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Outdoor Volunteers are needed to help assist Nature Unlimited's employability programme in Gala and Drygrange and for Wild Play sessions at Bowmont Forest throughout the summer for children aged 6-11. Outdoor Volunteers: Nature Unlimited deliver many outdoor activities so have volunteering opportunities which take place throughout the Borders including: Nature Unlimited’s employability programme aimed primarily for young people aged 16 – 25* who are not in education, training or employment, who may struggle to thrive and who need to improve their confidence and skills for returning to work. *Spaces also available for adults over 25 who want to build their confidence and wellbeing. Volunteers will be learning traditional woodland management techniques and green woodworking skills, whilst working together as a team. Sessions will run weekly on Tuesday afternoons at the Focus Centre in Galashiels or on Thursdays at Drygrange Community Woodland. Wild Play sessions at Bowmont Forest, Kelso throughout the summer for children aged 6-11 - this would be good for volunteers who want to work with children but have no experience.

Outdoor Volunteers are needed to help assist Nature Unlimited's employability programme in Gala and Drygrange and for Wild Play sessions at Bowmont Forest throughout the summer for children aged 6-11. Outdoor Volunteers: Nature Unlimited deliver many outdoor activities so have volunteering opportunities which take place throughout the Borders including: Nature Unlimited’s employability programme aimed primarily for young people aged 16 – 25* who are not in education, training or employment, who may struggle to thrive and who need to improve their confidence and skills for returning to work. *Spaces also available for adults over 25 who want to build their confidence and wellbeing. Volunteers will be learning traditional woodland management techniques and green woodworking skills, whilst working together as a team. Sessions will run weekly on Tuesday afternoons at the Focus Centre in Galashiels or on Thursdays at Drygrange Community Woodland. Wild Play sessions at Bowmont Forest, Kelso throughout the summer for children aged 6-11 - this would be good for volunteers who want to work with children but have no experience.

This is a chance to make an enormous impact on the quality of life of one or more people with learning disabilities by entering into a 1:1 befriending relationship or being a member of a befriending group. The satisfaction to be had from befriending, and the difference it makes to people with learning disabilities, is immense. In a recent survey, every one of our volunteers said they would recommend volunteering with us to their friends. The role is great work experience and a source of references if you are thinking about applying for courses or paid jobs in Care. 1:1 links: You would be introduced to a child, young person or adult with learning disabilities who lives reasonably near you and shares your interests. They would probably be of a similar age to you, although we do link some adult volunteers with children and young people. You would meet up with them regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) to do whatever activities you both chose. After a trial period, the relationship would last for at least 6 months. Befriending Groups: The groups are generally staff-supervised and have equal numbers of volunteers and people with learning disabilities. Members choose the activities, which have often included art & crafts, drama and outdoor projects. Membership of the children’s (8-16yrs) and young people’s (16-25yrs) groups is usually for a minimum of a year. For adult groups we would look for at least 6 months commitment. See the information about the Branch below for more details of the groups operating in your area.

This is a chance to make an enormous impact on the quality of life of one or more people with learning disabilities by entering into a 1:1 befriending relationship or being a member of a befriending group. The satisfaction to be had from befriending, and the difference it makes to people with learning disabilities, is immense. In a recent survey, every one of our volunteers said they would recommend volunteering with us to their friends. The role is great work experience and a source of references if you are thinking about applying for courses or paid jobs in Care. 1:1 links: You would be introduced to a child, young person or adult with learning disabilities who lives reasonably near you and shares your interests. They would probably be of a similar age to you, although we do link some adult volunteers with children and young people. You would meet up with them regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) to do whatever activities you both chose. After a trial period, the relationship would last for at least 6 months. Befriending Groups: The groups are generally staff-supervised and have equal numbers of volunteers and people with learning disabilities. Members choose the activities, which have often included art & crafts, drama and outdoor projects. Membership of the children’s (8-16yrs) and young people’s (16-25yrs) groups is usually for a minimum of a year. For adult groups we would look for at least 6 months commitment. See the information about the Branch below for more details of the groups operating in your area.

