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Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If so, this could be the role for you. -What is a caseworker? Caseworkers work with clients to figure out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc. -Why do we need you? Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan. Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this. -What does this role involve? • Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely • Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances • Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice • Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding • Arranging for the purchase of goods and services • Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing • Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability • Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients • Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser • Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.) -What can you gain from this volunteering role? • Support people in your community with a military background • Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others • Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community • Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews • Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression! -Is a criminal record check required? Yes *A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case by case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered. There is no cost for volunteers for this. -How to find out more? • Visit us/apply on line at https://www.ssafa.org.uk/volunteer or call our friendly central Volunteer Team on 0800 032 5612. They can answer any general questions about volunteering and put you in touch with your local branch.

Cultivate your Community! Cultivate Aberdeen has a clear vision to create kind, confident, and connected communities through the power of food growing. How that vision manifests means different things to many people, it belongs to our community and it belongs to you; come and join the conversation and food revolution. For more information and details of how you can get involved as a volunteer with Cultivate Aberdeen please visit https://www.cultivateaberdeen.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/ or email recruitment@cultivateaberdeen.co.uk

For people leaving hospital, adjusting to life at home can be a difficult time. Helping someone get their essential shopping, pick up their prescription or get the heating turned on can make all the difference for them to feel safe at home. This service is available in Aberdeen 7 days a week 9.00am - 8.00pm depending on needs. We would like you to : • volunteer at least 4 hours a week within the above times • to drive and have use of a car if possible, though this is not essential *Why we want you If you are compassionate and like helping and meeting people, then this could be the role for you. Volunteers like you support people who are leaving hospital, helping to build their confidence so that they can continue to live independently in their own home. *What you will be doing • Visit people in hospital as they are getting ready to go home. • Bring people home from hospital. • Help someone settle in when they first arrive home. • Support with shopping and collecting prescriptions. • Help people find further support if they need it. • Keep records of tasks. *The skills you need • Warm and friendly with empathy for others. • Good communication skills. • Encouraging and supportive. • Enjoy meeting and spending time with new people. • Can work independently and as a part of a team. • Able to commit to a regular shift. *What's in it for you • Meet new people and be part of a dynamic and inclusive team. • A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. • All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). • Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training. • An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For full details and to apply please visit: https://volunteer.redcross.org.uk/opportunities/21249-independent-living-service-volunteer-grampian-2021-10-13

Bonny Café is a community café, run by volunteers at Bonnymuir Green Community Centre. We serve drinks, hot food and baked goods from 10.30 -1.30, takeaway and indoor table service. The café has recently increased its opening hours and is now running Friday to Sunday, so we are hoping to find new volunteers to support these extended opening times. We are particularly looking for people to help with kitchen duties in the cafe: • cooking hot food. • making up bacon/sausage rolls. • making up sandwiches. You will be given a warm welcome and all the help and support you need to learn the ropes. Bonnymuir Green is a fantastic place to be involved with and has really developed and grown since it opened to the public three years ago. There is no set commitment – we appreciate any time that you have to give! For further information please contact Liz Brown, Bonnymuir Green Community Trust Centre Coordinator at email: liz.brown@bgct.co.uk or tel.: 07799 206258.

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

Volunteers are essential to Legion Scotland’s ability to support veterans in the community. We are currently recruiting volunteers for the Legion Scotland Veterans Community Support Service. Trained and supported volunteers will be matched with Armed Forces veterans to provide a befriending relationship in the community – this could take the form of a regular social visit to relieve isolation and loneliness, or to provide assistance with more specific issues at other times. Excellent training and support is provided and volunteers will be PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) checked prior to contact with clients as well. This is not a personal care or advisory service. A tremendous opportunity to volunteer with Legion Scotland and support veterans. All assistance makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Emily Clark, Veterans Community Support Co-ordinator–Scotland North, Legion Scotland at Email: e.clark@legionscotland.org.uk or tel.: 07876 202437.

Linking Lives UK has been working hard to respond effectively to the impact of Covid-19 particularly among those already affected by social isolation and loneliness on a daily basis. Aberdeen Two’s Company is a local telephone befriending service that connects volunteers with local people (‘Link Friends’) through telephone contact. The aim of our telephone befriending is to help reduce the impact that social isolation by making connections with others. This is especially important at this time of COVID-19 Crisis in the UK. To volunteer and help please complete the following form at https://forms.gle/5LbSKmH7o9Zh5J2n8 or email aberdeentwoscompany@gmail.com All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN)’s purpose is to inspire and promote, connect and support community-led action in Scotland to address the Climate Emergency. Please see our website: https://www.scottishcommunitiescan.org.uk/ Would you like to help take climate action to the next level? We have a new volunteer role available with our Events working groups! You would be helping once a week with the following: -Events organizing and facilitating -Taking part in regular events working group meetings -Contacting potential speakers and facilitators -Promoting events by writing blog posts and promoting on social media. -Compile a report on the event. As a volunteer led organisation, our capacity to offer thorough training on events coordination is limited so we would expect you to have some experience or to be adaptable. There will be some initial training on the way SCCAN operates. The start date is flexible to suit your availability. Our events and meetings are currently done online through zoom. Commitment could range from once / week to twice a month. If interested, please drop us an email at info@scottishcommunitiescan.org.uk

Clan Cancer Support provides emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer, their family, carers and friends. Volunteers in our stores provide vital help to Clan and all assistance is greatly appreciated. In our stores, just 3 hours a week from a volunteer can make a huge difference. Whether sorting and pricing donations, till work, or just chatting to customers, we have a role for everyone. A great way to meet new people and help raise money for our clients. Our volunteers can do what they feel comfortable with in store and make a huge difference. For more information please contact Colin Tough, Clan Cancer Support Regional Retail Manager at Email: colin.tough@clanhouse.org / tel: 01224 647000 (switchboard) / Mob: 07394 564374 or apply online via our website at: https://www.clanhouse.org/volunteering/shops/

*Help people who feel alone - just a few hours a week from you could make the future brighter for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.* Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which helps people who may be lonely or at risk of loneliness and social isolation. -What our volunteers do: Loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being or feeling alone can have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as on communities, hospitals and other public services. Through just a few hours a week, you could provide a huge help for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation. -Support for people and volunteering during COVID-19 Pandemic: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our befriending service to our older people has now transitioned from face to face to phone/video contact. We now also offer shopping, prescription collection etc. where necessary to the older people. Depression is also a major issue so our befrienders are needing to keep in touch more often than before to ensure their Befriendees are safe and sound and to offer any possible support. -How to get involved: We provide volunteer support to tackle loneliness in the following areas of Aberdeen: - Stoneywood - Seaton - Bucksburn - Northfield - Bridge of Don - Dyce If you would like to volunteer with us, send us an email or give us a ring and we will contact you within a few days to provide further details and discuss how you can get involved. Our email is info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.