Dumfries & Galloway
volunteering opportunities
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.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for the people attending our clinics. By keeping a person’s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dumfries and Galloway Fine Arts Society
As Secretary for DAGFAS, your remit is broad; as well as having an overview of the general running of the Organisation, you’ll provide a key customer service function, acting as a linchpin between internal and external stakeholders. You will also ensure the smooth running of Committee (and related) meetings. It’s no exaggeration to say that the organisation, and not least the Committee, couldn’t function effectively without you.
South Machars Community Centre
We are looking for a new Treasurer to join our board. This is a voluntary position for somebody committed to supporting the local community.
The role involves:
• Overseeing the financial health of the organisation
• Being observant, and willing to ask questions
• Presenting financial reports, raising issues and answering questions at regular meetings and the AGM
• Liaising with the bookkeeper or financial examiners for the annual review of accounts
• Ensuring statutory returns are made to any relevant regulators You will have the support of other trustees and our bookkeeper in the delivery of these duties. This role is to support the governance and strategic vision of the charity, not the daily operation.
Dumfries & Galloway ME and Fibromyalgia Network
Would you like give some company (online, on the phone or face-to-face), for someone living with a chronic conditions of ME Fibromyalgia and/or post excretion malaise part of Long Covid.
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.
Lincluden Community Centre Management Committee
Do you value your local park and green space?
Do you want to see improvements there, and more people using it?
Do you want to volunteer in your local community?
If so, why not get together with your community to form a local friends group?
‘Friends of Parks’ groups work with local groups and our Council to create better open spaces. Each group helps care for a specific park or green space in the region. Through the partnership, park users get a greater say in what goes on in their local parks.
We are looking to form a Friends of Popeye’s Park group to help look after and care for Popeye’s Park in Lincluden. If you interested in being involved in this group, please get in touch!
Scotland's Gardens (Kirkcudbrightshire District)
To assist in organising and facilitating the opening of gardens for charity in Kirkcudbrightshire
Carers Centres Project for Dumfries & Galloway
The Carers Centre is seeking volunteer 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. This is a part-time role of 2 days per week (8-10 hours) but we can be flexible.
SHAX
SHAX supports local people in crisis through homelessness and/or poverty. We provide practical help to individuals and families facing hardship, to ensure that they are not without basic household essentials when moving to their new tenancy. To support our aims we run a busy furniture warehouse at Merrick House, The Crichton in Dumfries. Warehouse Assistant tasks are varied and you can support us with the following: - Stock control and preparing stock for sale - Basic repair and renovation of furniture - Assisting customers and merchandising items - Preparing starter packs for our clients - Cleaning and basic maintenance of the premises
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Food Train is an award-winning charity providing services to older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. Drivers collect shopping lists from customers, collect the shopping orders from the shop and deliver to the customers with the support of a Helper.
Collecting shopping lists from customers • Collecting shopping orders from shops • Stack van to ensure shopping boxes are secure • Deliver and unpack shopping orders for customers • To record mileage • To report any matters of concern to Food Train staff • To inform Food Train Staff of any accidents, incidents or complaints • To maintain confidentiality • Representing Food Train in a professional manner to customers and the wider community
Annandale Community Transport Services Ltd.
Annandale Community Transport operate 4 cars and 4 mini buses to provide transport to residents to hospital appointments both with in the the region and further afield. Board Directors are responsible for the running of the organisation and ensuring that ACTS is properly managed and provides the service it was set up to deliver.
Victim Support Scotland (Stranraer)
Providing practical and emotional support to victims and witnesses of crime in our community and court services. Signposting to other specialist services if required. Being given and developing knowledge of local and national services available to support individuals
Hanover (Scotland) Castle Douglas
The Volunteer Befriender helps residents who feel isolated or unable to get out very easily on their own by giving time on a one to one basis to help a person maintain social contact, provide companionship and reduce loneliness and social isolation. Volunteer befrienders build a positive relationship with an individual and visit them on a regular basis in their own flat. This could mean spending some time with a person for an hour or two every week/fortnight, we also encourage getting out and about for a coffee or short walk. Generally, befrienders are there to chat and get to know someone, have fun. Support the person to continue with existing interests, whilst encouraging them to embark on new activities.
Volunteer duties:
• Organising visits / trips out on a regular basis.
• Support residents with their interests
• Encourage residents to embark on new activities
• Be a friend and have fun
A Listening Ear
A listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated or lonely, offering friendship, signposting, information and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway. As a Charity Trustee you have an important and valuable role to play in governing our work, in accordance with the Constitution and Strategic Plan, and in consultation with our members and wider community. Trustees will be responsible for overseeing the governance, effective management, strategic development and fulfilment of ALE’s vision and mission; ensuring compliance with the Constitution, contracts, charity policies and all relevant legislation; acting in the interests of ALE and promoting its success at all times. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES •Ensuring that A Listening Ear complies with its governing document (Constitution), charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations •Ensuring that A Listening Ear pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document •Ensuring that A Listening Ear applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives •Ensuring the financial viability and sustainability of A Listening Ear •Contributing actively to the Board of Trustees in setting policy, providing strategic direction and evaluating performance •Safeguarding the good name and values of A Listening Ear •Acting as an ambassador for A Listening Ear
A Listening Ear
A listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway. Role Descriptor •Volunteer Ambassadors will identify and develop relationships with key Community spaces/ assets in order to display and promote the services of A Listening Ear, replenishing literature as required. •Volunteer Ambassadors will develop an understanding of community or wellbeing events, for the purpose of promoting the work of A Listening Ear to develop referral pathways,. •Volunteer Ambassadors will support the Volunteer Coordinator in planning and hosting localised events such as group befriending sessions, festive get togethers or volunteer drop in sessions.
