An attitude of gratitude

​It’s Christmas Eve and as we approach the final days of 2021 I have been reflecting on what a mammoth year it has been. 

It’s been an incredibly challenging year, yet despite that our teams have achieved so much, repeatedly going above and beyond to support the children, young people, families and communities we work with. 

Here are some of my high points from the year:

• The unwavering support from our Board and the successful recruitment of new Board members.
• Our continued place and budding collaborations within the Social Innovation Partnership.
• Our Keith ELC setting moving into its new home, at Strathisla Children’s Centre.
• Securing a spot in the Catalyst for Impact Portfolio.
• Amazing moments with our leadership team during development sessions with The Lens.
• Progress and incredible funder and community support for phase 1 of our Fintry Hub project.
• Rebranding our software solutions to Caerus and updating the FCSS logo.
• A successful tender to secure contracts for 2 brand new, purpose built ELC services in Aberdeen.
• Continued support from our existing funders and new financial support for some of our projects.
• An amazing team effort for Kiltwalk, raising over £11k. 
• Taking part in Summer of Play activities across Aberdeenshire. 
• Securing our place on the CivTech Challenge 6 Accelerator.
• The decision to launch a trading subsidiary. 
• Securing a Time to Shine place with the Rank Foundation and making a successful appointment to the role.
• Reaching a point where we could recruit an Ops Manager to join our team and making a successful appointment.
• Securing phase 2 funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for our Fintry Hub project. 
• Tendering for a securing our place on a funded framework to extend our ASN work. 

And of course the most important thing of all, knowing the difference we are making in the lives of children, young people, and their families across Scotland and seeing their smiling faces. 

Bring on 2022, I can’t wait.