The Board of Trustees of Four Pillars are looking to recruit new trustees to ensure the Charity can continue to grow and support the LGBT+ community in Grampian. Four pillars currently run a community hub, support and social groups, 1 to 1 support, provide volunteering opportunities and facilitate Grampian Pride. There are lots of ideas in the pipeline for the future. In order to achieve these we are particularly looking for people with previous experience of serving on a charity board and/or with skills and knowledge in one or more of the following: -An understanding of the needs of the LGBT+ community in Grampian -PR social media -Legal knowledge -Fundraising/ event planning We would also like to hear from people currently underrepresented on our board: -People with a disability -People from an ethnic minority For more information or to apply please go to our website www.fourpillarsuk.org/volunteer

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for. We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enroll some new volunteers to set up a group in Aberdeen. Typically, our groups meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. Presently many groups are meeting virtually via Zoom but when regulations allow, they will return to Face to Face. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others. Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3: the group leader and two group volunteers, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers. There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from week to week but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Many groups also offer a small resource library and can share information about local sources of support. For further details please contact Phill Abbiss, Volunteer Coordinator (North) at E Mail: phill.abbiss@uksobs.org or tel.: 07535 854 860.

Scotland Versus Arthritis is looking for individuals willing to lead short health walks in your area, lead on other physical activities, or facilitate virtual support groups. Full training and on-going support for volunteers will be available. We are also looking for expressions of interest from anyone keen to become an instructor of Tai Chi or Qi Gong for arthritis. The current Covid restrictions have meant that for many the wait for treatment may be a year or more away. Painkilling prescriptions are seldom more than a temporary relief. Support and exercise can however offer a better way to self-manage the daily on-going pain and fatigue. In readiness for the eventual lifting of lockdown we are asking, can you spare an hour or two each month to help? Please contact your local Development Officer, Dr. P. Neville, p.neville@versusarthritis.org or phone 07501 501114 for details.

We currently have around 40 shops/ community hubs across Scotland. Our shops and hubs help us raise funds so we can provide our services to the people who need us. Every one of our stores relies on a team of volunteers to help run it and support our staff. Quite simply, we cannot provide our services or raise funds without the amazing support of our volunteers. The time, support and the work they do is vital to us and the people we help. By helping out in one of our stores, you can make a difference to people and their families in Scotland who are isolated, scared or anxious about their condition. For more details about volunteering at our Aberdeen Cults Store please email: volunteering@chss.org.uk or tel.: 0131 225 6963. Information about volunteering with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is also available at: https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteer-with-chss/

The Red Cross run a Patient Transport Service which provides an essential lifeline for those who need to get to and from hospital treatment facilities. The service provides enhanced care for those needing additional medical support during the journey and this role includes clinical skills and would give volunteers good experience, especially for those wanting a career in ambulance work and the NHS. The role is based in Aberdeen and we are looking for people who can complete 15 days of training run via a combination of e-learning, Zoom training and face to face sessions. You would need to be able to commit to the dates from 20th-23rd April for training in Aberdeen. Once this is completed, we are looking for people to do 2 x 8 hour shifts per month, which can be weekend, evening or weekdays. The minimum age for the role is 21 and you need to have held a UK Driving licence for 2 years. The role will involve: • Collecting and taking patients to a hospital or other treatment centre for appointments or visits • Completing all tasks associated with service delivery, e.g. accurate records, cleaning to approved infection control schedules, equipment used in accordance with training and procedures. • Using communication equipment, if required, in accordance with the radio licence and British Red Cross guidelines, and keeping appropriate records of use • Applying the duty of candour requirements to communication with service users and representatives. • Additional support and guidance sought when required • Providing basic first aid as necessary, in line with the current scope of practice, regulatory standards, and British Red Cross policies, procedures and core values To apply please go to http://bit.ly/ASAberdeen or for more information email MBaxter@redcross.org.uk

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact us at email: aberdeen@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeen City) or email: aberdeenshire@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeenshire). Or telephone us on 07709249661.