A Listening Ear
A listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway.
Role Description:
•Befriending will be delivered by volunteers through a telephone service, virtual befriending via zoom, skype or Whatsapp or face to face support.
•Volunteers will call people in their own homes at a time that is mutually agreed between you and your phone friend.
•Boundaries must be maintained at all times by volunteers, i.e., confidentiality, GDPR training will be provided).
•Volunteers will be required to listen, chat and if required identify any appropriate support the person would benefit from signposting as necessary.
•Volunteers must inform the Volunteer Coordinator of any concerns in relation to their phone friends in the first instance or request information on appropriate signposting services.
•Volunteers are required to take part in induction and ongoing training and identify personal development and learning opportunities.
•Volunteers should be available for agreed support and supervision sessions with the Volunteer Coordinator which may take place in person, over zoom or telephone at mutually agreed time and frequency of no less then every 8 weeks
Home-Start Dumfries
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Home-Start volunteers support families in the following way: - Offering support, friendship and practical help. This might include help with budgeting, meal planning, attending appointments, accessing services etc. - Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected through non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential support. - Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual. - Emphasising the positive aspects of family life and positive parenting. - Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed. - Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional well being for the ultimate benefit of their own children. - Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community.
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
Assist the local fundraising team in promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise money for Guide Dogs
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
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 Fundraising volunteer?
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?
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?
Examples of tasks would include:
• Being 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.)
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients
• 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!
A Listening Ear
A listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway. Role Descriptor •Volunteer Ambassadors will identify and develop relationships with key Community spaces/ assets in order to display and promote the services of A Listening Ear, replenishing literature as required. •Volunteer Ambassadors will develop an understanding of community or wellbeing events, for the purpose of promoting the work of A Listening Ear to develop referral pathways,. •Volunteer Ambassadors will support the Volunteer Coordinator in planning and hosting localised events such as group befriending sessions, festive get togethers or volunteer drop in sessions.
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!
DEBRA
Be part of a dedicated team carrying out a wide and varied range of tasks to help make our shops a success whilst helping to raise vital funds to help support people living with the painful genetic skin condition EB.
The role will involve:
Operating the till
Giving excellent customer service
Sorting donated stock
Keeping the shop clean and tidy
Visual merchandising
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.
RNIB Community Fundraising (Scotland)
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers. What you’ll be doing:
• Giving talks to groups of people to raise awareness of sight loss in your local community by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local businesses, community and voluntary groups.
• Delivering Talks to raise awareness of RNIB services as a trusted source of support for blind and partially sighted people
• Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service
What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in presenting and sharing your story with an audience.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
Dumfries International Street Food Festival
Following a very successful International Street Food festival last year we are launching a new Community Interest Company to make this an annual event. We want to demonstrate how much our area benefits from having people of different backgrounds and cultures enrich our society. The festival is a mix of community groups whom we help to take part and commercial enterprises who pay for their stalls. We are a small friendly group and we really want to make this an exciting and fun enterprise. Please consider joining us!
Galloway Talking Newspaper Association For The Blind
Use audio studio switch desk and computer application to edit audio files.
Galloway Talking Newspaper Association For The Blind
To help with the weekly production of a small local news service on returnable USBs.
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.
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Opportunities available across Dumfries and Galloway (Annan, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Stranraer)
Food Train is an award-winning charity providing services to older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. The At Home service offers practical support doing small household tasks* for our customers. Tasks are arranged by the staff, and are listed on the customer’s file, along with the price previously agreed with the customer.
Tasks include: cleaning the inside of windows; changing curtains; defrosting freezer; cleaning oven; clearing a cupboard; changing beds; vacuuming. The Role: • Drive the Food Train van (though a pool of drivers is available, so you can be paired with a driver) • Collect customer files from the office • Complete small household tasks for customers • Collect monies and complete all necessary paperwork • To report any matters of concern to Food Train staff • To inform Food Train Staff of any accidents, incidents or complaints • To maintain confidentiality • To represent Food Train in a professional manner to customers and the wider community .
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
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.
Dalbeattie Museum Trust
You will be joinging our friendly team who run the Museum on a purly voluntary basis. The role involves weloming visitors to our Musuem; Explaining exhibits and talking about the local history of Dalbeattie and the surrounding area. Prior knowledge of this is not required as you will pick things up a long the way.
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Food Train is an award-winning charity providing services to older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. The aim of Food Train Friends is to improve quality of life for our members, by providing them with a befriending service on a regular basis. Volunteers provide a consistent and reliable support to help customers experience social interaction on a regular basis.
Be able to attend at flexible hours and various locations as the service requires .
Provide an effective befriending service for your befriendee (either on the telephone, in their homes or on group outings/activities) • Spend time with your befriendee and simply chat, listen and discuss various topics • Make the service, events attended and conversations interesting and fun • Be reliable and presentable • Provide monitoring and reporting information as required on time spent and activities with the befriendee to the project staff • Attend volunteer meetings, training events and 1-2-1 updates with service staff.
Home-Start Wigtownshire
You must be a parent or have carer experience. Good communication skills; friendly and empathetic. Volunteers will be supported by a volunteer co-ordinator and will have regular support and supervision, as well as ongoing training. Home-Start Wigtownshire is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families with young children who are facing personal challenges, helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Home-Start Wigtownshire volunteers support families in the following ways: Home Visiting ; Family Group ; Telephone Befriender Offering support, friendship and practical help. This might include help with budgeting, meal planning, attending appointments, accessing services etc. Visiting families in their own homes, or by helping out at our weekly family groups, or providing remote support via a telephone/video call where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected through non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential support. Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual. Emphasising the positive aspects of family life and positive parenting. Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed. Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional well being for the ultimate benefit of their own children. Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community. Interested in finding out more?
