Message from Hayley Mearns, Chief Executive Officer – VAA Annual Report 2026

This has been a significant year for Voluntary Action Angus.

When I sat down to write this year’s Annual Report, it really made me stop and reflect on just how much has been achieved. Reading through it, I felt incredibly proud – not just of the organisation, but of the people behind it. Every member of staff, every volunteer, every trustee and every partner has played a part in what we’ve accomplished together.

Despite the challenges we’ve all faced, we have continued to strengthen communities across Angus, supported hundred of organisations and volunteers, developed new partnerships, secured investment, influenced strategic change and continued to demonstrate the unique value of the Third Sector.

One of the things I am most proud of is that our work isn’t about delivering services in isolation. It’s about bringing people together, creating opportunities, building capacity and helping communities find lasting solutions. That collaborative approach is what makes Voluntary Action Angus unique, and it’s something we will continue to build on.

I hope you take the opportunity to read the attached Annual Report. It really is a celebration of the incredible work our team has delivered over the past year, and I want to thank every member of staff for their commitment, professionalism and passion. I also want to thank our Board of Trustees for their support, guidance and encouragement throughout the year.

Finally, I’d like to thank all of our partners, funders, volunteers and Third Sector organisations. None of what we’ve achieved would have been possible without your continued trust and collaboration.

As we look ahead, our focus is on consolidating what we’ve built, strengthening the impact of our existing work and continuing to influence positive change across Angus. We have some exciting developments on the horizon, including the creation of our new Strategic Plan and Volunteer strategy, our plans for the development of a Changing Places Toilet, and continuing to develop The Cross as a thriving Third Sector Centre. I’m genuinely excited about what comes next!

Thank you all for your continued support. I hope you enjoy reading our annual report, and I look forward to working with you all over the coming year.