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Are you a good listener with an empathetic, professional and methodical approach? Do you have two hours a week to support vulnerable adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? Action for M.E.’s UK-wide advocacy service, expanding in Scotland, supports adults with M.E./CFS to understand their rights, make informed choices, and have their views and wishes heard and respected, dealing with issues including health, social care, housing and employment. You’ll work entirely online/by phone to meet and represent clients, agree an action plan, undertake research, contact professionals and more. Full training, support and supervision provided by our experienced, friendly team.

Disability Equality Scotland is a national charity working to make life more accessible, equal and inclusive for disabled people in Scotland. We are the umbrella organisation for all local disability Access Panels in Scotland, providing them with support and guidance to improve the lives of disabled people at a local level throughout Scotland. Our Nairn panel is currently operating in Moray and would welcome new volunteers to support their work. What is an Access Panel? Access Panels are groups of volunteers who work to improve access and inclusion for disabled people in their local community. They do this by raising awareness and helping to change attitudes among the general public about the need for inclusive access. Access Panels are made up of people of all ages and abilities who share a passion for the issues faced by disabled people. With the help of Disability Equality Scotland as the national umbrella body, Access Panels support their communities to become as accessible as possible, particularly in relation to the built environment, healthcare, employment, education, and transport.

Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis for an hour or so each week, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

AIA invite applications from individuals who are willing to share their expertise, knowledge and skills in taking forward this important work and ensuring best practice in Board Governance. The individual must be committed in our collective strategic vision for the organisation in creating a more inclusive community where every person’s voice matters. We are looking for people who have an understanding and commitment to social justice and have the following skills and expertise: • Finance/Accountancy (Treasurer) • Law/HR • Expertise by Experience • Leadership/Governance This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed in line with AIA’s expenses policy. Currently the Board Meetings are being held remotely via video conferencing so we would consider people who live further afield than Tayside.

This role involves using your own lived experiences of eating disorders in a positive way to raise awareness, fight against stigma and campaign for change. Working as a team, 'Seen but not Heard' eating disorders collective advocacy have developed training around eating disorders, two films, awareness events, attended conferences, responded to/developed consultations and have produced leaflets and resource packs.

This research role involves using your own lived experienced of eating disorders in a positive way to raise awareness, fight against stigma and campaign for change. Working as a team, ‘Seen but not Heard’ eating disorders collective advocacy have developed training around eating disorders, two films, awareness events, attended conferences, responded to/developed consultations, and have produced leaflets and resource packs.

The role involves using personal experiences of living with Psychosis as part of CAPS collective advocacy group (Experiences of Psychosis); to raise awareness of Psychosis, promote understanding, fight against stigma and campaign for change. The group have made films, produced a training workshop, attended conferences & are working on awareness raising around psychosis in the local community and beyond.

The role with Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. To both empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as is possible. Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and making sure the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and that the clients' voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation. As well as having face-to-face and virtual meetings with your client there will be a requirement for all meetings and communications on the progression of the client’s case to be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop / computer, the internet and a landline or mobile phone. You must be able to keep confidences (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and on one’s own, be able to use email, word etc and carry out work electronically. You will also be required to attend meetings with the client and source information to allow the person to make informed choices. You will make a difference to other people’s lives; develop new skills and meet new people and you will work alongside a small friendly team.

Do you believe that everyone has aright to have their voice heard and be part of their local community? Do you have a few hours to spare each month to support a developing third sector organisation? If the answer is Yes then we would like to hear from you! We are looking for someone with: - Financial/accounting experience - Strong communication skills - A commitment to social justice/human rights … to join our dynamic Board of Directors. The board currently meet bi-monthly, with office bearers meeting in between board meetings. Meetings currently take place in the evening, online.

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Barnardo’s Ukraine Support Helpline provides culturally sensitive signposting, advice and therapeutic support to young people, individuals and families affected and displaced by the Ukraine war. The service offers 3 tiers of support: Tier 1: supporting young people, individuals and families who contact the Ukraine Support Helpline seeking advice, as well as practical and emotional support. This support includes signposting to Barnardo’s services and other organisations who can provide services to meet their needs. Tier 2: supporting young people, individuals and families where the level of need requires more in-depth support over a longer period. The Helpline Advisor works with the service user to develop a support plan and to address specific issues. Tier 3: providing tier 2 support along with therapy. We are specifically looking for Helpline Advisor volunteers who can speak English and Ukrainian or Russian to: respond to contacts via the freephone number and email, provide more in-depth support in some circumstances and refer onto local Barnardo’s services and other organisations (where appropriate). We are looking for excellent communicators looking to make a difference to the lives of individuals and their families who have been impacted by the Ukraine war. Why we want you Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen. What you will be doing Providing information and advice to young people, individuals and families affected by the Ukraine war, who access our Helpline via email and a freephone number. Providing emotional/moral/practical support for young people, individuals and families, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport. Encouraging young people, individuals and families to access resources and signposting to relevant services (internally and externally). Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions. Recording all contacts in line with Barnardo’s policies. The skills you need The ability to speak Ukrainian or Russian. A good understanding of the issues experienced by people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, refugees and asylum seekers. Reliable, punctual and trustworthy. Approachable and welcoming. The ability to ask questions and take feedback. Excellent IT skills and be computer literate. Flexible, committed and responsive to the needs of young people and families accessing the online service. Being self-disciplined, self-motivated and self-reliant. What's in it for you Full induction and training. Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role. Regular supervision and support. Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance. Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing. Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity. Disclaimer We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320