Bipolar Scotland facilitates a number of self-help groups across Scotland that bring together people living with bipolar to learn from and support each other. Our volunteer facilitators play an important role in helping ensure our self-help groups remain welcoming, safe and productive spaces where participants can leave feeling more hopeful about managing the challenges of life with bipolar.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and don't need to have lived experience of bipolar. We are seeking reliable, enthusiastic individuals with excellent communication skills and a willingness to learn. Training takes place throughout the year across three evening sessions, and the role can be carried remotely although we are also seeking individuals who would be willing to co-facilitate groups face-to-face in their local communities where there's a desire for this.
Main Purpose
To co-facilitate a self-help group for people living with bipolar on a monthly basis. This will include welcoming people, encouraging and guiding discussion, as well as dealing sensitively with issues or conflict that may arise within the group meeting. One facilitator is also responsible for collating and reporting group statistics after each meeting, whilst the other facilitator takes the lead for booking guest speakers.
Key Responsibilities:
• Attend Group Facilitator Training organised by Bipolar Scotland
• To co-facilitate a self-help group at the agreed time each month
• To act as first point of contact for individuals who wish to join a group (as required), ensuring they receive a warm welcome
• To send the Zoom meeting link to group participants prior to each session (online groups only)
• To welcome and book guest speakers
• To note attendance and submit a short statistical form online after each meeting
• To inform the Delivery and Development Officer of any adverse incidents or concerns following a group session
• To attend regular support and supervision sessions with the Delivery and Development Officer and other volunteers
This is a voluntary role and you would be responsible for the finances of the District, supporting the Group Treasurers and attending the District committee meetings among other tasks. This is a fully supported role, you would have the District Commissioner, District Chair and District Secretary helping you along the way.
For further information and application form please contact Fiona, secretary@northangus.onmicrosoft.com
Do you have spare time and you'd like to give back to the community? Community First are calling out for help. We have various volunteering opportunities for individual
- Grocery Shop Assistant
- Kitchen Help
- Baker
- Social Media
- Stockroom Assistant
- Clothing Shop Assistant
- General Assistant
- Waiter/Waitress
Interested and keen to learn more, get in touch for a chat.
Maintenance of park and public facilities at Kirrie Den - can include painting and maintaining park benches, railing and bandstand, reinstatement and maintenance of paths,some pruning of bushes, litter picking etc.
There are also opportunities within Kirriemuir Regeneration Group to get involved with Kirriemuir Camera Oscura and Cafe Obscura, Kirrie Planters, Christmas Lights and Men's Shed along with future projects.
It's interest - It's worthwhile - It's fun and for the community.
The Camera Obscura and Cafe Obscura are open Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April to October and they need your help in both the Camera and Cafe.
Volunteer roles include greeting visitors and serving in the Cafe, and/or operation of Camera Obscura and guiding visitors through the experience.
Can you commit to 3 hours a week, a fortnight or even a month? Shifts are 10.30am -1.30pm and 1.30 - 4.30pm
Please get in touch or come along and find out what it's all about from volunteers on duty to find out more with no obligation.
It's interesting - It's worthwhile - It's fun and it's for the community.
We have 3 different opportunities that you can get involved in
Coffee Club – This group is aimed at autistic adults aged 26+ it meets online once a month, and we hope to be able hold some face to face meetings soon. We do different activities each month and this may be having a quiz or chatting about a specific topic we would ideally like volunteers aged 26+ for this group
NAS Cafe – this group is for autistic young people age 16 to 24 it meets online once a month and we aim to gain the views of our members and if face to face meetings are important to them then make these events happen whilst being user led.
Social Navigation Programme – this group meets for up to 2 hours every week with a rolling 15-week programme. Social Navigation is designed to support autistic young people aged 12-18 years it runs for 15 sessions with fun activity pack's sent out every week to support with social navigation. This programme is designed to support autistic young people to navigate the social world while building existing skills. Social navigation provides you with the opportunity to become more confident, make new connections, grow their skills and have fun!
We can let you know more about the different groups and discuss which group you could volunteer with when we have an informal chat with you when you have received your application form.
When and where
Group times are once a month on a Thursday 11.45am-12.30 during the day time and once a month on Tuesday evening 6 to 6.45pm (these can run over slightly) and Wednesday evenings weekly for 15 weeks 6-7.30pm (will include holiday breaks)
We can discuss which of the session day/times would work best for you in our information chat when we receive your application
Our shops are at the heart of local communities raising vital funds for our fight against homelessness and bad housing - and they’re powered by our volunteers!
Suggested Involvement: It’s up to you! We have volunteers who support for one hour a week and others who volunteer more. Many people volunteer for a morning or an afternoon each week, but we’ll have a chat about your availability after you’ve applied.
Availability: The shop is open Monday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 and Sunday 12:00-16:00.
