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.
Voluntary Board Members – Langstane Housing Association Limited
Do you believe in the delivery of high quality services that can and do improve
people’s lives on a daily basis?
Have you experience in any of the following – finance, audit and performance
management, housing management and construction, health and safety, the legal
system, property maintenance, social justice, human resources, equalities, or
marketing?
Are you willing to give up some of your free time to become part of the governing
body of a locally based but ambitious housing association?
Langstane Housing Association is a charitable registered social landlord that provides
homes and services to approximately 2,900 households across the North-East of Scotland.
With its main office in Aberdeen and a satellite office in Elgin, the Association is looking to
enhance and strengthen the diversity of its Board of Management.
As a member of the Board, you will operate at a strategic level and be determined to ensure
the Association can be the best it can be whilst maintaining its core values. In return for
your enthusiasm, time and commitment, you will gain invaluable experience, including
decision-making at a strategic level; risk, governance and financial management; and be
involved with like-minded colleagues from all walks of life who consider, at times, complex
issues and promote the Association (and its services) at every opportunity.
With a turnover in excess of £16.6million per annum and registered subsidiaries, the
Association undertakes a wide range of services and offers a training programme with the
opportunity to develop your knowledge.
This highly rewarding position is voluntary with all reasonable expenses reimbursed. The
Board meets at least six times per year and meetings can be attended in person or virtually.
Board members also attend various Committee meetings throughout the year.
We welcome interest from those who share our values and who can bring new thinking to
how we operate and approach issues. We also wish our Board to be as diverse as those we
serve and welcome those from all sectors of our communities.
If you wish to note an interest or discuss this opportunity informally please email or phone,
giving your name and contact details (email address and / or phone number), Helen Gauld,
Chief Executive, on Helen.Gauld@langstane-ha.co.uk or phone 01224 423004. Otherwise
please complete and return an application form by the above date
Our Home Visitors play a vital role in delivery of our service by visiting potential volunteer pet foster carers to assess their house, home situation and the fosterer.
You will be contacted by PFSS when there is a need for a home visit in your area.
Main tasks:
Contact the potential fosterer and arrange a time for the home visit to take place
Carry out the home visit following the guidelines provided by PFSS.
Complete the home visit report and return a copy to the Home Visit Coordinator
Pet Fostering Service Scotland (Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire)
*Are you passionate about animal welfare? Join our growing team of volunteer Home Visitors and play a vital role in supporting owners and pets in your local area who are facing an emergency situation.*
Pet Fostering Service Scotland (PFSS) provides short-term, emergency foster care for pets whose owners are facing one of the following situations:
*Ill health
*Temporary homelessness
*Domestic abuse
Every year we provide temporary foster care for around 200 pets across Scotland – but we want to be able to support even more.
Our volunteer Home Visitors play a vital role in delivery of our service by visiting potential volunteer pet foster carers to assess their house, home situation and the fosterer.
This opportunity is home based with travel to other local locations to carry out home visits. Travel can be by public transport or car and travel expenses will be provided.
You will be contacted by PFSS when there is a need for a home visit in your area.
The main tasks are:
*Contact the potential fosterer and arrange a time for the home visit to take place
*Carry out the home visit following the guidelines provided by PFSS.
*Complete the home visit report and return a copy to the Home Visit Coordinator
Full training and support is provided to all volunteers. Includes:
*Handbook for the role, induction and informal training either face to face or over the phone when starting in role. *Ongoing support provided and informal update training as required.
If you are an animal lover who wants to develop new skills and be part of a team making a difference to pets and owners in Aberdeenshire then we'd love to hear from you! For more information please contact us at E Mail: volunteering@pfss.org.uk or Tel 0355 811 9909 (then choose option 8 then 1 after the welcome message).
The Scottish Ambulance Service Infection Control Committee plays a vital role in ensuring ambulance staff are trained to the highest standards and our vehicles maintained in accordance with national cleanliness specifications. We need a volunteer to provide an independent patient’s perspective to assist in this process.
This role will require you to have access to Microsoft Teams and an internet connection. The group meets four times per year for three hours.
We pride ourselves on providing a very high standard of care and you could play a key role in helping to maintain these standards.
Please get in touch here to apply: https://www.scottishambulance.com/contact-us/involving-people-network/
The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival returns to Portsoy on 18 and 19 June 2022 and we are seeking volunteers to help out during the weekend. We always need help before, during and afterwards to set up facilities, as well as stewards to ensure safety across the locations. In return for your help, you will receive free entry to the Festival.