Annandale Community Transport Services Ltd.
Annandale Community Transport Service have 4 community cars (including 1 electric) used to transport residents to routine hospital appointments across the region and out with as required including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Carlisle. ACTS also run 4 mini buses which require volunteer drivers.
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Food Train is an award-winning charity providing services to older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. Helpers, along with the Drivers collect shopping lists from customers, collect the shopping orders from the shop and deliver to the customers.
The Role includes a combination of the following: • Collecting shopping lists from customers • Collecting shopping orders from shops • Stack van to ensure shopping boxes are secure • Deliver and unpack shopping orders for customers • Collect monies and complete all necessary paperwork • To report any matters of concern to Food Train staff • To inform Food Train Staff of any accidents, incidents or complaints • To maintain confidentiality • Representing Food Train in a professional manner to customers and the wider community.
A Listening Ear
A Listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information, and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway.
Description of the role: Befriending is delivered by volunteers primarily over the phone. Virtual befriending via Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp is planned in the near future as is providing face-to-face support in 2023. Volunteers will call people in their own homes at a time that is mutually agreed between you and your phone friend. (A handset is provided).
Boundaries must be maintained at all times by volunteers, i.e., confidentiality and GDPR training will be provided.
Volunteers will be required to listen, chat and, if required, identify any appropriate support the person would benefit from, signposting as necessary. Volunteers must inform the Volunteer Coordinator of any concerns in relation to their phone friends in the first instance or request information on appropriate signposting services. Volunteers are required to take part in induction and ongoing training and identify personal development and learning opportunities. Volunteers should be available for agreed support and supervision sessions with the Volunteer Coordinator which may take place in person, over Zoom or over the phone at a mutually agreed time and frequency of no less than every 8 weeks.
Personal Qualities:
• A good knowledge of your local community, organisations operating within it and community spaces.
• Non-judgemental. • Respectful and caring nature. • A good listener. • Reliable. • Good communication skills. • Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Make and stick to the agreed time commitment.
Dumfries Y Gymnastics Club
DUMFRIES Y GYMNASTICS CLUB We are looking for new VOLUNTEER TRUSTEES to join our Board of Directors. Location: Dumfries ( Dumfries and Galloway) Could you provide: • General business management experience? • Financial or legal experience? • IT knowledge? • Human Resources experience? • PR or media skills? • Company secretarial skills? • Knowledge of sports related management? • Trustee or Director experience? What is a volunteer trustee ? Volunteer Trustees serve on the board of our charity and are responsible for directing the management and administration of the club. DYGC currently have three Volunteer Trustees. We are looking to increase the Board of Trustees due to the recent expansion of the Club and opening of our second facility in Annan. We are looking for new Volunteer Trustees with a passion for community sport and business experience to help us drive the club forward. The Club has over 570 members, and with challenges faced since the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like support to continue to build our Club . What will I do as a Volunteer Trustee? Provide overall direction and sound management of charity funds. Decide on the strategic direction of the club. Commitment required is approximately 8 hours a month as well as attending in person / virtual bimonthly board meetings with additional meetings where required. Do you share our Core values? Respect - for ourselves, our gymnasts, our teammates, our coaches and our opponents, demonstrating sportsmanship at all times Growth- to encourage our gymnasts to grow in confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and gymnastic and life skills. Commitment- to do the best we can for our members, our coaches and our Club Nurturing -to provide our members with a safe ,fun and inclusive environment to enjoy and learn the sport of gymnastics Honesty- to build trust within the Club through our policy of openness and honesty Development- offers young people volunteer opportunities providing them with leadership and employability skills. To be considered for the role please send your expression of interest, detailing why you would like to join the board and what skills you will bring to the team, via email to gina@dygc.co.uk and we will be in touch
Home-Start Dumfries
This is an opportunity to become involved in the foundation and development of a new Home-Start charity in Dumfries. Home-Start is an organisation whose volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes, or as groups, and helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. More information is available at https://www.home-start.org.uk/about-us Substantial financial support has been given by the Wm. Grant Foundation for setting up a Home-Start in Dumfries, and while this is currently being managed by the established Home-Start Wigtownshire charity, the plan is to recruit a board of trustees for Dumfries and become an independent charity within a year. This year we have taken an office in central Dumfries and employed a Senior Coordinator who is already establishing contacts within local agencies involved in supporting families. We also have three volunteers in training, who will be the first of a larger group which will support young families in the wider community. What we now need is a Board of Trustees to provide continuing support and guidance at a local level. Other than the ability to identify with the objectives of Home-Start and commitment to furthering these, no special requirements are necessary to be considered as a board member, although a background in financial management or law would be an additional bonus.
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 Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for the people who attend our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
The purpose of the Publicity & Fundraising role will be to help Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group (DGHHG) distribute printed publicity material and collection boxes in your local area. This role will make a significant contribution to raising public awareness of the Hard of Hearing Group’s services and help our fundraising efforts.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for people who attend our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for the people who visit our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Rhins and Luce Red Squirrel Network Group
We have many roles available depending upon your interests. Community engagement, monitoring and surveying, admin, social media, trapping, dispatching, fundraising, organising and attending events and more. We have many roles available depending on your preferences and skills.
Dumfries & Galloway ME and Fibromyalgia Network
Join a great group of people who lead a charity supporting those living with M.E./C.F.S, Fibromyalgia and Long Covid. There are currently 3 members of staff so your role would purely be sharing ideas and steering the charity towards better supporting our members. Primarily we would expect you to attend 4 board meetings a year - held online - and share your thoughts and ideas. There are further roles if you wished to take these on.
