A committee visit to local charity AberNecessities has highlighted the positive impact that partnership working between organisations can have on communities and service users.
During the visit in January 2025, members of the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee met with Danielle Flecher-Horn, AberNecessities Founder and Michelle Herd, Co-Founder, and discussed a number of issues which have led to several actions being taken forward, some of which have already been completed.
Issues discussed and some subsequent actions have included:
- Supporting ways to improve access to infant formula milk
- Improved access to life skills training for young people
- Aiding wrap around support to prevent future need of foodbank dependency with the aim of stopping intergenerational poverty
- Exploring the provision of community laundry facilities
- Building on the success of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Tall Ships Races 2025 to highlight the many other volunteering opportunities with organisations and charities across the city.
Committee visit to AberNecessities, L-R Michelle Herd, Co-founder, Councillor Christian Allard; Councillor Desmond Bouse, Danielle Flecher-Horn, Founder
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “Our committee visit to AberNecessities, along with our Committee’s External Advisors, allowed us to see the vital services they and their volunteers are providing for children and their families across the city.
“I am encouraged by the lengthy discussions we had and the agreed actions that are taking place as a result of the visit and I look forward to continuing the joined-up working approach between organisations and our Council teams through these visits.”
Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “Partnership working should be at the forefront of our common effort to address poverty and inequality across our city, and I’m delighted to see the many actions and issues that are now being addressed and taken forward as a result of our committee visit.”
Danielle Flecher-Horn, founder of AberNecessities said “AberNecessities puts great value in partnership working. We have built wonderful relationships with many services across the local area including NHSG, education, social services and third sector organisations.
“We thank the committee for taking the time to visit us and see the incredible effort our staff and volunteers put in every day to ensure that no child should go without. I look forward to moving forward with the committee in the hope that together, we can make a lasting, positive impact for local children and families.”
AberNecessities provides disadvantaged families with essential and basic items so that no child goes without. They recognise the importance of meeting the basic needs of a child in order to give them the best start possible. The charity operates on a referral basis, receiving applications from a network of professionals across health, social care and education systems.