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*Action for Children Aberdeen Priority Families - be rewarded and have new experiences, volunteer with us as a Child/Young Person Mentor* Volunteer mentors guide, advise, listen to and support children/young people, sharing their experiences as well as trying new activities and spending quality time together. Matched with a child/young person in Aberdeen City you will develop a 1:1 relationship providing regular positive input to their social, emotional and educational development on a weekly/fortnightly basis for a few hours at a time. The benefit of the mentoring service positively affects the individual child, their family life, their school academic life, the relationships with their friends and the life of the volunteer mentor. Through volunteering you will make a positive difference to the life of a child/young person. Full training, regular support, reasonable out of pocket expenses are provide and you will be able to easily fit mentoring in around your other commitments. Being a Child/Young Person Mentor at Action for Children - Aberdeen Priority Families further provides valuable experience of working with children and families, learning about how best to support children/ young people living in difficult situations, whilst being fully supported in their practice, the opportunity to develop personal skills such as communication, motivation and improved confidence, the chance to meet like-minded new people. A PVG Disclosure (provided by us) is necessary for this role. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. For more details please contact us at Email andy.farquhar@actionforchildren.org.uk or call 07764788430.

*Action for Children Aberdeen Priority Families - Be rewarded and have new experiences, volunteer with us as a Befriender* With the Aberdeen Priority Families service befrienders engage with children/young people, sharing their experiences as well as trying new activities and spending quality time together. Matched with a child/young person in Aberdeen City you will develop a 1:1 relationship providing regular positive support to their social and emotional development on a fortnightly basis for a few hours at a time. The benefit of the befriending service positively affects the individual child/young person, their family life, relationships with their friends and the life of the befriender. *What you can expect: -To make a positive difference to the life of a child/young person - Full Training - Regular support - Reasonable out of pocket expenses reimbursed - Be able to easily fit mentoring in around your other commitments *What we can offer: -Valuable experience of working with children and families, learning about how best to support children/ young people living in difficult situations, whilst being fully supported in their practice -Development of personal skills such as communication, motivation and improved confidence - The chance to meet like-minded new people - A PVG Disclosure (provided by us) is necessary for this role A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. All volunteer help is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact us at Email andy.farquhar@actionforchildren.org.uk or call 07764788430.

It starts with ‘Hello’. From new mums to empty nesters, it's often surprising who is affected by loneliness. That's why we're teaming up with The Co-operative. Together we want to reach out and reconnect thousands of lonely people with their communities, and tackle a problem that is shortening lives and eroding wellbeing. The aim of the Community Connector is to support people affected by social isolation and loneliness and to help them gain confidence and to reconnect to their community in partnership with existing and new partner organisations. We will place the person at the centre of what we do and help them by offering positive encouragement, practical help and emotional support, for up to three months, depending on their needs. Full training and excellent support is provided to all volunteers. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the local community. All help is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Ieva Nevulyte, Community Connector Co-ordinator at email inevulyte@redcross.org.uk / tel:: 07872 839864.

Team Jak provides practical and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and related illnesses, their family and friends and those bereaved. Team Jak Ambassadors can have different roles including family support and fundraising, including - raising awareness and fundraising opportunities such as bag packs, helping at a merchandise stand and collection buckets in supermarkets, schools, colleges, shopping centres and concerts. We will be hosting a number of larger fundraising events in Aberdeen throughout the year with the aim to raise £70,000 to open our Jak’s Den in Aberdeen. Family support roles can be rewarding and involve anything from playing with the children during our activity days and at our child and teenage groups, to making tea and coffee at our support sessions, talking with parents, sorting out merchandise bags and delivering to our newly diagnosed warriors in hospital, and preparing items for events. Volunteers receive initial induction training, ongoing support and any further relevant training opportunities. Team Jak have an Awards scheme and we hold a yearly event dedicated to thanking our volunteers and celebrating their success. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For more details please contact: Caitlin Stewart (Children, Young Person and Family Coordinator) at email caitlin@teamjak.org.uk or phone.: 07852 877157/ 01506 412302

Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organization working with isolated/lonely elders and young people by offering direct services and support , all designed to help people make the most of life. We have a range of exciting volunteer opportunities to assist in this and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in joining our great volunteer team. This includes assisting with our Young People Befriending Service. Our Young People Volunteer Befrienders are matched on a 1:1 basis with a child aged (5-16) within the Aberdeen community and through caring, reliability and consistency build up a trusting relationship, thus providing positive role model. Befrienders shall support the young people to access/attend activities within the community to reduce isolation, promote self-confidence/esteem and to help young people to begin to learn life skills. We’ll give you all the training and support you need to do your role. All help will make a difference and be greatly appreciated. Application forms may be accessed by filling out our volunteers interest form which may be found in our website at https://www.handofsolace.co.uk/apply-to-volunteer-with-us or by requesting through our email- info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.

ADA-Alcohol & Drugs Action have opportunities for Volunteer Buddies to support people who require this service in their recovery journey. People who have had problems with substance abuse often say they can lose touch with friends and colleagues, as well as losing their confidence in social situations. Buddies aim to help people build up their confidence again by supporting the person to get out and about to rediscover old interests or find new ones. Once trained, our Buddies are matched with an appropriate client and alongside the Drugs Worker; they will jointly agree a plan which will enable the Buddy to support the client in their recovery. The specific plan agreed will be led by the needs of each individual client and could typically include the Buddy accompanying the client to social events, leisure activities or to appointments with other organisations. As well as Volunteer Buddies we also have a range of other volunteer opportunities such as Volunteer Complementary Therapists, Creative Group Volunteers, Mini Bus Driver, Volunteer Gardener and Volunteer Music Group Assistant. For further details please contact: Anne McAlister T: 01224 577120 / F-mail: amcalister@alcoholanddrugsaction.org.uk Web: www.drugsaction.co.uk

Inspire have opportunities for people to assist as Befrienders. Befriender Volunteers allow individuals supported by Inspire to have regular contact with a volunteer who shares their interests and with whom they can carry out activities, such as going for coffee, going to the cinema or even going with them to the football. A befriender is someone who will make a regular commitment to an individual supported by Inspire, to come with them to events or do activities with them, but will also be there to listen and talk with and share experiences. This is a great, enjoyable opportunity where you will make a vital contribution to the work of Inspire and the people we support in the North-east of Scotland and be part of a friendly and supportive team. For more details please contact: Volunteer Co-ordinator tel: 01224 280005 / e-mail: volunteering@inspiremail.org.uk

Wellbeing Scotland is a voluntary organisation with services across Scotland. We provide a wide range of holistic services for individuals and families whose life experiences have impacted negatively on their wellbeing. Since 1994 we have offered client centred, holistic, trauma informed therapeutic services and have specialised in abuse and trauma work. We work with both children and adults. Due to the Covid 19 crisis our services have never been more needed, and we are currently in need of Volunteer Befrienders in all areas. Do you or anyone you know have a few hours a week to spare to be listening ear to someone who is currently needing a friendly chat? At this time, our befrienders will work remotely by telephone or video calling. No experience necessary(although being a good listener would be an advantage) as training will be provided to help you with this role, and you will be appointed a supervisor for ongoing support. All equipment will also be provided and expenses for out of pocket costs will be reimbursed. Please contact us at email volunteer@wellbeingscotland.org or tel.: 01324 630100 for further information or to request a volunteer application pack.

*Help people who feel alone - just a few hours a week from you could make the future brighter for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.* Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which helps people who may be lonely or at risk of loneliness and social isolation. -What our volunteers do: Loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being or feeling alone can have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as on communities, hospitals and other public services. Through just a few hours a week, you could provide a huge help for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation. -Support for people and volunteering during COVID-19 Pandemic: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our befriending service to our older people has now transitioned from face to face to phone/video contact. We now also offer shopping, prescription collection etc. where necessary to the older people. Depression is also a major issue so our befrienders are needing to keep in touch more often than before to ensure their Befriendees are safe and sound and to offer any possible support. -How to get involved: We provide volunteer support to tackle loneliness in the following areas of Aberdeen: - Stoneywood - Seaton - Bucksburn - Northfield - Bridge of Don - Dyce If you would like to volunteer with us, send us an email or give us a ring and we will contact you within a few days to provide further details and discuss how you can get involved. Our email is info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.

*Help with soup making and/or serving, supporting and socializing at our fantastic Y Knot Drop- in Lunch Club* You would be joining a team of volunteers, helping to provide a safe, welcoming space where visitors can relax and enjoy a friendly chat and a variety of activities, such as cards, dominoes and occasionaly crafts. Our visitors are people from all walks of life who need support to deal with challenges to their mental health. Volunteers can choose from a variety of options: >9.30am to 2.30pm Making soup, serving, joining in activities or >12noon to 2.30pm Serving, helping to clear up, joining in activities. (Everyone has lunch together) A monthly rota ensures that volunteers can tailor their volunteering times to fit in with other commitments. Some work once a month, others every week or once a fortnight. We would be happy to discuss details with you should you decide to apply-and we're hoping that you will. Preliminary visits would be very welcome. Training and support is also provided and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. Contact us by phone or e-mail at e-mail: maggie.whyte@churchofscotland.org.uk or tel.: 01224 635694 to arrange to “drop in” one Thursday.