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.

To befriend individuals who may feel lonely or isolated and to contact them via the telephone, zoom or in person. Possibly to take people out for coffee etc.

Searchlight Scotland runs a restoration programme and supported accommodation for women whose lives have been affected by human trafficking, addiction, abuse and other life controlling issues We are recruiting volunteers to help us in our mission. In particular we would like to reach out to students who are currently studying psychology, social work or health care. However, anyone who is enthusiastic, caring and passionate about helping make a difference in people’s lives is what we are looking for the most. Our volunteers will mainly be based in our safe house assisting with aspects such as: • Assisting with the running of the safe house • Take women to appointments • Help women learn life skills in a practical way • Encourage independence • Encourage participation in activities • Help run informal activities • Document all events and handover Our amazing volunteers provide us with their time, passion and energy, helping us to continue supporting the vulnerable people we serve in our community. In return, our volunteers have been able to: · gain new skills and confidence · enhance their CV and employability · meet new people · get training and support · make a difference If you wish to volunteer or for any further details please contact Eva D’ Amico, Volunteer Coordinator at email: eva.d'amico@searchlightscotland.org or telephone.: 07927371717. More details are also available at our website: https://www.searchlightscotland.org/volunteer

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.

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.

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.

Highlands for Refugees is collecting much needed humanitarian aid which will be sent to Poland before being distributed to Ukranian refugees. Volunteers are needed to sort, box and pallet the items ready for dispatch.

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.

To work within the DGMA shop on Dumfries High Street (formerly Debenhams). To provide customer service; sorting, displaying and pricing goods; cashier duties at the till point.

To work within the DGMA shop on Dumfries High Street accompanying families and individuals (who are currently guests of Scotland) in need of clothing and toiletries. The role will include recording items gifted to those in need to help with stock control.

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 in high school 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. We are looking for volunteer mentors specifically for our projects based in secondary schools in Edinburgh. St Thomas Aquins’ High School is near The Meadows and Castlebrae Community High School. As a mentor, you would be matched to a S2/S3 (12-14 years) young person from one of the schools. This is an amazing opportunity to support and mentor a young person who has been identified by the school as benefitting from wrap around support and a volunteering placement. The young person may experience challenges in their lives- care experience, mental ill health, low confidence and self esteem, disability, low income household, young carer, uncertainty about their future. 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 Edinburgh 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. 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; 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. This is likely to start at the school during school hours, however we hope once the relationship has developed, the mentoring sessions could move out with the school building to encourage the young person's independence and connection to their local community. •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 young 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: sorcha.mclaughlin@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 when they are ready. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

Grandmentors is an award winning inter-generational mentoring programme. We recruit, train and support older volunteers aged 50+ to mentor care experienced young people, or young people with Adverse Childhood Experiences. Grandmentors provides a solution. Put very simply, Grandmentors works by us recruiting, training and providing support for volunteers aged 50+ who draw on their wealth of personal and professional experience to help young people (aged 16 – 24), living with adverse childhood experiences such as leaving care, on their pathway to independence. Meeting weekly/fortnightly, Grandmentors helps young people to address any challenges and choices they face on their journey. Our Grandmentors encourage the young person to identify their needs and find ways to help. Mentors provide social, emotional and practical support. Each young person alongside their Grandmentor agree a personalised support plan and set goals based on these needs. Working together they explore and review, over time, the young person’s challenges and priorities. These can range from career/education goals (CV’s, UCAS forms, job applications), budget planning, support accessing housing, dealing with conflict, stress, enhancing physical, mental health, wellbeing and lots more. We are looking for Grandmentors to join our new programme in East Lothian, launching in May/June 2022.

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.

This fun, friendly role involves: Laying out items on our stall, ensuring it looks tidy and attractive. Selling various wares e.g. t-shirts, mugs, bike accessories. Chatting to the public about our work and giving out flyers. Collecting donations. We also run a 'Dr. Bike' service on the stall in exchange for donations, so we are always looking for a keen mechanic to do this. You will be shown by staff how to set up and run the stall. You'll work alongside 1 or 2 other volunteers.

Searchlight Scotland is involved in managing more than 200 asylum seekers from around the world, currently residing at a facility in Aberdeen. We provide people with support and have a range of activities during the day. We are recruiting volunteers to help us during the daytime mainly in running outdoor and sport activities. Our volunteers help by: • Creating and running different activities (sport, DIY, craft, walks around Aberdeen city, art lessons etc.). • Drive clients to their appointments or to outdoor activities. Our amazing volunteers provide us with their time, passion and energy, helping us to continue supporting the vulnerable people we serve in our community. In return, our volunteers have been able to: · gain new skills and confidence · enhance their CV and employability · meet new people · get training and support · make a difference If you wish to volunteer or for any further details please contact Eva D’ Amico, Volunteer Coordinator at email: eva.d'amico@searchlightscotland.org or telephone.: 07927371717. More details are also available at our website: https://www.searchlightscotland.org/volunteer

Citizens Rights Project is focused on providing information about the EU Settlement Scheme, which involves application process for the settled or pre-settled status for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and their family members, living in the UK. We are looking for community leaders, caseworkers or local organisers with experience in social work or similar (i.e. citizens rights, community development, cultural integration and diversity, migrant issues, vulnerable individuals and communities, etc.) who would like to volunteer with us. Your role will be to provide information and advice about the EU Settlement Scheme, and assist eligible Eu/EEA/Swiss community members with the application process. As our volunteer you will: - learn about the EU Settlement Scheme - receive free training and OISC Level 1 (limited to EUSS) accreditation - acquire experience providing 1-2-1 advice under supervision of an experienced immigration adviser - provide language and technological support in making applications to the EU Settlement Scheme - work closely with vulnerable EU/EEA/Swiss community members with complex needs and assist them in the process of securing their legal rights in the UK - join the network of organisations who support European communities in the UK We offer volunteer placements to willing and eligible candidates who can dedicate a few hours a week of their time. The placements are open to anyone with right to reside in the UK, and is not limited to UK and other EU nationals. However, speakers of other European language as well as English are especially welcome to join the programme. We especially look for candidates from Scottish Borders, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Western Islands, Orkney, Shetland and Highlands. For more information visit www.citizensrightsproject.org Find us on Facebook EURightsProject and Twitter CitzRights.