Dumfries & Galloway
volunteering opportunities
Guide Dogs
In this role, you will record income and expenditure of the group, bank funds regularly and keep the members up to date with fundraising income totals and count and bank the money raised by your local fundraising group.
If you feel you don't tick all the boxes below then please still get in touch to see how you could help as we are flexible, where possible, and would love to have you onboard.
As Treasurer, you are a key member of your local fundraising group. You will need to record income and expenditure of the group, bank funds regularly and keep the members up to date with fundraising income totals. This includes:
• Maintaining accurate records of all income and expenditure by the Group.
• To assign correct Guide Dogs banking codes to all donations.
• To bank all funds donated to Guide Dogs promptly.
• To complete and issue receipts to donors.
• Attend Group meetings and advise members current levels of income and expenditure
• Monitor levels of expenditure, ensuring prompt claims for reimbursement of the Float Account.
• Ensure that the Float Account does not become overdrawn.
• Apply for soft credits and gift aid via your local Mobility Team.
• Maintaining records of where Guide Dogs Counter Top Boxes and life sized dogs are placed locally - working with your Group’s Collecting Box Co-Ordinator(s) and submitting the list by December 31st of each year to the Community Fundraiser
If you would like to chat about this opportunity then please contact VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk
Guide Dogs
Assist the local fundraising team in promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise money for Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs
Build confidence, meet new people and build or learn communication and organisational skills.
Could you be that person who can help us make the difference to the lives of those living with sight loss? Collection boxes are a great way for us to raise essential funds to do the work we do within Guide Dogs.
Guide Dogs help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.
It costs £54,800 to support one single guide dog throughout its life, so without our amazing fundraisers raising money for us, we wouldn't be able to provide our life changing services!
In this flexible role as a Collection Box Coordinator, you'll be responsible for placing and collecting our iconic Guide Dogs collection boxes around local venues and businesses. Collection boxes raise a huge amount of income for us so it's a really important role.
This is a great role for anyone who has never volunteered before as you don't require any prior knowledge or experience. You'll be able to learn new skills while giving back to the community and making new friends! You'll learn a lot about visual impairments too which is important knowledge you'll have for the rest of your life. It's also a great role for students as the time commitment required is flexible and the role can easily be incorporated into your daily life.
“You don’t have to give loads and loads of time, you can give whatever time you can give and we'll still be really grateful" - Guide Dogs student volunteer and guide dog owner
We provide full training in the role as well as an induction to the organization. You will receive ongoing support from a designated member of staff.
Location: Various and local surroundings
Stranraer Credit Union Ltd
Stranraer Credit Union is a financial co-operative owned by members. Volunteers carry out the day-to-day operations of the business. The role includes cash handling, customer service, basic numeracy and administrative skills.
Community Reuse Shop
Responsible for recording and receiving any furniture, brick-a-brac and electrical equipment. Making sure it is stored safely and securely. Helping move stock from warehouse to shop floor.
Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes
As a Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bike rider, someone may be reliant on a product you are transporting urgently, therefore professionalism and safety is hugely important. To ride our bikes you must hold a current (within the last 3 years) advanced riding qualification such as:
1) The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)
2) The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
3) Police advanced riding certificate
4) Armed forces advanced riding certificate
5) Diamond advanced riding
6) DSA Enhanced Rider scheme, with ‘A’ grades across all modules
If you don’t hold an advanced riding qualification, you may use your own bike (subject to having valid insurance, MOT and road tax).
You will be required to sit an assessment ride with us before becoming part of our team.
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.
What is a Branch Fundraiser?
As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.
What would you be doing?
• Be part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
• Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g., handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
• Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
• Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.
What is a Branch Fundraiser?
As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.
SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.
When would you be needed and where would you be based?
This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.
What would you be doing?
• Be part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
• Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g., handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
• Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
• Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service
The role with Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. To both empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as is possible. Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and making sure the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and that the clients' voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation.
As well as having face-to-face and virtual meetings with your client there will be a requirement for all meetings and communications on the progression of the client’s case to be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop / computer, the internet and a landline or mobile phone. You must be able to keep confidences (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and on one’s own, be able to use email, word etc and carry out work electronically.
