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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.

Fresh Community Wellness is a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future. Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants. All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk

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.

We are currently looking for a Minutes Secretary to join us on a voluntary basis. DRiNKLiNK believes that no one life should be negatively affected by someone else’s drinking. Our aim is to link people affected by someone else’s drinking, we know the impact of this can be wide reaching so we work to provide signposting to support, and services to facilitate education and recovery. *Objective of the role: To ensure that the decisions, commitments and major discussion points made at Board Meetings are accurately recorded and stored for quick reference. *Key Responsibilities include: • Take the minutes of meetings. • Record accurately the decisions, commitments and major discussion points made at Board Meetings. • Prepare draft minutes from each meeting for review and approval. • Draft minutes to include accurate resolutions from the meetings. • Write up the minutes as soon as possible after the meeting (ideally within 7 days), send to Chair and Secretary for approval and once approved distribute to all committee members. • Prepare and distribute the Agenda and Minutes in a timely manner. • Read, reply and file correspondence promptly. • Collate and arrange for the printing of the Annual Report. • Maintain registers of members’ names and addresses, life members and sponsors. • Maintain files of legal documents such as constitutions and titles. • Maintain confidentiality at all times. • Other duties may be assigned. All volunteers receive induction, ongoing support and all help is greatly appreciated. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference and join a passionate organisation supporting us from the core. Should this role be of interest, to apply please forward your CV to email: volunteering@drinklink.org

Drinklink believe that no one life should be negatively affected by someone else’s drinking. Our aim is to link people affected by someone else’s drinking, we know the impact of this can be wide reaching so we work to provide signposting to support, and services to facilitate education and recovery. We are currently looking for a Business Development Manager Volunteer to join us on a voluntary basis. *Key Responsibilities include: • In cooperation with the Business Development Director develop a business development: funding, fundraising and corporate sponsorship strategy to identify priority areas of Drinklink’s operations. • Ensure adherence to compliance and governance protocols relating to donations. • Proactively identify fundraising opportunities to ensure cashflow pipeline is sufficient to sustain the ongoing viability of the charity. • Work with the Business Development Team to support our business development activities to help ensure the growth of our work. • Ensure engagement with all internal and external stakeholders. The role involves working from home. Previous experience in a similar role in a charitable/volunteer environment would be desirable. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference and join a passionate organisation supporting us from the core. Should this role be of interest, to apply please forward your CV to: volunteering@drinklink.org

Would you like to make a difference to New Scots families in your community? Would you like to help tackle Child Poverty? We have the right opportunity for you! Volunteering Matters is now recruiting volunteer mentors to help build resilience and aspirations to move parents towards and enter employment. While our staff will be on hand to help you provide employability specific support to parents, your role as a mentor will be focused on developing additional skills and overcoming personal barriers to facilitate their entry into the job market. More specifically, you might be supporting your mentee with confidence building, public speaking, time management, social skills, proactiveness, future plans and aspirations, accessing further education courses or work placements, additional services or local groups. No previous experience or knowledge required, just a willingness to make a difference to families in your community. We especially welcome applications from mentors that have direct or indirect lived experience of any of the mentioned barriers and struggles and feel ready to provide friendly guidance to someone who is on their employment journey. You will be ideally a flexible, patient and reliable individual with strong people skills. Before you start, we will invite you to attend training, aimed at providing you with all the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out your mentoring role safely and knowingly. You will also have multiple opportunities to meet with the mentor project worker in 1:1 meetings and go through any questions or doubts you may have before you start.

Forfar Open Gardens are looking for Volunteer Gardeners to provide general help within the garden whether that be pottering in the outdoor or indoor planting areas, clearing and pruning in the large woodland space or any of the many jobs in between. The garden is an open space for people young and old to come along and enjoy so you have a keen interest in gardening or would like to learn then they would love to hear from you. Youth opportunities are available on Friday afternoons. Interested? Want to know more? Get in touch.

"Grandmentors" is an award winning inter-generational mentoring programme, matching volunteer mentors who have a range of life skills and experiences, with young people aged 16-26 who are care experienced or who have "adverse childhood experiences". Grandmentors has now launched in Midlothian in 2023, for the first time! Our volunteer mentors help young people navigate the transition to independence into adulthood, by guiding them through life skills such as managing finances, accessing employment, education and training, and supporting their health and wellbeing. This opportunity is for volunteers (normally aged 50+) who have life experience and skills to offer. However, if you are younger than 50 and feel you could offer valuable support, please do apply or contact us to discuss further. It is important that you have good people skills, communication skills, patience, and can offer a regular commitment of a few hours per week (weekly or fortnightly). This role requires a PVG check which we will process for you after you apply to become a mentor. We provide our volunteers with comprehensive induction training, all on-going support, volunteer expenses and lots of other great benefits including the chance to make a difference to a young adult in need.

The workshop is a safe alcohol / drug free working environment. Our aims are to support our workers and where possible enable them to enter into mainstream employment. Working in a supported workshop, assisting worker / volunteers with barriers to employment e.g. mental health, drugs / alcohol issues, to carry out assigned tasks.

This role is for individuals who will visit people in the community and support positive mental health outcomes. This could be going for a coffee or simply listening for an hour as to how someone’s week has been. All of the individuals referred to our service have been identified by health and social care professionals as having mental health problems and have expressed a significant issue with loneliness and isolation. Furthermore, all have cited being more sociable as their primary aim.