East Wigtownshire Red Squirrel Group
We are looking for volunteers in various roles: Administration. Fundraising. Surveys. Trapping and despatching
St Michael's and South Parish Church of Scotland
To meet and greet visitors from around the globe at our church in St. Michael Street, Dumfries and to enjoy learning something of our church history and be able to relay it to guests. Assisting on occasion in putting up/taking down our promotional banners. Each shift 2.5 hours long where you will be supported and refreshments available. You will likely be working alongside a member of our congregation, all of whom are personable and knowledgeable.
RNIB Community Fundraising (Scotland)
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others. What you’ll be doing
• Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand.
• Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss.
• Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people.
• Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals.
What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers. • A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.
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 including financial information
• 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
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for people attending our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for the people attending our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Toe Poke C.I.C
Background:
Toe Poke CIC is a unique Dumfries based Social Enterprise, which celebrates Scottish Football. Toe Poke Community Interest Company trades in football themed clothing and merchandise, to raise funds for grassroots clubs in Dumfries.
The formal community interest company statement is that;
The company’s activities will provide benefit to young football players and their clubs in Dumfries, and for football supporters advocacy projects across Scotland.
Dumfries now boasts its own clothing brand, Toe Poke, which has enormous potential to grow and develop with the support of local people. The initiative also creates Scotland’s only football fans owned brand. The first range of clothing, now available on the Toe Poke website, www.toepokescotland.com is aimed at fans of our national teams – there is a poverty of choice for Scotland supporters who want to show off their colours, but don’t want to wear replica jerseys.
Toe Poke operates on a completely voluntary basis. There are no staff employed by the Company, which is managed by Ian Barr. Ian has a background in economic development and events.
Purpose:
To manage the Company’s finances and administration linked to all of the Company’s finances. This includes invoicing, checking for orders on the shop rocket e-commerce website and liaising re our orders with Rostrum Sportswear, reporting as required to Companies House and keeping a spreadsheet of our income and expenditure.
Benefits:
Undertaking this role will contribute to the success and best practice governance of a unique social enterprise.
Toe Poke CIC will support you to develop new skills and take part in networking and sales opportunities. The Company will also support the pathway between voluntary work and employment.
Tasks:
As outlined above in the purpose of the role.
Toe Poke C.I.C
Background:
Toe Poke CIC is a unique Dumfries based Social Enterprise, which celebrates Scottish Football. Toe Poke Community Interest Company trades in football themed clothing and merchandise, to raise funds for grassroots clubs in Dumfries.
The formal community interest company statement is that;
The company’s activities will provide benefit to young football players and their clubs in Dumfries, and for football supporters advocacy projects across Scotland.
Dumfries now boasts its own clothing brand, Toe Poke, which has enormous potential to grow and develop with the support of local people. The initiative also creates Scotland’s only football fans owned brand. The first range of clothing, now available on the Toe Poke website, www.toepokescotland.com is aimed at fans of our national teams – there is a poverty of choice for Scotland supporters who want to show off their colours, but don’t want to wear replica jerseys.
Toe Poke operates on a completely voluntary basis. There are no staff employed by the Company, which is managed by Ian Barr. Ian has a background in economic development and events.
Summary of Role: To lead on setting up a Toe Poke Instagram account and X account to develop the profile of Toe Poke CIC and our clothing range and social mission.
Benefits:
Undertaking this role will contribute to the success and best practice governance of a unique social enterprise.
Toe Poke CIC will support you to develop new skills and take part in networking and sales opportunities. The Company will also support the pathway between voluntary work and employment.
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?
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.
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?
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.
Guide Dogs
Be the key contact for fundraising in your local community to raise money from a variety of activities such as collections, social events and tea parties.
There are three types of Coordinators:
•The Individual Community Fundraising Coordinator creates strong links with organisations, businesses and individuals in your community and use these networks to raise funds to support our life changing work.
•The Fundraising Group Coordinator is responsible for coordinating a group of volunteers to raise funds through events or other activities, delegating tasks to other members of the group as required and being the key contact in the local area.
•The Deputy Fundraising Group Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Fundraising Coordinator and the Fundraising Group in their activities and events and to take on the responsibilities of the Fundraising Group Coordinator when required.
•Organising and attending events such as the Great Guide Dogs Tea Party, Pub Quizzes and collections in your local area
•Encouraging local businesses, schools and groups to name their own guide dog puppy
•Building relationships with local networks, socials groups, schools and businesses to encourage them to host their own event in support of Guide Dogs
•Working as part of Guide Dogs’ fundraising team with staff and volunteers
•Liaising with Community Fundraiser informing them of events in your area
•Making sure your fundraising policies and procedures are followed
•Being a passionate local ambassador for Guide Dogs’ work
•Ensuring that any information provided by Guide Dogs is cascaded to relevant supporters or volunteers
•Ensuring income raised from events is banked in a timely manner
A Listening Ear
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.
Propagate
The food hub packing role involves meeting at a storage unit in St Johns Town of Dalry between 9:30-11:30 on alternate Fridays. Together with 3-4 other members of the team we take in stock of the food customers have ordered from the producers, and sort it into boxes for the customers to collect or for us to deliver on. It does involve food handling but all food is pre-bagged except some vegetables which require weighing. All instructions with be given when you start.
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Meal Makers is a neighbourhood food-sharing project that connects people who enjoy cooking with an older person who lives in their local community and would really appreciate a home cooked meal and some friendly company*
As a Volunteer Cook Befriender, you will prepare an extra portion of food in your own home and deliver it to your 'Diner' at a time that suits you both. This opportunity is extremely flexible and meal sharing can occur as little or often as you like – weekly, fortnightly or just occasionally. Designed to be a fun volunteering opportunity based on an everyday activity, Meal Makers aims to tackle malnutrition and loneliness in older adults (55+), who struggle with the ability or motivation to prepare a home-cooked meal for themselves.
