The My Guide service (part of Guide Dogs for the Blind) helps blind and partially sighted people get out and about on their own terms, with the help of a volunteer. As a My Guide Sighted Guide, you will meet regularly with a blind or partially sighted person, to provide them with sighted assistance and help them meet their goals. You will provide regular feedback on progress to Guide Dogs' staff and maintain professional boundaries and adhere to safeguarding procedures.

StreetReads gives away free books to homeless readers. We collect and catalogue new, donated books and carefully choose a selection to take out to spaces and services used by homeless people. We also attend services in a Street Reads capacity and represent the project to other organisations,set up book stands and chat to people who use it,build and maintain relationships with partner agents,adhering to Streetwork’s policies/procedures and Code of Practice at all times.

We are seeking volunteers with specialist skills we can offer to our service users and/or the organisation. This may be for individuals, groups or a specific activity to service users/the organisation on an ongoing or one- off basis. Skills could include haircuts, chiropody, complementary therapies, art therapy, literacy classes, practical support, marketing, fundraising, IT or business skills. Whatever you feel you may be able to offer.

To assist in the Magpie shop. Activities include general shop duties, answering the telephone, dealing with customers, merchandising, filling shelves, cleaning and tidying.

Outreach volunteers will work with a full time member of staff to deliver street based and detached outreach within partner agencies. Volunteers will gain experience on the frontline for those begging, sleeping rough or living a street based lifestyle, supporting them to take the first step in the journey from the street to a settled home. This role involves making contact and building relationships with people around Edinburgh who may be sleeping rough, begging or living on the street.

The role involves welcoming service users into the Crisis Centre, encouraging them to use our services and access advice and guidance. The role will entail recording data and case notes for service users, providing feedback to staff and continuing strong networks with external organisations.

The Donations Coordinator will be involved with picking up, sorting and organising donations for easy access and distribution to service users. They will provide support to staff in seeking donations required for service users.

Buddy Swimming is an exciting and diverse role, helping older adults find their love of the water again. Held at a rang of Edinburgh Leisure venues, our Buddy Swimming Volunteers patiently help older adults to access swimming in a quiet, private environment. Their support and encouragement is instrumental in giving older adults the confidence they need. Maintaining accurate records for the project is also an important part of the role so that we can maintain our services. Min age 45

Our baby gift packers are absolutely essential to our free baby bank service, The role includes sorting through clothing and equipment donations from the public , helping us store them in our office and then putting together packs of requested items for the families we work with. You will need a good eye for detail, an understanding of the needs of babies and small children and the ability to work alone or with only 1 other person.

The Risk Factory is a purpose built centre set up like a film set of everyday situations where visitors can experience risk in a safe environment covering topics such as fire, home and road safety. Our volunteer Safety / Tour Guides escort small groups round the lifelike scenarios delivering safety messages and running simple activities that enable them to think about dangers and actions to reduce and / or avoid risk.