Wester Hailes Youth Agency has received A five-figure donation from Aberdeen Asset Management to ensure it can continue its youth club.
The global financial firm has donated £10,000 to the Wester Hailes Youth Agency to fund Junior Drop-in sessions for children up to primary six age in the south west of the city.
The charity’s Junior Drop-in sessions provide a safe space for children to relax and have fun, no matter their background. Running twice a week, the youth club offers a range of activities and also allows access to youth workers who can provide support in times of need.
The service is loved by children across Wester Hailes and the surrounding communities, with many hailing it as “awesome” and “a good place to meet up with your friends.”
Valerie Cox, manager at the Wester Hailes Youth Agency, said:
To secure this funding is fantastic and will help improve the lives of many local youngsters. The drop-in sessions are available to all and give children the chance to have fun, make new friends, help to improve confidence and feel part of their community. At the same time, youth workers offer support to help address any issues that young people might be facing in a safe, trusting environment. We are extremely grateful to Aberdeen Asset Management for their support for the Drop-in, which is very popular with local young people.
The Wester Hailes Youth Agency works with young people aged eight to 25, and offers a range of services to improve the lives of people in its community. Alongside recreation activities, the charity provides sexual health advice, environmental opportunities and one-to-one support to allow young people to meet their full potential.
Alongside the financial donation, staff at Aberdeen Asset Management’s Edinburgh office will also be able to get involved by wrapping presents for the charity’s annual Christmas party, and helping to maintain the facility by painting and gardening.
Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving at Aberdeen Asset Management, said:
Every child should have the opportunity to play, learn and make friends in a safe environment. The Wester Hailes Youth Agency provides this for young people in Edinburgh, allowing them to express themselves and be who they want to be. Aberdeen is pleased to be able to support such a worthy cause in an area in which many of our colleagues live and work.
The Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. The main focus of the Foundation is around emerging markets and local communities, reflecting the desire to give back to those areas which are a key strategic focus of the business and to build on the historic pattern of giving to communities in which Aberdeen employees live and work.
