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Paws for Progress CIC (Community Interest Company) are looking for experienced professionals to join our Board of Directors. We are looking for motivated individuals who share our value sand are enthusiastic about the potential of human-animal interactions to positively change lives. Established in 2014 Paws for Progress is dedicated to improving the lives of people and animals. We do this by developing and delivering educational programmes and tailored animal assisted interventions to groups in society most needing support. Our work can broadly be divided into services working within Scottish prisons to improve outcomes for people in custody, and services aimed at enhancing outcomes for children and young people in community and educational settings. Our rescue dog training programme at HMP & YOI Polmont has been running successfully since 2011 and continues to expand to benefit the students and dogs participating. “The dogs – they change the way you think and the way you act. They trust you, it’s that mutual bond. You think you’re helping them, but they’re helping you too”. Student, Paws for Progress. Our prison based services provide valuable training, education and support to young people and adults in custody, who in turn provide training for our team of Ambassadogs, essential life skills for rescue dogs to help increase their chances of successful adoption, and advanced training for assistance dogs prior to their placement with families in the community. Paws for Progress CIC is a small organisation, led by a Board with a range of backgrounds, and with an annual income over £180k and 4 full time members of staff. We would like to recruit several new Board members with relevant expertise in one or more of the following areas: • Human resources • Legal • Finance • Criminal Justice • Youth Work • Policy • Fundraising • Third Sector • Education The Role: • Ensure that Paws for Progress complies with its governing document (Articles of Association), and all relevant legislation and regulations • Ensure that Paws for Progress pursues its objects as defined in its governing document • Contribute actively to the Board of Directors by giving firm strategic direction to Paws for Progress • Help develop our business and strategic planning • Set overall policy, define goals, set targets, and evaluate performance against agreed targets • Monitor the financial position of the organisation to maintain financial sustainability • Act in the best interest of the organisation to safeguard our values and reputation • Maintain confidentiality around any sensitive or confidential information received in the course of their duties In addition to the above duties, Board Members should use their specific skills, knowledge or experience to support the Board in reaching sound decisions, this may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues and providing advice and guidance on new initiatives. Person specification: • A commitment to the mission and aims of Paws for Progress • A willingness to work collaboratively in pursuit of the organisation’s aims • Experience or skills in at least one of the key areas identified by the Board of Directors • A willingness and ability to meet the minimum time requirement • The ability to form positive and productive relationships with other Board members, staff team and partners • Effective communication skills and willingness to actively participate in constructive discussions • Good numeracy skills, to the extent required to understand spreadsheets and accounts • An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of directorship • An understanding of good governance in the third sector • A willingness to learn, develop and examine your own performance

The Moray Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award Committee sources, manages and allocates funding to train volunteers or provide equipment for the DofE scheme in Moray. Without Committee volunteers this funding would not be available to support the scheme and help young people develop their life-skills, self-confidence as well as their mental and physical resilience. We urgently require Committeee members, including those with secretarial or treasurer skills. We only have four meetings a year so the workload is not too much. Please get in touch if you can help or ask the friend who may be able too. Thank you.

Midlothian Community Hospital Garden (MCHG) is a community-based project that provides opportunities for local people to access good food and improve their health and overall wellbeing. We are excited to be using the Midlothian Garden as Cyrenians’ first Green Social Prescribing Project. Social Prescribing allows health care professionals to refer people to non-medical, community based ‘treatments’ such as gardening, walking groups, arts and crafts or a befriending service. From October we will be taking referrals and are looking for volunteers to support this new service. As a garden Buddy you will be in a supporting role, helping and encouraging your ‘buddy’ to come to the garden and partake in activities. This might mean supporting them to attend a group gardening session, meeting them in the garden for a walk and a chat or encouraging them to do some gardening or craft activities with you).. This role comes with full support and training. Why we need you and what activities are involved Your support and encouragement could help someone to: • Attend a group gardening session to benefit their physical / mental health • Relax and de-stress by spending some time in greenspace • Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation • Recover from the impact of covid-19, including feelings of isolation and anxiety • Increase self-confidence • Create links with the local community • Develop informal local support networks Examples of activities include: • Phoning your Buddy to encourage them to come to the garden • Attending group gardening sessions with them, being a friendly face to welcome and support them • Meeting your buddy in the garden to walk or sit and chat in the beautiful, relaxing green space • Encouraging your buddy to take part in some gardening or craft activities with you in the garden (with materials, ideas and support from staff) • Phoning your buddy for a friendly chat

