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Do you have an interest in pastoral care, some free time and a lovely, gentle dog? Then volunteering for Pet and Companion (PEACE for short) could be for you and your furry friend! PEACE is a charity providing Canine Therapy along with Pastoral Care for people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; students during stressful periods; and vulnerable women. Pastoral Carers and their therapy dogs (PEACE Teams) visit people in need of support and companionship in various locations, including: Care Homes; University and College campuses; and community hubs. Ideally, PEACE Teams will volunteer for a couple of hours a week/fortnight in order to build relationships with the people they visit. The PEACE dog helps to provide a relaxing environment (the basis of canine therapy), while the Pastoral Carer offers both a listening ear and a means of support, happy to talk through any concerns or fears a person may have (pastoral care). The role of a PEACE Pastoral Carer is similar to that of a Chaplain. All Pastoral Carers are therefore Christians, and are comfortable praying and/or discussing their faith with the people they visit, if requested. All PEACE Pastoral Carers receive training in Mental Health First Aid, attentive listening and dementia awareness. Volunteers will also become members of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme. For information about volunteering or any other enquiries about PEACE, please contact Sarah Jeffrey at email: sarah@petandcompanion.com Further information is also available at www.petandcompanion.com

Being a Community Facilitator is all about delivering a variety of lifesaving first aid skills in community engagement workshops and projects, within local communities, and primary and secondary schools. A lot of these projects involve talking about and demonstrating the basics of first aid to community groups that can include children, young people, and vulnerable adults. An example of events you could be delivering a first aid talk and demo to, are primary and secondary schools, small university groups, local community groups, charities, summer fairs, shopping centres. Some of the skills you could be teaching include how to provide CPR and apply a defib, different bandages and how to use them, and basic information on various health conditions. Not only that but all the training needed, is provided by us at no cost to you! A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Naomi Sutton, Community Engagement Officer at email naomi.sutton@standrewsfirstaid.org.uk or telephone 0141 332 4031 Ext: 2274.

We are pleased to share this exciting opportunity to support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland as a trustee. In becoming a trustee, you will be leading our efforts to help people live life to the full and help make sure that CHSS is best placed to meet our strategic goal of ‘No Life Half Lived’. The last few years have been difficult for everybody and people living with chest, heart or stroke conditions need our support more than ever. This includes people living with Long Covid, who we recognise as part of the CHSS family. Our trustees are a passionate group of committed unpaid volunteers. Whether they have lived experience of our conditions or an understanding of the professional context CHSS operates in, they are committed to helping CHSS be the best we can be. You will be joining a talented and experienced team and will help ensure CHSS runs well and effectively for the people we support. CHSS is so much more than a charity – we are a movement helping people in Scotland do more than survive their condition. If you are looking to be part of something that really matters, we would love to hear from you. For more information and to apply to become a trustee please visit: https://www.chss.org.uk/about-us/work-with-us/become-a-trustee If you would like a conversation with the Chair or Chief Executive before applying, or more information generally, please email trustee.recruitment@chss.org.uk or call 0131 243 0154. *(closing date for applications is the 3rd July 2023).

