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Black Isle Cares Befriending Service is looking for new volunteers to provide social support to vulnerable members of local communities in the Black Isle. The duties and responsibilities of a BIC befriender can be many and varied as the relationship is unique and tailored to the needs of the individual person. Client related activities may include: •Telephone befriending support and/or welfare checks •Supporting patients and their carers in their own home or care establishment providing friendship and social support •Providing a "listening ear" and companionship (reading, chatting, letter writing) •Providing respite for carers for short periods (up to maximum of three hours) as agreed •Offering opportunities to participate in social/recreational and daily living activities (may go out on trips) Volunteers do not provide or involve themselves in personal care, counselling, medical care, domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning, or financial and legal matters. Anyone interested in volunteering should email an application form to befriending@blackislecares.com or call 07720 168266 for further information.

A rewarding role, where you are making a direct difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition. Home Support Volunteers visit families in their own homes (in your local area), to provide practical support to ‘lighten the load’ of family life. It may include: Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying, Practical Sibling Support - spending time with siblings/play Or other tasks identified by families eg. taking pet dog for a walk What is Required? *You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours with the family, and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment. All training will be provided, with ongoing support from Team Lead. * You need to be able to drive *You need online access to complete a 'visit log ' (this can be done on a phone, laptop or tablet) *We welcome friendly, caring people to join our team To find out more, please contact Emma Steel on emmasteel@chas.org.uk or 01389 722079, or apply directly via the CHAS Website

Loch Ness, Highland Flexible with monthly requirements Team People Responsible to Regional Family Support Co-ordinator Closing Date 03-12-2023 Reference V16576 Family Support Volunteer Role Description.pdf (PDF, 192.87kb) Family Support Volunteer The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. We provide a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service around the UK and Ireland and a seasonal lifeguard service. We are one crew – volunteers, supporters and staff – and we are committed to saving lives. At the forefront of our lifesaving activity are over 9,300 operational lifeboat station volunteers who give up thousands of hours every year to save lives at sea, complete training, launch and maintain lifeboats, equipment and much more. The majority of our operational lifeboat station volunteers carry pagers and can be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their commitment to the RNLI and to their local community has a significant impact on their families who have to adapt to the highs and lows of living with an RNLI pager. The RNLI Families Programme provides support to the families of operational lifeboat station volunteers and in this important role you will support the families at Loch Ness lifeboat station. You will make sure all families feel welcome and included and will ensure that they are kept informed about the support that is available to them. You will also gather ideas and feedback and share it with the wider Families Programme Team. You will have the opportunity to use your excellent interpersonal skills when you meet RNLI volunteers, staff and their families. To carry out this role confidently you will need good communication skills and the ability to develop relationships of trust with volunteers and their families. You will also need an understanding of what it means to be a member of the lifeboat station community. You will receive training to ensure you are fully equipped to carry out the role. You will be supported by the Regional Family Support Coordinator and the Families Programme Manager will also be on-hand to offer guidance when required. This is a great volunteer opportunity for someone who is looking to use their current skills or gain new experience. If it sounds like something you would like to be involved in, and you feel you have the qualities or potential to be successful, we would be delighted to hear from you. If you would like to find out more about this role, please call Ruth Bessant, Families Support Manager, on 07884 117369 or email families_programme@rnli.org.uk Safeguarding The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; ensuring the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero tolerance approach to proven incidents of bullying, abuse, harassment or exploitation. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process). Diversity at the RNLI Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for nearly 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One. Equal opportunities The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea without prejudice. We aspire to be an organisation where our people are valued no matter who they are. We aim to be truly inclusive, benefit from diversity and appreciate everyone for their individual contribution. What next? Apply for this role Hear back from the volunteer manager Have an informal chat If successful, supply references (if applicable) Agree start date Induction (and training if applicable)

Can you make a difference to elderly patients within a health setting? Patients that have been in hospital for a prolonged period of time can experience isolation and frustration due to a lack of stimulation and visitors. We are looking for mature, confident volunteers with plenty of life experience to help improve the patients’ stay. The main role of the volunteer is to provide friendship and stimulation for elderly patients, many of whom will have some form of cognitive impairment. Tasks will include; • Chatting to patients on a one to one basis and exploring their personal interests • Reading to patients, or playing games such as dominos, board games and crosswords • Providing verbal encouragement and support to the patient during mealtimes • Supporting the activities coordinator with activities on the ward Volunteers can enhance their experience in hospital and potentially avoid them becoming frustrated, which can stem from prolonged periods of time where stimulation is lacking. Many of these patients don’t have visitors.

Are you a people person and enjoy mixing with people from different backgrounds? We are looking for a number of volunteers to support our Men's Group programme, which is a place for fellowship, support and encouragement in Leith, by helping make the participants feel welcomed and comfortable.

The primary role of the Outpatient Support Volunteer is to support the work of the General Outpatient and Orthopaedic Outpatient Departments within NHS Golden Jubilee. The post holder will accompany patients on a frequent basis throughout their shift, to various departments covering significant areas within the hospital, mainly to and from the Outpatient Department on Level 1 to the X-Ray Department on Level 2. The role requires a volunteer who is friendly, reliable and of a clean and smart appearance. The patient may have difficulty with mobility and therefore will require patience and understanding of their needs by escorting them at their own pace. The post holder will be required to have good interpersonal skills to interact and communicate with patients, nursing staff and practioners. The post holder will be required to report any matters of concern directly to the co-ordinating nurse for the clinic or Senior Charge Nurse for Outpatients. All volunteers at NHS Golden Jubilee are required to complete learning modules including Hand Hygiene and Fire Awareness.

The role of the Welcome/Self Check-In Guide is to provide help, direction and reassurance and to offer a friendly and helpful welcome to patients, families and visitors. Be welcoming by chatting to patients and visitors and make them feel at ease. Actively observe patients/visitors to the unit identifying anyone who may appear in need of assistance. Provide knowledge and guidance on the use of self–service check-in kiosks, if requested by the patient. Signposting patients to waiting areas to be called for their appointment. Liaising with staff in the unit as necessary.

The role of the Meet & Greet Volunteer is to offer a friendly face and welcome to patients, families and visitors. Volunteers guide people to the appropriate department/person within the hospital. The post holder will be located on Level 1 and assist people coming from both the hospital and hotel entrances. The post holder will record the number of people they assist during their session. This role requires knowledge about the hospital and where services are located. It is also useful if volunteers are familiar with the wider community including public transport availability. All volunteers at NHS Golden Jubilee are required to complete learning modules including Hand Hygiene and Fire Awareness.

You will visit Astley Ainslie Hospital to chat to patients and provide social stimulation. This really helps to relieve some of the boredom and frustration patients sometimes feel whilst in hospital. You will also have an opportunity to serve patients teas and coffees, serve meals (evening shift only), and complete other ad-hoc tasks as directed by the ward staff. With additional training, you may also have opportunities to take patients outside for walks during spells of nice weather.

You will carry out meaningful activities one-to-one with patients such as painting, playing board games, listening to music, looking through old photographs to reminisce, doing quizzes and crossword puzzles or completing a storybook of the patient’s life. You will also help facilitate group activities with patients during special events like afternoon teas or parties. Where trained, you may also have opportunities to take patients outside for walks and assist with feeding at mealtimes.