Wild-things! is delighted to say that we can they take a small number of volunteers on their Habitat Restoration days! These teams of volunteers assist with their Habitat Restoration Project along the banks of the river Findhorn. You would be helping to remove invasive non-native species such as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed to allow our native plants and flowers to regenerate. Due to the potentially hazardous nature of Giant Hogweed you need to be over 18 and physically fit. Please get in touch for exact timings of sessions 01309 690450, email eleanor@wild-things.org.uk or visit https://wild-things.org.uk/our-events/blue-gym/ for more information or to register. What does a day out on our Habitat Restoration Project involve? Conservation volunteering could be: Digging up giant hogweed Pulling up Himalayan balsam Spraying giant hogweed with herbicides Spraying Japanese knotweed with herbicides Clearing paths Surveying for invasive non native plants Fresh air and exercise Good company An opportunity to explore local habitats and the plants and animals that live there These invasive non-native species (INNS) overwhelm the native flora and fauna, limiting biodiversity and threatening the unique but vulnerable habitats around the river which are host to a wide variety of enigmatic species such as Atlantic salmon, otter and osprey. In addition, giant hogweed is a highly toxic plant and is a human health concern, limiting the public’s access to and enjoyment of the river. Your work and energy will help Wild Things! support the return of native species along the banks of the River Findhorn.

If you're green fingered and love gardening, Knockando Wool Mill love to hear from you! We are looking for enthusiastic, budding or experienced gardeners to help maintain the Mill grounds. It's a varied and fun role, helping plant, weed, prune and maintain our gardens and landscaped areas. You may not know this but the popular BBC series Beechgrove Garden helped design and cultivate our gardens. We are working hard to keep Mill up and running through these challenging times, so any help on the gardening front would be most welcome and greatly appreciated.

During COVID-19, Re-engage in Moray have been helping a lot of older people feel less lonely, one phone call at a time! The charity is now needing volunteers to help coordinate calls and make matches. As a co-ordinator, you will be the main point of contact for all of the call companions and older people in your local group. The co-ordinator is supported by Re-engage staff, to match folk together and will spend a few hours each month talking with companions and older people, making sure everything is okay. Volunteers receive training too.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and assists older people to use their skills and experiences to volunteer and keep active in retirement. Across the region we have hundreds of older people volunteering in their communities including in local NHS hospitals, primary schools, our Healthy Walking Group and charitable knitting groups. Volunteering can have a huge impact on the people we support, the local community and volunteers themselves. People who volunteer are less likely to become socially isolated and experience fewer health problems, while socialising more and having fun in their spare time. RSVP Forth Valley are currently recruiting for new Volunteer Walk Leaders. We hope to have new Walk Leaders in place for when the Walking Group resumes after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, or sometime in the Autumn. The Volunteer role includes leading walks around the beautiful Forth Valley. You will receive full training to carry out this role.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and assists older people to use their skills and experiences to volunteer and keep active in retirement. Across the region we have hundreds of older people volunteering in their communities including in local NHS hospitals, primary schools, our Healthy Walking Group and charitable knitting groups. Volunteering can have a huge impact on the people we support, the local community and volunteers themselves. People who volunteer are less likely to become socially isolated and experience fewer health problems, while socialising more and having fun in their spare time. RSVP Forth Valley are currently recruiting a Volunteer Walk Organiser to replace the incumbent who is about to retire. We hope to have a new Volunteer Organiser in place for when the Walking Group resumes after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, or sometime in the Autumn. The Volunteer role includes performing administrative duties for the walking group who meet 3 times per week. Each walk is led by a trained walk leader and of course, you will have the opportunity to also take part in our beautiful walks around the Forth Valley.

You will arrive at 6pm for session planning, help deliver activities to young people aged 11 - 18 who are into computer games and help with tidying up when the club finishes, followed by a short evaluation session.

Volunteers are invited to get involved in our youth work programme and work in a team alongside experienced full/part time staff and volunteers. Our youth clubs offer a wide range of activities that are designed to encourage, develop and reinforce children and young people's skills and self-image in a safe and supportive environment. The youth clubs run during school term times as follows: senior Drop-In (Mon) 13-18 year olds 7pm-9pm; Junior Club (Tues) 6 - 9 year olds 5.30 – 7.30pm.