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Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) was granted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) charitable status in March this year. We are now looking to find talented, passionate and skilled people to fill some vacant seats on our Board of Trustees to help us grow and develop our innovative and solution focused new charity. This is a unique opportunity to help lay the foundations to ensure AiR has a long-term future as a charity with solid processes in place to ensure it meets its mission of: “To be a bridge from ‘dependence’ to ‘independence’ for the individual seeking to recover from problematic substance use and addictive behaviours”. This is such an exciting and invigorating prospect for individuals to get involved and be participant in the tsunami of change which is now gaining momentum and being driven by “Experts by Experience” and the vibrant Lived Experienced Communities which are blossoming, not only locally but are now established as a national phenomena. Since its conception, AiR and its members have worked tirelessly to establish and build collaborative relationships with professional services and third sector support agencies. We have consistently driven the message that individuals who have personal lived/living experience of active substance use, including Family members who have been affected by the addictive behaviours of a loved one, and the Recovery Communities they represent have something valid, essential and extremely beneficial to bring to described Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC). We can provide existing services and clinical structural systems with resources, skills and capabilities that they, no matter how much effort, time and money they invest, will never be able to offer or provide. So, it gives the greatest of pleasure to see this is now recognised on the highest levels that “Recoverists” can productively contribute to the design, development and delivery of truly person-centred ROSC. This being evidenced by the vision, philosophy and content of the Scottish Governments “Rights, Respect and Recovery” Drug and Alcohol Strategy. We also believe it is reaffirmed by the recent success in being granted funding from the Government’s National Development Fund, with our principle partner Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA), for our ‘Recovery Peer Pathway’ joint two-year project. This collaborative venture will build on three years of pilot work to further establish and build proactive and productive Developmental Pathways within ADA and their Volunteer network while in synergy with AiR membership for individuals who desire to initiate change in their behaviours and outlook as they progress on their recovery journeys within, and imperatively out-with, statutory and formal support services. We believe that the blue sky thinking behind this project categorically and emphatically fits with the expectations, outcomes and concepts of the above Government policy. So, if you have lived experience, or a stakeholder interest, and a passion for recovery and are willing to give of yourself that another may learn, you will not find a better opportunity to indulge your appetite than from within Aberdeen in Recovery. For more information please contact Dermot Craig, Recovery Community Development Manager at E Mail: dermot@aberdeeninrecovery.org or tel.: 01224 638342 / Mobile: 07751 213108.

Somebody Cares is a local charity who furnish homes, provide clothing, baby equipment, toys and food parcels to those in need within our city and shire. Through referral from many local support services, charities, social workers and the local councils, clients are able to access our services completely free of charge. By demonstrating empathy and support, our aim is to provide a helping hand to those who are facing challenging times, by offering hope and providing then with essential and practicable items which they otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase. Our greatest wish is that after receiving our support our clients can gain confidence, flourish and begin to escape the poverty trap. We work with men, woman and children from many different backgrounds, and our services are accessed by many support services including Aberdeen City Council, Cornhill Hospital, Grampians Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Children’s 1st, Turning Point Scotland, Langstane Housing, Shmu, Children and Family Services, Social Bite, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and many medical professionals. We fund our charitable work by selling some of our donated items at our very busy retail megastore at Hazeldene Road, Aberdeen. (Old Dobbie’s building). The Megastore has many gems and bargains and has a strong local clientele who visit the store on a regular basis. We are looking for volunteers to help us sort through many of the donated items ready for sale. We are flexible with hours and days and are looking for enthusiastic people with a heart for making a difference to join our friendly team. A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Alison Topley, Chief Operating Officer at email: volunteer@somebodycaresscotland.org or telephone: 01224 460700.

*Summary of the role: The Mum and Toddler Group aims to lead discussion amongst local women, and provide a space to build connections and community. The children range from 0-4 years old. At this age range, children are active, inquisitive and developing their personalities! The main goal of this volunteering role is playing with and caring for the children. *General responsibilities: • Getting out appropriate toys and games for free play; • Leading simple activities organised by the WFW; • In time, and if they have appropriate experience, volunteers may wish to plan activities or games themselves; • Adhering to training and guidelines given to ensure the safety and well-being of the children. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Stevie Stacy, Homelessness Prevention Coordinator North at E Mail: steviestacy@bethanychristiantrust.com or tel.: 07436251810.

