East Ayrshire
volunteering opportunities
NHS Ayrshire & Arran (South Ayrshire)
Key duties:
• To make service users feel welcome on entering the community centre and directing them to according to their appointments if required.
• To provide service users with refreshments on arrival and during the course of the session.
• To encourage service users to get involved in conversations and generate ideas about service improvements.
• To provide a valuable link between the project officer and the community to help feedback ideas which will help to shape the services going forwards.
Personal specification:
• Volunteers must be 18 or over. This is not a clinical role and you will not be shadowing or assisting staff.
• Good listening and communication skills are essential.
• Patience and composure.
• A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach
• Reliable/ dependable and flexible.
• Understanding of confidentiality.
• Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach.
Additional requirements and general information:
• Successful placement will be dependent on Disclosure Scotland PVG and Occupational health clearances plus two character references
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Volunteers should not: undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with the Diabetes MCN Manager/Volunteer Manager; undertake any manual handling tasks without the appropriate training; undertake patients’ personal or clinical care.
• A volunteer can offer emotional support and empathy but must under no circumstances offer advice of medical opinion on a patient’s treatment
• Volunteers are in place to complement the work of the paid staff and are not used to replace roles that are normally undertaken by paid hospital employees.
• Volunteers are bound by the ‘Volunteer Agreement’ which should be signed and returned to the Volunteer Manager prior to undertaking this role.
• You will be required to undertake training relevant to the role including: corporate induction; role training prior to placement and other training as identified for the role whilst on placement.
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.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through.
Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run.
Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.
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.
Over 60 donation centres receive and distribute 100’s of bags of stock every single week. All of these donations need to be lifted and shifted so they end up in the right shops - we don’t require a weightlifter, but you will be need to be physically fit to help move the many donations we receive.
As well as working up a sweat, our donation centres also sell a variety of stock which all need processing and putting on the shop floor. 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 once in a while, 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:
Sorting large amounts of donations and stock
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
12-22 St Andrews Street, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, KA1 3EY, 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
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through.
Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run.
Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.
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
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.
Volunteering opportunities advertised
across
East Ayrshire:
87
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.
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.
Last updated 7 hours ago
Our Virtual Home Assessors play a vital role in delivery of our service by interviewing potential volunteer pet foster carers to assess their house, home situation and the fosterer.
All of our home assessments are currently carried out either by telephone interview only (for cats,birds and small animals) or by video call (Zoom/WhatsApp) for dogs.
You can choose to be involved in one or both of the methods available.
You will be contacted by the Home Assessment Coordinator when a new applicant becomes available.
Main tasks include; contacting the potential fosterer by telephone/email/text to arrange a suitable date and time for the home assessment to take place. Once confirmed to carry out the assessment by either telephone or video.
A home assessment form will be provided to you for completion during the call which covers the criterias required by PFSS for the potential fosterer to be accepted. Once completed this form is then to be uploaded onto our database via our website volunteer team page.
Last updated 5 days ago
We are looking for volunteers who would like to send regular letters to a CHAS referred child or sibling. You will send a letter to a child/young person either once or twice a month (this is dependant on whether you get a reply or not) for at least a year.
What activities will I be involved in?
Writing letters to children
Quarterly catch up sessions for letter writing volunteers
You will manage or access sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services
What skills and abilities will I need to have?
Ability to write a letter to a child or young person using appropriate and child friendly language
Good written communication skills
An ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately
Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality
Shared values with the organisation: respect, care, honesty, accountability
How much time should I offer?
1 hour a month
What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?
It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role.
We are always developing new opportunities for volunteers to learn and offer a range of options for volunteers.
What are the benefits to me?
Learning new skills
Getting more involved and making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition.
Adding to your CV
Meeting new people
Having fun!
What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?
Writing letters to siblings and children/young people who use CHAS will mean they will receive something in the post just for them. This is a great way to help spread joy.
What else should I know?
This role is for those aged 16+ and requires a basic disclosure certificate.
We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy.
CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. This will ensure that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation while improving the quality of care we provide to help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.
We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. We can provide more information on if you are allowed to volunteer and what adjustments we can put in place to ensure your volunteering experience is a positive one.
What’s the next step?
If you’re interested in the role you can apply online at https://www.chas.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-application-form or if you have any questions please contact the Volunteering Team at volunteering@chas.org.uk or 01577 866065.
Last updated 5 days ago
Befriending is a fantastic and rewarding way to make a real difference to the life of someone else. Apart from the personal satisfaction of helping someone, it is also an opportunity to enhance your own life experience and build new skills.
Befrienders MUST have held a full driving licence for at least 2 years and have the use of a smoke free car.
A minimum commitment of 1 year is needed to ensure these goals can be met.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life limiting condition that currently affects around 1200 people in Scotland. The Butterfly Trust aspires to improving the quality of life for people affected by Cystic Fibrosis by providing support, promoting people's rights and helping them to live independently.
Our befrienders offer one to one face-to-face support to a young person aged 8 to 18, who has Cystic Fibrosis. Young people living with this condition have a demanding daily treatment regime at home and sometimes experience limitations that can affect their confidence and ability to cope with the challenges of everyday living. They may also be socially isolated because of their condition.
A befriender will meet with the young person for around 3 hours every 1 to 2 weeks, away from the home environment, to build a trusting one to one relationship. A session might simply be an opportunity to chat, eg over a snack or coffee, or may involve a specific activity such as sport or creative/arts. This will allow the young person space and a suitable environment to explore their feelings, discuss their fears, develop life skills and grow in the areas where they may be struggling.
Desirable qualities required include good listening skills, patience and an adaptable attitude.
