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Talkable offers a talkline to anyone affected by panic or anxiety. We currently have a range of ways that you can help as a volunteer as we continue to grow and provide ever more vital support to people. Opportunities to join our team of volunteers include: *Phoneline Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief over the phone to our service users. *Phoneline Team Leader – you will be required to manage the phoneline volunteers as well as be available on the phone. *Message Line Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief to our service users over our Facebook page, full training will be given. *Promotion Volunteers – you will be required to create social media posts and reach out to companies to make our services known more. *Funding Volunteers – you will be required to help come up with funding ideas to support our vital services. *Policy Assistance Volunteers - we are also looking for a volunteer(s) who can help us with policy work. Excellent support and any relevant training is provided to all volunteers. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information about any of these volunteer roles or any other ways you wish to help us as a volunteer please contact Chelsea Birkett at E Mail: recruitment@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.

The Boys’ Brigade is the oldest uniformed youth organisation in the country. We promote habits which leads young people to be good all round citizens, through an extensive programme. It is rewarding and an honour to watch 5 year old shy children grown into confident young adults, ready to play their part in society. With Covid-19 rules many Companies are looking for additional volunteers to help run the different Sections separately. Helping out in a BB group with children and young people can make all the difference to young lives – meaning happier young people, happier communities and a society that values the contribution that we can all make; young, old or in-between. We call our volunteers “leaders” because they guide a course for children and young people. *What do volunteers do? There are lots of different ways that you can help. We work with boys and girls from all backgrounds and of all faiths, and with those with no faith. Most of our volunteers come along for a couple of hours a week in the evening and get involved with one or more of our four age sections: Anchors, Juniors, Company, Seniors. We need volunteers to help children with activities, games, sport, arts and crafts, hobbies, music etc. Whatever you can help with is greatly valued. We also want volunteers who will be able to relate to young people and over time, become adults they can trust and talk to. *I can't help every week, do you still want me? Yes! The beauty of volunteering with the BB is that you can be flexible, and if you can only help out once a month, or even once a year at the annual camp then we are happy to welcome you. *What is the age limit? You can volunteer from 14+ as a Young Leader, with a wider range of roles for those aged 18+. There’s no upper age limit. We really do welcome applications from all ages. *Do I have to be Christian? Some churches where BB groups are based like leaders to be members of that church, but are happy that certain roles are performed by people who are in sympathy with the Christian basis of the BB. Other than that, we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and cultures. There are BB groups in and around Aberdeen, looking for volunteers, from Cove to Balmedie, Powis, Northfield, Woodside and the Bridge of Don, and everywhere in between. There will be a group near you who will welcome and greatly appreciate your help. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and communities. For further information please contact Andy Cowie at email: acowie999@btinternet.com or tel.: 01224 7903248 / 07715279478.

Local children’s charity, Befriend a Child are looking for kind, caring and reliable people to bring fun, positivity, and new experiences to the lives of children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. At Befriend a Child we support school-aged children in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are growing up in difficult life circumstances. We match them with trained volunteers or ‘Befrienders’ or ‘Mentors’ who act as positive role models to help children develop resilience, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Typically, these are children whose fundamental childhood years have been neglected or lost due to issues outside of their control. Volunteers meet the child on a one-to-one basis and help the children and young people with their self-esteem and confidence and give them experiences they may be unable to have otherwise. Befrienders meet with the children twice a month and mentors meet on a weekly basis. Befriend a Child provides volunteers with full training and support, so volunteers don’t need to have any previous experience working with children. Befriend a Child receives referrals from a number of sources including Education, Social Work, Health and Third Sector partners. We are the only dedicated befriending and mentoring service for children in the Northeast. It’s not just the children who benefit from befriending and mentoring, our volunteers also feel they gain a great deal from the experience. For example, Befriend a Child volunteer Craig feeds back: “Befriending is the biggest achievement of my life, knowing I’ve been a positive influence in someone’s life whilst creating some fantastic memories and experiences. I would recommend it to anyone. It’s a great way to add sunshine into your own life as well as doing the same for others. Many of these children just simply need a friend and so it’s not what you do that is important but the fact that you are doing something together." (Craig Duncan, Volunteer Befriender). If you want to help a local child, make sure to get in touch by emailing us at volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk or visit www.befriendachild.org.uk to find out more.

As a Voluntary Co-worker you will become part of a team within one of our 10 residential Care homes, set in beautiful surroundings 5 miles 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 school, farm and gardens, workshops or even riding stables as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks throughout the day. 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.

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.

Altens and Cove Community Association Centre is a local independent charity, run by volunteer Trustees and a small staff team from Altens Community Centre. Serving Altens and Cove, the centre offers a wide range of community activities, along with private hires of our meeting rooms, sports hall and community rooms, and a café. Our highly recommended Fishies Playgroup operates within Altens Community Centre on weekday mornings during term time. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, we are looking for new trustees to join our friendly group of staff and trustees. In particular, we are seeking a treasurer to manage the association’s accounts in conjunction with the centre manager and other members of the board of trustees. The Centre provides a vibrant atmosphere and essential support for the community of Cove and Altens, and we would be pleased to welcome additional volunteers to our team. For further information please contact Rob Sim, Chair of Board of Trustees at E Mail: altensccchair@gmail.com or tel.: 07801683011. Details about activities and volunteering at the Centre is also available at our Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/altencc/

As a Voluntary Farm and Gardens Volunteer 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. Please note- our farm cares for cows, pigs, goats, hens and alpacas. Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the farm and gardens 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.

Are you a good listener, non-judgemental and empathetic with an ability to relate to traumatic life experiences that some of the children/young people referred to us may have faced? Befriend a Child is a local charity that provides 1:1 befriending and mentoring services for school aged children and young people. We recruit caring adults who act as role models for school-aged children who face some kind of disadvantage. They spend time together on a 1:1 basis, talking, sharing and having fun. Could that be you? If you are reliable and fun-loving, with a positive disposition and you can commit to sparing a few hours each month, you could make a huge difference in a young person’s life. Excellent training and support is provided and all our volunteer roles adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines and restrictions. For more information/to register your interest please visit https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/get-involved/befriending/ and/or email us at volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk

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.

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.