Hub will facilitate monthly Games and Activity sessions with our Nurseries, Youth Hub, and Older Adults in the area.

The purpose of these sessions will be help combat isolation and loneliness, keep older people active engaged in lifelong learning opportunities such as arts n crafts, board games, dancing, and more.

Young people that attend the Youth Hub will support adults with taking part, serving food/drinks, and helping them work their mobile phones and tablets. Nursery children will take part in activity and sing songs, make gifts and birthday cards during the week, and create more opportunities for different age groups to mix and be around each other.

Studies show mixing generations and ages is beneficial for everyone. These experiences, which will also have food and drinks at each session to help combat poverty and the cost of living crisis, will help nursery children in their development and learning, older youths will gain valuable experiences to help them reach their full potential, as well as increase learning about other people and empathy, and will help older people feel connected with the community. We can also use these sessions to signpost participants and families to other services at The Hub and in the community should they need further help or support. We will also invite different agencies to come in and speak to groups about other services, such as AHSCP Wellbeing Team, Sport Aberdeen, AFCCT, Mental Health Aberdeen, SamH, and more.

Young people have reported that they don’t feel safe skateboarding/ BMXing/football when it is dark in the park. Parents are also not keen on their children being at the park when it is dark.

The use of portable battery powered flood lights would alleviate the worries and would mean the skate park and other areas could be used by young people in the winter months. The lights, being portable could be used where and when the young people require them. They can use them themselves, unsupervised and have fun in the dark evenings, bringing young people together doing a positive activity.

The proposed project would enable the two hubs currently operating in Middlefield Community Project and Cummings Park Centre to choose a small scaled live professional dance/theatre production. In addition to this the groups will perform a short dance piece choreographed by dance tutors, based on their chosen production.

Acting as creative initiator's, each group will organise and curate an arts event that brings family and community audiences to their individual hubs. Offering the community a chance to share the joy of live performance.

Young people will choose the roles they want to explore and be mentored by the tutors. The project aims to encourage decision making and empowers the young people to contribute positively to their community, while actively advocating for arts engagement

The project promotes community bonds and connections by offering the community a space to come together and enjoy live productions on their doorstep. The project wishes to address the inequalities that young people living in challenging community’s tackle daily and are historically underrepresented in the arts.

This project aims to organise gaming nights that will bring gamers together from different backgrounds to enjoy various video games in a friendly environment. There will be a mix of competitive tournaments, casual play and opportunities for participants to connect and share their gaming experiences. Friendly competitions with prizes for winners to encourage participants to compete and showcase their skills

Outcomes/Impact – Strengthened relationships, positive lasting connections, new friendships and enriching community. Creating opportunities for those who identify as socially isolated or vulnerable to take part in activities. Increase volunteering opportunities in the area and the communication of them and to provide more activities/spaces for children and young people to participate in/be together

The Youth Impact Fund is a unique initiative that puts funding directly in the hands of young people under the age of 18 to create real, positive change in their community.  This programme will provide grants for youth- led projects, supporting innovative ideas to make a difference.

Young people will have the opportunity to design and lead their own projects – whether it’s creating a community garden, organising a youth led event, painting a mural, or running a mental Health awareness campaign. These projects will be selected by young people, for young people, ensuring their voices are heard

The programme will be managed by a Youth Council, who will review applications, decide on funding and oversee the impact of the projects.  We believe this initiative will empower youth with leadership skills, encourage community involvement, and bring creative, new ideas to life.

By supporting this project, you’re investing in the next generation of changemakers, helping them take ownership of their community and build a better future – one small grant at a time!

We are looking for your support of ‘Loons & Quines o’Mastrick and Northield’ project and the of launch a social campaign with a key focus on history, revitalisation, heritage, multiculturalism, identity and integration of people who live in Mastrick and Northield, Aberdeen. We have been encouraged by the success of similar projects in Torry, Seaton and Old Aberdeen. This also an area where many Poles in Aberdeen live.

Our project is a multifaceted community campaign emphasising diversity as a major potential and strength of modern-day Mastrick and Northield areas. The neighbourhood reflects the dynamic character of local and European history intertwined through stories of the past and the present. On one hand, it is characterised by a strong sense of community amongst the traditional residents. On the other hand, identity of the neighbourhood is influenced by immigration nowadays and, in the case of Poles, population movement going back to the Second World War.

We look to promote the area by focusing on its residents and their personal, cultural and work-related experiences of the neighbourhood by: Community campaign and exhibition (still sourcing a suitable place TBC). Key visual materials will be installed.