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As a Volunteer Buddy, you would help individuals needing some support or encouragement to attend a volunteering opportunity for the first time or first few times. Starting something new can be challenging for anyone, so much more so for people with anxiety or low self-confidence. For some that leads them to a point that they are not able to attend their voluntary placement. This is where you come in as a Volunteer Buddy! You will agree on a meeting point with your buddy, walk or take public transport with them to their volunteering opportunity, and support them to settle in. It maybe that they will also require support to get home again. You would ideally help your buddy with attending the volunteering opportunity a handful of times, enabling them to become more independent and grow in their self confidence. It is hoped that after only a few support visits the volunteer will be able to continue in their volunteer placement on their own.

This befriending opportunity allows the befriender to make a positive difference for a young person, while also growing their own experience and enhancing their life skills. Our befrienders offer one to one support to a young person aged 8 to 18, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Young people living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition. A befriender will meet with the young person every 1 to 2 weeks, usually taking them away from their home environment, to build a trusting one to one relationship. A commitment of at least a year is required - this will allow the young person time, space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.

Our mentors offer crucial support to young adults with Cystic Fibrosis in improving socialisation, broadening horizons and exploring concerns to improve self-esteem, enhance coping skills and the person's quality of life. Young adults living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition. A mentor will meet with a young adult regularly (every 2-3 weeks) to build a trusting one-to-one relationship allowing the person to explore their feelings, discuss their aspirations and grow life skills, to support them in achieving goals or just giving them someone to talk to. This opportunity also gives the mentor the chance to expand their own experience and enhance their life skills. The young adult will live within a reasonable distance of the mentor, who may sometimes take them in their car to an activity or environment away from home. A commitment of at least a year is sought - this will allow the young adult time, space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.

Home Support Volunteers visit families in their own homes to provide practical support. This can include helping with housekeeping, spending time with siblings, meal preparation, or other tasks to ‘lighten the load’ of family life. -What activities will I be involved in? • You will be introduced to a family, your initial visit will be with a member of staff, but you will then visit unaccompanied • Supporting families with ‘everyday’ tasks – these will vary and be dependent on the family’s needs, and the skills you bring. They may include: o Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying o Meal Preparation - batch cooking or supporting families to cook (this does require specific training, which we will provide) o Practical Sibling Support - collecting siblings from school/clubs within walking distance of their home, assisting with homework, spending time with siblings/play o Other - gardening, dog-walking, basic DIY eg. helping with flat-pack furniture • Develop positive relationships with families, being respectful of their home and belongings • Immediately communicate any concerns which may arise about a families wellbeing, including child protection concerns • Be respectful of sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services -How much time should I offer? You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment. Usually, volunteers support each family for a period of 3-6 months, then would be introduced to another family. It is possible there will be a short time between supporting different families, depending on needs, availability etc. -What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive? It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident when volunteering. We provide Induction Training to give you insight into this role, and together decide if it is the right choice for you, before proceeding. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role. We are always developing new opportunities for volunteers to learn and offer a range of options for volunteers. You will receive ongoing support and supervision from the Home Support Lead, and opportunities to connect with other Home Support Volunteers. -What are the benefits to me? • Using your skills and developing new ones • Making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition • Experience, adding to your CV and career prospects • Meeting new people • Having fun! -What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS? Families supported by CHAS are often under a lot of strain, and caring for a child with a life-limiting condition can take a lot of the family’s time and attention. Often other household tasks, and family life, can become more difficult to manage, and can begin to feel overwhelming. This role makes a direct and instant difference to families. -What else should I know? This role is for those aged 18+. You are required to be able to drive and to have access to your own vehicle (travel expenses can be claimed) You will need to complete Visit Logs online, these can be accessed through a phone, computer or tablet, and will require an internet connection (a high level of ‘technology’ knowledge is not required to complete these). This role requires membership of the PVG scheme. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG form – if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis. We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy. CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation will improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise. For further information/to apply online please visit: https://www.chas.org.uk/volunteers/home-support-volunteer-aberdeenshire or feel free to contact Jack Daniels, Home Support Lead for further details /if you have any questions at email jackdaniels@chas.org.uk or on tel.: 07824 457767.

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. In response to the effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples wellbeing (physical, emotional, social and mental health), that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated, TLC have responded to this need and further developed our befriending service to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many in our city. Our service is provided to anyone aged 18 years and over in Aberdeen who is experiencing or at risk of loneliness or isolation. Your help as a volunteer would therefore make a real difference. Our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers not only provide a lifeline to people, in the form of friendship, but also a helping hand to reconnect to the community, bringing joy and passion back into people’s lives. If you would like to be a beacon of hope to someone in need, please do apply to join our fantastic team of volunteers. For further information please email us at volunteer@tlc.org.uk

We're looking for sociable and friendly volunteers to support people with a life limiting illness in the community. We know little things matter, whether it's having a cup of tea and a char or getting out and about. Our Helper Service volunteers are there to provide their client with companionship, information and help with activities like making a cup of tea or visiting a favourite place. You will also be helping their carers and loved ones with respite and a friendly listening ear. No experience is necessary, as we will give you full training when you join us. Training for this role will include information specific to supporting someone with a terminal illness and how to look after your own wellbeing while supporting others. You will also be supported by our Volunteer Coordinator and will have regular communication where you will be able to ask for additional support if you feel you need it. This is an ideal role for a volunteer who enjoys meeting new people and wants to be part of a local team making a difference in their community. If this sounds like the role for you then we would love to hear from you today. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. To volunteer with us/for more details please contact Clare Scott, Volunteer Coordinator at email: clare.scott@mariecurie.org.uk or telephone: 07753267396.

The programme provides support for young people across the local region, bringing employers, partners, and education together. The programme aims to ensure more of our young people in Highland have the skills and knowledge to enable them to achieve a positive and sustained destination beyond school as well as having a better insight into the opportunities that are available to them locally. With a team of Development Officers, across Highland communities, we offer unrivalled support to mentors, ensuring they are equipped to support our young people whilst often developing new skills. This program needs volunteer Mentors from all backgrounds to support young people on a 1-to-1 basis, helping them to achieve their goals in a realistic way. Full training and support provided

The Young People’s Befriending Project is expanding its horizons and hoping to support even more children and young people in Orkney this year. The service has lowered its referral age to 5 years old and is simultaneously developing a more intentional, mentoring approach to the older young people it supports. The Volunteering Team is looking to expand once again so that the Project can offer this support to more of Orkney’s young people. All you need are a few free hours every fortnight, an enthusiasm to work alongside a child or young person, a hobby or interest to share, and a friendly and kind personality – and we’ll take care of the rest.

We are looking for a friendly person to make folk feel welcome at open doors, someone who can take the initiative and get involved in our lovely team. Making people feel welcome Helping with activities (games and crafts) Helping with the dishes Helping to tidy up

Are you keen to support parents who want to Carry their babies using a sling or a carrier? As part of the wider NCT branch you will be responsible for hiring slings to parents and parents to be, ensuring that the paperwork is all recorded correctly and deposit returned to hirer. This could be done at a group or as doorstep collections/deliveries.