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MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact Heidi Bisset, Programme and Schools Manager- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire at email: mentor.services@mcrpathways.org or tel: 07587104597

* Your Credit Union needs you…...come and help shape the future of Grampian Credit Union! * This year, we have vacancies for Non-Executive Directors, and members of our Supervisory Committee. These vacancies have arisen from Directors & Supervisory Committee members reaching the end of their current terms, or because they are moving on. Information about the available roles, responsibilities and essential skills required for both roles can be accessed on our website at https://www.grampiancreditunion.co.uk/content.asp?section=25&bgc=&sbgc= Volunteering with us in these roles is rewarding and offers the satisfaction of knowing you are helping our Credit Union to grow, develop, and maintain a successful organisation for the common good. Moreover, you will develop and or hone transferable skills. Want to know more about volunteering with us? Contact us via email - admin@grampiancreditunion.co.uk and we will be pleased to hear from you. Also, would you (a member of Grampian Credit Union) like to nominate someone that you think would be interested in our roles? Please contact us via email admin@grampiancreditunion.co.uk OR call us on 01224 561506. We look forward to hearing from you!

*Help us make important decisions with and for infants, children and young people in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Become a Children’s Panel Member Volunteer. Find out more: www.chscotland.gov.uk * The qualities you use every day are exactly what Scotland’s infants, children and young people look for in a Panel Member. Children’s Hearings Scotland is looking for people who care about making a difference in the lives of children attending hearings in Scotland. A Panel Member’s role is to listen and make legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people, and to ensure that the young person is at the heart of every decision taken. There’s no one type of person or background that makes the ideal Children’s Panel Member. What you do need are certain qualities, such as being a good listener, caring, compassionate, and reliable. You will receive extensive training so that you are fully capable, and comfortable, making decisions at a hearing in the best interest of a child or young person. Children’s Hearings Scotland is dedicated to recruiting a Children’s Panel that represents Scotland’s communities, and so to ensure a balanced panel they are looking for more applicants 18 – 30 years old, as well as more male Panel Members. If you are passionate about driving positive change in your local community, then this is a volunteering role for you! Find out more and apply at: www.chscotland.gov.uk *(closing date for applications is midnight 15 February 2021.)

Talkable offers a talkline to anyone suffering from panic or anxiety. We are currently looking for people who have knowledge and understanding around mental health issues and who would like to volunteer at talkable. You would be required to answer the phone to provide a vital listening ear for our service users. You will be required to download an app to allow calls to come through and preferably be able to download whatsapp as this is where all our communication among us happens. An excellent opportunity to help and make a real difference for people. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Chelsea Birkett at E Mail: info@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.

A Minutes Secretary is required for the Northern Arts Club (NAC). Aberdeen's oldest independent arts club, in 1907 NAC started out by renting premises first at 410 Union Street, moving on to 1 Bon Accord Terrace. In the Christmas of 1919, its members decided to take the bold step of purchasing their own building at 8 Bon Accord Square, enabling them to enjoy a permanent home. The founding purpose of the club was to "promote good fellowship and union among those interested in the Arts and Artistic Crafts". During the early years of its existence, the club became a hub for many different social gatherings. Members enjoyed billiards, whist drives, bridge matches and music evenings along with performing their own plays. Weekend excursions were organised in the locality; and a yearly club picnic was held in June. The Club and its building has seen many changes during its long history, and witnessed a variety of diverse uses. But the constant is that the members retain their enthusiasm and interest in the Northern Arts Club, which has been run and continues to be run by the members for the enjoyment of all. Today NAC runs tutored classes and drop-in sessions for artists, bridge players, etc. Most are open to members and others. Several artist studios are offered for let throughout the building; other rooms are available for both short and longer-term hire. NAC holds periodic open art exhibitions. The Club welcomes creative people of all ages and abilities, aiming to offer its members and users a unique place to meet, relax and enjoy the various activities provided. NAC is a Company Limited by Guarantee. The position of Minutes Secretary is primarily to assist the Chairman and members of the Board by taking Minutes of Board Meetings (usually six/seven per annum; the AGM; and other (very occasional) ad hoc meetings). A fantastic opportunity to help support arts and culture in the north east. All help is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Jacqueline Spear, Chairperson at email: northernartsclub8@gmail.com

Food Train Connects provides a one to one grocery shopping services for older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. Becoming a Food Train Connects Shopping Friend is rewarding and it makes a huge difference to people’s lives. It’s amazing the impact that regular support with grocery shopping can have on someone who is isolated or lonely. If you want to make sure that an older person is able to live well in their own home this is a great opportunity to do so. The Role: • Contact the older person you are matched with on a regular basis, usually weekly, to obtain their shopping list, carry out their shopping and then deliver to their home, putting away if necessary. • Submit brief records, receipts for payment and to report any matters of concern to staff • Keep within the boundaries of the role • To inform Food Train Connects Staff of any accidents, incidents or complaints • To maintain confidentiality • To represent Food Train in a professional manner to our members and the wider community All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering with us/for more information please visit https://www.foodtrainconnects.org.uk or email connects@foodtrainconnects.org.uk

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help transport patients home from hospital to support NHS Grampian and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We are working as a partnership with the Royal Voluntary Service. Full training, risk assessment and reimbursement of any costs is provided to volunteers. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in finding out more please contact us at email travel@thinc-hub.org or call 01467 536111.

Street Friends Helping the Homeless Aberdeen is working towards a brighter future for homeless people, vulnerable and people in poverty. Here at Street Friends, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. To assist in this and our planned exciting developments to extend our support even further we have opportunities to join or Committee. Roles include Treasurer, Secretary, Administrator. All help is greatly appreciated and makes a difference for our vital work with homeless and vulnerable people in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. If you want to help or for more details please contact us at email: admin@streetfriendshelpingthehomeless.com or visit our website at https://www.streetfriendshelpingthehomeless.com

*Time to spare? Time to listen?* *Do you want to do something inspiring and different?* *Become a Listening Ear volunteer with Grampian Opportunities* Grampian Opportunities is looking for volunteers for its Listening Ear project which aims to maintain and improve participant wellbeing through regular social contact with a matched listening ear volunteer. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more information please contact Lynn Esslemont, Co-ordinator at E Mail: info@grampianopportunities.org.uk or tel.: Tel No: 01467 629675.

A club Treasurer is required for the Northern Arts Club (NAC). Aberdeen's oldest independent arts club, in 1907 NAC started out by renting premises first at 410 Union Street, moving on to 1 Bon Accord Terrace. In the Christmas of 1919, its members decided to take the bold step of purchasing their own building at 8 Bon Accord Square, enabling them to enjoy a permanent home. The founding purpose of the club was to "promote good fellowship and union among those interested in the Arts and Artistic Crafts". During the early years of its existence, the club became a hub for many different social gatherings. Members enjoyed billiards, whist drives, bridge matches and music evenings along with performing their own plays. Weekend excursions were organised I the locality; and a yearly club picnic was held in June. The Club and its building have seen many changes during its long history and witnessed a variety of diverse uses. But the constant is that the members retain their enthusiasm and interest in the Northern Arts Club, which has been run and continues to be run by the members for the enjoyment of all. Today NAC runs tutored classes and drop-in sessions for artists, bridge players, etc. Most are open to members and others. Several artist studios are offered for let throughout the building; other rooms are available for both short and longer-term hire. NAC holds periodic open art exhibitions. The Club welcomes creative people of all ages and abilities, aiming to offer its members and users a unique place to meet, relax and enjoy the various activities provided. NAC is a Company Limited by Guarantee. The position of Treasurer is not onerous, as the previous incumbent of the post set up simplified user-friendly processes. (Indeed, since his unexpected move from the area, our Chairperson has ‘kept the books, submitting annual accounts to the Club Accountants as per the Articles of Association.). Simple records of income and expenditure are kept, mainly membership and class’s fees and contracts rentals, along with building maintenance expenses. Please note that, if required, bookkeeping assistance can be sought from amongst the Membership. A fantastic opportunity to help support arts and culture in the north east. All help is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Jacqueline Spear, Chairperson at email: northernartsclub8@gmail.com