ALDI ABERDEEN - HARENESS ROAD

2018 marks Aberdeen Cyrenians 50th year, meeting the needs of people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or affected by homelessness. What started off as a simple soup kitchen now provides a range of support services to over 1,500 people each year. While providing advice, support and information to address root causes and help people to sustain more permanent accommodation, we also ensure that their basic needs are met. We do this in a number of ways which includes providing food parcels and our Street Alternatives service which provides hot meals four times a week. Both of these services rely on donations from individiuals and organisations for fresh and long-life produce. Almost all of the food we have is donated and we simply could not provide the services without support from the local community.

Mamacita Foundation is a Scottish registered charity based in Aberdeen, working to improve lives through the prevention and relief of poverty, the advancement of education and health, and the provision of recreational and wellbeing activities that help people thrive. We also support migrants, refugees, and disadvantaged individuals and families to integrate confidently into their host community. Our work includes practical guidance on employability, housing, and navigating life in the UK, alongside cultural orientation, social connection, family support, and a reliable food bank service for those experiencing hardship. At the heart of what we do is community. With the support and involvement of local people in Aberdeen, we run regular Pop-In Sessions twice a week alongside our food bank, creating safe, welcoming spaces where people from all backgrounds can connect, access support, and build meaningful relationships. These sessions encourage cultural understanding, social cohesion, and mutual support. We believe strong communities are built together, and that nobody should feel alone

Our organization is dedicated to supporting Ukrainian refugees by providing a school for Ukrainian children and organizing regular Sunday meetings. The Ukrainian school is staffed entirely by volunteer teachers who generously offer their time and expertise for free. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for social interaction, fostering cultural preservation, and building a strong community of Ukrainians.