Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.
Help us raise vital funds by representing SSAFA at local fundraising events, providing a friendly and approachable service to potential donors.
What is a Fundraising volunteer?
As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.
Why do we need you?
SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.
Key role responsibilities
Being part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g. handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients
Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
What are we looking for?
Friendly and approachable people
Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face
Reliable attitude, keeping in touch the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability
Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely
Access to public transport or a car to get to events
Able to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives)
Referees
We have a few restrictions on who can act as a referee for you and your application:
The referee must have know you for at least two years - and you must still be in contact now.
The referee cannot be a member of your family.
The referee cannot live at the same address as you.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support disabled volunteers, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as non-disabled volunteers.
The SSAFA Mentoring service provides long-term, one-to-one, face-to-face support during transition and for up to two years post discharge to all members of our armed forces. By supporting, guiding and signposting individuals we can ensure a successful transition is achieved. Our volunteer mentors are an integral part of the team supporting the service user into civilian life often helping them to understand and navigate their new environment.
A SSAFA Mentor is an individual who commits the time to build a professional relationship with a service leaver or their family through a challenging period of time. Providing support and guidance along the way. Mentoring is natural skill that we all have, the ability to listen and empathise as well as question and challenge in an environment that sees rewards at different levels.
Leaving the Armed Forces can a difficult and stressful time for serving personnel: to ensure the SSAFA mentoring team can continue to offer face to face mentors to those in transition it is important to encourage and recruit new mentors to the team.
Mentors provide weekly meetings within a 50 mile radius of their home address and will:
Assist the client to establish realistic goals and work towards achieving them.
Act as a sounding board when the client wants to discuss decisions and ideas.
Challenge opportunities, problems, personal strengths and weaknesses.
Signpost to other organisations and sources of knowledge.
Seek opportunities to help the client practice and develop key skills for the future.
Pass on know-how and essential thinking patterns and attitudes.
Generate workable solutions together in a mutually respectful way.
Motivate, advise and support whilst empowering the service leaver to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own actions and development.
Maintain regular contact with your Regional Mentoring Coordinator and provide accurate meeting records after every meeting via a secure email system.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time and life experience
Support and friendship from the Mentoring team and fellow mentors
Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
Key role responsibilities
Meet with their client for an hour each week for a period of up to but not limited to12 months.
Support the client and SSAFA ensure they receive any necessary support from SSAFA or external organisations.
Complete (mandatory) accurate records of all contact made with the client, by using the SSAFA Email system
Maintain regular contact with their Regional Mentoring Coordinator
Agree to any supervision deemed necessary.
Attend mandatory Network/Refresher training every three years
Uphold the aims and values of SSAFA and comply with all current policies; confidentiality, impartiality and equal opportunities.
To be reliable and fulfil any time commitment made to a client
DBS Check will be required.
IT literacy.
What is a Branch Secretary?
This is a key role involving administration and coordinating people. As the first point of contact for SSAFA in the area you will play a crucial part in promoting SSAFA locally, organising local events and ensuring the smooth running of SSAFA across the branch.
What would you be doing?
Managing the branch office (if applicable) and providing support to all volunteers, especially new ones
Work with the branch Chair, treasurer and others to ensure smooth running of the branch
Accepting referrals and coordinating SSAFA caseworkers, visitors and helpers accordingly
Oversee all SSAFA casework across the branch ensuring clients get support that is effective and timely
Monitor volunteer numbers against the demand for support and recruit new volunteers as needed
Working with the local training officer to ensure all volunteers are kept up to date with the training and information they need
Build relationships with regional and central office staff to ensure an effective flow of information
Maintaining accurate records of volunteers and cases, submit accurate data to Central Office
Providing administration for an annual programme of meetings including an AGM, recording and implementing decisions
Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser
Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If you already have some fundraising experience that would be great too but it’s not essential.
