VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the country’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We support people to be heard in decisions about their health, care and wellbeing.
We currently have great opportunities in Orkney to volunteer with us as an Advocacy Support Team Leader, supporting people with a variety of challenges. Volunteer support helps us to reduce waitlists and support more individuals. The Service Team Volunteer role supports a local Team in the delivery of our services. This can include:
• Administrative support
• Helping clients understand the service and how to access it
• Dropping off promotional materials
• Attending events
• Assisting staff with workshops, presentations and awareness raising
• Accompanying staff on home visits
• Promoting the organisation and our services
• Submitting regular reports on activities completed
We're looking for an adult volunteer who will provide a supportive friendship for a socially isolated young person aged between 8 and 18 who lives in South Ayrshire. Ideally this will involve meeting with their young person every couple of weeks for a few hours, spending time together accessing local activities.
This includes:
• Be matched on a 1:1 basis with a young person.
• Go on regular outings and activities with the young person.
• Have the opportunity to participate in group outings/activities and also volunteer support sessions.
• Keeping in touch with the Project about the young person’s achievements / growth and activities, and to receive ongoing support from the Bfriend team.
• Open minded as we work with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Following training, to be able to have empathy and understanding of some of the issues encountered by young people referred to the team.
• Continuous focus on the needs of the young person who you are matched with.
• Willing to participate in a broad range of activities mutually agreed with the young person.
• To be a positive adult role model for the young person and, very importantly, to have FUN!
• Have an awareness of and be able to adhere to Bfriend’s policies and procedures.
Are you a good listener? Do you have excellent communication skills? Could you support someone struggling to cope with chronic pain and help them to find a way forward? We are looking for committed and empathetic volunteers to support people who are living with, or affected by chronic pain who access our phone, online forum and ehelp support services. This is a great opportunity to enhance your communication skills and develop an understanding of pain self-management, while providing a valued service to people living with long-term pain. By joining us you will join a fast-growing and respected service. Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check.
This role supports our aim in delivering pain education in our communities and providing access to high quality resources to those who may not have digital access. As an ambassador you will provide tailored information on pain management services available in the local health board area and Signpost to any other support services in the community. Promote the concept of supported self-management as a recommended, effective intervention for chronic pain. Help make a difference to people living with pain by providing a powerful platform to hear the views and experiences for the all too often, voiceless patients. Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check.
About Pain Concern:
Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme. Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, community pain education sessions and our research and campaigning work.
All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long-term pain. it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results.
Purpose of Volunteer Role
This role supports our aim in delivering pain education in our communities and providing access to high quality resources to those who may not have digital access. As an ambassador you will provide tailored information on pain management services available in the local health board area and Signpost to any other support services in the community.
Promote the concept of supported self-management as a recommended, effective intervention for chronic pain.
Help make a difference to people living with pain by providing a powerful platform to hear the views and experiences for the all too often, voiceless patients.
Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check.
What would you be doing:
• Have personal experience of chronic pain (e.g., a diagnosis or experience of
supporting a family member or friend).
• Representing Pain Concern in a professional manner
• Build a network with local GP surgeries, NHS health board.
• Attend Pain Management groups (virtually or in person), to highlight long term support options.
• Making conversation with members of the public as appropriate, and answering questions about the charity’s work.
• Signpost to helpline, Pain Concern information leaflets, Airing Pain etc
• Carry out research into community groups, local events and businesses in yourarea, so that you can contact them to attend fayres, exhibitions etc
• Attend cheque presentations and local events officially thanking donors and hosts for their support
• Adhere to Pain Concern’s policies and procedures at all times, including Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality;
• Attend training and volunteer meetings
• Keep your Volunteer Manager up to date on your activities, including the contacts you’ve made and talks that you’ve arranged.
Is this role right for me:
We are looking for an individual who possesses some or all of the below experiences, skills and qualities.
• Friendly, positive and outgoing personality
• Tenacity and enthusiasm for sourcing opportunities in your community
• Enthusiasm and interest in chronic pain and the work we do
• Good communication skills, including public speaking
• Strong organisational skills, and an ability to work on own initiative and be proactive
• Access to the Internet and confidence in using it
• A good local knowledge
• Flexibility
Availability and location
Minimum commitment of 6 months.
Minimum 2-3 hours per week.
By becoming one of our Community Ambassadors, you will travel in and around your
geographical area to meet support groups and attend events and from our office at
Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS
Benefits to you:
• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team
• Meet new people
• Build on your employability skills
• Training and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you
• A job reference after 6 months of volunteering.
• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community
• On-site car parking
• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy
How do I apply:
Download and complete an application form our website at
https://painconcern.org.uk/volunteer-for-pain-concern/
For more information please contact hr@painconcern.org.uk
Caseworkers visit clients (serving personnel, veterans and family members), to work 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.
Facilitating Wellbeing Flower sessions in your local area (In response to requests via Age Scotland’s Health and Wellbeing Team).