Grampian Hospital Radio (GHR) provides a dedicated broadcasting service to patients in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Roxburghe House. You can listen via the bedside entertainment consoles or via our free Grampian Hospital Radio App or on our website at www.grampianhospitalradio.org/listen GHR volunteers bring a bit of cheer into the lives of patients through our therapeutic hospital radio service. Volunteers undertake tasks such as collect requests around the wards, present programmes, fundraise and help with our music library database. Feedback from volunteers include: ‘I volunteer on Grampian Hospital Radio because I wanted to do something worthwhile after retiring from my job as a sports journalist in 2017 and get a lot of enjoyment out of hosting the Breakfast Show, although the patients may not feel the same when they hear my jokes of the day! Volunteering for GHR is fun and it’s humbling to see so many of our team have been involved for decades, all for the sake of offering some light entertainment to patients during a difficult period in their lives.’ (Charlie Allan, Breakfast Show Presenter, Mon-Fri 0700-0900hrs, Grampian Hospital Radio) ‘I volunteer for GHR because as a music request collector I am the face of the Grampian Hospital Radio and I have the privilege of meeting patients and their families in the wards. I get great satisfaction in getting a request as the musical tastes can be so varied and interesting and even broadening my music knowledge too. It is so satisfying to see how patients engage in providing a music request as it is a distraction to being in hospital and hearing their request played on our nightly Request Show.’ (Denise Angus, Request Co-ordinator, Grampian Hospital Radio) ‘It gives me the chance to both showcase my passion for the UK charts and, more importantly, to give patients the chance to relive their happiest memories.’ (Nicholas Jackson, Retro Chart Show Presenter, Sunday 1100-1300hrs) ‘It can be difficult for friends and family to visit, particularly if home is quite a distance away from Aberdeen. If tuning in to us as the local station helps things feel a little better for even a short spell, that’s something positive.’ (Brenda Massie, Request Show Presenter Saturday 1900-2100hrs) Grampian Hospital Radio (GHR) is a registered Scottish Charity. GHR is a member of the national Hospital Broadcasting Association. A fantastic opportunity to make a difference in our local hospitals. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact: John Graham, Vice Chairman E-mail: vicechairman@ghr.org.uk / Tel: 01224 552964 / Mobile: 07545319940 / web: www.grampianhospitalradio.org/volunteer

Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers provide competent, friendly, proactive support in their local communities and / or in the postnatal wards at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and Dr Grays. Our confidential service provides evidence based information and support from mothers who have personal experience of breastfeeding and / or expressing for their child(ren) to mothers, parents and other service users to support them to meet their personal feeding goals. An excellent opportunity to help with the NHS. For further information please contact Emma at email: gram.breastfeedingsupport@nhs.scot

Aberdeen Blueberry Wellness (ABW) delivers fitness industry education to local people in local communities. Once qualified as a fitness professionals, ABW will employ the fitness professional to deliver wellness classes, as asked for by the community, to benefit the health of the local community. To assist us succeed in our quest for a healthier, happier community we are asking for volunteers to help us in compiling and successfully submitting funding applications to enable the work and volunteering that we are doing to expand. We are looking for self motivated individuals with expertise in submitting funding applications, to local and national government and other organisations who may advertise funds that we may make applications to. This may suit a retired person who has worked in the third/voluntary sector, in this area previously and understands the requirements of these applications. It may suit a 3rd or 4th year student with knowledge of the third sector field. Or it may suit someone currently employed in this area and wish to support a new Community and Social Enterprise to grow or anyone interested in helping with funding support. You are able to volunteer from home. Your own computer is essential. The time required to devote to this post may vary, depending on the information needed. An application may take anything from 1-3 hours. An estimate of time for this post is 4-8 hours across the month. As a newly established Community Interest Company and Social Enterprise, ABW would love to have enthusiastic, organised and self motivated people with us on our journey of successfully providing wellness in every local communities of Aberdeen. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. Please contact Laura Walker, CEO at email: you@blueberrywellness.co.uk or telephone: 07773021851.

At Macmillan we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. Are you a good listener and clear communicator? Then we would love you to join our team as a Macmillan Community Buddy and help Macmillan support people living with cancer. *Why we want you: Bring your listening and communication skills to support people living with cancer to feel less isolated and lonely and to help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By joining us you’ll be doing something amazing for people, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside and helping them find their best way through. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. *What you will be doing • Providing face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks • Adopting a non-judgemental and supportive approach to understand the needs and concerns of people living with cancer • Supporting 1-3 people living with cancer every week for up to 12 visits • Completing post call ‘records of activity’ reports and using all required systems • Joining group catch up calls every 4-6 weeks to get key updates and/or share good practice • Volunteering within agreed hours and following all best practice guidelines • Signposting to additional support if required and raising any further concerns with the Macmillan team *The skills you need • Good listener and clear communicator • Patient, flexible and reliable • Ability to respect others’ differences and choices • Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding while maintaining boundaries • Ability to recognise when to ask for support • Ability to work independently with guidance and support • Understand the need to maintain confidentiality • Ability and willingness to travel in your local area • Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources • Ability to commit to 4 hours of online training *What's in it for you • Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference • Use and develop your communication and people skills • Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer who are especially isolated • Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) By sharing your skills and time, you’ll have the opportunity to utilise and develop your skills and will make a difference to people’s lives. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. If you would like to join our team, please apply to volunteer today! For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/193-macmillan-community-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact us at email: vsscotnir@macmillan.org.uk or telephone: 020 7091 2165 / 07458135292.