As a Fundraising Coordinator, you would work with your local SSAFA branch to develop a Fundraising Plan. You would be central to delivering this local plan to raise funds through a range of local sources including grants, trusts, appeals, collections.
As Fundraising Coordinator, you would work with your local SSAFA branch to develop a Fundraising Plan. You would be central to delivering this local plan to raise funds through a range of local sources including grants, trusts, appeals, collections and events
Why do we need you?
SSAFA branches rely on a regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity and grants for clients in urgent needs. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community. We’d love to hear from you if you could help by coordinating this vital aspect of your local SSAFA branch.
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support client
Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
What are we looking for?
Friendly and approachable people with good communication skills including written and spoken English
Confident to deal with the public, potential clients, volunteers, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues – face-to-face, by phone, email or via social media
Experience of running events and or submitting funding applications would be welcome but not essential
Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address
Ability to make enquires about fundraising opportunities by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms
Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability
Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely
Access to public transport or a car to get to meetings and events
Able to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives)
Referees
We have a few restrictions on who can act as a referee for you and your application:
The referee must have know you for at least two years - and you must still be in contact now.
The referee cannot be a member of your family.
The referee cannot live at the same address as you.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support disabled volunteers, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as non-disabled volunteers.
Do you have an interest in pastoral care, some free time and a lovely, gentle dog? Then volunteering for Pet and Companion (PEACE for short) could be for you and your furry friend!
PEACE is a charity providing Canine Therapy along with Pastoral Care for people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; students during stressful periods; and vulnerable women.
Pastoral Carers and their therapy dogs (PEACE Teams) visit people in need of support and companionship in various locations, including: Care Homes; University and College campuses; and community hubs. Ideally, PEACE Teams will volunteer for a couple of hours a week/fortnight in order to build relationships with the people they visit.
The PEACE dog helps to provide a relaxing environment (the basis of canine therapy), while the Pastoral Carer offers both a listening ear and a means of support, happy to talk through any concerns or fears a person may have (pastoral care).
The role of a PEACE Pastoral Carer is similar to that of a befriender. All Pastoral Carers are therefore Christians, and are comfortable praying and/or discussing their faith with the people they visit, if requested.
All PEACE Pastoral Carers receive training in Mental Health First Aid, attentive listening and dementia awareness. Volunteers will also become members of the PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) scheme.
For information about volunteering or any other enquiries about PEACE, please contact Georgie Treharne-Hulks, Volunteer Manager at email: georgie@petandcompanion.com Further information is also available at www.petandcompanion.com
Are you interested in sport and working with older adults? We might have the opportunity for you.....
Strathmore Community Rugby Trust and Strathmore Cricket Club are working in partnership to deliver Sporting Memories sessions throughout Forfar and Kirriemuir. The Sporting Memories sessions support a wide range of people aged 50+. They focus on bringing adults over 50 together to reduce isolation and loneliness, improve their mental wellbeing and help them become more active to live a healthier lifestyle. We have weekly and monthly clubs delivered at a variety of locations. At each session we deliver an on-topic reminiscing session followed by a light physical activity session to suit the abilities and interest of the group. For example, in the build up to Rugby World Cup we have sessions relating to rugby and in the summer during Wimbledon we focussed on tennis. We have a variety of roles for volunteers which all combine to ensure the smooth and successful running of our club.
We are looking for volunteers that may be interested in helping with some of the below roles:
Club Supporter
- providing practical help at group meetings
- welcoming members as they arrive and being a friendly face
- making teas and coffees
- encouraging members to engage in conversations and activities
- befriending group members and supporting them to attend
Club Resource Maker
- helping to research and create resources
- find and collate items of local or national sporting interest
- develop relevant sporting resources for use within clubs and for one-to-one
- work with our members and other volunteers to create resources relevant to our members interests
Club Reporter
- helping to record and promote activities
- collate information and stories from club members
Club Guest
- talk about your own personal sporting memories
- provide history from a local sporting club
- bring along resources from a sporting history in the local area
If you have any questions about any of the roles or would like to volunteer, please contact Mia White, Community Project Worker at Strathmore Community Rugby Trust.