No training or formal cookery experience is required - just the ability to cook basic, nutritious meals. You will complete a PVG check/update and basic food safety quiz before being paired with one of our Diners.
We will also do our best to match you with a like-minded Diner with similar dietary interests.
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
The At Home Service is one of our vital services that we offer at Food Train - a charity organisation which supports and assists local older people. The At Home Service aims to assist older people with different jobs around the home, from changing a light bulb or hoovering, to assembling small pieces of furniture or defrosting a freezer. An At Home Service Volunteer would be required to assist with these jobs around the home and complete the task to the best of their ability.
Dalbeattie Museum Trust
o be in The Museum during opening hours to meet and greet any visitors and show them round the Museum and explain exhibits, if they want that sort of assistance.
A Minimum of 3 hours a week either 10am to 1pm or 1pm to 4pm on any day to suit you Monday to Saturday. You would work with at least one other person and be given help to understand the displays.
Free Tea and Coffee!
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Opportunities available across Dumfries and Galloway (Annan, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Stranraer)
Food Train is an award-winning charity providing services to older people who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability. Shoppers work in the local stores to make up the customers’ orders for delivery. Reports to: Food Train Staff Location: Based from Local Branch The Role will include a combination of the following: • Making up and checking customers shopping orders • Packing boxes ensuring weight distribution • Putting customers’ orders through the till • Pay for the shopping and complete necessary paperwork • To report any matters of concern to Food Train staff • To inform Food Train Staff of any accidents, incidents or complaints • To maintain confidentiality • Representing Food Train in a professional manner to customers and the wider community.
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.
RNIB Community Fundraising (Scotland)
Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups.
What you’ll be doing:
• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment. • Supporting group conversations.
• Assisting with group activities (if appropriate). What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
Mossburn Community Farm
Assisting with all aspects of farm animal care at the sanctuary. Main duties will be mucking out, sweeping, rebedding, helping with feeds, etc.
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.
Stranraer Credit Union Ltd
Cash Handling Customer Service Record-keeping General Administration
Oxfam (Dumfries & Galloway)
As a Retail Volunteer you will learn all about what goes into making our fantastic shop thrive. You can keep busy in the stockroom sorting and checking donations or be on the shop floor, serving customers and putting stock out on sale. Whatever suits you! Best of all you’ll be raising vital funds to support people facing poverty around the world. You can focus on any part of volunteering that interests you the most. As a Retail Volunteer you’ll develop skills that boost your confidence. Why not try a bit of everything? Sorting donations including checking and pricing. Serving customers on the till. Create stylish window displays. Online Sales. Keeping the shop fully stocked. Helping donors as they come in
Food Train Dumfries and Galloway
Food Train is a registered charity and voluntary organisation which supports and assists older people in the community. The grocery shopping and delivery service is one of the vital services we offer in Dumfries. We are looking for dedicated volunteers to assist with the delivery of the groceries. We currently deliver food shopping on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and would require volunteers to be available from 9.30am until around 3pm depending on the size of the delivery run. A relief driver or helper could be called on short notice to ask if they are available to go out on a delivery run. Drivers will be expected to take responsibility for the daily checking and minor maintenance of the vehicle. They will need to complete a log sheet with mileages, check for damage, check air in tyres, fill with fuel and top up oil and water levels when required. They will also be in charge of loading the vehicle and should aim to follow a fuel-efficient route at all times. The driver will also be expected to help carry shopping boxes into the customer’s house with the helper. The delivery helper assists the driver in loading the van and carrying the shopping into the customer’s house, but has a lead role with the customer interface. Helpers are responsible for collecting the cost of the shopping and the Food Train delivery charge from the customers along with completing relevant paperwork. The driver and helper should stay together at all times in the customer’s house and drivers are expected to witness all cash handling carried out by the helper. Helpers should be good at handling money and the basic arithmetic of addition (shopping plus delivery charge) and calculating change due. Both Drivers and Helpers should have a tolerant nature and have empathy and understanding of the challenges facing older people living alone.
South West Rape Crisis & Sexual Abuse Centre
The role of the Board is to safeguard and promote the values and mission of the Centre, to determine the strategy and structure of the Centre, to ensure the Centre operates in an effective, responsible and accountable manner and to ensure the effective functioning of the board.
DGRC&SASC work is split into governance, management and operational functions.
Governance Definition: the function carried out by the governing body [‘The Trustees’], having responsibility for decision-making in the areas of overall direction, policy, legal and financial probity, and employment.
Operational Definition: The work of the organisation as it relates to the service users and beneficiaries, and usually carried out by staff and volunteers, Members of the governing body may – in small organisations- also contribute to the operational duties as operational volunteers or sub-group members.
Management Definition: delegation of decision-making to senior staff or sub-groups, with the function of setting and monitoring the work of the staff: where actions and decisions are within policy frameworks agreed by the board.
This function is, therefore, the interface between the 2 other levels.
Only women need apply under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010
Girlguiding Scotland Dumfries and Galloway
Why Girlguiding? Become an inspiring role model for our members - and help empower girls to be their best. Join the 100,000 amazing volunteers and supporters who make a real difference to nearly half a million girls and young women. Our weekly unit meetings are at the heart of Girlguiding. When you volunteer at them you’ll have fun, get messy, meet new people and run activities that help our members discover their potential. You can choose to work with girls in Rainbows, Brownies, Guides or Rangers, and you’ll be volunteering directly with them. Unit meetings are usually an hour to an hour and a half once a week. As a unit leader, assistant leader or leader-in-training you’ll join a team of volunteers to run the unit, plan meetings, and deliver awesome activities. If you’d like to become a leader, we’ll support you to complete our leadership qualification. Some of what you’ll do Each unit leadership team does things a little differently. Here are some of the activities that are part of being in the team:
Help plan and deliver activities which are based on our Girlguiding programme - These are accessible and inclusive. Often they’re planned by volunteers and girls at the beginning of term.
