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 Volunteers Supporting Families in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the South East and South West localities 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, 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. 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.

One to One Counselling are looking for some local Aboyne/Banchory area volunteers to join a local sub-committee to support the One to One Manager

Aberlour Sustain (Angus) help struggling families to stay together, by giving them the help and support they need to prevent a child from being taken into care. We understand that family life can be difficult for all sorts of reasons, and volunteer Befrienders can play an active role in supporting a child emotionally and socially. Befrienders can help children and young people enjoy a wide range of opportunities and activities, while building a trusting relationship and being a consistent figure through life transitions. Children and young people can benefit hugely from having a befriender. Spending time on a 1:1 basis allows children to develop their communication skills and build their confidence and self-esteem through sharing in a fun activity. By volunteering as a Befriender with our Sustain service in Angus, you can gain valuable experience of working with children and young people and developing an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of the Sustain team in Angus. Volunteer Befrienders typically spend time with a child or young person once a fortnight, during evenings and weekends.

Aberlour Sustain (Angus) help struggling families to stay together, by giving them the help and support they need to prevent a child from being taken into care. We understand that family life can be difficult for all sorts of reasons, and volunteer Mentors can play an active role in supporting parents facing challenging circumstances. Mentors can help parents and carers to develop life skills, identify and work towards goals, and develop trusting relationships. Parents and carers can hugely benefit from having a volunteer Mentor, to help them identify goals, work through challenging circumstances and celebrate achievements. Parents and carers can benefit from 1:1 time spent with a supportive person, building their social skills, confidence and self-esteem. By volunteering as a Mentor with our Sustain service in Angus, you can gain valuable experience of supporting parents and carers through day to day challenges that they might face. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of the Sustain team in Angus. Volunteer Mentors typically spend time with a parent or carer once a fortnight.