You will also be required to attend meetings with the client and source information to allow the person to make informed choices. You will make a difference to other people’s lives; develop new skills and meet new people and you will work alongside a small friendly team.
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust
To help keep the museum clean and tidy for visitors.
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust
The trust are looking to recruit a trustee to join the board. The trust would particularly welcome a new trustee with a legal background. The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust, a new trust formed in 2020 manages the house and farm as a museum and is supported by volunteers.
MS Society
Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.
We are looking to recruit a Group Coordinator for our Wigtownshire group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.
In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. To find out more about what services this group currently offer please go to https://volunteers.mssociety.org.uk/group-coordinator
Time Commitment
We estimate this role will need around 5 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.
This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.
About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.
You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the Lanarkshire area to carry out this role.
Apply online or for further information contact simon.moran@mssociety.org.uk
The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.
Stranraer Development Trust
Working within the new office in Market Street, Stranraer volunteers will be involved in the following activities: • Directing visitors to local businesses, attractions and local amenities including public toilets, cash machines, parks, museums etc. • Giving directions to visitors to other local towns or to areas out with the region eg Glasgow, Edinburgh. • Provide visitors with information regarding local public transport. • Answering questions from visitors about the village/town. • Assisting customers on the shop floor. • Helping with the cash desk
Guide Dogs
How would you like to be part of the Guide Dogs family and help people with sight loss live the life they choose? We would love to have you onboard to help with our ambition of a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.
Did you know that we don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for children, adults and their families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well?
To do all this we need the support of amazing volunteers like you!
If you would like more information, are unsure or need flexibility around the role then chat to us first by emailing VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk and someone will be in touch.
What does the role involve?
Assisting your local fundraising group in organising, promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise money for Guide Dogs. It costs £58,000 to support one single guide dog throughout it's life, so without our amazing Fundraisers raising money for us, we wouldn't be able to provide our life changing services!
Main responsibilities:
* Organise and facilitate fundraising events such as street collections, stalls at local fairs, tea parties, garden sales, sponsored events and anything else you can think of!
* Attend group meetings
* Take collection boxes to local businesses
* Keeping track of what we sell on our stalls at events (including the cuddly toys!)
* Count donations
Please contact VolunteerScotNI@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.
Guide Dogs
We are Guide Dogs and we’re here to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.
We don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for people and families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well.
What does the role involve?
Are you an organised person with strong administration skills who enjoys being part of a team? Fundraising secretaries do a fantastic job in keeping our fundraising groups running efficiently... From taking minutes, maintaining accurate records, booking collections and writing letters of thanks to our supporters, the tasks are engaging and most importantly you'll be making a real difference by helping Guide Dogs to provide life changing services to people living with sight loss to help them to live their lives independently!
Guide Dogs
In this role, you will record income and expenditure of the group, bank funds regularly and keep the members up to date with fundraising income totals and count and bank the money raised by your local fundraising group.
If you feel you don't tick all the boxes below then please still get in touch to see how you could help as we are flexible, where possible, and would love to have you onboard.
As Treasurer, you are a key member of your local fundraising group. You will need to record income and expenditure of the group, bank funds regularly and keep the members up to date with fundraising income totals. This includes:
• Maintaining accurate records of all income and expenditure by the Group.
• To assign correct Guide Dogs banking codes to all donations.
• To bank all funds donated to Guide Dogs promptly.
• To complete and issue receipts to donors.
• Attend Group meetings and advise members current levels of income and expenditure
• Monitor levels of expenditure, ensuring prompt claims for reimbursement of the Float Account.
• Ensure that the Float Account does not become overdrawn.
• Apply for soft credits and gift aid via your local Mobility Team.
• Maintaining records of where Guide Dogs Counter Top Boxes and life sized dogs are placed locally - working with your Group’s Collecting Box Co-Ordinator(s) and submitting the list by December 31st of each year to the Community Fundraiser
• To respond to requests made by Guide Dogs Finance department.
• Keeping Group fiscal records for 6 years in accordance with HMRC guidelines and to ensure that all Group records are available for the Community Fundraiser, Group members or any other independent examiner as requested by Guide Dogs.
Barnardo's Scotland
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!
Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.
You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.