You’ll go to your unit meeting each week and run activities with the girls and other volunteers.
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Girlguiding, so you’ll help provide a safe space where every girl and young woman can take part.
You’ll also be keeping up the Doing Our Best standards for your unit.
You’ll complete training for the role and follow Girlguiding policies.
You might communicate with parents, carers and other Girlguiding volunteers.
Leaders usually spend two to five hours a week outside of the unit time on the role (depending on how the unit responsibilities are shared and what activities are planned). This might include contacting new members or going to district meetings.
Leaders share issues and concerns with local commissioners.
Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group
Volunteer at our hearing aid care and maintenance drop-in clinics and support people who are hard of hearing to keep their NHS hearing-aids in good working order. Our volunteers will tell you how rewarding the role is; we make a big difference to the quality of life for the people who attend our clinics. By keeping a person\'s hearing aids working our volunteers help to keep them part of the community and reduce their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Loch Arthur Camphill Community Limited
Loch Arthur is a working shared living community which includes men and women with learning disabilities. Short-term volunteers join in one of our seven shared houses, participating in workshops and supporting adults with learning disabilities in day to day life. Joining the community as a volunteer can be a rich and rewarding experience. We attempt to live and work together in a way that recognises the dignity and uniqueness of each human being and does not distinguish between those who require support and those who give that support. We aim to create an enlivening and caring environment for all who live here. Each year up to 20 volunteers join us from the UK and all over the world to support our life in Loch Arthur. Many of these volunteers are taking a gap year after school, others are looking for a change in life, practical experience for further education or inspiration for different ways of living. Most of these volunteers find it worthwhile to spend a year living in the community, although shorter stays are possible. There are also possibilities for individuals, couples and families interested in making a longer-term commitment to this way of life. Work areas in Loch Arthur include farm, garden, creamery, bakery, weaving workshop, woodwork shop, farm shop and café and housework. We hope that volunteers joining us are willing and able to participate in any of these activities, depending on where the needs are in the Community at the time in question.
ROKPA TRUST
We believe that mental distress is not just a problem to be addressed by professional experts but is a human problem that can be alleviated with a human response. Co-workers play a key role at Lothlorien in working towards creating a home-like, conflict-free and non-authoritarian environment. The notion of community is reinforced because co-workers are choosing to make Lothlorien their home, rather than being paid to ‘look after’ residents. As community members, co-workers have an acknowledged right to have their individual needs and limitations taken into account rather than being continuously expected to be in the caring role. Although distinctions between co-workers and residents are minimised, the co-workers have a key role to play by helping to provide support and encouragement to sustain the daily routines. They aim to take an approach of ‘doing with’ rather than ‘doing for’ so that everyone is encouraged to participate to the best of their ability. In this way, unnecessary dependency is avoided, and residents can develop their sense of autonomy and independence. Forming and sustaining meaningful social and personal relationships is a major part of recovery. The co-worker\'s role is, as much as anything else, a befriending one, which eases the residents\' transition into the social world from which many people with mental health problems are excluded. Therefore, co-workers are encouraged to relate to residents in a open, tolerant and non-judgemental manner, based on informality and mutual respect. Activities include cooking, gardening, games, arts and crafts, driving in local area and to various events.
Sleeping Giants
Sleeping Giants Community Development CIC is a social enterprise in the form of a community interest company (company number SC557276) and regulated under UK company law by Companies House. We are seeking volunteers to join our Board of Directors. The board member will be responsible for overseeing the strategic development and fulfilment of Sleeping Giants Community Development CIC’s vision and mission; ensuring compliance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, contracts, company policies and all relevant legislation; acting in the interests of the Company and promoting its success at all times.
Annan Harbour Action Group
We are looking for committed individuals to enhance the range of Trustee skills, as well as to consolidate existing skills with an eye to succession planning. We require dynamic and motivated people who are excited by developing the full potential of AHAG.
Dumfries & Galloway ME and Fibromyalgia Network
Our Peer Mentoring Service offers support for people who are going through the process of diagnosis or have recently been diagnosed with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia or Long Covid (with post exertional malaise). Volunteer peer-mentors can offer support as you move along your journey from diagnosis to adapting to life with a chronic condition.
If you would like the support of a mentor, or you would like to volunteer your time to help others, please get in touch. A peer mentor will be a role model and a friendly guide. They will show you that living with your illness is possible. Some of the things that a peer mentor might do:
• Talk with you about your needs
• Share what their experience has been like
• Offer support during transitions such as waiting for a diagnosis or retirement through ill health
• Help you to better understand your condition and possible treatment approaches
• Attend appointments with you
They will always be: • Kind • Respectful • Non-judgmental.
A Listening Ear
A listening Ear provides a befriending service to people who are isolated and vulnerable, offering friendship, signposting, information and referral to other appropriate agencies. A Listening Ear is an open access service serving the communities of Dumfries and Galloway. Role Descriptor •Volunteer Ambassadors will identify and develop relationships with key Community spaces/ assets in order to display and promote the services of A Listening Ear, replenishing literature as required. •Volunteer Ambassadors will develop an understanding of community or wellbeing events, for the purpose of promoting the work of A Listening Ear to develop referral pathways,. •Volunteer Ambassadors will support the Volunteer Coordinator in planning and hosting localised events such as group befriending sessions, festive get togethers or volunteer drop in sessions.
