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Become a volunteer Children’s Panel Member. 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: chscotland.gov.uk This year’s campaign will run from January 14th with a closing date for applications of 15th February 2021. For access to full details of the role and to apply online please visit Volunteering with us (chscotland.gov.uk). To make local enquiries please email Kerry.elliott@fife.gov.uk

Looking to volunteer in a therapeutic garden? For this rewarding role we need friendly and patient people to assist with the delivery of gardening sessions at Dalkeith Country Park Community Garden. We need individuals who are interested in working with young people who have a diverse range of needs. Volunteers will help deliver activities, provide instruction and guidance to other volunteers who may have mental health issues and or learning disabilities. This role is varied and will involve supporting others to feel comfortable and get involved in gardening. All tasks will be explained in advance and with reference to health and safety. Activities may include food growing, wildlife gardening, wood working, assisting with workshops and garden planning. Key to the project is the enjoyment of volunteers who attend our group. This therapeutic session is a safe zone where the volunteers you support can learn new gardening skills, develop their ability to mix socially/work in a team and enhance their employability prospects.

We are looking for young people who are keen to share their enthusiasm for volunteering with others and to help Volunteer Midlothian spread the word about the Saltire Awards. As a Saltire Ambassador you will be part of panel with other young people with the important responsibility of deciding who deserves to receive the Saltire Summit Award. The panel will meet 2-3 times over a year and decide on up to 12 successful Summit Achievers. This is a flexible role which can be adapted to suit your skills and interests – there will be extra opportunities to help promote volunteering at school presentations and recruitment fairs, and also to take on the important role of presenting the Summit Awards. You must have achieved your 50 hour Saltire Award and be aged between 12 and 25 to volunteer in this role. All of the time that you give will count further towards your own Saltire hours.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Primary 7. Our Roslin Company meet every fortnight on a Wednesday evening from 6pm. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and lots of skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings! With more volunteers we will be able to do more activities and hopefully be able to take the young people to camp! All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

The Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) programme aims to strengthen the relationship with the Police and young people, breaking down barriers and promoting positive role models. Police Scotland Youth Volunteers promotes a practical way for young people to understand policing by supporting the Police in their local area through volunteering. As part of this, young people are given a chance for their voice to be heard and encouraged to promote good citizenship. The programme is open to all young people aged between 13 – 18, this allows those people to get an insight into policing in Scotland and inspire individuals to participate positively within their communities.

Our mentors offer support to a young adult with Cystic Fibrosis. Mentors support the young adult in improving socialisation, broadening horizons and to explore concerns to help improve self-esteem, coping skills and the person's quality of life. A mentor will meet with a young adult regularly to build a trusting one to one relationship. This allows the person space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their desires, aspirations and grow their life skills. It is a fantastic opportunity to support someone in achieving their goals, whatever they may be or giving them someone to talk to.

Working as part of a collective advocacy team to raise awareness and speak about own experiences of eating disorders. The role involves working with the Collective advocacy development worker to show a collective advoacy film and facilitate a group discussion in various community settings throughout the Lothians including: schools , universities , health etc. As all of the workshops take place during the day the volunteer would need to be available during the day. The role requires someone who is able to relate to other young people and is willing to share personal lived experience of an eating disorder of any kind , in order to educate and raise awareness around eating disorders amongst other young people ; willingness to talk about and share experiences of eating disorders with other young people in group situations in various community settings including : schools , universities ,public events etc. Due to Covid 19 CAPS we have had to alter the way we work. Groups and volunteer roles are currently taking place online until we can resume face to face meetings.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Secondary 6. Our Bonnyrigg Company meet every Tuesday evening from 6.00pm for kids in Primary 1 – 6. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings and camps! With more volunteers we will be able to do many more activities with more children & young people. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer you will assist our leaders in facilitating a wide variety of activities for children in P1 to S6. Our Loanhead company meet Wednesdays from 6pm for kids in P1 to P6 and Thursdays from 7pm for young people P7 to S6. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games, sports, arts, crafts and skill-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings, camps and participating in local events. With more volunteers we will be able to do more much activities and allow more children & young people to come along and join the fun. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. We would not expect you to attend both evenings each week but would ask you to commit to attending one regularly. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Secondary 6. Our Penicuik Company meet every Friday evening from 6.30pm. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings and assisting with the participation in regional competitions! With more volunteers we will be able to do many more activities and maybe be able to organise more camping experiences for the young people. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.