Why we want you:
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
What you will be doing:
Work on the till processing sales and returns
Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
Create stylish window displays
Replenish stock on the shop floor
Stock-take and other administrative tasks
The skills you need:
Friendly and helpful
Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks
What's in it for you:
Have fun and meet new people
Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer
Other information:
Minimum age 14
Shop based
Location
5 High Street, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, DG10 9ET, United Kingdom
Disclaimer
We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please visit your local store for a paper application form or contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk
The Museum, Newton Stewart
To help staff the desk during opening hours, and provide helpful information to visitors to enhance their experience. Also, if wished to help maintain and upkeep the Museum, during visiting hours quiet periods, with a little light cleaning, or weeding etc. When we are closed, a group of volunteers come in and clean top to bottom and rearrange displays under the guidance of our head curator.
People can volunteer for one of (or a combination) the following: welcoming visitors, stocktaking, cataloguing/research, cleaning and maintenance, gardening, outreach to the community.
We are currently open Monday to Saturday, from 31st March till the end of October, and occasional evenings.
The Hub Dumfries and Galloway
The hub is seeking volunteer receptionists/admin support. This opportunity would enhance existing skills and gain experience of working in the voluntary sector with a close supportive team who have a strong sense of teamwork and community. Volunteer tasks will include: • Dealing with public enquiries both in person and over the phone • Signposting • Keeping display area of information up to date and replenished • Processing incoming and outgoing mail • Producing/updating documents using Microsoft packages ie word, spreadsheets, publisher etc • Photocopying • Filing.
Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service
Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is a Registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.
To be a Trustee in our organisation is an exciting and fulfilling role. We feel that our Board benefits from recruiting individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and skillsets.
The role of our Trustees is to ensure that Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on our strategic objectives, mission statement and principles and standards. The duties of our Trustees are: to ensure the organisation complies with its governing document (Articles and Memorandums), to ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document, to contribute actively to the Board of Trustees' role in giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy and evaluating performance against agreed targets, to safeguard the good name and values of the organisation and to ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes
Dumfries & Galloway Blood Bikes provide their service free of charge to the NHS, and is run entirely by dedicated volunteers who receive no compensation for their time or costs.
Duty Controllers are the unseen heroes of our team who organise hospital runs and contact on-call riders/drivers. They liaise with hospitals and riders/drivers. Quick thinking at 3am in the morning, they are able to keep calm under pressure.
Men's Shed Dumfries
Dumfries Mens Shed is seeking to recruit part time volunteer receptionists/clerical assistance. Volunteers will undertake general reception duties including answering the phone, responding to emails and dealing with shed members who are both male and female. The opportunity can be divided into different shifts with volunteers either undertaking one day at a time or indeed part days to suit both the shed and the volunteer.
Dumfries Activity and Resource Centre
We are looking for volunteers to help maintain our day centres garden. The ARC day centre is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.
Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association
We are looking for a volunteer who is good at marketing and communication to help promote out international events. Celebrations include Chinese and Lunar New Year, International Women's Day, Refugee Week, Black History Month and Interfaith Week. We also run weekly programmed activities.
Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association
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.
Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association
To support ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) classes. To support learning in small groups both conversational and beginners English.
Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association
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.
Dumfries and Galloway Befriending Project
D&G Befriending Project is a local charity which offers an early intervention service across the region for eight to eighteen year olds. It recruits and trains adult volunteers who are, in turn, matched one-to-one with individual young people. Once matched, the befriender commits to spending a few hours a week or fortnight with “their” young person, spending time building up a relationship and taking part in shared activities.
Children and young people referred to the Project may be isolated within the community or experiencing difficulties at home or school. The time spent with an adult befriender can provide vital individual attention and release from day-to-day pressures. Having and working with a befriender can help the young person tackle difficulties before they get too big. The young people benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of their befrienders and gain confidence from forming a positive relationship with a supportive adult.
Volunteer befrienders are men and women from all walks of life. They may be a student, a parent, or an older person. The most important factors are that they have an interest in young people, are reliable and have some time to spare.
The Project has found over the past 20 years that having a befriender who will commit to spending a few hours a week or fortnight - to share enjoyable activities or simply have time to chat can make a huge impact in a young persons life.