Location: Shop in Prestwick, KA9 1JS
Supervised by: Community Shop Manager/Assistant Manager
Why volunteer with Shelter Scotland?
Home is a human right. It's our foundation and it's where we thrive. Yet, every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams ensure fighting the housing emergency never felt so fun.
What can I do?
After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal chat to find the right role for you. Some roles involve a basic criminal record check being completed during recruitment. Having a criminal record does not mean that you cannot volunteer with us, but it may impact the ways you can get involved.
Volunteering in the shop
Our retail volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.
- You will not undergo a criminal record check for this role
Volunteering in a leadership role
Our volunteer supervisors help with overseeing the running of our shop and creating a fantastic environment for our customers. You may be involved with coordinating and supporting other volunteers, operating computer systems, and being a key point of contact for the shop.
Benefits of volunteering with Shelter Scotland…
- Supporting Shelter Scotland in our fight against bad housing and homelessness
- Gain valuable experience in a retail environment
- Getting involved in your local community and being part of a great team
- Build your confidence and develop transferable skills
Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.
Help us raise vital funds by representing SSAFA at local fundraising events, providing a friendly and approachable service to potential donors.
What is a Fundraising volunteer?
As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.
Why do we need you?
SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.
Key role responsibilities
Being part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g. handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
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.)
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients
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
What are we looking for?
Friendly and approachable people
Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face
Reliable attitude, keeping in touch the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability
Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely
Access to public transport or a car to get to events
Able to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives)
Referees
We have a few restrictions on who can act as a referee for you and your application:
The referee must have know you for at least two years - and you must still be in contact now.
The referee cannot be a member of your family.
The referee cannot live at the same address as you.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support disabled volunteers, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as non-disabled volunteers.
The SSAFA Mentoring service provides long-term, one-to-one, face-to-face support during transition and for up to two years post discharge to all members of our armed forces. By supporting, guiding and signposting individuals we can ensure a successful transition is achieved. Our volunteer mentors are an integral part of the team supporting the service user into civilian life often helping them to understand and navigate their new environment.
A SSAFA Mentor is an individual who commits the time to build a professional relationship with a service leaver or their family through a challenging period of time. Providing support and guidance along the way. Mentoring is natural skill that we all have, the ability to listen and empathise as well as question and challenge in an environment that sees rewards at different levels.
Leaving the Armed Forces can a difficult and stressful time for serving personnel: to ensure the SSAFA mentoring team can continue to offer face to face mentors to those in transition it is important to encourage and recruit new mentors to the team.
Mentors provide weekly meetings within a 50 mile radius of their home address and will:
Assist the client to establish realistic goals and work towards achieving them.
Act as a sounding board when the client wants to discuss decisions and ideas.
Challenge opportunities, problems, personal strengths and weaknesses.
Signpost to other organisations and sources of knowledge.
Seek opportunities to help the client practice and develop key skills for the future.
Pass on know-how and essential thinking patterns and attitudes.
Generate workable solutions together in a mutually respectful way.
Motivate, advise and support whilst empowering the service leaver to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own actions and development.
Maintain regular contact with your Regional Mentoring Coordinator and provide accurate meeting records after every meeting via a secure email system.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time and life experience
Support and friendship from the Mentoring team and fellow mentors
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!
Key role responsibilities
Meet with their client for an hour each week for a period of up to but not limited to12 months.
Support the client and SSAFA ensure they receive any necessary support from SSAFA or external organisations.
Complete (mandatory) accurate records of all contact made with the client, by using the SSAFA Email system
Maintain regular contact with their Regional Mentoring Coordinator
Agree to any supervision deemed necessary.
Attend mandatory Network/Refresher training every three years
Uphold the aims and values of SSAFA and comply with all current policies; confidentiality, impartiality and equal opportunities.
To be reliable and fulfil any time commitment made to a client
DBS Check will be required.
IT literacy.
What is a Branch Secretary?
This is a key role involving administration and coordinating people. As the first point of contact for SSAFA in the area you will play a crucial part in promoting SSAFA locally, organising local events and ensuring the smooth running of SSAFA across the branch.
What would you be doing?
Managing the branch office (if applicable) and providing support to all volunteers, especially new ones
Work with the branch Chair, treasurer and others to ensure smooth running of the branch
Accepting referrals and coordinating SSAFA caseworkers, visitors and helpers accordingly
Oversee all SSAFA casework across the branch ensuring clients get support that is effective and timely
Monitor volunteer numbers against the demand for support and recruit new volunteers as needed
Working with the local training officer to ensure all volunteers are kept up to date with the training and information they need
Build relationships with regional and central office staff to ensure an effective flow of information
Maintaining accurate records of volunteers and cases, submit accurate data to Central Office
Providing administration for an annual programme of meetings including an AGM, recording and implementing decisions
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.)