Training and support is provided; and expenses reimbursed.
After applying you will be asked to complete an application form and to meet with us for a short informal interview. Befrienders will then attend an induction event (expenses paid) and the trust will acquire PVG clearance on their behalf, before being paired up with an appropriate client in the Glasgow area, within a reasonable distance from your home.
Last updated 5 days ago
We are Citizens of Cyber, our mission is to bring together cyber-specialists and connect individuals and professional bodies, to support and assist in cyber-education and the development of safer online practices, aimed at people of all ages and knowledge levels.
We wish to use our professional network to keep up to date with the activities of hackers and online scammers and produce resources for use by schools, groups, and individuals, whether online, offline, or through face-to-face sessions.
We want cyber-users to know how to protect themselves and others online, whilst being confident and making the best of their online interactions, and still remain within the confines of the law while doing so. In addition, we aim to ensure that support is available for anyone affected by negative interactions online and to help anyone who finds themselves in cyber-related difficulties.
Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do and it is important for us to ensure we provide the best working environment possible. Volunteers work remotely during hours they set, our team focuses on ensuring clear deliverables are identified and agreed to allow volunteers to manage their own time.
Meetings with the whole team will be held regularly to make sure everyone knows each other and work together.
Role includes but is not limited too:
Provide advice and guidance on equality and diversity issues;
Actively promote equality and diversity within Citizens of Cyber and the wider community;
Raise awareness of diversity issues both within schools/at events and within Citizens of Cyber;
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of anti-discriminatory legislation;
Develop systems for reporting any incidents of discrimination and where required, respond to
complaints and provide further information on options for complainants;
Present reports and recommendations for how best to comply with equality legislation;
Responsible for ensuring the practices of Citizens of Cyber follow legal requirements by translating equality legislation in to practice;
Assist web teams in ensuring website is fully accessible; and Report back to the CEO and Board on a regular basis.
Last updated 6 days ago
We are Citizens of Cyber, our mission is to bring together cyber-specialists and connect individuals and professional bodies, to support and assist in cyber-education and the development of safer online practices, aimed at people of all ages and knowledge levels.
We wish to use our professional network to keep up to date with the activities of hackers and online scammers and produce resources for use by schools, groups, and individuals, whether online, offline, or through face-to-face sessions.
We want cyber-users to know how to protect themselves and others online, whilst being confident and making the best of their online interactions, and still remain within the confines of the law while doing so. In addition, we aim to ensure that support is available for anyone affected by negative interactions online and to help anyone who finds themselves in cyber-related difficulties.
Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do and it is important for us to ensure we provide the best working environment possible. Volunteers work remotely during hours they set, our team focuses on ensuring clear deliverables are identified and agreed to allow volunteers to manage their own time.
Meetings with the whole team will be held regularly to make sure everyone knows each other and work together.
Role includes but is not limited too:
Identify areas/resources from Citizens of Cyber which require further research/development;
Identify potential sources of funding and prepare funding applications;
Identify new audiences which would benefit from the resources offered by Citizens of Cyber;
Assist in the production of materials to aid in reaching out to new audiences for Citizens of Cyber;
Validate information/materials produced by Citizens of Cyber for accuracy and reliability through the use of multiple trustworthy sources;
Research and advise Citizens of Cyber volunteers on trustworthy sources of information;
Advise Citizens of Cyber volunteers on how to identify trustworthy information and how to best validate information used in their roles;
You will be speaking/teaching/ working with young children and vulnerable adults as a volunteer of Citizens of Cyber.
Last updated 6 days ago
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.
Last updated 10 days ago
Become an inspection volunteer
Our work is improved by involving people who use services and their carers. We have many innovative ways that people can get involved with us and can influence our work.
Our Involvement and equalities charter outlines how we involve people who use care services and informal carers in our work.
If you have personal experience of using a service or you have cared for someone close who has used a service there are many ways you can get involved with us. You do not have to have any qualifications. Your personal experience gives you a unique insight.
If you would like to find out more or if you would like us to post you an application form - please email us at get.involved@careinspectorate.gov.scot
Last updated 10 days ago
Help make today matter by supporting the Ayrshire Hospice as a Retail Assistant
in our Hospice shops.
Do you have a passion for fashion and love working with people, then we have a new exciting opportunity for you?
At Ayrshire Hospice we are currently looking for Volunteers to join our Retail team. Volunteering is always in style!
Volunteers play a huge part in the running of our stores and our retail chain could not function without the support they provide.
We have various volunteer opportunities in our stores in Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Cumnock, Kilmarnock, Girvan, Saltcoats, Kilwinning, Largs and Mauchline.
Utilising your creativity and imagination you can assist with creating window and in store displays, selecting stock and turning it into something eye catching and tempting for our customers.
An organiser’s dream volunteering role! Volunteering in the stockroom you can assist with sorting and organising donated stock and getting it ready for the shop floor. On the main shop floor, welcoming and assisting our customers and ensuring stock is regularly replenished, manning our tills and giving the best customer service possible.
This is the perfect opportunity for a people person or a fashion fanatic.
Benefits of Volunteering with Ayrshire Hospice
Volunteering with us is flexible and fits around other work and life commitments, giving just 2 to 4 hours per week can make a real difference to the funds raised instore. Volunteering can help you develop your interpersonal skills and is a great opportunity to meet new people as volunteering helps encourages social inclusion.
Many volunteers feel a sense of belonging as they have a chance to make a difference to others’ lives and be part of something more. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to volunteer we hope that you, along with our other volunteers have fun and enjoy any amount of time you are able to have with us!
Last updated 10 days ago
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
Last updated 11 days ago