We would like to meet people who live with bipolar disorder and who have reached the point that they are managing their bipolar well. If you would like to spend a little of your time helping someone who has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, then we would like to hear from you.
The Volunteer Role:
Working collaboratively with the Peer Workers and other colleagues, our Peer Support Volunteers provide complimentary practical and emotional support to those who have been newly diagnosed with bipolar.
Our volunteers are able to utilise their lived experience of living well with bipolar disorder, to inspire and empower those who use the service to acquire and enhance skills to improve their personal resilience and enable them to live well with bipolar too.
They will draw on their knowledge and skills to provide practical support in areas such as personal finance, budgeting, social inclusion, employability and education to support individuals to achieve their goals, to create meaningful and sustainable connections with other sources of support within their communities and instil a sense of hope for the future and what they can achieve.
Volunteering times are flexible on any day, either morning, afternoon and evenings, to mutually suit the volunteer and the person benefitting from peer support. We would expect approximately 2 hours per week time commitment.
Induction training is provided, as are additional on-going training opportunities. Support is proved by our Volunteer Manager and our Peer Support Workers.
We would encourage you to consider the impact of volunteering in a peer role on your own mental health and wellbeing and ensure you feel ready and able to support others. We do understand that mental health will fluctuate and will provide support as needed throughout your volunteering journey with us.
Bipolar Scotland facilitates a number of self-help groups across Scotland that bring together people living with bipolar to learn from and support each other. Our volunteer facilitators play an important role in helping ensure our self-help groups remain welcoming, safe and productive spaces where participants can leave feeling more hopeful about managing the challenges of life with bipolar.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and don't need to have lived experience of bipolar. We are seeking reliable, enthusiastic individuals with excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn. Training takes place throughout the year across three evening sessions, and the role can be carried remotely although we are also seeking individuals who would be willing to co-facilitate groups face-to-face in their local communities where there's a desire for this.
Main Purpose
To co-facilitate a self-help group for people living with bipolar on a monthly basis. This will include welcoming people, encouraging and guiding discussion, as well as dealing sensitively with issues or conflict that may arise within the group meeting. One facilitator is also responsible for collating and reporting group statistics after each meeting, whilst the other facilitator takes the lead for booking guest speakers.
Key Responsibilities:
• Attend Group Facilitator Training organised by Bipolar Scotland
• To co-facilitate a self-help group at the agreed time each month
• To act as first point of contact for individuals who wish to join a group (as required), ensuring they receive a warm welcome
• To send the Zoom meeting link to group participants prior to each session (online groups only)
• To welcome and book guest speakers
• To note attendance and submit a short statistical form online after each meeting
• To inform the Delivery and Development Officer of any adverse incidents or concerns following a group session
• To attend regular support and supervision sessions with the Delivery and Development Officer and other volunteers
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 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest for people with lived experience of palliative care, or their carers or family members, to take part in our upcoming palliative care guideline. You would join the multidisciplinary guideline group and provide your experience to contribute to the finished guideline.
Our Connections for Life service entails friendship telephone calls from volunteers to beneficiaries within the RAF community who maybe experiencing loneliness, adapting to life after service or just looking for a general chat. As a Connections Volunteer, you will have the support of a dedicated coordinator as your point of contact.
What’s in it for you
The opportunity to help members of the RAF community to feel less isolated and lonely and the sense of achievement having done this. It can help enhance your communication and listening skills, be very rewarding and you will gain a new meaningful relationship.
A RAF or forces background is not essential, and we welcome applications from all areas of the community.
The IT and Technology Support Specialist Volunteer at Mamacita Foundation plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth technology operations and supporting the organization's digital infrastructure. This position involves providing technical assistance to staff and volunteers, troubleshooting issues, and implementing solutions to enhance the foundation's digital capabilities.
*Responsibilities:
• Technology Support: Assist staff and volunteers with technology-related inquiries, including hardware, software, and network issues, to ensure efficient daily operations.
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve technical problems promptly, employing analytical skills to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• System Maintenance: Regularly update and maintain the foundation's hardware, software, and digital systems to ensure they operate optimally and securely.
• Data Security: Implement data backup and security measures to safeguard the organization's information and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
• Training and Documentation: Provide training sessions to staff and volunteers on using technology tools effectively. Create and maintain documentation for technology processes and procedures.
• Technology Upgrades: Research and recommend new technology solutions that align with the organization's needs and budget constraints.
• Hardware and Software Setup: Set up and configure computers, printers, and other technology devices as needed for new staff and volunteers.
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Promote cybersecurity best practices among staff and volunteers, emphasizing the importance of data protection and safe online behaviour.
• Technology Planning: Collaborate with the management team to develop and implement technology plans that support the foundation's strategic goals.
• Continuous Learning: Stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends, tools, and best practices to enhance the foundation's technological capabilities.
Join us as an IT and Technology Support Volunteer and be an integral part of the Mamacita Foundation's efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive community in Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer support is greatly appreciated.
As a volunteer with the Mamacita Foundation charity you will be at the forefront of building and maintaining strong relationships with the local community and key stakeholders. We currently have great opportunities to volunteer with us including:
• Community Outreach Volunteers
• Youth Program Volunteers
• Community Engagement Volunteers
• IT and Technology Support Volunteers
• Volunteer Coordinators
• Administrative Assistant Volunteers
• Foodbank Volunteers
Join our volunteer team and be an integral part of the Mamacita Foundation’s efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive community in Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer support is greatly appreciated.
For more details please contact Vivian Draghici, Chief Officer at email: info@mamacitafoundationuk.com or telephone: 07449826988.
The RAF Association is a member-led, welfare charity that exists to ensure that all members of the RAF community are supported, when they require it.
Our Connections for Life service entails friendship telephone calls from volunteers to beneficiaries within the RAF community who maybe experiencing loneliness, adapting to life after service or just looking for a general chat.
We will provide you with all the necessary training so you can rest assured that you will have all the skills you need. As a Connections Volunteer, you will have the support of a dedicated coordinator as your point of contact.
A RAF or forces background is not essential, and we welcome applications from all areas of the community.
A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All help is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Craig Anderson, RAF Association Connections Administrator at email: volunteers@rafa.org.uk or telephone: 0800 018 2361.
Our statistics have revealed that 218,000 over 50s in Scotland say they feel lonely all or most of the time. As people get older, it can be harder to maintain social connections. Retirement, bereavement or moving somewhere new can leave people feeling lonely and isolated.
That's where you come in!
The Age Scotland Community Connecting Service aims to connect older people across Scotland to social groups and clubs in their local community.
As a Community Connector you'll help to combat loneliness and social isolation by providing older people companionship and information on social opportunities over the phone.
A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated.
For more information please contact Ashley Marr, Age Scotland Friendship Manager at email: ashley.marr@agescotland.org.uk or telephone: 03333232400.
Our statistics have revealed that 218,000 over 50s in Scotland say they feel lonely all or most of the time. As people get older, it can be harder to maintain social connections. Retirement, bereavement or moving somewhere new can leave people feeling lonely and isolated.
That's where you come in!
The Age Scotland Community Connecting Service aims to connect older people across Scotland to social groups and clubs in their local community.
As a Community Researcher, you'll help to identify and research groups and clubs around the country, updating our Community Connecting database with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated.
For more information please contact Ashley Marr, Age Scotland Friendship Manager at email: ashley.marr@agescotland.org.uk or telephone: 03333232400.