Find opportunities

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, developing the charity’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. While all Trustees always retain their responsibility for the Charity as a whole, some will be chosen for their specific expertise in particular areas and will support and advise the Board on that area of expertise. -Main Responsibilities: • Work together to provide leadership and strategic direction to the charity • Ensure that M4U meets its charitable objectives as laid out in the constitution • Ensure that M4U is effectively run and meets all of its legal and regulatory requirements • Ensure that assets are safeguarded and used efficiently for those for whom the charity exists • Ensure that the charity is accountable financially and in other ways • Take on specific roles as required for the smooth operation of the Board of Trustees and charity • To maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of trustee’s responsibilities to the charity. • Act in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times • Promote and develop the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its relevance to society -Commitment: Trustees are expected to contribute around 10 hours per month to the charity and to attend 6 Board Meetings per annum. A minimum commitment of 12 months is requested. Trustees are expected to attend a minimum of 2 Workshops, 2 Performances and 2 Fundraising Events per annum. -Remuneration: This is a voluntary position, although reasonable travelling expenses can be refunded. -Accountable to: As the board are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity, they are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including: service users, funders and OSCR. M4U depends on Trustees having a wide range of skills, and each Board member should have strengths in at least one of the following areas. We do not expect Trustees to be skilled in all of these areas. • Musical theatre • Organisational development/strategy • Financial management • Charity legal compliance responsibilities • Management and development of paid staff/volunteers • Fundraising • Lobbying & campaigning • Ability and time to represent M4U in meetings with stakeholders • Best in employment • Evaluation • IT Management • Project development/management experience A fantastic opportunity to assist in the continued successful development of Music 4 U. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Karen Kerr, Development Officer at email: karen.kerr@m4u.org.uk or tel.: 07891 988 512.

This is an opportunity to directly inform and collaborate with agencies working to reduce suicide in Aberdeen. Community Planning Aberdeen* is working to improve mental wellbeing and has a project focused on raising awareness of how we can all make a difference to reducing suicide. Improving mental wellbeing is a priority within the North, South and Central Locality plans and our communities through their Plans have identified ideas that could help reduce suicide and improve mental wellbeing. We now need COMMUNITY CONNECTORS to help make sure the development of this project and the ideas for improvement continue to be informed by and are linked back to our communities. As a Community Connector you will be the “connection” between the reducing suicide project and your community. You will be supported to provide updates to your Locality Engagement Group (LEG) or Priority Neighbourhood Partnership (PNP) meeting. For more information about the role of a Community Connector and the support that we will offer, please visit https://communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Community-Connector.pdf We anticipate that a Community Connector will commit around 3 hours per month at times flexible to suit each Community Connector. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. Includes: •An induction from your aligned Locality Lead, Communities Team, or associated organisation •Training opportunities to support you in this role • Support from your aligned Locality Lead, Communities Team, or associated Organisation as identified at induction • Support from a Project Team (made up of partners from across the Community Planning Partnership) A fantastic opportunity to help and make a difference for the community. All help is greatly appreciated. For further details please email: LocalityPlanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk *(Community Planning Aberdeen is the name for your local partnership of public, private and third sector organisations and communities all working together to improve people’s lives across Aberdeen City. We are delivering an ambitious local outcome improvement plan to deliver our vision for Aberdeen - A place where all people can prosper).

The Partnership works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to break down barriers, overcome challenges and improve quality of life. The group comprises approximately 15 members of the public, working with five local councillors, and its vision is to: a) To bring about improvements to the lives of people in Aberdeen City who experience exclusion because of disability by promoting a rights-based approach to disability equality. b) To create a society where disabled people are valued, respected and included in the life of the City. c) To encourage and promote inclusion and equality. d) To create fair opportunity by identifying and removing the disabling barriers which disabled people face daily including prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes. e) To provide a means of partnership, consultation and joint action with Aberdeen City Council Meetings are held at Aberdeen Town House (entrance from Queen Street, Aberdeen). There is also the option to join the meeting remotely if you choose to do so. The Disability Equity Partnership (DEP) has 6 meetings over the year. Examples of projects we have been working on include the City Centre Masterplan, Union Terrace Gardens, webpage and information accessibility to reduce barriers and improve access to information, goods and services. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Baldeep McGarry, Equalities Officer at email: BMcGarry@aberdeencity.gov.uk or tel.: 07767353006.

