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We appreciate and value the support given to us at RGA by volunteers. Our volunteers help and support our residents, garden, social enterprise projects and charity to grow and develop. They become part of the community, which is at the heart of River Garden. If you have skills and an enthusiasm to support our work then please do contact us; we would love to hear from you. We have many different areas for you to consider, such as the technical and artisan supported workshops we offer to our residents, such as woodwork, metalwork, painting and decorating or any other trade that you might be experienced in. One of our volunteer, had these thoughts to share- "Volunteering can be a very satisfying and worthwhile endeavour, particularly if you feel you can make a difference from your efforts. Never more so than at River Garden, where with woodworking and woodturning skills as part of my skillset, I found the opportunity to become part of the major project to refurbish the existing woodworking workshop and to help it grow and develop into a thriving social enterprise. With a passion for all things wooden, I have become immersed within the current refurbishment programme as well as in the interim, teaching residents woodturning at my own workshop in Ayr. Never before have I been so rewarded and fulfilled with the results that ensued. Similarly the progression of residents’ woodturning skills over the preceding months has been amazing to watch. I have been exceptionally fortunate to have had the opportunity to volunteer in a charity that makes a difference to people’s lives and ultimately enhance and enrich their journey of rehabilitation and recovery."

We appreciate and value the support given to us at RGA by volunteers. Our volunteers help and support our residents, garden, social enterprise projects and charity to grow and develop. They become part of the community, which is at the heart of River Garden. If you are interested in gardening, you can volunteer at our grounds in Auchincruive. If you have skills and enthusiasm to support our work in the garden, here are some of the duties that you might enjoy doing: - Weeding - Bed construction - Planting and sowing - Harvesting and watering - Scrub clearance - Guided walks Desirable Qualities - A passion for horticulture and gardening - Happy working in a team - Enjoy working in an outdoor situation - To be reasonably physically fit (garden tasks can be physically demanding) - Have a basic knowledge of ornamental and edible plants.

Volunteers required to assist in the running and upkeep of the wildlife centre, including the cleaning out of animals, preparing of food, putting away of stock and cleaning the site

The Hands on Project (HOP) is a well established project which provides an invaluable handyperson service to isolated members of the community who are frail, elderly, disabled or have mobility problems. The service provides practical assistance with minor tasks around the home such as changing smoke detector batteries, changing light bulbs or curtains or fitting new curtain or towel rails and many other tasks. We do not carry out decorating. Volunteers will not be asked to undertake tasks outside their comfort zone but will be allocated tasks according to their level of skill and expertise.

Housekeeping volunteers are an essential part of the Rachel House Housekeeping Team. CHAS are looking for friendly, enthusiastic people who take a pride in maintaining a homely environment to join the team. The aim of this role is to work within a team to keep the hospice clean, tidy and welcoming. The Hospice should be a home from home for children and families who come to the hospice for rest and relaxation. WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL I BE INVOLVED IN? Supporting the Housekeeping Team with general housekeeping duties such as: - Light housework - Vacuuming - General cleaning of bathrooms - Laundry - Changing beds - Cleaning of rooms - Clearing away after meal times when necessary - Assisting in the cleaning of low level windows - Tidying the art room, computer rooms and play areas - Toy cleaners work specifically within the Activities Team keeping toys clean and hygienic WHAT SKILLS AND ABILITIES WILL I NEED TO HAVE? - An enjoyment of housework - A willingness and ability for a more energetic role - An outgoing and friendly personality - Patience, empathy, tact and understanding - An ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately - An ability to relate to people of all ages - Good communication skills - Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality - Shared values with the organisation: respect, care, honesty, accountability HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I OFFER? You can volunteer on any day of the week in the morning or afternoon for one half day or one full day. This can be discussed and agreed with your Volunteer Manager and the Hospice Volunteering Development Manager. WHERE IS THIS OPPORTUNITY BASED? Rachel House Hospice in Kinross WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? If you would like additional information about the role: - Please visit: https://www.chas.org.uk/volunteers/rachel-house-housekeeping-volunteer - Call 01577 866065 - Email volunteering@chas.org.uk. If you’re interested in the role you can apply online: https://www.chas.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-application-form

Under direction of the Ship’s Crew, you will: Assist with an array of preservation and maintenance tasks. Provide a warm, friendly welcome to all visitors. Signpost and help visitors to navigate the site. Answer questions and provide information to visitors on any preservation/maintenance underway.

Do you have an hour to spare once a moth to help Thurso Community Development Trust with their Stalls, helping to errect and dismantle the Stalls? The market happens on the third Saturday of the month in Thurso. Volunteers are required at 8am and/or at 3pm.

Tuesday January 17th Insh, Kincraig, NH 810 015. Speyside Way maintenance and working with Insh Community Holdings. Wednesday January 25th Old Dalfaber Road, Aviemore, NH 896 125. Tree guard removal and maintenance on the Aviemore Park path. Monday 30th January, Achantoul, Aviemore NH897 142. Continuation of Orbital path work. The sessions will run from 10am to 3pm, with volunteers required to bring lunch and warm clothing, tolls/ equipment will be provided. Please let me know by email if you are able to attend any of these to ensure I have the correct number of tools. shona@outdooraccesstrustforscotland.org.uk For those of you really here for those days out in the hills in glorious sunshine chatting away and helping to maintain footpaths to Munro’s and other summits; read on. I am currently working with landowners and other stakeholders on upland estates across the Cairngorms to develop the calendar of events for the summer. This requires checking our 2nd volunteer scheme Adopt A Path to see any issues volunteers have uploaded and working out a schedule which varies the work and location between weeks. I cannot give you exact dates and locations yet or take sign-ups at the moment but can give you a heads up on the loose schedule I will be aiming for. I plan for the days to be run on the 1st Monday/Tuesday of every month, plus the 2nd and 3rd Sunday/Monday each month. These will be centred around the Cairngorms but the rota leaves room for volunteer days in other locations. Watch this space. I expect upland path work to restart in late March or April with a release of locations and dates for the first half of the summer to be with you mid-late February.

To help keep the museum clean and tidy for visitors.

The aim of this project is to improve the experiences of families and carers, following the bereavement of a loved one in Hospital, with all in-patient areas using dignified and respectful bags/boxes to return patients valuables and belongings to families and carers. Normal practice within the NHS is to return belongings following the death of a patient in plastic patient belongings bags; this includes very personal belongings such as watches, jewellery, cards, and photographs. The items are returned in a plastic bag which is universally used as a bag to store and return patients clothes. This has been seen for a long time as a practice which is impersonal and lacks respect and shows no recognition that the person has been bereaved. Recent feedback from staff and reflection from a student nurse on placement echoed the thoughts of how impersonal this felt and did not express the empathy the staff felt for families and carers. Patterns, material and thread provided