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.
We have exciting opportunities for young volunteers to come along and assist disabled members with various activities. This includes arts, crafts, games, leisure activities, volunteer drivers to mention but a few.
You will be made to feel very welcome as we are a very friendly, dynamic group and greatly appreciate all help that volunteers give. All young people who volunteer (and are under 25 years of age) also receive Saltire Award certificates for their volunteering contribution. This is a great, enjoyable opportunity to help in the local community, make a positive difference and also the opportunity to develop new skills and interests as well.
For more information please contact:
e-mail: info@future-choices.org.uk / Tel.: 0800 566 8728 / or through our website www.future-choices.org.uk
VSA Friends For Life Club for 11 -14 yrs: Helping with a range of activities at Saturday Fun Club 3.00 - 5.00pm for children with additional support needs.
Helping, preparing, and taking part in, construction games, educational activities, sensory play, board games, arts & crafts, music & dance, indoor and outdoor play.
The club is established, lively and has a good welcoming atmosphere.
For further details please email elaine.michael@vsa.org.uk / tel.: 01224 212021
It starts with ‘Hello’. From new mums to empty nesters, it's often surprising who is affected by loneliness.
That's why we're teaming up with The Co-operative. Together we want to reach out and reconnect thousands of lonely people with their communities, and tackle a problem that is shortening lives and eroding wellbeing.
The aim of the Community Connector is to support people affected by social isolation and loneliness and to help them gain confidence and to reconnect to their community in partnership with existing and new partner organisations. We will place the person at the centre of what we do and help them by offering positive encouragement, practical help and emotional support, for up to three months, depending on their needs.
Full training and excellent support is provided to all volunteers.
This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in the local community. All help is greatly appreciated.
For more details please contact Ieva Nevulyte, Community Connector Co-ordinator at email inevulyte@redcross.org.uk / tel:: 07872 839864.
Charlie House runs a café in the city’s Bon Accord Centre with 100% of profits supporting babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families, across the North-east of Scotland. The café is open seven days a week providing sit-in and take-away hot/cold drinks, soup, cakes and sandwiches.
Our ReCHarge café volunteers are a key part of the team, helping to give customers a welcoming and positive café experience.
Volunteer activities include helping to:
-meet and greet customers
-keep the café and servery areas clean and tidy
-prepare food/drinks
-take payments
-replenish stock.
Volunteers are also trained and encouraged to promote Charlie House events and activities to potential families, volunteers, supporters and members of the public.
All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.
To find out more about volunteering with Charlie House and the full range of current ways you can help and make a real difference through volunteering please visit: https://www.charliehouse.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-with-us/ or contact us at E Mail: volunteer@charliehouse.org.uk
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual who is competent with all social media – website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook - to join our charity on a voluntary basis. To provide help and support to establish these sites and help manage them on a regular basis.
>Individuals’ benefit – Develop relevant work experience - marketing, IT, advertising, PR, community and publicity. Look good on CV.
>Public benefit – making the public and potential service users aware of the charity and informing them of what the charity does.
The charity was established in 2004 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
We are a local charity offering housing advice and advocacy to vulnerable/disabled individuals and managed by a committee of local people. We received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service last year in recognition of our work, volunteering and positive difference we make.
For more information please contact Anne Findlay, Board Member at E Mail: info@dphsaberdeen.org / Tel No: 07984219950.
PAMIS Grampian - Promoting a More Inclusive Society
We are recruiting volunteers to assist in our important and exciting Pamiloo development.
Thousands of people with complex needs across Scotland are unable to attend events or visit outdoor venues due to the lack of appropriate toilet facilities and to this end PAMIS have purchased the first Scottish fully accessible mobile changing places toilet.
PAMIS will use this resource for events that they organise for families and it will also be available for others to hire. To date it has been at the Edinburgh Fringe, visited various beaches and events in Scotland.
We require volunteers to open and close the van, be an attendant and supervise the use of the mobile changing places toilet. This position is open to a wide group of volunteers. Training will be given.