Fresh Community Wellness is a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future. Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants. All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk

Talkable offers a talkline to anyone affected by panic or anxiety. We currently have a range of ways that you can help as a volunteer as we continue to grow and provide ever more vital support to people. Opportunities to join our team of volunteers include: *Phoneline Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief over the phone to our service users. *Phoneline Team Leader – you will be required to manage the phoneline volunteers as well as be available on the phone. *Message Line Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief to our service users over our Facebook page, full training will be given. *Promotion Volunteers – you will be required to create social media posts and reach out to companies to make our services known more. *Funding Volunteers – you will be required to help come up with funding ideas to support our vital services. *Policy Assistance Volunteers - we are also looking for a volunteer(s) who can help us with policy work. Excellent support and any relevant training is provided to all volunteers. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information about any of these volunteer roles or any other ways you wish to help us as a volunteer please contact Chelsea Birkett at E Mail: recruitment@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for. We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enroll some new volunteers to set up a group in Aberdeen. Typically, our groups meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. Presently many groups are meeting virtually via Zoom but when regulations allow, they will return to Face to Face. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others. Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3: the group leader and two group volunteers, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers. There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from week to week but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Many groups also offer a small resource library and can share information about local sources of support. For further details please contact Phill Abbiss, Volunteer Coordinator (North) at E Mail: phill.abbiss@uksobs.org or tel.: 07535 854 860.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If so, this could be the role for you. -What is a caseworker? Caseworkers work with clients to figure out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc. -Why do we need you? Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan. Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this. -What does this role involve? • Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely • Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances • Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice • Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding • Arranging for the purchase of goods and services • Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing • Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability • Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients • Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser • Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.) -What can you gain from this volunteering role? • Support people in your community with a military background • Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others • Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community • Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews • Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression! -Is a criminal record check required? Yes *A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case by case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. There is no cost for volunteers for this. -How to find out more? • Visit us/apply on line at https://www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer or call our friendly central Volunteer Team on 0800 032 5612. They can answer any general questions about volunteering and put you in touch with your local branch.

We are looking for individuals to take up an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of the vaccination programme for COVID-19 and Flu vaccines in Aberdeen city. Working with the team at the Aberdeen City Vaccination Centre in the former John Lewis site in the city centre, you will be an integral part of the team supporting the flow of patients through the centre and providing help to the public where required. Duties will include greeting patients as they attend the centre, assisting those with mobility issues as they move through the centre, and escorting patients to other areas (i.e. toilet facilities) where required. You may also be asked to help with restocking of supplies, assist with queue management, and support the team with other tasks where required. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Ali Macaulay, Support Manager at email: alison.macaulay@nhs.scot or tel.: 07790 713260.

The Comradeship Circles service aims to reduce loneliness by offering older members of the ex-service community the opportunity to enjoy regular group camaraderie by telephone. A Comradeship Circle will host typically six people on the same day and time each week to chat about a range of topics and interests over the phone. A Technical Support Volunteer or Supervisor will be on hand to connect everyone and ensure the call runs smoothly. We are looking for facilitator volunteers who will join the group phone calls, which last up to an hour, helping to facilitate discussion, developing resources to enrich Circles in response to member's interests. Currently this role is home-based and access to either a landline or mobile is required. • Main tasks include - Welcoming members to the circle and to facilitate group discussions and ensuring all members have a chance to participate. Creating and developing engaging resources in response to circle participant’s interests. • Reporting any concerns or issues with the circles to Supervisor. 1-2 hours per week at the same time each week (with some flexibility for cover) over a 6 month minimum period. For more information please contact Caroline McDonald, Comradeship Circles Coordinator at email: caroline.mcdonald@agescotland.org.uk or tel.: 0131 378 7206.

Give the gift of time, and make a difference. Aberdeen Cyrenians started life as a soup kitchen run by student volunteers back in 1968. That ethos of volunteering and direct community support remains at the heart of what we do and it is essential in allowing us to provide the range of support that our service users rely on. We’re fully flexible and can take regular, ad hoc, seasonal and team volunteers across a range of services and opportunities. Our volunteer roles are as varied as our projects, service users and volunteers, whatever your interest, we've got something that's just right for you. All help makes a real difference and is always appreciated. Excellent training and support is provided to all volunteers. For more information and to find out about the latest volunteer opportunities we have please visit: https://www.weareac.org/volunteering