Make someone's day! Help reduce loneliness and social isolation by volunteering at on of their social cafes. The cafes offer older people the chance to chat with others over a cuppa. Quizzes, games and a range of other activities are on offer.
Their social cafe volunteers build a positive relationship with members by:
-meeting and greeting them as they arrive (volunteers are asked to arrive for 10am to help with setting up)
- offering refreshments and clearing away at the end (finishing by12.30pm)
- chatting with members and getting to know them
- helping members to take part in the activities where needed, and giving out pens and paper for the quizzes.
- attending volunteer meetings and information sessions to help with this role
- raising any concerns with your project worker
Make someone's day! Help reduce loneliness and social isolation by volunteering at one of their social cafes. The cafes offer older people the chance to chat with others over a cuppa. Quizzes, games and a range of other activities are on offer.
Their social cafe volunteers build a positive relationship with members by:
- Meeting and greeting them as they arrive(volunteers are asked to arrive for 10am to help with setup)
- offering refreshments and clearing away at the end (finishing by 12.30pm)
- chatting with members and getting to know them
- helping members to take part int he activities where needed, and giving out pens and paper for the quizzes.
- attending volunteer meetings and information sessions to help with this role
- raising any concerns with your project worker
Food Train Stirling and Clackmannanshire provide a volunteer-led, low-cost grocery delivery service to people aged 65 and over who are unable to do their own shopping. Customers may come to use the service due to disability, frailty or mobility issues. The service is not means-tested or health-tested, meaning anyone aged 65+, living in the Stirling/Clackmannanshire local authority areas, who are struggling to access groceries can utilise the service.
They are recruiting for volunteer shoppers to support older people in the Asda store in Alloa with their food shopping.
Once shopping lists are collected, volunteer shoppers work together to gather the shopping in the Asda. Shoppers are needed on a Wednesday morning. The Food Train Clackmannanshire provide an induction and training for all its volunteers, and also buddy up helpers with experienced volunteers.
If you would be interested in helping out one morning a week, please get in touch by calling the team on 01786 450 536 or emailing them at stirling@thefoodtrain.co.uk
The Food Train covers all travel costs. Volunteer shoppers are asked to commit to one morning per week shopping from 8am to 11am. The Food Train provide water and snacks for volunteers. After completion of a successful volunteering period staff can offer a professional reference for onward progression destinations. The Food Train also provide and cover the cost of PVG registration, training and ongoing support in the form of one to one meetings or volunteer meetings.
Make someone's day! Help reduce loneliness and social isolation by volunteering at one of their social cafes. The cafes offer older people the chance to chat with others over a cuppa. Quizzes, games and a range of other activities are on offer.
Their social cafe volunteers build a positive relationship with members by:
- meeting and greeting them as they arrive (Volunteers are asked to arrive for 10am to help with setting up)
- offering refreshments and clearing away at the end (finishing by 12.30pm)
- chatting with members and getting to know them
- helping members take part in the activities where needed, and giving out pens and paper for the quizzes.
- attending volunteer meetings and information sessions to help with this role
-m raising and concerns with your project worker
Fife Headway exists to provide support, information and referrals for people with an acquired brain injury (ABI). They aim to reduce social isolation increase access to information and referral information and empower people with an ABI to have more control over their lives.
The Fife group meets monthly in Kirkcaldy and they are looking for volunteers! This is a great opportunity to build on your skills and experience to help the work of a small charity in Fife.
Duties:
-To arrange appropriate food and beverages in advance of the group (specifics will be provided)
-Setting up and clearing away for the group
-Arrange activities for the group and source materials
-To distribute literature from Headway UK to members including competitions and information
-Liaise with other volunteers to produce quarterly newsletter
The Macular Society is the UK's leading charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support. Macular disease causes sight loss, for example when reading, looking at photos or watching television and affects mainly older people.
The groups provide information, support and new friendships to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. Whether you can spare a few hours or a couple of days a week, you’ll be doing something great to help. By giving your time, you will help the society to reach the thousands of people living with macular disease and sight loss in your area and provide life-changing support.
You will be volunteering as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of the group.
Tasks shared by volunteers may include:
-Welcoming members and guests, sharing information, wrapping things up at the end.
-Organising guest speakers and suggesting social activities.
-Keeping in touch with group members, maintaining a list of members and sharing updates with head office.
-Collecting meeting subs.
-Setting out the chairs, serving tea and coffee
People living with cancer tell us they need emotional support to feel less isolated and lonely and sometimes need some help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By choosing to join us as a Buddy volunteer, you’ll be doing something amazing for people in these extraordinary times, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. There are two types of buddy volunteer:
-Community Buddy: provides face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks.
and
-Telephone Buddy: provides telephone support to alleviate loneliness and social isolation for people living with cancer
-What we're looking for:
*Good listener and clear communicator
*Patient, flexible and reliable
*Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries
*Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources
*Understand the need to maintain confidentiality
-What you can gain from this opportunity:
*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
*Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your
role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines)
All volunteer help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference.
For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/200-macmillan-telephone-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact Leigh Watt, Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer Services Delivery Lead (North Scotland) at Email: LWatt@macmillan.org.uk / telephone: 07801307003.
CHAS-Childrens Hospices Across Scotland (Aberdeen & North East Services)
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.
Our centres rely on the support of volunteers, so that our Cancer Support Specialists can concentrate on providing our visitors with the support they need.
Administration, greeting visitors, maintaining the library area, filling the dishwasher, making cups of tea… there are so many different ways for our volunteers to keep our centres running smoothly.
All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. To volunteer with us/for more details please contact Kevin Mathieson, Centre Head Aberdeen at email: kevin.mathieson@maggiescentres.org or telephone: 01224 645928.
Early Intervention is a neurodivergent safe space for neuro divergent children and their families. A non-judgmental environment where you can be your true authentic self.
Managed by volunteers we offer specialist support - Speech and Language therapy, Music Therapy, Pet therapy, and opportunities for children up to 9 years old to socialise with their neurokin whilst empowering them to embrace their identity, we also offer opportunities for semi structured play, arts and crafts and sensory messy play.
Looking for friendly volunteers to help us support families at sessions, no experience necessary but would especially love to hear from those with lived experience - neurodivergent adults and or people with a close connection to neurodiversity or ASN for example an autistic family member.
Although no experience is necessary, we would love to hear from any practicing/retired or student Speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, play therapists, teachers, or those with experience in social care and early years childcare.
Early Intervention is a volunteer-led organisation which has been providing services to neurodivergent children and their families since February 2022. This is an exciting time to get involved with us as we are seeking to develop the services we offer and to look at making the transition to becoming a Scottish Charity.
A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Linda Lumsden, Early Intervention Founder/Volunteer at email: info@earlyintervention.org.uk or telephone: 07867 524150.