The American mink is an invasive species that lives in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. Being a voracious predator mink have had a devastating effect on wildlife, most notably ground nesting birds and water voles. Our aim is to control mink and this is done using mink rafts to establish if mink are present in an area (if they are, they are trapped and humanely dispatched). Volunteers adopt a mink raft, and monitor for the presence of mink. The raft floats on the edge of a river or burn, and mink will investigate and go through the wooden tunnel. Inside the tunnel is a clay pad, on which the mink (or any other creature) will leave its paw prints. You just need to visit the raft every 1-2 weeks and check for tell-tale signs of mink footprints. No experience necessary, the raft is provided by us, and we’ll help you install it and answer all your questions. Watch a ‘how to’ video here: https://youtu.be/uPoRLZcmLHk This opportunity will be in the following postcode areas AB55, AB54,AB53, AB41, AB42, AB43, AB44

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

This role is open to anyone under 25 in Moray. This group of Champions receive additional support to connect through our specific young person Community Liaison worker. Activity includes influencing local education and health practice such as in schools, college and CAMHS, contributing to Moray Wellbeing Hub developments with new project and campaign ideas and fundraising planning.

The Moray Wellbeing Hub is looking to add to its Experteer group as part of leading its innovative work. Experteers support our core of directors to develop our organisation, increase our financial stability, grow and develop our human resources, give strong leadership on our values, moving on to identifying new areas of development. This team aims to be greater than the sum of its parts, representing a diverse range of life experiences, interests and core skills. Recruitment will be from the existing Moray Wellbeing Hub Champions and advertised widely to encourage new Champions to join and consider the role. It is also an excellent space for interested individuals to explore the potential of becoming a director before taking on legal and other responsibilities. Currently, a particular priority is the recruitment of volunteer Experteers who possess a skill set and experience in finance, audit, accountancy and/or risk management.

Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, including Moray, providing support to children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Barnardo’s Befrienders work with young people a 1:1 basis, offering practical assistance and emotional support, to build their self-confidence, coping mechanisms and positive relationships. The work could be focused on a particular need, such as confidence building, or it could be more focused around supporting the young person to access local community groups. We are looking for volunteers, with a passion for making a difference in young people’s lives, with a friendly and approachable attitude and an ability to engage young people, empowering them to take steps towards improving their situation and achieving their goals.

This wonderful railway is operated entirely by volunteers and maintenance work to keep this railway in top shape has not stopped during the pandemic. Throughout the year a vast programme of work is undertaken by volunteers, ranging from working on the track, running the trains to rolling stock maintenance and building maintenance… and the list goes on. In fact, many of our volunteers try their hand at most of these various jobs as and when required – and a significant number started volunteering without having specialist skills in these areas in the first place. If you would like to lend a hand at the Railway, spend some time doing something truly hands-on, let us know.

During COVID-19, Re-engage in Moray have been helping a lot of older people feel less lonely, one phone call at a time! The charity is now needing volunteers to help coordinate calls and make matches. As a co-ordinator, you will be the main point of contact for all of the call companions and older people in your local group. The co-ordinator is supported by Re-engage staff, to match folk together and will spend a few hours each month talking with companions and older people, making sure everything is okay. Volunteers receive training too.

Community Connectors… Spare a couple of hours a month to support fellow peers of life challenges in their local area. Expenses, supervision and training are provided. Are interested in self-management and increasing their own wellbeing as well as supporting others. Instilling a sense of meaning and purpose to progress in life. Are all Champions of Moray Wellbeing Hub who share peer-values such as mutuality, intentionality and authenticity- they take personal responsibility to opt out of the project at any time as appropriate. Are PVG checked (Protection of Vulnerable Groups), covered under insurance and are provided with orientation training and regular support by a local supervisor. Are trained by Moray Wellbeing Hub to have effective peer-support skills. May even become friends or companions in the long term who support each other in their community to get the most from life, but respect boundaries and are willing to negotiate, commit to and reflect on these. Community Connectors focus on a mutual trade of human resource - one human supports another to engage and connect in their local community. In return they are also helped to connect.

Real Life Options offer services across the country such as Day Centres, Outreach and supported living to support people within our care to live their lives as full as possible. We are currently looking for volunteers to join our Real Life Volunteers programme. We also are looking for anyone with an interest in enhancing the lives of the people we support to get in touch, as although we are a social care company, we are seeking both individuals interested in social care and also other individuals who have some other skill set and would like to use this within our services. This could be from playing musical instruments to gardening or taking service users into the community. The main tasks of community volunteers will vary but may include; chatting or befriending people or practical tasks such as going on a social outing or assisting with shopping. During these difficult and unsettling times, more than ever the people we support would benefit from any time and commitment you could give.

