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Volunteers will assist with welcoming service users into the building, removing their coats, assisting them into their seats, seeing that they are comfortable and preparing/giving tea/coffee and a biscuit. A morning activity takes place until lunch. Volunteers will join in all activities. Volunteers will also assist with serving lunch. After lunch there is an afternoon activity followed by another tea/coffee and snack. At the end of the day volunteers will help service users into their coats and escort them back onto the bus.

Being a Gig Buddy with Thera means that you will be paired one on one with a person who has a learning disability (They will be known as your buddy). You will be paired with this person based on any interests you share. Being a Gig Buddy involves regularly attending events with your buddy and meeting up with them as often as your ‘gig’ requires. You will also help them choose the events you go to, and help with practical/transport arrangements. Being a Gig Buddy also means empowering your buddy to expand their social networks. For this reason we ask that you attend at least 3 of our social events every year, these can be anything from an Open Mic night, to a world class comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe. As part of Gig Buddies you will become part of a growing community of ‘sound people’ here in the Lothians who are encouraging people with a learning disability to live the social life they choose.

The role is to represent and promote Independent Advocacy in Edinburgh and the Lothians. To attend promotional events, meet and greet people , promoting Independent advocacy services and how this can be of benefit. You need to have a friendly and approachable manner and be able to communicate sensitively with people form a wide variety of backgrounds and occasionally people who may be experiencing distress. To provide information and signposting regarding Independent Advocacy/ CAPS services. To set up and man promotional stalls. To monitor leaflets /resources and inform the volunteer coordinator when resources need to be replaced. Training and mentoring will be provided in this role. Due to Covid 19 CAPS we have had to alter the way we work. Groups and volunteer roles are currently taking place online until we can resume face to face meetings.

Midlothian Voices is a Collective advocacy group of people in Midlothian who identify as having Mental Health issues. CAPS facilitate their group to enable them to come together to achieve their goals. The group is fairly new but since getting together as the end of last year they have identified three goals for the group to work on: To engage with services at a strategic level by attending meetings and events where decision making happens, to work on topic specific issues that are important to people such as Welfare Reform and reducing stigma and to bring people in Midlothian together around these issues. So far members of the group have attended Lothian wide events on Human Rights and the reform of the Scottish Health Council and have looked at how these issues are relevant in Midlothian and fed back through the Mental Health Strategy group on their thoughts. They have also been part of a sit down with the Minister for Mental Health at the NHS annual conference to ask questions about Mental Health services in Midlothian Midlothian voices describe themselves as a go-getting friendly group and have many ideas on issues they would like to work on in the future, they are very much looking forward to welcoming new members of the group and generating new ideas. Individuals can get involved in the project at a level that suits their own abilities, skills and commitments. Meetings usually take place every six weeks. Due to Covid 19 CAPS we have had to alter the way we work. Groups and volunteer roles are currently taking place online until we can resume face to face meetings.

Our volunteers come along for a couple of hours a week on a Friday evening and get involved in facilitating our varied program for the youths, typical activities include games, sports and arts & crafts. We often participate in competitions, go on outings and arrange camp for our youths. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and able to work with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. We have various opportunities for training for our volunteers at local and national level. 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. All volunteers working with youths are required to have a PVG. This will be facilitated by the company.

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. That's why the right care at the end of your life is so important. With other group members from your local area, you will organise fundraising events, collections and bring your community together in supporting Marie Curie. The group meets approximately every 6 weeks to organise 2-4 events per year. Due to Covid-19 at present all volunteer fundraising is being carried out virtually.

These volunteers support hospital staff to minimise the numbers of people accessing the acute hospitals sites. They carry out a range of duties to support this including sanitising, face coverings and pharmacy pick up.  Provide directions to patients and visitors in the acute hospitals  Escort patients and visitors to departments, where appropriate  Show patients and visitors where they will be able to find wheelchairs (however we would not expect you to push patients or visitors in those wheelchairs)  Encourage physical distancing for those who are visiting the hospital environment, directing them to use the hand sanitizer and give out surgical masks as appropriate.  Collect discharge prescriptions for patients  Collect changes of clothes from relatives at front door to be delivered to wards for inpatients meaning that the relatives don’t need to go into the wards Full Personal Protective Equipment provided and volunteers in this role will be designated as frontline healthcare workers for the purposes of COVID vaccine A polo shirt will also be provided as uniform and volunteers will be given the option of taking Lateral Flow Tests.

These volunteers support the activity at COVID Vaccination Centres within Lanarkshire.  Provide directions to patients accessing the centre once they have been clerked in by administrative staff  Encourage physical distancing for those who are visiting the vaccination centre, directing them to use the hand sanitizer and give out surgical masks as appropriate.  Observation of the post vaccine waiting area and alerting a senior member of staff if people are unwell post vaccination Volunteers will be expected to do one shift a week and will have a member of staff to report to at the beginning of each shift. Full Personal Protective Equipment and Uniforms will be provided.

As a Reception Support Volunteer, you’ll be working as part of the Forth Valley team. The team supports people with their or their loved ones’ drug and/or alcohol issues. No two days are the same and we treat every person who comes into our service as an individual, so being flexible, curious and a good listener are key. At Change Grow Live we strive to ensure our services are warm and welcoming environments. Your role in reception will be the first point of contact within the service, greeting all our visitors promptly in a friendly and courteous manner. We will support you in this volunteering role by ensuring that you receive regular supervision, and have someone on site who you can approach for day-to-day advice and guidance. In return for the time you give you will receive valuable training and gain experience and skills. You’ll be making a real difference too.

Talkable offers a talkline to anyone suffering from panic or anxiety. We currently have a range of ways that you can help as a volunteer and as we continue to grow and provide ever more vital support to people. Opportunities to join our team of volunteers include: *Call Handler Volunteers. *Message Line Volunteers. *Legal Advisor Volunteer(s). *Mental Health Consultant Volunteer(s). *Policy and Procedure Advisor Volunteers. Excellent support and any relevant training is provided to all volunteers. There will also be an Area Manager to oversee everything and volunteers will be a part of a group of others who all help and support one another. There are flexible times available to assist. 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: info@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.