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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

Are you interested in wildlife and would you like to get involved in practical work on our Culbin Sands reserve? We are looking for new volunteers to get involved and help us manage our remote and fascinating Culbin Sands reserve. We rely on the hard work and dedication of volunteers to keep the habitats on this reserve in fine condition. To do this, we are running work groups, usually once or twice a week between Monday and Friday, from September to April. This role is suitable for under 18’s. We will carry out habitat management tasks during these work groups, which will include the removal of scrub and small trees with hand tools and burning brash on bonfires. We are looking for volunteers to help out with these management tasks by joining our dedicated team of volunteers. The tasks are running as part of our LIFE 100% for Nature Project, which aims to improve the condition of sand dune and vegetated shingle habitats on the reserve, to benefit a range of rare and threatened species. In this role you'll learn about the management and ecology of this important reserve while developing new skills in habitat management or just enjoying this remote and wild reserve. Due to the remoteness of the reserve, there are no indoor toilet facilities at this reserve. You will need to make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus injection. Volunteers will need to bring their own food, drink and outdoor clothing, including wellies. The RSPB will provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment relevant to the tasks, such as work gloves and protective glasses. You don't need to have any previous experience, and volunteers can try a session to see if the role is for them. You can apply for this role online https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/36060-practical-reserve-work-reserve-work-party-volunteer-culbin-sands-2022-08-08

Touchdown Memorial Home for Horses is a charity that provides rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming for horses and ponies in need. We welcome volunteers at all levels in our work from trustees to admin, from fundraising and compliance to 'on the ground' opportunities such as yard work, field work, animal care, rehabilitation, education, work with young and older people. This is a great way to make new friends two and four legged, learn new skills and have fun in the open air in beautiful countryside.

One of Scotland's Great Trails, The Dava Way, is maintained entirely by volunteers...Could you join the team for the occasional Saturday? The Dava Way links the 24 miles between Forres and Grantown mostly following the route of the dismantled Highland Railway Line and is used by thousands of walkers, cyclists and horse riders each year. It is maintained by members of the Forres-based Dava Way Association and funded by donations and occasional grants from local and national charities. The Association organises monthly maintenance days to clear drainage and cut back undergrowth and fallen trees so that the path remains usable. As well as maintenance tasks, the volunteers are progressively improving the track as and when funding permits. Key to the ongoing success of the Dava Way is the team of volunteers who give their time to maintain the trail. Please consider joining the team on a regular or even occasional basis.

Moray Handyperson Services are looking for new DIY-ers to join their team, especially in the Elgin area. Volunteers complete small/minor maintenance jobs that some older or vulnerable people cannot do by themselves in their own homes. Each year, this local charity helps hundreds of people stay safe and independent in their own home. Small jobs can range from changing a light bulb, to fitting curtain rails, from assembling flat-packs, to even doing a bit of decluttering. These jobs usually take less than an hour and you can choose to do a job at a time that is convenient for you. Volunteers are usually matched to a job in their local area, and if you can't help out, that isn't a problem either, as you can say no or yes to a job. Now that's flexible volunteering! Contact them if you think you could part of their volunteer team. How It Works: The MHPS staff receive requests from clients and collect relevant details, usually over the phone. They then find a volunteer who has the skills, is nearby and is available. If the volunteer accepts the job, MHPS send the volunteer all the details they need to do the job. Most jobs require the volunteer to visit the client in the client’s own home. The volunteer first makes a brief assessment to ensure the job is as described and it is safe for them to proceed. Once the job has been carried out, there is usually opportunity to chat with the client to determine if they are well, need support in any other areas. Completion paperwork (easy and quick to do) is returned to the MHPS office.

Could you give a bike a tune-up? Know your way 'round the basics of repairing and maintaining the systems of a bike? If so, the Dufftown & District Community Association would love to hear from you! With a variety of 24 eBikes, trikes and kids bikes, DDCA provides online hires through their website. They also deliver cycling events in collaboration with Outfit Moray and Dorenell Rangers. To ensure a high-quality service to everyone in the community, they are looking for volunteers to help with bike maintenance and rentals. Help us grow this community bicycle program! Volunteering is flexible and is done in our workshop at Tininver Park with all the tools provided. Anyone over 16 years can volunteer.

The woodlands in and around Forres are highly valued community assets. Forres Community Woodlands Trust aims to utilise the potential of these woodlands to provide a wide range of community benefits. These include providing local people and visitors to the area with ready access to special places to enjoy peace and quiet, healthy exercise, education and recreation. Our vision, therefore, is to maintain and enhance the Trust’s woodlands as bio-diverse habitats which provide recreational and educational opportunities. Our volunteer activities take place mostly in our FCWT woods, that is either Sanquhar Wood or Muiry. On average we meet one Saturday morning each month from 10 to 12 o'clock and we carry out maintenance work, for example removing young foreign species with loppers and hand saws like rhododendron, sitka spruce or Douglas fir or we plant trees or cut back bracken. Our aim is to remove as many foreign species as possible and replace them with native trees.

Volunteering Matters is the UK's leading volunteering charity. Our Handyperson Service runs in Greater Stirling, Eastern Villages, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Callander and the Rural South West as well as in Clackmannanshire and involves volunteers who complete small and minor maintenance jobs that some older or disabled people cannot do by themselves in their own homes. The types of jobs that volunteers complete take less than 2 hours and include things such as changing lightbulbs, hanging curtains, fitting smoke/carbon monoxide alarms or replacing batteries their batteries, unblocking sinks, putting up shelves or building flat pack furniture. Ask us - we can only say no if its not something we can do. It can often be difficult to find tradespeople willing to do such minor jobs and can be somewhat dangerous for older, frail people to do themselves so that’s where our volunteers step in to help. Note: we dont undertake gardening, decorating, electrical or gas fitting work. As a result of our Service, older people feel more confident in their ability to live independently in their own homes. We also offer fire safety advice and how to prevent a fall at home. Volunteers receive full support from project staff as well as travel expenses and health & safety equipment. Volunteers find that not only are they helping others, they’re also strengthening their own communities and networks as well as a lot of job satisfaction! The days of the week and hours available are completely flexible and we will work around the volunteer and what spare time they have. If you are interested in volunteering, or you know someone who could do with some help around the house, then please contact us.

Assisting with all aspects of farm animal care at the sanctuary. Main duties will be mucking out, sweeping, rebedding, helping with feeds, etc.

volunteers to assist with maintenance and practical tasks at Dunnet Forest, Caithness. This is a community woodland supported by volunteers. The green Gym meets Thursdays weekly and is a great way to meet people, get outdoors and make a difference in this wonderful woodland.