RSPB Scotland
Community volunteering is a great way to meet new people, connect with nature, learn new skills and improve health. Sessions involve maintaining parts of the nature reserve for people and wildlife. Sound interesting? Then feel free to come along to one of our volunteer days meeting at the reserve Farmhouse at 10am every Saturday (weather permitting). Please wear suitable clothing - all tools and PPE will be provided.
The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust
Are you interested in history? Do you like Robert Burns? The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust is looking to recruit volunteer fundraisers to help with a variety of fundraising events throughout the year.
A Listening Ear in Wigtownshire
To develop and deliver a bi monthly digital newsletter for A Listening Ear which would help us to develop a membership , recruit new volunteers, encourage local support regarding fundraising, showcase our service and the events we intend holding, encourage feedback and ideas from our community to improve our service.
Better Lives Partnership
Can you spare a couple of hours a week to support our amazingly bright and talented autistic young people in gaining valuable independent living skills, employability skills and social skills? Our group enjoys helping our community through a wide range of projects (creativity, environment, youth work) as well as studying for various courses and qualifications. We guarantee you will have a great time and receive a warm welcome and a heap of appreciation!
Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes
Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising, from helping at coffee mornings to organising bigger events. Experienced fundraisers will bring ideas for fundraising activities, while others may want to help wit the events organised.
Salvation Army Trading Company
There are various roles in the Donation Centre, either on the shop floor, in the back of shop or being a van drivers assistant. You can work with furniture, jewellery, clothing, bric-a-brac or media items etc. This may not be an opportunity for you, but why not come along and have a taster session to see what you think.
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home.
What does this role involve?
• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely
• Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice
• Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing
• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the
Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Support people in your community with a military background
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
Minimum Age: 18
Is a criminal record check required? Yes
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home.
What does this role involve?
• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely
• Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice
• Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing
• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the
Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Support people in your community with a military background
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
Minimum Age: 18
Is a criminal record check required? Yes
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas, each delivering support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. Every branch has a team of volunteers who make this possible.
The Branch Support Coordinator is a key member of the team, ensuring that beneficiaries access the right support in a timely manner. This role involves liaising with regional and national teams and coordinating casework support provided to beneficiaries by Branch volunteers.
Why do we need you?
We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles and fundraisers.
In recognition of our clients’ service to the Nation we aim to provide financial, practical, and emotional support when it’s needed most. To do this we need excellent coordination of local services and between our teams.
What would you be doing?
• Every SSAFA Branch has different needs, however, below are the main activities of a Support Coordinator:
• Coordinating and assigning referrals: Accepting referrals for beneficiary casework support from SSAFA’s Regional Office and allocating beneficiaries’ cases to branch volunteers.
• Providing quality support: Overseeing SSAFA casework across a branch, ensuring beneficiaries receive support that meets SSAFA’s casework standards and raising issues where it does not.
• Using online systems: Using SSAFA’s case management system to record, coordinate and track beneficiaries’ cases.
• Managing and supporting volunteers: Ensuring volunteer caseworkers have a manageable caseload and that effective support and supervision is in place.
• Signposting and partnership working: Liaising with Central Office and Specialist Services teams to ensure access to specialist support where needed e.g., Mentoring.
• Keeping volunteers informed and up to date: Supporting the Branch Training Coordinator and Volunteering Coordinator to ensure volunteer caseworkers are up to date with training and have the information needed to carry out their role.
SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
Do you enjoy multi-tasking and coordinating events? Is attention to detail one of your strengths? If so, we’d love to hear from you. You don’t need an Armed Forces background, just good organisation, and IT skills.
What is an Administration Coordinator?
There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas, each delivering support to serving personnel, veterans, and their families. Every branch has a team of volunteers who make this possible. The Administrator Coordinator is a key member of the team, ensuring the smooth running of the branch and supporting day to day operations. This role is at the heart of the branch, overseeing the group inbox, organising meetings, and liaising with volunteers and external stakeholders.
What will you be doing? Every SSAFA Branch has different needs, however, below are the main activities of a Branch Administration Coordinator.
