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Scotland Versus Arthritis is looking for individuals willing to lead short health walks in your area, lead on other physical activities, or facilitate virtual support groups. Full training and on-going support for volunteers will be available. We are also looking for expressions of interest from anyone keen to become an instructor of Tai Chi or Qi Gong for arthritis. The current Covid restrictions have meant that for many the wait for treatment may be a year or more away. Painkilling prescriptions are seldom more than a temporary relief. Support and exercise can however offer a better way to self manage the daily on-going pain and fatigue. In readiness for the eventual lifting of lockdown we are asking, can you spare an hour or two each month to help? Please contact your local Development Officer, Dr. P. Neville, p.neville@versusarthritis.org or phone 07501 501114 for details.

To assist ward staff in the delivery of patient care by carrying out a range of non-clinical tasks and activities. This may include; -Assisting in the preparation and serving of refreshments to patients; assisting patients to complete menu cards, handing out cutlery and crockery, serving tea/coffee, refreshing water jugs. -Assisting patients under the direction and guidance from staff at mealtimes with serving refreshments, opening sandwich packets. This will not involve in assisting with patient feeding. -Engaging with patients to provide company and stimulation; games such as dominoes and cards, reading with/to patients, conversational visits. -Helping to make the ward a safe and welcoming environment.

We are seeking individuals to help with running face-face communication sessions for babies, children and young people with Ds. We are also recruiting volunteers to assist with online delivery and resource making.

Caseworkers visit clients 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. The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. 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! Minimum Age: 18 Is a criminal record check required? Yes

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email volunteer coordinator Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk. Thank you.

Searchlight Scotland organises a Coffee Morning every Friday from 10am-12pm at the Junction Café (5 Bon-Accord Terrace, Aberdeen AB11 6DP), in collaboration with The Junction Church. Our community café is open to everyone, especially vulnerable people and parents with children. People can relax, have a coffee and a chat with our case workers. Our main aim is to provide to the community a free space where everyone can feel comfortable and have a first contact with us if they need our support. We have great opportunities for people to help volunteering at the Coffee Mornings and provide a smile to our customers. Main duties are: • Welcome and chat with customers. • Help serve drinks and cakes. • Create a relaxing environment. • Assist with activities. • Help tidy up the Cafe' after closing. A fantastic opportunity to assist in a Community Café that provides an important and welcoming place where people can come together. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. If you wish to volunteer or for any further details please contact Eva D’ Amico, Volunteer Coordinator at email: eva.d'amico@searchlightscotland.org or telephone.: 07927371717. More details are also available at our website: https://www.searchlightscotland.org/volunteer

At Macmillan we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. Are you a good listener and clear communicator? Then we would love you to join our team as a Macmillan Community Buddy and help Macmillan support people living with cancer. *Why we want you: Bring your listening and communication skills to support people living with cancer to feel less isolated and lonely and to help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By joining us you’ll be doing something amazing for people, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside and helping them find their best way through. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. *What you will be doing • Providing face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks • Adopting a non-judgemental and supportive approach to understand the needs and concerns of people living with cancer • Supporting 1-3 people living with cancer every week for up to 12 visits • Completing post call ‘records of activity’ reports and using all required systems • Joining group catch up calls every 4-6 weeks to get key updates and/or share good practice • Volunteering within agreed hours and following all best practice guidelines • Signposting to additional support if required and raising any further concerns with the Macmillan team *The skills you need • Good listener and clear communicator • Patient, flexible and reliable • Ability to respect others’ differences and choices • Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding while maintaining boundaries • Ability to recognise when to ask for support • Ability to work independently with guidance and support • Understand the need to maintain confidentiality • Ability and willingness to travel in your local area • Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources • Ability to commit to 4 hours of online training *What's in it for you • Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference • Use and develop your communication and people skills • Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer who are especially isolated • Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) By sharing your skills and time, you’ll have the opportunity to utilise and develop your skills and will make a difference to people’s lives. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. If you would like to join our team, please apply to volunteer today! For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/193-macmillan-community-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact us at email: vsscotnir@macmillan.org.uk or telephone: 020 7091 2165 / 07458135292.

Street Friends operate between 10am to 2pm distributing food and hot drinks to anyone in need in the centre of Aberdeen. We are a friendly team who are looking for volunteers to help on the streets. Volunteers must be fairly fit as the role entails walking whilst pulling a trolley, making hot drinks and, this is probably the most important quality for working at street friends, being non judgemental. We help anyone, if you are kind and believe in helping others, we would like to talk to you, we are on the go 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday, you can volunteer as much or as little as you can, it's totally up to you, give us a shout and let the adventures begin. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. If you would like to discuss volunteering with us/for further information please contact Colin Robertson at email: darkhorse74@btinternet.com

Caseworkers visit clients 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. The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. 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! Minimum Age: 18 Is a criminal record check required? Yes

The SOUNDS OF THE GALLERY BAND is a group of young people with a range of Additional Needs, including physical disability, Learning Disability and autism. Over the past five years they have worked together to create and play their own songs and music. The band has performed at the Bearsden Festival and the Big Helix Picnic Festival in Falkirk. The group requires an enthusiastic person to help set up and maintain their equipment (including electric guitars, keyboards, drums and vocals), and assist the group members to rehearse and perform safely and effectively.