Young Volunteers between the ages of 14 - 20 are trained as befrienders, before attending a local sheltered housing complex in groups of around 5. These groups will engage in a range of activities with the residents such as reminiscing, arts & crafts, games and are encouraged to come up with new forms of engagement. It is hoped that in addition to the positive impact the project will have on residents, the befriending will allow volunteers to build confidence and gain valuable social skills under the support and supervision of the project worker.

There are many ways in which volunteers can help to reduce social isolation in the older population. This may be by accompanying someone to attend a local community group, assisting with shopping or supporting them with activities, in their own home. Other suitable activities may include demonstrating to and supporting clients to do exercise to improve strength and balance, assistance with food preparation, assistance with craft activities and support with digital skills. A little human contact and support makes the world of difference to an isolated person. Volunteers can provide practical support to enable a person to feel less isolated and part of their wider community.

Each volunteer supports a re:discover client to recover a sense of who they are by encouraging them to step outside their illness and discover / rediscover activities and interests they enjoy. Volunteers work with clients as a whole person focusing on their talents, skills and assets rather than problems or needs. Volunteers encourage clients to set goals which they will work towards during their time with re:discover. They also act as a 'community bridge builder' supporting clients to step outside their comfort zones whilst providing support and encouragement. Volunteers work with clients for a minimum of 6 months which is the minimum commitment that we are looking for from volunteers. We are particularly looking for male volunteers in the 20-40 year old age category. Volunteers and clients agree together when and where they will meet (not in their own homes) - usually once a week for a few hours. Activities are usually based on shared interests and have included: meeting for coffee; cinema; theatre; art galleries museums; zumba, martial arts; gym; walks; garden centres; hill walking; pilates . . . We cover volunteer out of pocket expenses. We have regular training courses for volunteers, so get in touch to find out more. We welcome volunteers who are available to volunteer during the day, the weekend or in the evenings.

Volunteers can help out by serving customers on the till, sorting through donated stock, steaming and hanging stock, pricing items, window dressing and generally keeping the shop floor tidy. It is a great way to meet new people and raise money for Cancer Research UK. This is also a great opportunity for anyone who wishes to gain retail training and experience.

The Lawfield Walking Bus was established a year ago and enables children to walk to school in safe, supervised groups. The Bus concept is a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly approach to walking large groups of children to school. Each Bus has an adult 'Driver' at the front and an adult 'Conductor' at the rear. We sing songs, play instruments and tell stories on the way to school. The Bus can only be sustained if volunteers are available to be the Driver or Conductor, even on a rota basis. The children walk to school in a group along a set route picking up additional 'passengers' from home along the way. Everyone wears a reflective harness connected to a "Walkodile". The number of walking buses will depend on the number of children who are interested. We operate the buses every day for the journey to school.

Thornton Rose Riding for the Disabled is looking for volunteers. We provide people with disabilities with the opportunity to ride and enjoy all the activities connected with horse riding. The horses help people both therapeutically and recreationally. Our riders gain, through their contact with horses, a greater sense of achievement and confidence, which in turn makes their lives easier and more fulfilled. Your help is needed to:- Support our Riders by talking and interacing with them to provide a social and fun experience, walking along side them for safety and social interaction, helping them to understand horses and helping them have a fun and an enjoyable experience. For the horses: Bring them in from the field and give them a much appreciated groom, put on their saddles and bridles ready for the rides, be friendly and gentle – they love to be looked after and cared for, give them their food and take them back to the field and clean up their home/stable (light work). After the rides we all sit together and have lunch (which is provided) and share what happened during the rides and get to know each other. You can choose how regularly you want to come along and we will ensure that you have all the support and training you needs. Come along and try it with no commitment.

The role involves sharing your own experiences of living with Borderline Personality Disorder with groups of participants and helping to facilitate training workshops. You will need good communication skills, lived experience of BPD , and be willing to share personal experiences with people from a variety of different backgrounds. A strong sense of commitment and willingness to travel throughout the Lothians are also important. CAPS /LEARN will provide training and mentoring for this role.

Midlothian Active Schools aim to provide more opportunities for children to take part in sport and physical activity, before during lunchtime and after school. We develop pathways for children to access sport from school into the wider community. Being a volunteer delivering in school, allows us to provide further clubs for children to access. We also look for volunteers to help us with manage our events programme, such as, course marshal in cross country, referee or score keeper in basketball, athletics or hockey. You can bring your own expertise to the table! Volunteers can access our training programme in areas such as first aid, child protection and sport specific training.

Midlothian Active Schools aim to provide more opportunities for children to take part in sport and physical activity, before during lunchtime and after school. We develop pathways for children to access sport from school into the wider community. Being a volunteer delivering in school, allows us to provide further clubs for children to access. We also look for volunteers to help us with manage our events programme, such as, course marshal in cross country, referee or score keeper in basketball, athletics or hockey. You can bring your own expertise to the table! Volunteers can access our training programme in areas such as first aid, child protection and sport specific training.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Primary 7. Our Roslin Company meet every fortnight on a Wednesday evening from 6pm. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and lots of skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings! With more volunteers we will be able to do more activities and hopefully be able to take the young people to camp! All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.