We are also recruiting volunteer drivers (for volunteer drivers you have to be 25 years old and over for insurance purposes). You could volunteer to be a driver and drive it to different venues. All bookings will be arranged through PAMIS.
Excellent support and full training is provided to all volunteers and we reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses and travel. This is a hugely valuable and rewarding experience, the opportunity to learn new skills and to travel.
For more information please contact Lesley Gray on email l.u.gray@dundee.ac.uk or tel.: 01382 385154. You can visit our website: www.pamis.org.uk
Note: a child or adult with profound and multiple learning disabilities will always be accompanied by at least one carer at all times. You will not be expected to assist in any personal care activities.
*Background
Our charity was established to improve quality of life for babies, children and young people in the North East of Scotland who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and to provide support to their families. The Charlie House vision has always been to have a purpose-built facility in Aberdeen to support families in the region.
The Charlie House ‘Big Build Appeal’ was established to raise the £8m required to support this long-term goal. The building and planned services provided by the centre will dramatically change the support available to these children and their families locally, when they need it. The 8-bedroom facility will vitally offer parents and carers the chance to recharge their batteries, safe in the knowledge that their children will be in the care of specially trained medical staff.
*Role
We are looking for an experienced graphic designer to work with us to develop the resources required to deliver the next phase of our Build Appeal. We are due to launch a campaign in March that will see us break ground and begin the build, but first we need to raise the funds. The role of the graphic design volunteer is to assist with the design of the range of resources that we need to communicate the project and secure support from a range of audiences.
The resources required include:
• Flyers, posters, presentations, and brochures
• Social media graphics and other assets for use by Charlie House and our partners
• Infographics: transforming our content into impact visuals.
• Assets for our website including banners, tiles and images
The next phase of the campaign is due to launch in March with some critical resources required by then. We will then phase the development of the resources required to allow us to extend to new audience segments as we progress. You will be working with the Big Build project team, an external creative agency the Charlie House Marketing and Communications team who will provide the Charlie House/Big Build branding, style guideline and creative assets, and oversee consistency across all resources.
*The impact you will have
Your creative output will shape the next phase of the big Build project, allowing us to reach the £8million target and commence the build of the Charlie House facility. With your help we will be able to continue to provide our team with the tools they need to communicate and secure funding to provide this vital service to the families that so desperately need it.
*Time commitment
Minimum of 3 hours per week with a minimum commitment of 15 hours to the project.
A fantastic opportunity to assist with a major charity in Aberdeen. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Kerry Campbell, HR Manager at email kerry@charliehouse.org.uk or tel.: 01224 313333.
PAMIS Grampian - Promoting a More Inclusive Society
We are recruiting Volunteer Drivers to assist in our important and exciting Pamiloo development.
Thousands of people with complex needs across Scotland are unable to attend events or visit outdoor venues due to the lack of appropriate toilet facilities and to this end PAMIS have purchased the first Scottish fully accessible mobile changing places toilet.
PAMIS will use this resource for events that they organise for families and it will also be available for others to hire. To date it has been at the Edinburgh Fringe, visited various beaches and events in Scotland.
We are recruiting volunteer drivers. Drivers have to be 25 years old and over. You could volunteer to be a driver and drive it to different venues. All bookings will be arranged through PAMIS.
We also require volunteers to open and close the van, be an attendant and supervise the use of the mobile changing places toilet. This position is open to a wider group of volunteers. Training will be given.
Excellent support and full training is provided to all volunteers and we reimburse agreed out of pocket expenses and travel. This is a hugely valuable and rewarding experience, the opportunity to learn new skills and to travel.
For more information please contact For more information please contact Lesley Gray on email l.u.gray@dundee.ac.uk or tel.: 01382 385154. You can visit our website: www.pamis.org.uk
Note: a child or adult with profound and multiple learning disabilities will always be accompanied by at least one carer at all times. You will not be expected to assist in any personal care activities.
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