The Royal Voluntary Service is working in partnership with NHS Grampian and the 3 Health and Social Care Partnerships in Grampian to recruit additional volunteer drivers to support the COVID-19 vaccination programme. We are seeking drivers able to drive their own vehicle, who live throughout the Grampian area, but we particularly need drivers living in or near Buckie, Turriff, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Banchory, Insch, Speyside, and Elgin Area. Volunteer Drivers will help people attend their COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Vaccination is our best way out of the pandemic, it is so important that everyone can attend their vaccination when they receive their appointment notification. Volunteers have made a massive contribution to support people to stay safe and well during the pandemic, they have been a lifeline for many in our communities. Full training, risk assessment and reimbursement of any costs is provided. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer driver to support the COVID vaccination programme, please go to https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk / https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering or call 01224 937110

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is Scotland’s health charity supporting people and their families across Scotland with chest, heart and stroke conditions. We want to make sure life living with a chest or heart condition or after a stroke is a life lived to the full. To help in this we are currently seeking people to volunteer with us as Community Support Services Volunteers. As a Community Support Services Volunteer you will support people who have had a stroke to develop autonomy and confidence in self-management, enabling them to fully engage with their community and activities of their choice. The service is delivered to provide specified person centred support for those with a communication difficulty and/or to support a specific physical or everyday task. The role includes: • providing specified support for the service user, this will be dependent upon their individual goal(s). • supporting with specific physical and/or everyday activities. • supporting with specific use of communication strategies. This may involve either one-to-one or small group support or a combination of both. To undertake your role you will be required to undertake membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) Scheme in Scotland (PVG) (there is no cost for this for volunteers). Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland will provide all necessary training, provide excellent ongoing support to all volunteers and all authorised out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed. For more details please contact us at volunteering@chss.org.uk or visit our website at https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteer-with-chss

*Our award-winning charity is looking for Tech volunteers to support older and disabled people with their tech at home.* - Our Vision: Do you have a passion for the power of technology? Our vision is to create ….. “A world in which digital services are equally accessible to all” As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can help unleash the power of technology to ensure that older people and disabled people are not excluded from the digital world. “One of your advisors, Trevor, has been helping me with some very basic computer skills on a tablet that I have hardly touched since it was bought for me as a present from my wife. I suffer from Parkinson’s and it is very difficult for me to concentrate. Trevor has been extremely kind and patient and has opened up a world I hardly knew existed.” (AbilityNet client). - Overview: All across the country our 300 volunteers support older and/or disabled people at home to offer one-to-one support with their technology, whether that’s a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Our volunteers: -Trouble shoot technical issues. -Offer impartial advice on technology. -Set up new tech and install hardware and software. -Show people how to use their tech at home e.g. shop online, send and receive emails and Skype with family and friends. -Make adaptations to support a disabled person’s specific technology needs. - What will I be doing? -Contacting clients to arrange a date/time to support (home visits or supporting them remotely). -Carrying out tech support for the clients you have accepted. -Feeding back on progress via our online ticketing system. -Supporting your local Coordinator with promoting the volunteer service in the local area. -Getting together with other tech volunteers at team meetings and wider company events. -Undergoing training on technology, particularly adaptive technology. -Supporting other volunteers through our online chat facility. - What skills do I need?: You don’t need to be a tech guru to help out. If you use a computer at home or work, and perhaps support family and friends with their tech issues, you are likely to have the skills we need: -A passion to help others. -Good IT and computer skills. -Knowledge of standard operating systems and software. -The ability to communicate well with people. -Patience and empathy. - What are the benefits to me?: As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can: -Change the lives of disabled and older people. -Benefit from technology and disability training. -Network with a nationwide team of other Tech volunteers. -Be flexible with your volunteering and plan it around your other work and home commitments. - How much time will I need to offer?: The service is client led and will depend on the demand in your local area. The work is flexible and you can arrange visits around your home and work commitments. On average a volunteer undertakes 4 hours of volunteering a month, this can be in or out of work hours, in the evenings or weekends. - What else do I need to know?: -We pay travel expenses at 45p per mile. -As you will be help vulnerable adults you’ll need an enhanced PVG (Scotland) –Protection of Vulnerable Groups check which will be renewed/checked every 2 years (at no cost to the volunteer). - What should I do next?: If you think you have what it takes to be an AbilityNet Tech volunteer please either apply online at https://abilitynet.org.uk/abilitynet-itcanhelp-volunteer-application or if you would like more information, or to chat further about the volunteer role contact the AbilityNet Free Services team on 0800 048 7642, or email volunteers@abilitynet.org.uk You will be contacted by a local volunteer Coordinator to arrange an informal interview.

Are you a good listener, non-judgemental and empathetic with an ability to relate to traumatic life experiences that some of the children/young people referred to us may have faced? Befriend a Child is a local charity that provides 1:1 befriending and mentoring services for school aged children and young people. We recruit caring adults who act as role models for school-aged children who face some kind of disadvantage. They spend time together on a 1:1 basis, talking, sharing and having fun. Could that be you? If you are reliable and fun-loving, with a positive disposition and you can commit to sparing a few hours each month, you could make a huge difference in a young person’s life. Excellent training and support is provided and all our volunteer roles adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines and restrictions. For more information/to register your interest please visit https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/get-involved/befriending/ and/or email us at volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk