2006

August

We hold our third AGM and make it a combined effort with FRPA's AGM.

 

June

SPA and FRPA hold their 4th joint sale day in the warehouse to raise funds and dispose of unwanted stock.
We farewell board member Linda McDonald, and Rob Pearce takes over as chair of SPA.

 

May

SPA is recognised in Age Positive Week with the Tayside regional employer award. Bella Smith and Roger Paxton (with a combined age of 156 years) flew to London to receive the award on our behalf, from Angela Rippon and the Minister for Pensions Reform. Roger and his grandson also appeared in the press with local personality Liz McColgan to promote Age Positive Week. Visit our Gallery for photos of both occasions.

 

March

A total of 745 referrals have been made to SPA since the project started. Packs of donated and new goods went out in that time have been:
592 complete packs
135 partial packs
488 double bedding packs
435 single bedding packs
82 cot bedding packs
747 pairs of curtains

2005

December

Warehouse modifications improve the warmth of the working conditions for our operations team! At our Christmas lunch we also farewell Kathy Anderson from the Board, with thanks for her foundational work as part of the team who created Starter Packs Angus.

November

A second sale of excess goods with FRPA again brings in valuable funds.

September

We appoint Joanne Delautre as our new Development Officer. We also host a visit from Scottish Churches Housing Action board members, who bring Bruce Cameron (Primate of the Scottish Episcopal Church) to see the project in action.

July

We say farewell to our Development Officer, Sheila Newcombe, as she heads for pastures new at Volunteer Centre Angus.

June

We publish the first issue of our general newsletter, and hold our second AGM.

April

We publish the first issue of our volunteer newsletter.

March

We hold a sale of excess goods with FRPA at our premises, which raises almost £1000 for the two projects.

January

Homelessness Sunday raises awareness in local churches of homelessness issues and brings subtantial donations of goods to the project.

 

2004

December

We have a great Christmas party at the Old Brewhouse in Arbroath for staff and volunteers, with some very imaginative Christmas presents given out by Annie!

October

We decide to move into the warehouse unit next door to the Furniture Recycling Project Angus (FRPA) instead of sharing premises with them, to give both projects the extra space we need.

September

We advertise the Development Officer's position and appoint Sheila Newcombe.

July

We appoint a part-time administrative assistant, Ashley McWilliam.

June

We hold our first Annual General Meeting - highlights are a performance by the Braendam Link drama group from Glasgow and addresses by Keith Whitefield (Homelessness Strategy Co-ordinator for Angus Council) and Alistair Cameron (Director, Scottish Churches Housing Action).

April

Container for SPA donations installed and launched at Arbroath Recycling Centre.
Arbroath Round Table offer to do the joinery work needed for us to move to our new premises.

March

Premises in Wardmill Rd identified to share with Furniture Recycling Project Angus.

February

We decide to move into a larger office unit which is closer to our packing unit and provides more space for volunteers.

2003

September

Official launch day is a resounding success - many guests donated starter pack items, including a pack recipient.
39 agencies across Angus are now referring people for starter packs.

July

The first starter pack is delivered!

June

Annie conducts training sessions for volunteers.
Donations of goods start arriving; volunteers begin sorting and organising.
We now have 15 agencies across Angus who want to refer clients to our service.

May

We hold a recruitment afternoon and 10 volunteers sign up for various jobs - packing, pickup and delivery, administration, management committee.

April

Annie starts work, the office and packing station are set up. We finish our policies and procedures manual.

March

We advertise the Project Co-ordinator's position and receive applications from a strong field of candidates. We appoint Annie Clark to the position.

February

Lloyds TSB Foundation in Scotland offers to fund the salary of a part-time Project Co-ordinator for three years.

January

We find premises to rent in the Arbroath Business Centre.
Kathy Anderson, convenor of the Management Committee, speaks about Starter Packs Angus at a church service to mark Homelessness Sunday, and we gain two new members of the Management Committee as a result.

2002
November

Angus Council agrees to contribute towards the costs of setting up the project.

October

The Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund gives us a grant towards the cost of publicity to recruit volunteers.

St Andrew's Arbroath and the Arbroath branch of the British Legion make donations to the project.