This is a chance to make an enormous impact on the quality of life of one or more people with learning disabilities by entering into a 1:1 befriending relationship or being a member of a befriending group. The satisfaction to be had from befriending, and the difference it makes to people with learning disabilities, is immense. In a recent survey, every one of our volunteers said they would recommend volunteering with us to their friends. The role is great work experience and a source of references if you are thinking about applying for courses or paid jobs in Care. 1:1 links: You would be introduced to a child, young person or adult with learning disabilities who lives reasonably near you and shares your interests. They would probably be of a similar age to you, although we do link some adult volunteers with children and young people. You would meet up with them regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) to do whatever activities you both chose. After a trial period, the relationship would last for at least 6 months. Befriending Groups: The groups are generally staff-supervised and have equal numbers of volunteers and people with learning disabilities. Members choose the activities, which have often included art & crafts, drama and outdoor projects. Membership of the children’s (8-16yrs) and young people’s (16-25yrs) groups is usually for a minimum of a year. For adult groups we would look for at least 6 months commitment. See the information about the Branch below for more details of the groups operating in your area.

The Volunteer Befriender will accompany and enable a Momentum Service User, living in Central Borders, to access and enjoy a range of social and recreational activities, while also personally gaining enjoyment from the social experiences. The Befriender will provide companionship, conversation, driving and occasional (rarely) physical support to enable a 68 year old man to manage physical difficulties with mobility, impaired (variable) vision, fatigue (which can impair cognitive functioning) and sometimes balance issues. Examples of interests and activities are going to the cinema (he enjoys adventure and comedy rather than romance), attending rugby matches (“Southern Knights” at Melrose and internationals), book festivals and authors’ presentations, birdwatching, history, music events (especially Big Band Swing, classical and 1960’s and 70’s rock), visiting museums and galleries, discussing current affairs, going for coffee and short walks.

Many people with dementia can often feel isolated and lonely. As a befriender, you can help to make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia in the following ways: - Provide more opportunities for social contact and companionship - Support to develop life story book, engage reminiscence. - Support people to build relationships with others. - Motivate people to take up old hobbies and interests again, or develop new ones. - Encourage people to take part in local groups and activities. - Care home befriending with residents who have a diagnosis of dementia and do not have regular visitors. You will be matched with a person living in your area with similar interests and life experiences.

Many people with dementia can often feel isolated and lonely. As a befriender, you can help to make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia in the following ways: - Provide more opportunities for social contact and companionship - Support to develop life story book, engage reminiscence. - Support people to build relationships with others - Motivate people to take up old hobbies and interests again, or develop new ones - Encourage people to take part in local groups and activities You will be matched with a person living in your area with similar interests and life experiences.

Volunteer drivers help older people in Berwickshire and Kelso to get to our befriending groups. The groups meet in Coldstream and Eyemouth. Drivers are welcome to stay and take part in group if they would like to. What do volunteer group befrienders do? Pick people up from their homes. Make sure they are safe getting in and out of the car. Make sure they use any walking aids they need. Come to training. Come to supervision sessions and team meetings. Follow the rules of BeFriend. Where does it happen? Coldstream and Eyemouth How much time does it take? The groups meet every two weeks on a Tuesday afternoon, from 2pm till 4pm. Will it cost me anything? We will pay you back for any petrol you use getting to the group or any bus fares.

Our volunteers offer informal companionship to older people in Berwickshire and Kelso. They help to make their lives more interesting, help them to do activities, and help them to keep up with their friends and family. What do volunteer befrienders do? Volunteers keep older people company in Berwickshire and Kelso. They help to make their lives more interesting and help them to do activities and keep up with their friends and family. Where does it happen? Usually in the older people’s own homes. Sometimes they might go to somewhere like a garden centre or a community centre if the volunteer is happy to do that. How much time does it take? As much time as you have to spare! Most volunteers do it for about 2 hours a week. Will it cost me anything? We will pay you back for any petrol you use or bus fares or cups of coffee you buy when you are volunteering. What will we do? Volunteers: Visit people in their homes. If you have the time, you might visit more than one person. Keep the person company. Help people to decide if they want to do something new. Help people to go to any clubs, societies, drop-in sessions, outings, and so on, that the person would like to go to but only if you are able to do these things. Take a note of visits and tell the co-ordinator if there are any problems. Come to training. Come to supervision sessions and team meetings. Follow the rules of BeFriend.