“The Wellbeing Flower is an interactive and enjoyable experience, aimed at groups of organisers of older people’s clubs and services, such as a committee, a residents’ group or a staff team. The Wellbeing Flower makes the latest research into healthy ageing accessible and easily applicable, on topics including eating and drinking well, movement, social connection, emotional wellbeing and keeping the brain healthy.” - Health and Wellbeing Team
Assisting the Health and Wellbeing Team to gather information for evaluating the Wellbeing Flower’s impact
We are recruiting a team of Charity Ambassadors to help develop engagement across each Region, to maximise opportunities to raise funds and increase support from the Community. You will be actively involved with The Charity on the ground and play a key role working alongside the Regional Community Fundraisers, as and when required:
- Identifying various opportunities in your local area to raise awareness of The Charity & our wide range of Fundraising Campaigns. This could anything from contacting your local supermarket’s ‘Community Champion’ and organising an information stand and bucket collection or supporting a Supporter Group meet up in your area.
- Representing The Charity in your area, by undertaking presentations & cheque collections at schools, local companies & community groups
- Helping us to recruit new fundraisers and supporting those who are already signed up for a campaign, in your area. For example, attending a local Twilight Walk or promoting The Big Bake to local companies.
We’re looking for people who are:
- Passionate about the Charity and our vision
- Flexible and willing to get involved as and when opportunities arise
- Confident and comfortable in undertaking presentations to a wide range of audiences
- Skilled at spotting new opportunities to raise awareness and funds
- Friendly, approachable and able to communicate at all levels
- A team player, who is also able to work on their own initiative
We particularly encourage applications from those who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, including individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
What can you gain from volunteering?
- You’ll join a friendly, passionate team and develop an understanding of how this team at The Charity operates.
- The opportunity to network with other volunteers and play a key role in the brain tumour community.
- You’ll have the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, while developing and learning new ones to take forward into the future
Time commitment
Initially, we envisage a minimum of 2 or 3 days per month, depending on the regional focus, and this will also be guided by whether you are researching new awareness raising opportunities in your area, or setting up a school presentation for example. Flexibility if a key part of the role as we are often presented with exciting opportunities to raise awareness or funds, at short notice.
Practical considerations
You will receive training from the Community Fundraising Team and ongoing direction from a Regional Community Fundraiser, who will be your key contact. We carry out reference checks for all individuals who will be volunteering with us on a regular basis. Volunteers will be required to complete some internal data protection and disclosure documentation before commencing the role. Volunteers must be over 18. We encourage volunteers to claim for any reasonable expenses that are incurred in the course of their volunteering with the Charity.
This is a unique opportunity for you to make a positive difference to the lives of victims and witnesses affected by crime. Crime can affect anyone in Scotland and every one of us can help. Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. What sets us apart from other support organisations is that we are available to all victims of crime no matter what it is or when it happened.
We are looking for more people to join our incredible team of volunteers who provide information, guidance, emotional support and practical assistance to help anyone affected by crime, including victims, witnesses their families and friends. This may take place in person, online, and in court.
Victim Support Scotland is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime across Scotland. We support victims of crime, witnesses and their family members, regardless of who they are and their circumstances. Our service is independent, free, non-judgemental and confidential. We offer bespoke support, personalised to the needs of each individual.
Victim Support Scotland provides information, practical help, emotional support and guidance through the criminal justice system. We offer specialist services to support people who face specific crimes including murder, terrorism, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence and hate crime. We empower people to cope with the aftermath of a crime and find the strength to move forward with their lives.
We have dedicated volunteers, supported by paid staff, in our national and local offices across Scotland, as well as our teams in the Sheriff and High Courts, helping us to provide high quality support to those affected by crime. Victim Support Scotland represents the voice of people affected by crime. We influence key national policy decision-making to champion victim and witness rights and improve support services.
How would you help?
Our Support Volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. This includes:-
• Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact.
• Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits.
• Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users.
• Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members.
• Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey.
What are the benefits to me ?
Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. Each time you volunteer you make a positive difference to someone’s life.
As a volunteer you will:
• Support people when they most need it.
• Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector
• Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role.
• Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime.
• A chance to give something back.
• Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively.
• All agreed expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed.
For a full role description, visit: victimsupport.scot/volunteer
Strathclyde 4×4 Response assists numerous organisations during times of difficult driving conditions from delivering meals on wheels to vulnerable people, and helping community nurses visit their patients.
We are the West of Scotland Team of the 4x4 Response Network. We provide experienced volunteer off road drivers to assist the emergency and public services in times of need. The severe winter conditions seen in 2009/2010 and again in 2010/2011 have seen many teams active.
We rely on fundraising to operate our services and we need a volunteer to take care the fundraising side of our operations.
Volunteer Fundraisers can:
- Raise funds for our cause and regularly meet or surpass fundraising targets
- Research and develop fundraising opportunities, including single events and detailed campaigns
- Contact and build relationships with prospective donors
- Set financial targets for fundraising activities, and create strategies for reaching them
- Collaborate with senior leadership and prioritize departmental activities to meet organisational goals
- Research potential donors to gain insight into needs, beliefs and donation habits to understand how to position our organization to them
- Assist in brainstorming and creating new methods to raise funds for our organization
- Use technology and social media where possible to improve fundraising activities
- Assist in planning and coordinating events meant to raise funds and coordinate activities of volunteers related to event planning and execution
- Create marketing materials, like flyers and brochures, to be used for the promotion of events and other fundraising pushes
- Analyze the performance of events and other fundraising activities for effectiveness and to identify areas where money can be saved
- Maintain complete and orderly records of donors and manage regular donor communications
- Build upon existing donor relationships and form new donor relationships on a regular basis
- Collaborate with other organizations and groups within the community to build partnerships and enhance fundraising activities