• Overseeing enquiries: Overseeing the administration of the branch shared inbox and post, ensuring queries are answered
• Getting people together: Organising internal meetings, both virtually and face to face
• Planning and organising: Liaising with internal and external stakeholders to arrange events such as the Branch Annual General Meeting
• Note taking and recording: Maintaining accurate records of meetings and decisions
• Communicating: Supporting the Branch Chair with internal communications, keeping other volunteers up to date and informed
• Tracking and ordering: Keeping a record of branch assets, ordering stationery, and ensuring maintenance of equipment
• Supporting health and safety: Supporting the Branch Chair with administration of personal, office and event risk assessments where required
East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group
We need people to report their squirrel sightings so that we can assess where the threat is prevalent. You can report sightings of both red and grey squirrels at scottishsquirrels.org.uk
We also need people to get actively involved in red squirrel conservation. There is a role for everyone and full training is provided:
• surveying and monitoring of local woods
• raising public awareness and engaging the community (including running events and social media)
• group administration duties
• data management and IT
• grey squirrel control
Barnardo's Scotland
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!
Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.
You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.
Why we want you:
Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.
What you will be doing:
Work on the till processing sales and returns
Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
Create stylish window displays
Replenish stock on the shop floor
Stock-take and other administrative tasks
The skills you need:
Friendly and helpful
Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks
What's in it for you:
Have fun and meet new people
Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer
Other information:
Minimum age 14
Shop based
Location
125 Queensberry Street, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG1 1BH, United Kingdom
Disclaimer
We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please visit your local store for a paper application form or contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk
Heathhall Community Centre and Bowling Hall
The purpose of this role is to help with light maintenance of the grounds and facilities at the Community Centre. Duties may include anything from cutting grass, maintaining flowerpots to cleaning up leaves in the car park. As well as some light maintenance jobs within the buildings, such as changing door locks, or moving items around for events. This role could be for as little as just an hour or two a week and can be flexible, to suit the volunteer’s availability.
The Hub
The Getting Connected Project assists people on a 1:1 basis to complete a range of online forms and applications. Volunteers assist in supporting individuals to complete online forms, "e" journals, "e" forms, make job applications and create and update CVs.
Moffat Museum
Moffat Museum is looking to recruit additional volunteer team members to offer a warm welcome to this museum of local interest. Volunteers ensure that the museum is opened to the public, provide basic information to visitors and generally manage the museum. Volunteers work in pairs and are supported by the museum trustees.
Community Reuse Shop
Responsible for sorting donations, steaming clothing, assisting customers who come into the shop. To be responsible for dealing with any cash received and to follow company procedures to cash this up securely and appropriately.
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
By volunteering to assist in our trading spaces you will be helping with the smooth running of the trading department and generating much needed, important income for WWT. Our trading support volunteers help our team across the retail and catering operations at Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and ensure we deliver excellent customer service to our visitors. Volunteers will assist the catering team with clearing of tables and supporting behind-the-scenes with tasks such as washing up and loading the dishwasher as well as assisting with the preparation of hot and cold beverages. Volunteers also assist the retail team, visitor services team and catering team to provide a warm, friendly welcome to all visitors, giving information about our wetland centres and products. Volunteers also help keep the trading spaces fully stocked, clean and tidy, ensuring great presentation of products, monitoring numbers accessing indoor spaces, observing social distancing by our visitors, assisting with visual merchandising, pricing, checking off deliveries, and counts as required.
Apache Land Sandside Community Garden
Sandside Community Garden Association is a constituted organisation which relies on the support of dedicated volunteers to manage and support with the day to day activities of running the organisation. The role of garden volunteer involves general maintenance and upkeep of the garden and allotment space which is based in North West Dumfries, to help to transform the space into a sanctuary for the local community. Duties may include planting and pruning plants and vegetables, maintaining the grass, sweeping, painting and any other relevant duties. Volunteers will work in a team with other garden volunteers to share the workload.