Volunteering opportunities advertised
across
Dumfries & Galloway:
188
Being a trustee brings lots of opportunities and there are many reasons why people take on the role. If you’re passionate about making a difference then this could be the role for you! As a Girlguiding Scotland trustee, you’ll have the opportunity to use your skills, knowledge and experience to support our work. You’ll make a difference to the lives of thousands of girls. The trustee board focuses on the strategy and performance of Girlguiding Scotland ensuring we continue to develop in response to member needs. Currently the main focus for our work is on providing a motivating and rewarding volunteer experience so that we can build capacity to enable more girls to join Girlguiding in Scotland, thereby ensuring we can sustain the organisation for the future.
As a trustee, you will contribute to shaping the future direction for Girlguiding Scotland and be responsible for ensuring the charity meets all legal obligations. You must be eligible to serve as a trustee of a charity, including being aged 18 or over at the time of appointment. Find out more here about who can be a trustee.
As a trustee you will be an active member of the trustee board, which is chaired by the chief commissioner (our most senior volunteer). The board is responsible for the governance and overall effective management of Girlguiding Scotland. The trustee board ensures that Girlguiding Scotland works within the legal, charitable, and financial requirements of a charity, meets regulatory requirements and promotes good practice.
We’re for all girls and we want Girlguiding Scotland to be a safe and welcoming space for every person that wants to join us. Our trustee board should be as diverse as the girls that we support and inspire which is why we encourage trustee applications from people of all backgrounds. In particular, we would welcome trustee applications from people with disabilities and individuals from ethnic minority groups.
You can find out more about the role by downloading the application pack from our website.
Why we want you
Parent to Parent is the National Autistic Society’s award-winning UK wide confidential emotional support helpline which is provided over the phone by trained volunteers, who are all parents of autistic children and adults. The volunteers all have personal experience of autism and the impact it has on their own families. They are there to give parents and carers the opportunity to talk through any issues, feelings or problems they’re experiencing. They can suggest helpful strategies, signpost them to other sources of information and support, or just provide a non-judgmental listening ear. Volunteers provide this from their own home.
All volunteers must be a parent or primary carer of an autistic child or adult.
What you will be doing
Calling parents and carers of autistic children and adults who have contacted the Parent to Parent Emotional Support Helpline
Providing emotional support and a non-judgemental listening ear to other parents and carers
Signposting parents, when appropriate, to information and advice services via email
Recording details of interactions with parents on the service’s secure system
Dealing appropriately with confidential information and documentation in line with the service’s policies
Some occasional travel to attend training and forums will be necessary
You will need access to your own computer/laptop with internet access
What will I get out of it?
You will get to meet the inspirational faces of community groups across the UK and immerse yourself in their work; use your existing skills in a rewarding fashion whilst developing new ones; guide members to become more inclusive; network with other like-minded individuals helping grassroots sports groups survive; and so much more. Our volunteers say that making a positive difference to our members is what they most enjoy about volunteering at Sported.
What will I do as a Sported volunteer?
You'll use your professional skills and lived experience to help groups overcome operational challenges, become better equipped for the future, and tackle inequality in sport.
Most of our roles are quite flexible and work around your schedule. We do our best to only share opportunities we think are relevant to you. With most of our volunteering support being delivered digitally, it’s even easier to get started supporting members across our network.
What will I get out of it?
You will get to meet the inspirational faces of community groups across the UK and immerse yourself in their work; use your existing fundraising skills in a rewarding fashion whilst developing new ones; guide members to become more inclusive; network with other like-minded individuals helping grassroots sports groups survive; and so much more. Our volunteers say that making a positive difference to our members is what they most enjoy about volunteering at Sported.
What will I do as a Sported volunteer?
You'll use your professional skills and lived experience to help groups overcome operational challenges, become better equipped for the future, and tackle inequality in sport.
Most of our roles are quite flexible and work around your schedule. We do our best to only share opportunities we think are relevant to you. With most of our volunteering support being delivered digitally, it’s even easier to get started supporting members across our network.
-
Home-based volunteering, Suitable for groups
At Nourish, our new project looks at researching the ‘British restaurants’ government initiative of the 1940s to develop a Public Dining concept that will support local communities today.
British Restaurants were created to provide a hot, healthy, and cheap meal (9p equivalent to £1.50 today) to those who needed it such as those who had homes destroyed by bombings, ran out of food rations, were desperate for support and a place to socialise and to feel a part of a community. By 1943 there was more than 2,000 restaurants serving 500,000 meals a day. Restaurants were set up by local councils in safe spaces from town halls to local churches, they also featured artwork to make the space engaging and joyful- not just a simple soup kitchen but a proud place for community.
We want individuals from all backgrounds, anywhere in Scotland, with a range of skills and abilities to join us on researching this forgotten history!
We are also interested in learning from international examples of state-subsidized dining experiences as further inspiration for our framework of Public Diners. Our current community researchers have found examples all over the world such as: Milk Bars (Poland), Hawker Centres (Singapore), Langar’s (Sikh Gurdwara), Peoples Commune Kitchens (China) and many more.
This is a mostly at home role, where volunteers can access online collections and archives for anything relating to British Restaurants in Scotland. Volunteers are encouraged, if able, to visit local museums, archives, and libraries for this research also. We will provide support and training for volunteers for accessing these materials.
The role also includes interviewing members of the public who may have visited/ used these restaurants during World War Two and after. We will also be interviewing individuals who also used international examples of state subsidised restaurants. This will involve the actual interviewing but recording and transcribing the session. We will also provide support and training (through a separate group) on this. This means that occasionally a volunteer may need to travel to interviewing locations. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel and related costs, this will be further explained during onboarding. Volunteers can also be involved with outreach strategies to find interviewees.
