This befriending opportunity allows the befriender to make a positive difference for a young person, while also growing their own experience and enhancing their life skills. Our befrienders offer one to one support to a young person aged 8 to 18, who has Cystic Fibrosis.
Young people living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition.
A befriender will meet with the young person every 1 to 2 weeks, usually taking them away from their home environment, to build a trusting one to one relationship. A commitment of at least a year is required - this will allow the young person time, space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.
Our mentors offer crucial support to young adults with Cystic Fibrosis in improving socialisation, broadening horizons and exploring concerns to improve self-esteem, enhance coping skills and the person's quality of life.
Young adults living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition.
A mentor will meet with a young adult regularly (every 2-3 weeks) to build a trusting one-to-one relationship allowing the person to explore their feelings, discuss their aspirations and grow life skills, to support them in achieving goals or just giving them someone to talk to.
This opportunity also gives the mentor the chance to expand their own experience and enhance their life skills.
The young adult will live within a reasonable distance of the mentor, who may sometimes take them in their car to an activity or environment away from home.
A commitment of at least a year is sought - this will allow the young adult time, space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.
CHAS-Childrens Hospices Across Scotland (Aberdeen & North East Services)
Home Support Volunteers visit families in their own homes to provide practical support. This can include helping with housekeeping, spending time with siblings, meal preparation, or other tasks to ‘lighten the load’ of family life.
-What activities will I be involved in?
• You will be introduced to a family, your initial visit will be with a member of staff, but you will then visit unaccompanied
• Supporting families with ‘everyday’ tasks – these will vary and be dependent on the family’s needs, and the skills you bring. They may include:
o Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying
o Meal Preparation - batch cooking or supporting families to cook (this does require specific training, which we will provide)
o Practical Sibling Support - collecting siblings from school/clubs within walking distance of their home, assisting with homework, spending time with siblings/play
o Other - gardening, dog-walking, basic DIY eg. helping with flat-pack furniture
• Develop positive relationships with families, being respectful of their home and belongings
• Immediately communicate any concerns which may arise about a families wellbeing, including child protection concerns
• Be respectful of sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services
-How much time should I offer?
You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment.
Usually, volunteers support each family for a period of 3-6 months, then would be introduced to another family. It is possible there will be a short time between supporting different families, depending on needs, availability etc.
-What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?
It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident when volunteering. We provide Induction Training to give you insight into this role, and together decide if it is the right choice for you, before proceeding.
As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role.
We are always developing new opportunities for volunteers to learn and offer a range of options for volunteers. You will receive ongoing support and supervision from the Home Support Lead, and opportunities to connect with other Home Support Volunteers.
-What are the benefits to me?
• Using your skills and developing new ones
• Making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition
• Experience, adding to your CV and career prospects
• Meeting new people
• Having fun!
-What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?
Families supported by CHAS are often under a lot of strain, and caring for a child with a life-limiting condition can take a lot of the family’s time and attention. Often other household tasks, and family life, can become more difficult to manage, and can begin to feel overwhelming. This role makes a direct and instant difference to families.
-What else should I know?
This role is for those aged 18+. You are required to be able to drive and to have access to your own vehicle (travel expenses can be claimed)
You will need to complete Visit Logs online, these can be accessed through a phone, computer or tablet, and will require an internet connection (a high level of ‘technology’ knowledge is not required to complete these).
This role requires membership of the PVG scheme. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG form – if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis.
We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy.
CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation will improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.
For further information/to apply online please visit: https://www.chas.org.uk/volunteers/home-support-volunteer-aberdeenshire or feel free to contact Jack Daniels, Home Support Lead for further details /if you have any questions at email jackdaniels@chas.org.uk or on tel.: 07824 457767.
As one of our trained Speak out Stay safe volunteers, you’ll help us protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect by visiting schools twice a month to give our age-appropriate Speak out Stay safe workshops.
You’ll play a vital role, working alongside other volunteers to make sure children understand the different types of abuse and feel empowered to speak out if they’re worried.
Last year we spoke to nearly 1.8 million children in almost 8,000 schools, but we’re not done yet!
As a Speak Out Stay Safe volunteer you’ll get the opportunity to:
• learn valuable new skills
• be part of a friendly team of like-minded people
• most importantly, make a huge difference to children within your local area.
To volunteer please apply online at https://join-us.nspcc.org.uk/volunteers/vacancy/6609/description or contact Natasha Reilly, Schools Coordinator at email: natasha.reilly@NSPCC.org.uk or telephone 0141 465 3672 or 07710 144791.
-Could you be there for children?
