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Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you. Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around Aberdeen who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young person and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face If you are interested in this opportunity please email: asia.wieloch@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (part of the Volunteering Matters Family) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

As a Voluntary Workshop Assistant you will become part of a team within our farm and gardens, set in beautiful surroundings 5miles outside of Aberdeen city centre and close to the Deeside Railway line. The opportunity does not require you to have previous experience, we just ask that you are caring, patient and willing to help our pupils, have an interest in people and different ways of communications. Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the various workshops (woodwork, metal, weavery, felt, candle, pottery, bike and Fruver- our food workshop)as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks. Training provided in induction and support given throughout the volunteering time within Camphill School Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help with all assistance making a real difference and greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Naomi Paton, Recruitment Administrator at E Mail: n.paton@crss.org.uk or tel.: 01224 866162.

Sunrise Partnership is a small local charity established in 2014. We provide free, therapeutic confidential support for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing loss and bereavement. We work in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Our website is at: www.sunrisepartnership.org We are looking for new Trustees to join us at an exciting time in our history and help us create a resilient model for the future, so that we can support even more young people. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. For more information please contact Peter Kennedy, Chairperson at email: peter.kennedy@sunrisepartnership.org

If you have a passion for helping others, this opportunity is perfect for you! You will have the chance to educate the children in your community on health and safety matters such as mental well-being, cyber security, water safety, railway safety, and more. You will help give the children the skills they need to navigate everyday risks, as well as help them build character and resilience. So, if saving lives as a part of a dedicated team is something you like the sound of, go ahead and give us an email or call – please contact Charley Pirie, School Co-ordinator at email: charley@absafe.org.uk or telephone 07376302532.

Volunteers we need you, with you inspiration and motivation to serve as a board member on the Management Board of HALLA (Harlaw Area Lifelong Learning Association). We are a Board of people who run daytime and evening classes at Kaimhill Learning Centre. We have a FB page ( @HALLACommunity) where you can see some of our activities and tutored classes. We meet once a month to discuss new opportunities and management issues, to find new ways of how-to bring people of all ages in the local community into the centre. We have several weekly, social, informal learning groups where Board members can get to know each other and form a friendly working relationship. A volunteer should be passionate, enthusiastic and have a keen interest in community matters. A volunteer does not necessarily require specific skills since we all support each other to develop new skills but if you have specific ones, it would be good to introduce them to the rest of the Board so we can use them to benefit the local community. The Board would appreciate people with knowledge of IT and office procedures but enthusiasm and interest in the community are equally important. This is an amazing opportunity to discover your “hidden talents” !!! You are very welcome to attend a committee meeting and see if this is for you. WE ARE WAITING TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR FRIENDY AND DIVERSE HALLA BOARD !!!!! A fantastic opportunity to help and make a difference for the community. All assistance is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Giuseppina Caligiuri, HALLA Vice Chair at email Hallaassociation@gmail.com or telephone: 01224 498 164 / 07511377364.

Through the adventure of Scouting, young people get to take risks in a safe environment, and have their first taste of responsibility. We give young people experiences they’ll never forget. The sort of adventure Scouting offers is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity to challenge yourself. When a Beaver Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover, or Cub Scout has just got over her fear of heights by completing her first abseil - that’s adventure. Come join us in providing that adventure and sharing #SkillsForLife. Volunteering with our sections needn’t be a weekly commitment, if you’re not sure if it’s for you ask us about the four week challenge. We have three sections in the group for you to choose between, depending on just how much you want to “grow down” as a means to relax. Our Beavers (6-8 year olds) and Cubs (8-10½ year olds) meet on Tuesday Evening, whilst the Scouts (10½ – 14 year olds) meet on Fridays. You’ll be getting involved with delivering games and activities for our young people, whether that’s dishing out tails or getting them unstuck with something they’re making. Assistant Section Leaders will additionally take an active part in the planning of these activities and generally assist the section leader in running the section. You don’t need to travel to the other side of the world to make a difference. For further details please contact Bryan McKellar,, Executive Committee Member at E Mail: joinus@27thaberdeen.org.uk or telephone: 07981 477560.

Streetsport provides young people across Aberdeen City with the opportunity to play sport for free in a fun and safe environment. We run week night sessions year-round and are looking for volunteers to help at these sessions. Working as part of a team, you will assist with organising and participating in activities while building relationships with the young people that attend the sessions. Volunteering with Streetsport is a fantastic opportunity to make a positive difference in the local communities. In addition to enhancing your CV / excellent experience for future employment, you will also have the opportunity to attend internal and external coaching and training courses. A fantastic opportunity to assist and make a real difference. All help is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Nikki Fyfe, Streetsport Volunteer Officer – Denis Law Legacy Trust at email: n.fyfe1@rgu.ac.uk or telephone: 01224 263681.

- Willing to participate in activities and learn about new cultures? - Ready to create social change and improve peoples lives? No matter where you are in Scotland, you have access to training and learning opportunities abroad that can help you gain skills, boost confidence, and earn qualifications. Our organisation offers multiple trips throughout the year, with mentors available to provide support. We partner with other organizations to offer placements in Ghana, Romania, and potentially Eastern European countries, each with a unique set of activities and tasks that focus on developing various skills. We offer shorter 3 to 4 day trips for young people, aged 16-30, as well as longer trips of 2 to 3 weeks for anyone over 16. An exciting and great opportunity to help and make a difference. For more information please contact Megan Beattie, Project Delivery Lead at email: start@standinternational.org or telephone: 0131 659 9943. Further information is also available at: https://www.standinternational.org/

Would you like to help children with disabilities by assisting with travel to and from our services in Aberdeen? Aberlour Options Aberdeen is a short breaks service, providing residential, community-based short breaks and care at home for children and young people with disabilities. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. Volunteer Drivers play an important role in helping transport children to and from our service on our minibus, helping them to feel comfortable and secure. Our services are in the Bucksburn and Garthdee areas of Aberdeen, with journeys frequently across the Aberdeen City area. Volunteer Drivers play an important role in helping children feel safe, secure and relaxed during these journeys. Volunteer Drivers put children at ease, who may otherwise be feeling anxious by interacting with children and being a friendly face to accompany them to and from the service. These interactions help to develop communication skills, building confidence and self-esteem. Volunteer Drivers can gain a real sense of satisfaction from helping children with disabilities travel to and from the Options Aberdeen service, knowing they are making a positive impact and helping to make their time at Option Aberdeen enjoyable. Volunteer Drivers can gain experience working with children and young people, and become part of a supportive and encouraging team. For further information please email: volunteering@aberlour.org.uk

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact us at email: aberdeen@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeen City) or email: aberdeenshire@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeenshire). Or telephone us on 07709249661.