Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis for an hour or so each week, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh.

Befrienders build a trusting relationship and provide emotional support to a person who is experiencing homelessness or bad housing. Our service in Aberdeen supports those experiencing housing issues. We’re looking for a volunteer for a person who is engaged with our Time for Change project. You will support him as he searches for permanent accommodation, as well as providing practical support to engage more with his community and participate in Time for Change activity. This would ideally suit somebody who is empathetic, patient, confident and a good communicator. *Main Tasks: -Provide 1-1 social and emotional support to a Peer with Lived Experience of homelessness or housing issues. -Support the peer in finding a permanent home, and becoming more engaged in his community through various activities like going to the gym and volunteering. -Support the Peer in tracking their personal activity and goals in the Aberdeen Time for Change Project -Refer Peer to Development Worker in order to access services or support that they are entitled to -Regularly communicate with the Development Worker about the Peer’s general feedback -Providing open, non-judgemental space to allow Peers to talk on their experiences, isolation they may be feeling, issues they may be facing and their general involvement with Time for Change -To support Time for Change in helping to inform the issues people are facing within the community. A fantastic opportunity to help with a well recognised charity and make a real difference for people and the community. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Anthea Reid, Volunteer Support Officer at Email: anthea_reid@shelter.org.uk or tel.: 03445152340 / 07880458572.

Befrienders build a trusting relationship and provide emotional support to a person who is experiencing homelessness or bad housing. Our service in Aberdeen supports those experiencing housing issues. We’re looking for a female volunteer to support a person who is engaged with our Time for Change project. You will provide support to build her confidence and empower her to share her experiences of homelessness, as well as providing practical support to engage more with her personal goals and to participate in Time for Change activity. This would ideally suit somebody who is empathetic, patient, confident and a good communicator. Main Tasks: -Provide 1-1 social and emotional support to a Peer with Lived Experience of homelessness or housing issues. -Support the peer in finding a permanent home, and becoming more engaged in his community through various activities like going to the gym and volunteering. -Support the Peer in tracking their personal activity and goals in the Aberdeen Time for Change Project -Refer Peer to Development Worker in order to access services or support that they are entitled to -Regularly communicate with the Development Worker about the Peer’s general feedback -Providing open, non-judgemental space to allow Peers to talk on their experiences, isolation they may be feeling, issues they may be facing and their general involvement with Time for Change -To support Time for Change in helping to inform the issues people are facing within the community. A fantastic opportunity to help with a well recognised charity and make a real difference for people and the community. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Anthea Reid, Volunteer Support Officer at Email: anthea_reid@shelter.org.uk or tel.: 03445152340 / 07880458572.