At Childline, our free counselling service for children, a child contacts us every 25 seconds.
And thanks to our dedicated volunteers, who do a shift each week, we can offer support when it’s needed most.
To make sure it stays that way, we’re looking for more brilliant people who want to make a difference.
After you get trained and set up in your local base, you’ll be helping children and young people who need someone to talk to. Listening to them at first and then offering support, information, or practical advice.
-Interested? Then get ready to take a life-changing step forward – for you and for children.
For further details regarding this and other volunteer opportunities at our Aberdeen base or to apply to be a volunteer please: apply online via: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteering-nspcc-childline or email: kerri.stewart@nspcc.org.uk / phone :01224 973030 for further information/details.
The programme provides support for young people
across the local region, bringing employers, partners,
and education together. The
programme aims to ensure more of our young
people in Highland have the skills and knowledge to
enable them to achieve a positive and sustained
destination beyond school as well as having a better
insight into the opportunities that are available to
them locally.
With a team of Development Officers, across
Highland communities, we offer unrivalled support
to mentors, ensuring they are equipped to support
our young people whilst often developing new skills. This program needs volunteer Mentors from all backgrounds to support young people on a 1-to-1 basis, helping them to achieve their goals in a realistic way. Full training and support provided
Main Tasks
Have fun! Our adult volunteers get just as much out of Scouting as our young people do. As well as helping young people to the adventure of Scouting, you’ll also have fun, make friends, develop new skills and have unforgettable experiences. Also....
Delivery of a Balanced Programme:
• Delivery of a safe, exciting and stimulating Balanced Programme for the Section taking into account the needs, interests and abilities of the young people.
• Ensure the safe delivery of the programme in accordance with the Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association.
• Ensure that every young person in the Section has the opportunity to attend at least one nights away experience each year.
• Actively support and promote the achievement of badges and awards in particular the Chief Scouts’ Award.
• Actively work with other adults in the Group to support and promote Group or multi-section activities and events.
• Ensure regular opportunities are provided for young people to express their views on the programme and running on the Section, and that those views are taken into account (for example using Log Chews, Pack, Troop, Sixer or Patrol Leader forums, or any other method).
• Actively co-operate with other section leaders to promote the Moving On from Section to Section.
Operation of the Section:
• Work with the Group Scout Leader, the Group Executive Committee and others to support recruiting and inducting appropriate Assistant Leaders and Section Assistants.
• Agree responsibilities with Assistant Section Leaders, Section Assistants and parent helpers taking into account the development of the individual’s leadership potential.
• Ensure accurate records are kept of the young people in the Section in accordance with the Data Protection Act and pass these records to the Section Leader when the young person reaches the age to move up to the next Section.
• Regularly review the operation of the Section.
• Make and maintain good relationships with parents/carers of the young people. This may include running a parent rota and/or inviting parents to support camps or other residential experiences.
Mentoring Young Talent (MYT) is seeking new volunteer mentors…
MYT works with young people between the age of 12-26yrs, supporting them 1-1 to gain confidence, explore their strengths, help make future plans to either increase their educational attainment or secure a destination like work, training or further education.
Our younger project (12-16yrs) provides mentors to care experienced school attendees while our project for 16-26 year olds aims to support young people locally who may be unemployed, struggling to identify their next steps, need to strengthen their skills and gain from the interaction with a positive role model.
Everyone is welcome to apply to be a mentor, it’s a great way to give back, support local young people and share your knowledge and experience.
We provide training, support and fund some great activities to take part in alongside your matched young person. This volunteer opportunity is also a great career development opportunity, increasing your own employability skills as a result.
During Covid 19 we have seen many young people’s future plans dashed, unemployment rise and increased insecurity for this age group.
Mentoring provides a positive way to help this generation, If you can manage between 1-2 hours a week please get in touch. We are seeking volunteers of all ages and life experience and have young people waiting.
Buckstone Scout Group Secretary ... are you an organised person? Do you want to help? No previous secretarial experience is required, we just need someone who is good at admin support. Simples...and it only takes a couple of hours a month. No previous Scouts experience, no problem! This is a non-uniformed volunteering role. This is ideal for someone who does not wish to work directly with young people but support Scouts. Come and be part of our fun team.
Help make a difference. Do you have good leadership skills and enjoy motivating a team? Then you could be our next Buckstone Scout Group Chair of our Group Executive Committee. As Chair you will manage things and work with our Leadership Team to ensure our Scout Group provides the best Scouting possible for our young people.
Although the ‘executive’ bit in our committee’s title makes it sound very formal, it is actually not like that at all! No prior Scouting experience is required.