Volunteering opportunities advertised
across
Dumfries & Galloway:
199
Scotland’s Gardens SCheme is Scotland’s growing, giving and inspiring community of garden-lovers. Our mission is to raise funds for charity by encouraging, promoting and supporting garden openings, whilst making the experience inspiring, rewarding and enjoyable for all. We are seeking new volunteers across Scotland to join our local volunteer teams to help support gardens to open their gates to the public and raise money for charity. This is a wonderful opportunity to:
· Be part of a volunteer team which helps to raise funds for hundreds of charities by sharing gardens with visitors
· Use your skills to help promote, organise and/or support gardens to open their gates to the public and raise money for charity
· Meet lovely, like-minded people and share the joy of gardens and gardening
We have a variety of different opportunities to match your interests and availability, including event volunteers, media volunteers, district organiser and treasurer roles. Visit our website for full details and to fill in our expression of interest form.
How would you like to be part of the Guide Dogs family and help people with sight loss live the life they choose? We would love to have you onboard to help with our ambition of a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.
Did you know that we don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for children, adults and their families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well?
To do all this we need the support of amazing volunteers like you!
If you would like more information, are unsure or need flexibility around the role then chat to us first by emailing VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk and someone will be in touch.
What does the role involve?
Identifying suitable places and placing our iconic dog-shaped collection boxes locally in shops and businesses and counting up the funds every few months before paying them in to Guide Dogs.
Key responsibilities:
* Identifying and placing collecting boxes in suitable locations
* Talking to the shop owner, receptionist etc at the location about how the boxes will help Guide Dogs and what we do
* Emptying boxes every 3-6 months (as they get full) and banking the income through the paying in book provided.
Give a receipt and letter of thanks to the hosts
* Keeping a written record of the location of all boxes for your supervisor, the dates they are emptied and the dates/
amounts banked
* If boxes aren’t collecting much, you’ll decide to move them to a better location. Your supervisor may also ask you to
remove boxes
* Reporting any stolen boxes to the local mobility team
Please contact VolunteerScotNI@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.
You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad.
“It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser
We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:-
• Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme
• Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons.
• Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours
• Attending regular puppy classes
• Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development
• Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress
Ideally you will:
• Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg)
• Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits
• Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home
• Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night
• Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address)
If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible!
Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get;
• A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us.
• The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home.
• The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email volunteer coordinator Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk. Thank you.
Community Support Volunteers support people who have had one of our conditions to develop autonomy and confidence in self-management, enabling them to fully engage with their community and activities of their choosing. The service follows a pathway from hospital to community and can be delivered in a one-to-one and/or a group setting. The service will all depend on Scottish Government Covid guidelines.
The service can be delivered to provide specified person-centred communication support for those with a communication difficulty and/or to support a specific physical or everyday task.
To undertake your role you will be required to undertake membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) schemes in Scotland (PVG).
YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot, supported by The Scottish Government and Project Scotland are looking for 20 young people from across Scotland to be part of the Youth Volunteering Legacy Group.
🎂 11-25 (inclusive) years old
📅 June 2023 – March 2024
🗺️ We are looking for 20 young people from all over Scotland.
About the Project
You will work together as a group to put into practice recommendations made by young people on the Youth Volunteering Innovation project (YouthVIP) to help improve volunteering for young people. The group will also design a campaign about volunteering and help us to design and deliver a summit for young volunteers.
Overall this project aims to guide Young Scot, YouthLink Scotland, Project Scotland and Scottish Government in developing volunteering for young people in Scotland with the group ensuring the rights and needs of young people are at the heart of this process.
Dedicated staff from Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland will support you throughout your volunteering experience to:
• Design, develop and deliver a National Volunteer Youth Summit
• Develop and design a #VolunteeringMakesMe campaign
• Provide your thoughts and feedback on the resources we give schools that explain about volunteering and opportunities for young people to get involved
We want to know what you think! But, no special knowledge, experience or skills are necessary to take part.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all young people to take part, and there will be an opportunity when you apply, to tell us about any support or adjustments you need to contribute fully.
We are particularly interested to collaborate with young people who are facing barriers due to their personal circumstances including young people from an ethnic minority background, young people who identify as having a disability, young carers, care-experienced young people, young people who live in low-income households and young people who live in rural communities.
The Service Team Volunteer role is a varied role that will support VoiceAbility in the delivery of Social Security Scotland Benefits Advocacy and more. Our volunteers will help our clients to access benefits by supporting individuals with complex needs who self-disclose as having a disability. Another key part of the role is networking, in person and online, to promote the service. You will also have the opportunity to help VoiceAbility engage with local communities through supporting our school work experience programme as well as our ‘Speak Out Councils’.