Support our exciting community Compass Project and help to transform the naturally-beautiful and historic 4.1 acre former Waldorf School site into a centre demonstrating practical solutions for healthy, sustainable lifestyles. The project has something for everyone including opportunities to find out and participate in: • sustainable building practices with conservation of the listed main building & sensitive repurposing of the others – dry-stone wall restoration, stripping back damaged plasterboard ready for refurbishment, sorting building materials and items for re-purposing and upcycling. • an integrated, creative health & education approach, supported by the natural & built environment – we offer opportunities for volunteers from secondary schools to participate in appropriate outdoor projects onsite. • sustainable social enterprise projects serving the local community and involving those with learning disabilities – experience circular economy in practice as we start to outlet local organic produce and plants onsite on a donation basis. • organic/biodynamic land use with nutritious food production, no-dig demonstration allotments, composting, beehives, wild flower meadow and woodland – keen gardeners are always welcome to come and help create a no-dig system from scratch so you never have to weed again! Experienced chain-saw operators can help manage our woodland. • repair, reuse & recycle practices minimising waste and encouraging sustainability – furniture and other items for upcycling. -Compass needs you! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to lend a hand with whatever needs doing. We hold regular volunteer days where you can enjoy meeting like-minded people working together to make a visible difference to our site after each session. Volunteers tell us it is very satisfying to see how much of a difference their work can make. Volunteers with specialised skills such as joiners, plumbers and DIY-enthusiasts will be especially welcome as we enter the next phase of our project to strip out the existing buildings ready for refurbishment. ‘Being out in the fresh air with others, seeing changes happening and feeling like I was part of a bigger process. I have also enjoyed meeting others who are enthused about the project. Sense of community, healthy activities. Very friendly co-ordinator and other helpers so feeling of welcome is lovely. I also value the fact that I only manage a couple of hours but this is still appreciated and I don't feel guilty when I feel like my body needs to stop! Beautiful grounds to work in’. – Compass volunteer ‘Such a great sense of satisfaction and wellbeing experienced at the end of 2 hours of hard physical work. This has sparked off an interest in gardening and growing plants at home. And also enjoyed being part of a community and meeting new people each time I come along who are equally enthusiastic about this project’. – Compass volunteer Everyone is welcome at Compass and we look forward to working with you onsite! You can find out more on our website: www.camphillwellbeing.org.uk/compass or email: compass@cwt.scot for further details on volunteering with this exciting project.

People living with cancer tell us they need emotional support to feel less isolated and lonely and sometimes need some help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By choosing to join us as a Buddy volunteer, you’ll be doing something amazing for people in these extraordinary times, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. There are two types of buddy volunteer: -Community Buddy: provides face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks. and -Telephone Buddy: provides telephone support to alleviate loneliness and social isolation for people living with cancer -What we're looking for: *Good listener and clear communicator *Patient, flexible and reliable *Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries *Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources *Understand the need to maintain confidentiality -What you can gain from this opportunity: *Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference *Use and develop your communication and people skills *Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer *Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) All volunteer help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference. For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/200-macmillan-telephone-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact Leigh Watt, Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer Services Delivery Lead (North Scotland) at Email: LWatt@macmillan.org.uk / telephone: 07801307003.

Our centres rely on the support of volunteers, so that our Cancer Support Specialists can concentrate on providing our visitors with the support they need. Administration, greeting visitors, maintaining the library area, filling the dishwasher, making cups of tea… there are so many different ways for our volunteers to keep our centres running smoothly. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. To volunteer with us/for more details please contact Kevin Mathieson, Centre Head Aberdeen at email: kevin.mathieson@maggiescentres.org or telephone: 01224 645928.