banff and buchan college

Carers Rights Day

The VSA North Aberdeenshire Carers Rights Day event was held in November at the Buchanhaven Hearts Football Club in Peterhead this year. The theme for the day was Money Matters and organisations were invited to attend to talk to the unpaid carers from North Aberdeenshire.  A number of agencies were on hand to offer advice and those attending included: Alzheimer’s Scotland, Aberdeenshire’s Shared Lives, Aberdeenshire Council Welfare Rights Workers, NESCU, Housability, Care and Repair, Pension Service and Banff and Buchan College.

Students from Banff & Buchan College had stepped out of the classroom to offer some pampering to the Carers from the Fraserburgh and Peterhead areas.  The Level 2 Beauty students offered Mini facials, manicures and hand/ & arm massage to the Carers who are normally the ones doing the caring.

Event Organisers Nic Breckon and Jenni Campbell - Carers Support and Development Workers for the VSA Carers Centre said “The whole day was a great success and carers commented that the day was a real treat and a chance for a bit of respite away from their caring role but at the same time they were able to access information which may help them with their caring role.  Many carers give up their jobs and careers to care for family members on a fulltime basis and the college offer a wide variety of courses to encourage people back into training and education at times they can manage that tie in with their caring role.

“Chatting to Jennifer Fordyce – Community Development Manager from the College gave carers the confidence to take the next step if they have been thinking about their own future. The whole day was fantastic and I can’t thank Jennifer Fordyce and the students enough for coming along. VSA Carers Centre in Fraserburgh link in with the College on a regular basis to meet the needs of carers in the community and I feel this is of great benefit to us all.  The students were very professional and good at their job and a big thank you goes to the students for their hard work on the day”.

One carer commented “Today has been a real treat. I have not thought about myself for such a long time and to have lunch and a beauty session as well as meeting other people in similar situation as myself has made me realise I need to do this more often. The beauty students were so friendly and chatted away. It felt such a treat”

The event ran from 10am until 2pm to with free Tea/Coffee and biscuits served throughout the day.  Everyone sat together to enjoy a wonderful Christmas lunch supplied by the Managers of the Buchanhaven Football Club  Avril and Gary, who have been very supportive of the VSA, and the happy atmosphere made the day most enjoyable.  Whilst browsing around the organisations stands the carers were able to enjoy a pamper session, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

Natalie Ballantyne – tutor for Beauty at Banff & Buchan College said “The students and I had a fantastic day as it’s always satisfying to pamper those who really deserve it.  We all enjoyed our delicious Christmas lunch and the chance to help with the fundraising by joining in with the fun of the raffles.  The college always welcome the chance to help in the community whether it’s fundraising or just a short treatment.  We would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of such a worthwhile event.”