Volunteers play an essential role in keeping our clubs thriving across Scotland and without their dedication to older people we simply wouldn’t be able to run our community clubs. We have a variety of roles available and here’s a brief taster of what you can help us to do:
· Club sessions are held once a week so are ideal if you would like a regular volunteering opportunity
· Our volunteers love talking about their favourite teams, sporting greats or special sporting moments and engaging members to share their stories
· Volunteering is an opportunity to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds, especially older people – many of whom will be living with a condition such as dementia or low mood
· Our volunteers learn new and unique skills, through attending training sessions and while volunteering
· You will work as part of a small team – a great opportunity to meet and get to know new people
Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) - Borders Osteoporosis CAMEO Group
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
Join Our Team and Be the Heart of Change! 🌟
Position: Fundraising & Events – Events Volunteer
Location: Erskine Edinburgh / Various Community Venues - Scotland Wide
Your Mission: Unite with us to build a Scotland where Veterans and their families thrive. At Erskine, our vision is clear: to offer Veterans their best possible future through the best possible care and community support.
Role at a Glance:
As an Events Volunteer, you'll be at the forefront of generating vital funds to support our Veterans. Your enthusiasm will light up various community settings as you:
📆 Schedule: Coordinate with our fundraising team based on your availability, making this a flexible commitment.
🏢 Event Setup/Clear up: Play a crucial role in setting up and tidying event/venue areas and displays, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
📋 Registration Desk Host: Welcome participants with a warm smile and assist them with registrations.
🛍️ Merchandise Maestro: Show off your sales skills by manning our Erskine-branded merchandise stalls.
🎟️ Raffle Rockstar: Sell raffle tickets and/or collect donations on-site during events.
🚚 Logistics Pro: Help transport goods and resources to and from event venues.
🏃 General Runner: Be the go-to person for various on-the-day tasks that keep the event running seamlessly.
🎉 Event Extraordinaire: If you're up for it, you might even contribute to event entertainment, activities, or event photography to capture the magic.
🤝 Support Ambassador: Provide support, encouragement, and resources to event participants taking on sponsorship challenges.
Time Commitment:
Length: A minimum of one day.
Weekly Hours: 2-8 hours, depending on your availability. We're flexible to accommodate your schedule.
Training Requirements:
🌟 Core Induction: Get acquainted with Erskine's history mission and values.
🏛️ Site Briefing: Familiarise yourself with the event location and role tasks.
🤝 Optional Fundraising Session: Enhance your fundraising knowledge to learn re our targets and how our money is spent on veterans
Diversity and Inclusion:
Erskine welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, aged 14 and above. You don't need prior experience; our training program will support you every step of the way.
Skills and Attributes:
💙 Passion: A deep commitment to supporting Veterans.
🤝 Trustworthiness and Honesty: Essential qualities for our team.
😄 Professional and Friendly: An outgoing manner that engages people.
📜 Adherence to Guidelines: Ability to work within fundraising guidelines.
Requirements and Benefits:
👥 Age Requirement: Must be 16+ for bucket collections unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or volunteering as part of a uniformed group.
🚗 Travel Expenses: Receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket travel expenses, up to £15 per day.
Rewards of Volunteering:
By joining us, you become an essential part of raising funds and awareness for Erskine. You directly contribute to ensuring that our residents receive the quality of care they so richly deserve.
Ready to Enlist for a Cause? Apply Now!
Your dedication can change lives and shape a brighter future for Veterans and their families. Together, we'll make Scotland a place where they truly thrive. Join us today and be the heart of change! 🤝
Ready to Make a Difference? Contact Us:
📞 0141 814 4640
📧 volunteering@erskine.org.uk
🌐 www.erskine.org.uk