Find opportunities

An new exciting volunteer role to support unpaid carers in East Dunbartonshire to gain confidence in using smart technologies, computers and other new technologies. The Switched On project is designed to empower unpaid carers by teaching them how to use new technologies to improve their lives. This is an exciting and fun project that will improve your teaching skills and understanding of technology. Your role is to contact carers remotely, identify and deliver training that the carer needs. This will be conducted over a limited number of sessions.

Do you enjoy making a difference in your community? We are setting up an osteoporosis support group to be based in the community in Galashiels and are looking friendly, welcoming people to help. An amazing opportunity to support and help others in a community setting with the newly formed Galashiels Osteoporosis Support Group. Help individuals to improve their quality of life, whilst helping them learn to live well with this debilitating condition. The (CAMEO) Osteoporosis Support group (Come and meet others with Osteoporosis) will meet up in the community in Galashiels. The group will be welcome to all, but is mainly for people with osteoporosis or those touched by the condition to meet up and be given the opportunity to speak to others in a similar situation. The group is being set up in the community with a local volunteer team, but will have ongoing support and guidance from the Volunteer and Public Engagement team at the ROS. The Galashiels Osteoporosis Support Group will be run in a relaxed fun and informative way. Osteoporosis Support Groups can be another great source of information and can help other people in similar situation by helping to raise awareness about all things Osteoporosis, especially if newly diagnosed. There are lots of ways to get involved, but this could include: • With the Volunteer Lead, helping to plan for and organise upcoming meetings. • Sending and replying to emails, sending meeting invites, writing newsletters and updates. • Help to set up before and clear away after the meeting. • Meet and greet attendees on the day, being a point of support for group attendees, answering questions and helping them in ways that best meets their individual needs. Giving peer support, helping to guide and assist others on their Osteoporosis journey. • Work as part of the team, helping to support the group and the Volunteer Lead, with the support and help of the ROS and the Borders Volunteer Action. • There may be the opportunity to take part in community awareness events and to take on other volunteer role if interested. Times: No minimum commitment, but to help secure the future of the group, a long term commitment would be preferred. We plan for meetings to be held four times a year for two hours.

Calling All Volunteering Heroes: Join Our Mission to Brighten Lives! Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country? Erskine Veterans Charity is searching for compassionate and enthusiastic volunteers to be a part of our impactful volunteering family. Join us as we create moments of joy, connection, and companionship for our esteemed residents. Why Volunteer With Us? 🌟 Meaningful Impact: Your time and effort will directly contribute to enhancing the quality of life for our veterans. Whether it is supporting activities, offering practical support or simply sharing stories as a visitor or befriender, you will be making lasting memories. 🌼 Fulfilment: There is nothing quite like the feeling of bringing smiles to the faces of those who have sacrificed so much. Your involvement will add purpose and fulfilment to your own life as well. 🤝 Connection: This is an opportunity to connect with veterans, their families, staff, and other volunteers, share experiences, build on your interpersonal skills and build friendships that transcend generations. Your presence will help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. 🧠 Stimulating Activities: .Our activities programme is as varied as our residents’ interests are. From group outings to creative projects, your ideas and energy will be welcome, and your involvement will keep their hearts and minds active. Help us create an environment where veterans can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Join Our Team Today! Step forward and be a part of something truly extraordinary. Erskine is ready to welcome you into our family, where your kindness will ripple through the lives of those who deserve it the most. Together, we can create a haven of happiness and camaraderie. Be the light that illuminates their days. Join our volunteers and show our veterans the care and respect they have earned. Your time, compassion, and dedication will make all the difference. Honouring Our Heroes: One Activity at a Time Ready to Make a Difference? Contact Us: 📞 0141 814 4640 📧 volunteering@erskine.org.uk 🌐 www.erskine.org.uk

The monthly female peer group is for unpaid carers who look after a relative or friend who has an illness, disability, addiction or are frail or elderly. The group allows carers to meet others in a similar situation, time out from their caring role and access support and information. The facilitator would welcome carers, encourage discussion and liaise with a member of staff to organise relevant speakers if and when requested by carers

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) is inviting expressions of interest for people with lived experience of palliative care, or their carers or family members, to take part in our upcoming palliative care guideline. You would join the multidisciplinary guideline group and provide your experience to contribute to the finished guideline.