Are you interested in saving lives or training others too? Perhaps interested in a career in the medical profession. At Scotia Medical Group, we are looking for people from the age of 16 upwards to join our new charity in delivering medical treatment at events and working with the local community to create a network of lifesavers across the north of Scotland. Our highly motivated team of trustees and volunteers create a safe and caring environment for training and delivering our services. Whether its giving back to the local community or starting your career; whatever the reason, we want to hear from you.

Being a Community Connector Volunteer is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the success of a leading health charity and make a real difference to the people we support. The role will include: • Researching potential CHSS partner organisations using guidance provided; this may be groups, associations, local companies and schools. • Locating contact details for mailings / event promotion • Inputting data into a excel spreadsheet • Providing the fundraising team with feedback to research

The woodlands in and around Forres are highly valued community assets. Forres Community Woodlands Trust aims to utilise the potential of these woodlands to provide a wide range of community benefits. These include providing local people and visitors to the area with ready access to special places to enjoy peace and quiet, healthy exercise, education and recreation. Our vision, therefore, is to maintain and enhance the Trust’s woodlands as bio-diverse habitats which provide recreational and educational opportunities. Our volunteer activities take place mostly in our FCWT woods, that is either Sanquhar Wood or Muiry. On average we meet one Saturday morning each month from 10 to 12 o'clock and we carry out maintenance work, for example removing young foreign species with loppers and hand saws like rhododendron, sitka spruce or Douglas fir or we plant trees or cut back bracken. Our aim is to remove as many foreign species as possible and replace them with native trees.

We are looking for welcoming and enthusiastic volunteer(s) to lead short health walks in Moray -- currently these gentle walks are based in Forres, Elgin, Cullen, Buckie, Lossie and Keith. It's sociable, relaxed, fun and flexible -- and there is great support for our volunteers. Becoming a volunteer walk leader requires you to commit around an hour or so of your time weekly (but there is room for flexible dates!) and to sometimes complete a small amount of preparation & paper work for the walk. Health walks encourage people who have not exercised for a while, find walking boring, or lack confidence to join a walking group because they think they will not be able to keep up. Walks are free, short, low intensity, safe and social and are usually followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat! Over the next year we plan to build upon our network of gentle exercise activities across the Moray region. To help us achieve this we are looking for friendly and supportive volunteers who enjoy walking, meeting new folk sharing the wide ranging health and well- being benefits of gentle physical activity. We would love it if you could help us set up indoor and outdoor Strength and Balance sessions as well as new Health Walks to boost our provision in the area, helping the people that need it to access these opportunities. Volunteer walk leaders receive on-going support from the Health Walk co-ordinator, too. If you are a people person, like to walk and the outdoors please get in touch!

Social isolation and loneliness is a huge issue in the Moray area. As a volunteer mentor you will be matched with a young person who you would spend regular time on a 1:1 basis, working towards building a trusting relationship. Right now, mentoring is also available online -- so if volunteers prefer and feel they are better suited to offer online support, they can. Volunteers who mentor in person also take part in activities that is of interest to your young person, such as cooking, sports, and crafts. You can also introduce them to new activities to help them learn new skills and develop new interests. Through having a mentor, a young person can develop confidence and self-belief to achieve their life goals. As a volunteer you will gain practical experience of spending time with children and increase your knowledge about the issues affecting young people. You will meet a range of new people and be filled with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you have helped make a difference in a child’s life.

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

Mentoring Young Talent (MYT) is seeking new volunteer mentors… MYT works with young people between the age of 12-26yrs, supporting them 1-1 to gain confidence, explore their strengths, help make future plans to either increase their educational attainment or secure a destination like work, training or further education. Our younger project (12-16yrs) provides mentors to care experienced school attendees while our project for 16-26 year olds aims to support young people locally who may be unemployed, struggling to identify their next steps, need to strengthen their skills and gain from the interaction with a positive role model. Everyone is welcome to apply to be a mentor, it’s a great way to give back, support local young people and share your knowledge and experience. We provide training, support and fund some great activities to take part in alongside your matched young person. This volunteer opportunity is also a great career development opportunity, increasing your own employability skills as a result. During Covid 19 we have seen many young people’s future plans dashed, unemployment rise and increased insecurity for this age group. Mentoring provides a positive way to help this generation, If you can manage between 1-2 hours a week please get in touch. We are seeking volunteers of all ages and life experience and have young people waiting.

Are you ready to take the step into your volunteering journey? Then Girlguiding Moray needs you! By volunteering with us, you can help girls build their confidence, have adventures, learn new skills and have loads of fun – no matter your experience, your background or how much time you have spare. Becoming a role model doesn't need a full-time commitment – we need volunteers in all sorts of roles from unit helpers, to assistant leaders, and if you aren’t able to volunteer on a regular basis, you can still make an impact in a supporting role. No commitment is too small. So, if you want to help behind the scenes, at special events or get involved every week, there’s loads of ways to inspire girls with Girlguiding. Find out more https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/

We currently have around 50 shops/ community hubs across Scotland. Our shops and hubs help us raise funds so we can provide our services to the people who need us. Every one of our stores relies on a team of volunteers to help run it and support our staff. Quite simply, we cannot provide our services or raise funds without the amazing support of our volunteers. The time, support and the work they do is vital to us and the people we help. By helping out in one of our stores, you can make a difference to people and their families in Scotland who are isolated, scared or anxious about their condition.