In your day-to-day role you will be:
• Helping clients understand about advocacy
• Supporting clients with our self-advocacy toolkit
• Supporting advocates with home visits
• Keeping detailed notes and records with casework and non-casework
• Signposting clients to other services
• Building professional relationships and networking
• Promoting our services and organisation
• Supporting our community engagement programmes in your local area
All staff work from home, and we have no office base. The role is a hybrid role where you could be at home or out in the local area.
For more information, fill out our note on interest form on the link provided and someone will be in contact.
We are recruiting new volunteers to be part of our Dementia Helpline team.
Can you spare 8 hour per month to make sure nobody faces dementia alone?
Our next Helpline Volunteer Preparation Programme is running in Glasgow on 21st, 22nd and 23rd June.
For further information on this and other training dates please email helpline@alzscot.org
LGBT Youth Scotland is currently recruiting new volunteers to join our team across Scotland!
We are Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country. Our goal is to make Scotland the best place for LGBTQ+ young people to flourish and thrive. We play a leading role in the provision of quality youth work to LGBTQ+ young people that promotes their health and wellbeing.
Our youth groups meet weekly and your role would be to assist in planning and delivering youth group sessions and providing support for the young people who attend as part of the local team.
This recruitment period closes on 31 May 2023.
About us
The RNLI’s Lifeboat Station in Portpatrick is looking for a volunteer to lead the existing team in the role of Lifeboat Operations Manager.
For nearly 140 years an all-weather lifeboat has operated from Portpatrick's picturesque harbour. The crews have been honoured with five awards for gallantry, including a Bronze Medal for a launch to one of the worst peacetime disasters involving a British merchant vessel.
The Lifeboat Crew are all volunteers, headed up by the Lifeboat Operations Manager and Deputy Launching Authorities and supported by a Shore Crew team. All boat and shore crew follow the RNLI’s national Competency Based Training Scheme and respond to pagers when there is a request to launch the lifeboats. The wider team includes volunteer fundraisers, shop volunteers and youth education presenters.
The impact you will make
This role will help us save lives at sea by carrying out the day to day management of the lifeboat station to ensure a permanent state of readiness for service.
What you will be doing
Authorise launch of the lifeboats
Provide leadership of the operations team
Ensure that all operational activities are carried out to maintain the lifeboats and all associated equipment in a constant state of readiness for launching on service
What you need for this role
Team player
Good communicator
Leadership skills
Local maritime knowledge
IT literate (desirable)
You must live or work within close proximity of the station and be between 18 and 70 years of age
Knowledge of the RNLI (desirable)
What’s in it for you
Join an inclusive and diverse organisation
Have fun, meet new people and join a motivated and enthusiastic team who are making a difference
Learn skills and gain experience to enhance your CV
Gain the satisfaction of giving back
Training to fulfil your volunteer role will be provided and reasonable out of pocket expenses reimbursed
Please apply online or if you have a question please contact the RNLI’s Volunteering Team on 01202 663346 or by email on volunteering@rnli.org.uk.
**All our volunteering activities are outdoors and managed carefully with covid in mind**
Are you passionate about cycling and walking? Could you inspire young people to cycle or walk more? Volunteer with I Bike!
I Bike is a really fun and rewarding project to volunteer with that offers plenty of opportunities to get outdoors for cycling-related activities, boost the CV, gain experience of work with children and young people, meet new people and learn new skills.
Good training and support is provided to all volunteers including an online Welcome Session, Child Protection Training, Cycling Skills and Bike Repairs. For most activities you don't have to own a bike to join in - bikes and helmets can be provided depending on availability.
I Bike aims to help children and young people become more active through taking part in cycling and walking activities. You would be volunteering alongside a dedicated I Bike Officer in schools, supporting activities for children such as learn to cycle, playground cycle skills, led bike rides, led walks, bike maintenance and much more! What could be better than helping children to ride their bike without stabilisers for the first time?
Hear from some of our fantastic volunteers via our website link below.
We advocate for volunteering for all - please talk to us if you have any accessibility requirements or other specific requirements.