Do you like driving and chatting to people? Would you like to help someone get to their important appointments with ease? Are you willing to go the extra mile? We’d love to hear from you if you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver for our community transport service in Inverness

Can you spare a few hours per month? Would you like to support people in your community who have been affected by cancer? ANGUSalive are working in partnership with Macmillan to develop information and support services for anyone affected by cancer in Angus based in Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Monifieth and/or Montrose libraries. Options for Volunteer Involvement- · Advertising and Signposting our service locally · Stock checking booklets and ordering regularly · Face-to-Face support for people in Angus, giving written information and signposting to other support services What will you get out of it? · Training in listening and supporting others (Macmillan/Queen Margaret University accredited training course) · Opportunity to support people in your community · Opportunity to attend certain training courses run by Angus Council, NHS Tayside and Macmillan Cancer Support · Other wider Macmillan volunteering roles if interested How much time should I give? This is flexible from a couple of hours a week to a couple of hours a month as suits the individual. Interested? For further information please press the 'I want to volunteer' button or contact us direct on MacmillanInfoSupport@angusalive.scot or 01307 492465.

Providing practical and emotional support to help clients recovering from ill health or facing isolation gain independence and re-engage in their community. Provide tailored support and encouragement to individual clients to support recovery, reduce isolation, improve health and wellbeing and reduce likelihood of hospital admission. This varies by individual and can include: - phone-calls, visits, accompanied walks/visits/shopping including driving or public transport - mobility practice, seated exercise, practicing domestic tasks in any hospital reablement plan - encourage healthy eating and hydration - offer practical support e.g. prescription collection, dog walking, household paperwork, IT support - guide clients to other sources of support and activities

Home Support Volunteers visit families in their own homes to provide practical support. This can include helping with housekeeping, spending time with siblings, meal preparation, or other tasks to ‘lighten the load’ of family life. A rewarding role, where you are making a direct difference. What activities will I be involved in? Your initial introductory visit will be with a member of staff, but you will then visit unaccompanied Supporting families with ‘everyday’ tasks – these will vary and be dependent on the family’s needs, and the skills you bring. They may include: Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying Practical Sibling Support - collecting siblings from school/clubs within walking distance of their home, assisting with homework, spending time with siblings/play Meal Preparation - batch cooking or supporting families to cook (this does require specific training, which we will provide) Other - gardening, dog-walking, basic DIY eg. helping with flat-pack furniture Develop positive relationships with families, being respectful of their home and belongings Immediately communicate any concerns which may arise about a families wellbeing, including child protection concerns Be respectful of sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services How much time should I offer? You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours with the family, and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment. Usually volunteers support each family for a period of months (dependent on need), then would be introduced to another family. It is possible there will be a short time between supporting different families. Where is the Opportunity based? CHAS supports families across the whole of Scotland. For this role you will support families in their own homes, within a short travelling distance of where you live. What are the benefits to me? Using your skills and developing new ones Making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition Experience, adding to your CV and career prospects Meeting new people Having fun! What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS? Families supported by CHAS are often under a lot of strain, and caring for a child with a life-limiting condition can take a lot of the family’s time and attention. Often other household tasks, and family life, can become more difficult to manage, and can begin to feel overwhelming. This role makes a direct and instant difference to families. What else should I know? This role is for those aged 18+. You are required to be able to drive and to have access to your own vehicle (travel expenses can be claimed). You will need to complete Visit Logs online, these can be accessed through a phone, computer or tablet, and will require an internet connection (a high level of ‘technology’ knowledge is not required to complete these). This role requires membership of the PVG scheme. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG form – if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis. We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy. CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation will improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise. We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. Please feel welcome to contact Emma Steel, Home Support Lead (West), on 01389 722079 or emmasteel@chas.org.uk if you have any questions, or would like to discuss the role.

*Volunteer with Charlie House and give the gift of time* Thousands of volunteers across the North-east of Scotland make an amazing contribution to the third sector and provide vital hours of support to charities and the families which they support. Our volunteers are an integral and invaluable part of Team Charlie House. Every single hour they contribute makes a difference to the babies, children, young people and families we support. As we develop our range of services to support even more families across the region, we are looking to expand our team of Charlie House volunteers. Some of our volunteers gift an occasional hour or two, some a whole day, and some make a regular commitment every week or month. We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available for each and every individual, based on their available time. 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