Grampian Child Bereavement Network (part of the ARCHIE Foundation charity) provide direct support to bereaved children and young people throughout Grampian. Due to an increased demand in our service we are seeking volunteers in a variety of areas including: responders to visit bereaved families, fundraisers, event and admin helpers and a treasurer Key objectives of our Volunteers are: To support the work of GCBN through contributing to the range of services provided. To make a positive difference to the lives of the children, young people and their families who have been affected by bereavement Our responder service entails people visiting bereaved families and undertaking direct support work with children and young people and their families. We also run event days for children staffed up by our volunteers. We are particularly keen to recruit a volunteer with a financial or accounts background to take on our treasurer role. Good support and training is provided to all volunteers e.g.: induction includes self awareness, policy and procedures of charity. Training in child protection and bereavement support. Support from coordinator and board of trustees. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact: Malcolm Stewart, Coordinator at E Mail:gcbn@archie.org or tel.: 01224 554152.

NHS Grampian is launching an exciting new initiative for the people of Moray to get involved in. The 'Public Empowerment Group' (PEG) is a forum where local people can have a say about how health and social care services will be delivered in the future as part of the Dr Gray’s Hospital Transformation Programme and Operation Home First. The PEG will also help to ensure that any information about new models of health and social care is given in ways that everyone can understand and access. The group is open to anyone aged 16+ with recent personal experience of health and social care in Moray, whether they are themselves a service user or support someone who accesses those services. The group welcomes participants from all walks of life and backgrounds.

As an adult interested in the Scout movement there are many ways you can help. We change lives by offering young people fun and challenging activities, unique experiences, everyday adventure and the chance to help others so that we make a positive impact in communities. Volunteers can give as much or as little of your time as you choose. There are opportunities for Leaders, Management, Instructors, Administrators, Committee Members, Supporters and Helpers.

Community alarms support many older and more vulnerable people in Moray to continue living as independently as possible in their own homes. At the press of a button they can quickly raise an alert if they need assistance. There are a number of people in our communities who unfortunately have no family or friends living close by who are able to act as their alarm responder and go check on them when an alarm is activated to provide initial assistance. We are currently experiencing a greater demand for volunteer alarm responders across Moray, especially in the Forres, Elgin, Buckie and Dufftown areas for people who do not have close family, friends are neighbours for this type of support. This volunteer service is very much about remaining calm and providing reassurance. If you would like to know more about what is entailed please contact the Volunteer Development Team email volunteering.CC@moray.gov.uk.

Help People at Difficult Times Listening volunteers are there for anyone who needs someone, and provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Every seven seconds someone contacts us. Every seven seconds we can help someone turn their life around. As a listening volunteer you get the chance to make a real difference to someone’s future. You can offer support on the phone, email or text. Volunteers typically volunteer a minimum of a 4 hour duty per week, as well as a 4 hour night duty at monthly intervals. There are no qualifications required and you’ll receive full training to prepare you for the kinds of conversations you’ll have. And when you start out, you’ll have a mentor with you, to give you confidence you’re doing the right thing. You can also apply to help with administration or other non-listening support. Let us know how you would like to help.

Lead Scotland are looking for volunteers from across Moray to help disabled young people and adults and those who are experiencing multiple barriers to learning and employment. These roles offer a rewarding and worthwhile experience and we would like to hear from you if you have a few hours per week available to support our learners to improve their computer and digital skills, literacy and numeracy, and if possible, gain an Adult Achievement Award or the Community Action and Leadership Award. This volunteering can be done online or by phone or by email. Training is provided for our volunteering roles.

Moray Firth Credit Union is planning to open an outreach service in Buckie January and are looking for people who would like to be part of a team of volunteer tellers. We are also looking for a couple of people who may be to volunteer in Elgin, as our service has recently re-opened for one day per week, for a couple of hours. We are looking for people who want to give something back to the community. A credit union is like a community bank where we accept people's savings that then gets added to a pool of money from which our members can apply for a low cost loan. Our volunteer tellers are the face of the credit union, in that the teller the is responsible for the front desk, takes money, enters the transaction into the computer and gives the member a receipt for their transaction. The volunteer teller position is ideal for those who can handle money, who have a smattering of computer experience, who can exchange pleasantries and who can answer the telephone. There is enough in this volunteer position to not be boring and to not be too hard!