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Independent Monitoring Boards are made up of over a thousand unpaid volunteers operating in every prison in England and Wales, and every immigration detention facility across the UK. We are currently look for volunteers to join our Scotland and Northern Ireland Short Term Holding Facility Board and Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre Board IMB members are the eyes and ears of the public, appointed by ministers to perform a vital task: independent monitoring of prisons and immigration detention. They report on whether the individuals held there are being treated fairly and humanely and whether prisoners are being given the support they need to turn their lives around. This can make a huge difference to the lives of those held within these facilities. We encourage applications from people from minority ethnic communities, young people, those of working age, and people with disabilities, as these groups are under-represented on our existing Boards. Closing date for applications is 7 May 23. Please visit the IMB website for further information and to apply: https://www.imb.org.uk/join-now/current-vacancies/

The successful volunteer would be matched with a New Scot or a family who require support to practise their English language learning in “real” situations. Buddies also support learning about Scottish culture and customs, and may help learners to find out how to access services. The volunteer would be contributing to the integration of the new arrivals into the society, reducing their isolation and enhancing their employability prospects, which is a hugely important and rewarding activity. They would be offered support and training by the ESOL Officer, so someone thinking of teaching English might be particularly interested in this opportunity.

Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis for an hour or so each week, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

The work involves: • Working with a fantastic bunch of volunteers to help them have the best possible experience of their work with us. • Looking for ways to recruit new people to our work. • Helping to set up and run events in collaboration with volunteers and other groups. • Using a range of MS Office programmes – training provided • Organising, designing and updating websites – training provided • Using Social Media to publicise our work and the issues refugees face – training provided • There may also be the chance to take part in meetings with volunteer coordinators from other agencies.

Massive Outpouring of Love (MOOL) was formed relieve the needs of displaced persons, refugees or asylum seekers. We are a Dumfries and Galloway based registered charity and we have worked with various agencies to send aid overseas but also to help those people who have made their way here feel welcome and to eases their route into our society as much as possible. Currently we are engaged in an initiative, together with DGMA, Interfaith Scotland and the Crichton centre to offer local help to support the hosts who’ve generously opened their homes to Ukrainian guests and to the guests themselves. We know that the offers have come from across the county but that many of chances for people to get together and seek help are based in Dumfries. We want to contact hosts and guests across the region and offer them what help we can. We are looking for local people with good contacts within their own locality who could act as a contact point for local hosts and guests and those in the community who can offer assistance of any kind.

Have you ever wanted to volunteer all to do within the concept of Football? Well look no further! Street Soccer Scotland is currently looking for volunteers to join their team. No two days the same, working alongside our players developing them personally and mentally. The role includes working with coaches and players pitch side, monitoring games, inputting data, building relationships with partner organisations. We work with all ages from 10 years old all the way to past retirement . We currently run in Aberdeen: Walking Football, Kids 10-13 Year olds, Street 45 (Women's Programme) and Adult Sessions. Opportunities are available Monday to Friday - Please get in touch with Peter Wood, Programme Co-ordinator at email: peter@streetsoccerscotland.org or telephone: 07487603708, if you would like to know more.

Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you. Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around Aberdeen who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young person and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face If you are interested in this opportunity please email: asia.wieloch@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (now part of the Volunteering Matters Family of Brands) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

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.

Somebody Cares is a local charity who furnish homes, provide clothing, baby equipment, toys and food parcels to those in need within our city and shire. Through referral from many local support services, charities, social workers and the local councils, clients are able to access our services completely free of charge. By demonstrating empathy and support, our aim is to provide a helping hand to those who are facing challenging times, by offering hope and providing then with essential and practicable items which they otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase. Our greatest wish is that after receiving our support our clients can gain confidence, flourish and begin to escape the poverty trap. We work with men, woman and children from many different backgrounds, and our services are accessed by many support services including Aberdeen City Council, Cornhill Hospital, Grampians Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Children’s 1st, Turning Point Scotland, Langstane Housing, Shmu, Children and Family Services, Social Bite, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and many medical professionals. We fund our charitable work by selling some of our donated items at our very busy retail megastore at Hazeldene Road, Aberdeen. (Old Dobbie’s building). The Megastore has many gems and bargains and has a strong local clientele who visit the store on a regular basis. We are looking for volunteers to help us sort through many of the donated items ready for sale. We are flexible with hours and days and are looking for enthusiastic people with a heart for making a difference to join our friendly team. A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Alison Topley, Chief Operating Officer at email: volunteer@somebodycaresscotland.org or telephone: 01224 460700.

Aberdeen Multicultural Centre (AMC) is an outcome driven, user led charity, committed to making a positive impact on the lives of wider communities in Aberdeen. AMC encourages co-operation and integration amongst diverse community groups. AMC’s vibrant aims are to support communities from social, economic, welfare & environmental perspectives. AMC has run Climate Change projects for the last five years aimed at awareness raising and changing behaviours in relation to home energy efficiency, active travel, food waste, recycling and home gardening amongst diverse communities in Aberdeen. AMC has become cultural hub of communities in Aberdeen. AMC has been organising different cultural events such as International Mother Language Day, Aberdeen Mela- One World Day, Multicultural Burns Night etc. AMC also involved in different sports & physical activities such as Multicultural Football Festival, Multicultural Bike Rally, Wellbeing & Mindfulness Meditation Sessions, Relaxation & Chair base exercises for BAME older people etc. Post Covid-19 recovery stage we are looking to go back to our normal operations and activities. Planning ahead we need a grant proposal writing volunteer’s support to our team. A fantastic and exciting opportunity to assist in the continued successful development of Aberdeen Multicultural Centre and make a real difference for people and communities. All help is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Ahashan Habib, Centre Manager at E Mail: a.habib@abmc.org.uk or tel. 01224 561992.