All these resources and materials will be used to create a touring exhibition on British Restaurants as evidence and inspiration to how they would work today; Public Diners. Volunteers also have the opportunity to assist in the curation of this exhibition.
This is a great opportunity for those interested in advancing their academic journey or career in the heritage sector or even if you are interested in local history!
For more information about the project and the type of research we are looking for please visit our website: https://www.nourishscotland.org/projects/public-diners/
-
Home-based volunteering, Board/trustee role
Creative XR Theatre Lab and SCIO Produced Moon is looking for new trustees who are excited by what we do, who share our values, and who are interested in bringing their experience in finance to join our team.
Our board is looking to grow later this year, adding another voice to our Trustees. Produced Moon is specifically looking for someone interested in our Treasurer role.
Produced Moon is a young arts organisation in an innovative and rapidly growing sector. As our treasurer you would both support us as we deliver the ongoing financial management of the organisation as well as help us think strategically about our future, building financial processes and structures as we grow. This role is great for someone who is interested in gaining board experience and working in a hands-on, collaborative role to support an arts charity delivering meaningful creative projects.
We’re looking for someone who is excited by what Produced Moon does, who shares our values, and who is interested in bringing their experience in finance to join our team. You don’t need to have worked in charity finance before, or have been a board member, and we can offer support and guidance for people who are new to working with charity finances in this way and are keen to learn.
Please read full role descriptions on our website to apply: https://www.producedmoon.co.uk/workwithus
Location: All Scotland ,England, Wales, Northern Ireland
For further information, please contact board@producedmoon.co.uk or visit https://www.producedmoon.co.uk/workwithus
The deadline is Thursday 08 August 2024 at 17:00.
As a CHSS Community Connector you can support CHSS any time or anywhere, giving as much or as little time to the tasks as you wish. As long as you have access to a smartphone, tablet or computer you can get involved to ensure No Life is Half Lived.
Are you looking for a great way to meet people and learn new skills?
Become a qualified official with Boxing Scotland and gain the opportunity to help develop grassroots boxing across Scotland.
Full support and training will be provided to applicants.
Long term opportunities for skillful applicants include the ability to officiate at national Scottish and British championships, and if volunteers show high expertise in the field, to be put forward for global events such as European championships, Commonwealth, and Olympic Games.
-
Suitable for groups, One-off volunteering
Apply now to volunteer at a Kiltwalk event in 2024!
Join our fantastic team of Kiltie volunteers and help support thousands of walkers as they take on Scotland’s ultimate walking challenge and fundraise for a charity close to their heart.
Sunday 11th August – Dundee Kiltwalk
Sunday 15th September – Edinburgh Kiltwalk
With a selection of roles to choose from, there really is something for everyone! See our walkers off at the start line, welcome them across the finish line or help them recharge at one of our Pit Stops. You can also provide support on the route by cheering and directing walkers. You can do this on foot, by cycling or by driving – we have options to suit all.
Kiltwalk is Scotland’s largest mass participation walking event with over 145,000 people taking part since 2016. The kind-hearted Kiltwalk community have taken big strides for charities close to their hearts and together with The Hunter Foundation, have managed to raise a staggering £42.5 million to date. All funds raised have been distributed to 3,330 Scottish Charities.
Our walkers rely on the encouragement and motivation they receive from our volunteers and many report that this is what ultimately gets them across the finish line. Be part of a feel-good event, soak up the Kiltwalk atmosphere and meet like-minded people. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop new skills and gain valuable experience in the events industry. It truly is a rewarding day!
-
Home-based volunteering, Suitable for groups
At Nourish, our new project looks at researching the ‘British restaurants’ government initiative of the 1940s to develop a Public Dining concept that will support local communities today.
British Restaurants were created to provide a hot, healthy, and cheap meal (9p equivalent to £1.50 today) to those who needed it such as those who had homes destroyed by bombings, ran out of food rations, were desperate for support and a place to socialise and to feel a part of a community. By 1943 there was more than 2,000 restaurants serving 500,000 meals a day. Restaurants were set up by local councils in safe spaces from town halls to local churches, they also featured artwork to make the space engaging and joyful- not just a simple soup kitchen but a proud place for community.
We want individuals from all backgrounds, anywhere in Scotland, with a range of skills and abilities to join us on researching this forgotten history!
We are also interested in learning from international examples of state-subsidized dining experiences as further inspiration for our framework of Public Diners. Our current community researchers have found examples all over the world such as: Milk Bars (Poland), Hawker Centres (Singapore), Langar’s (Sikh Gurdwara), Peoples Commune Kitchens (China) and many more.
This is a mostly at home role, where volunteers can access online collections and archives for anything relating to British Restaurants in Scotland. Volunteers are encouraged, if able, to visit local museums, archives, and libraries for this research also. We will provide support and training for volunteers for accessing these materials.
The role also includes interviewing members of the public who may have visited/ used these restaurants during World War Two and after. We will also be interviewing individuals who also used international examples of state subsidised restaurants. This will involve the actual interviewing but recording and transcribing the session. We will also provide support and training (through a separate group) on this. This means that occasionally a volunteer may need to travel to interviewing locations. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel and related costs, this will be further explained during onboarding. Volunteers can also be involved with outreach strategies to find interviewees.
All these resources and materials will be used to create a touring exhibition on British Restaurants as evidence and inspiration to how they would work today; Public Diners. Volunteers also have the opportunity to assist in the curation of this exhibition.
This is a great opportunity for those interested in advancing their academic journey or career in the heritage sector or even if you are interested in local history!
For more information about the project and the type of research we are looking for please visit our website: https://www.nourishscotland.org/projects/public-diners/