Our Story

 

Since our launch in 2019, AberNecessities has distributed over XXX items to families and children across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

AberNecessities provides disadvantaged families with the essential and basic necessities that no child should go without. From maternity bundles for mother and baby to nappies, formula milk, clothing, toys and equipment for children aged 0-18 years, AberNecessities recognises the importance of meeting the basic needs of a child in order to give them the best start possible.

Led by Founder Danielle Flecher-Horn and Co-Founder Michelle Herd, AberNecessities is a non-profit baby bank organisation providing essential items to children in need across the North-East of Scotland.

18% of children living in Aberdeen are living in poverty and recently, the need for AberNecessities has never been greater. Since March 2020, we saw a 900% increase in applications from families in need of formula milk, nappies, clothing and other basic essentials that every child deserves.

 
 

Who We Are

 

Danielle Flecher-Horn

Founder & CEO

Danii is the Founder and CEO of AberNecessities. She has worked as a Specialist and Early Intervention Teacher within Aberdeen City for the past ten years. Danii shows great leadership and drive to deliver the AberNecessities mission, vision and core values and is an advocate for underprivileged families and the importance of supporting children throughout their early years and beyond. 

She loves spending quality time with her three adorable children, husband, family and friends.  Danii loves going to the theatre, cooking and laughing so much it hurts her tummy. Danii loves developing her knowledge and understanding in order to make AberNecessities the best it can be with her Mum and co-founder – Michelle.  

Michelle Herd

Co-Founder & COO

Michelle is the co-founder of AberNecessities. Michelle has an impressive track record of working in the third sector in Scotland with over 25 years experience. She is focussed on creating an efficiently business operation to ensure we fulfil the AberNecessities company vision for the community.

Michelle loves spending time with her family (especially her Grandchildren), is partial to French food, catching up with her friends in local restaurants and dancing to loud music in her kitchen! She works tirelessly to make AberNecessities the best it can be with — you guessed it — Danii.

Thalia Lyness

Operations Team Lead

Thalia overseas the Health & Safety measures, policies, procedures as well as leading the volunteering organisation to ensure the charity functions as powerfully as possible.

Thalia is addicted to the great outdoors, likes long walks, wild swimming and is a keen foodie.

Vicky Hutcheson

Communications & Brand Partnership Manager

Vicky heads up the internal and external communications for AberNecessities and our brand partners. She is passionate about promoting our work, people, and goal for the community.

A people person, with a love for fashion, a passion for cooking and strong coffee.

Leah Hutcheson

Administration Assistant

Leah works closely with our COO, supporting and maintaining accurate accounting records and financial information.  She is also responsible for collating our data for impact reporting and analysis.  

Leah is a new Mum who loves quiet nights at home with the family and getting her teeth stuck into an interior design project.  Loves being highly organised and is an artist at heart. 

Emilie Flecher-Herd

Operations Assistant

Emilie works across our Social Media platforms and is a core member of our application process – putting in a lot of love and care to each pack that reaches a family in need. Emilie works closely with health care professionals and, when required, speaks with the families directly where support and advise is required. 

Loves storytelling through social media, music, and Love Island. In constant search of the perfect cheese to macaroni ratio.  

 

Our Impact

Since launching in 2019 AberNecessities had seen a month-on-month rise in the number of families unable to provide the basic essentials. The devastating effects of Covid-19 led to a massive 900% increase in applications and in the wake of the pandemic, we saw an immediate and sustained surge from many families with pre-existing vulnerabilities as well as from those experiencing loss of employment and financial insecurity for the first time.

Thanks to the incredible amount of support and donations from brands, corporates, and our community, we have been able to help thousands of children living in poverty across the North-East of Scotland.

We are very privileged to have a fantastic working relationship with a range of professionals across the health, social care and education systems.  

We operate on a referral basis, accepting referrals from professionals only as we know they are best placed to meet the needs and provide the emotional support to the families we support, while we provide the physical items. Our referral system allows us to distribute items fairly and efficiently to families who need them most. 

If you are in need of help, please speak directly to a professional and ask they make a referral on your behalf.  This can be your midwife, health visitor, doctor, teacher or other professional supporting you. 

If you are a professional working with families who are vulnerable or experiencing hardship, then please contact us directly to make a referral on their behalf.  We appreciate the urgency behind the requests for support and our team will make every effort to get those items to them within 2 weeks however, in cases of emergency we can provide some immediate assistance within 24 hours.  

 

Here’s a few of the recent messages we’ve received…

  • Text Message #1

    “I had been working as a full-time dental nurse when I was pregnant and when I went off on maternity leave, I had full intentions of going back to work. After having my daughter, I realised we couldn’t afford the cost of childcare and so I couldn’t go back to my job.

    My partner is a farmer and during the pandemic his hours were cut, and we were really struggling to provide our family but, especially our daughter with basic items. It was then my Family Nurse told me about AberNecessities, and we received so many things in such a short period of time from clothes, nappies, formula milk and toiletries.

    It was such a relief. I really don’t know where I would be, and I really don’t want to think about the situation I would be in without the support of AberNecessities.”

  • Tracey Thorn - NHS Family Nurse

    “In my job as a Family Nurse I come across some families that are struggling.  

    The relief I feel as a healthcare professional since working with AberNecessities has been immense and to see the relief on the faces of the families I’m working with when they receive what they need is truly overwhelming.  

    Knowing that when I see a family in crisis that I can simply send an email to the team at AberNecessities which will be dealt with in a matter or hours or a day at the most is just incredible”

  • Text Message #2

    “Thank you doesn’t seem enough; you have genuinely saved our children’s Christmas. My little boy cried with happiness when I made up his bed with new duvet, pillow and bedding. His reaction was so touching.

    Thank you for everything, every single thing was just perfect – from the bedding and toiletries to the clothing and toys – it was all just so thoughtful. Also, my two daughters are older and understand that we have been struggling with the loss of our jobs.

    Their words yesterday were “They are just amazing!”. Sending love and gratitude from all of us – to all of you. Thank you.”

  • Louise Singer - Deputy Head Teacher - Tullos Primary School

    “Our school is situated in one of the most deprived areas within the city and we already have a large number of families from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of our families were already living in poverty or are experiencing poverty as a result of the pandemic.

    AberNecessities have been instrumental in helping to set up and support our food bank initiative and whenever we have requested more specific items, AberNecessities have always been there to support us by providing what our families need.

    AberNecessities have also helped support families with particular needs by providing the items requested and have even gone above and beyond our expectations and gone that extra mile to help these families. “

  • Peter Henry - Social Worker

    "Abernecessities is an invaluable charity offering support to our most vulnerable children and their families at times of greatest need.

    As a social worker, we regularly make referrals to the charity and we can always turn to them for support with ensuring families have their most basic needs met.”