Did you know that around 1 in 5 Mums and birthing people will develop a mental illness in the ante/perinatal period? At LATNEM (AKA Let’s All Talk North East Mums) we have lived experience. We’ve been there and now provide a safe, free peer support group for mums and birthing people in the North East of Scotland. LATNEM is registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)-registration number: SC051029. We now have an exciting opportunity for the right person to help us start an Aberdeen group. Our groups are warm, welcoming spaces where Mums and birthing people can come together and support each other, guided and assisted by our trained volunteers. Volunteers tasks include: • Prepare room for peer support meetings, return room to original state after meeting • Manage stock of resources and refreshments for meetings • Provide members with refreshments • Facilitate peer support group • Building supportive and respectful relationships with members • Supporting others using the personal experience and confidence you have gained having overcome similar challenges • Talk openly and honestly about your experiences, demonstrating that poor maternal mental health is nothing to be ashamed of • Assisting people to identify their own recovery goals • Providing information and support to family and friends of members where required • Signposting members to professional services, other 3rd Sector support • Modelling personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy and hopefulness • Processing personal members data in line with GDPR • Responding to enquiries about the group • Identifying material to share via Social Media Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers Including: • Initially meetings will be run with a trained LATNEM volunteer/founder as a mentor to the new volunteer. • Full Safeguarding training will be given by LATNEM safeguarding officer. • An accredited Mental Health First Aid qualification will be paid for by LATNEM (subject to a training fees agreement). • LATNEM provide insurance with access to an Employee Assistance counselling and legal advice line. All help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference. For further information please contact Gill Skene, Chair and Peer Supporter at email: latnem@yahoo.com Further details are also available on our website at: https://latnem.org/

Aberdeen Women's Alliance are a small, local, charity that was set up in 2004. Our aim is to enable Aberdeen womens' voices to be better heard by decision-makers. Since 2013 we have also run a successful local women's history project. Most recently during the pandemic, we have worked with our partners to make sure some disadvantaged women are having their basic needs met. We are keen to recruit some women to become new members of the Lead Group. Our Lead Group oversees our governance much like a Board or Management Committee. If you're interested in finding out more, please in the first instance email awainfo@btinternet.com

Befrienders build a trusting relationship and provide emotional support to a person who is experiencing homelessness or bad housing. Our service in Aberdeen supports those experiencing housing issues. We’re looking for a female volunteer to support a person who is engaged with our Time for Change project. You will provide support to build her confidence and empower her to share her experiences of homelessness, as well as providing practical support to engage more with her personal goals and to participate in Time for Change activity. This would ideally suit somebody who is empathetic, patient, confident and a good communicator. Main Tasks: -Provide 1-1 social and emotional support to a Peer with Lived Experience of homelessness or housing issues. -Support the peer in finding a permanent home, and becoming more engaged in his community through various activities like going to the gym and volunteering. -Support the Peer in tracking their personal activity and goals in the Aberdeen Time for Change Project -Refer Peer to Development Worker in order to access services or support that they are entitled to -Regularly communicate with the Development Worker about the Peer’s general feedback -Providing open, non-judgemental space to allow Peers to talk on their experiences, isolation they may be feeling, issues they may be facing and their general involvement with Time for Change -To support Time for Change in helping to inform the issues people are facing within the community. A fantastic opportunity to help with a well recognised charity and make a real difference for people and the community. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Anthea Reid, Volunteer Support Officer at Email: anthea_reid@shelter.org.uk or tel.: 03445152340 / 07880458572.

The Scottish Collegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest to join one of our multidisciplinary guideline development groups, as someone with lived experience of receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. Recruitment is scheduled to begin over the next few months, and as part of the guideline development group, you will have the opportunity to share your experience and shape the scope and content of a guideline that will be used across NHS Scotland.

The Scottish Collegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest to join one of our multidisciplinary guideline development groups, as someone with lived experience of venous leg ulcers. Recruitment is scheduled to begin over the next few months, and as part of the guideline development group, you will have the opportunity to share your experience and shape the scope and content of a guideline that will be used across NHS Scotland.

The Scottish Collegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest to join one of our multidisciplinary guideline development groups, as someone with lived experience of epilepsy, or as the parent of a child with epilepsy. We are undertaking work on two separate epilepsy guidelines, one covering epilepsy in adults, and the other covering epilepsy in children. Recruitment is scheduled to begin over the next few months, and as part of the guideline development group, you will have the opportunity to share your experience and shape the scope and content of a guideline that will be used across NHS Scotland.

The Scottish Collegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest to join one of our multidisciplinary guideline development groups, from women with lived experience of lower urinary tract infection. Recruitment is scheduled to begin over the next few months, and as part of the guideline development group, you will have the opportunity to share your experience and shape the scope and content of a guideline that will be used across NHS Scotland.