We at Sunnybrae are a Very Sheltered Housing complex, set up to enable people to live independently in a community setting with the added bonus of high-quality care and access to meals and activities provided at the Core building. We are looking for volunteers to support our friendly staff team with organising and leading activities for our residents. Activities could include organising or providing: * Live music or singing; * Arts and crafts sessions; * Physical exercise such as chair yoga, boccia, any active games; * Gardening and sprucing up our little cul-de-sac; * Pampering sessions, hair and nails and make-up; * Technology and learning, maybe you could show our residents a games console or VR set?; * Fundraising ideas for out comfort fund; … or just taking a resident for a wander and a blether. We will be delighted to have your ideas and for you to share your hobbies with us. These can be group activities or one-to-one activities with residents, tailored to both your interests and the resident’s. This role is very flexible and does not require fixed days – every hour spent with our residents enriches their lives and will be very much appreciated. What could a volunteer gain from the experience: Helping our residents lead a fulfilled life - reviving old skills or even learning new ones is a wonderful thing for them and the satisfaction you will gain from this can make an immense positive difference to your life as well. Maybe you are interested in a job in care in the future? This would be a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the sector and can support a future application. Maybe you could even learn an old skill from one of our residents!

Day Service Volunteers attend day sessions from 10.30am to 2.15pm, Mondays to Thursdays. Reporting to the Session Coordinator and supporting within a team of staff and volunteers they assist in providing activities and entertainment, and with serving teas and coffees to clients on their arrival. They also help to ensure a warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere, and to promote and maintain client independence and confidence. All volunteers are PVG Scheme checked and induction and training is provided. A full role description and application pack is available on request.

On arrival at our centre, Social Care Assistants can assist with tidying the centre, help prepare daily activities and read volunteer notice board for any updates regarding daily rota assigned tasks. On arrival/departure of service users, carers are to meet the bus in the car park and assist with the safe exit/entry of service users. Patience is required as some of the Service Users have mobility problems. Once our service users are seated, coats are to be collected and placed on corresponding hook in the cloak room. Introduce yourself to services users at allocated lunch table, reading the menu together and filling in appropriate paperwork. To assist if required with cutting food, pouring liquids, or visits to the toilet etc. Help with daily activities and afternoon tea while assisting escorts prepare for the homeward journey. A general tidy of hall in preparation for next day would assist others. Some of our Service Users have dementia problems, others physical disabilities. For some each day is very similar, with little meaningful contact with other people. We seek to change that by introducing a programme of activities which will help to improve self confidence, mobility, social skills and general well being through learning new skills and engaging with others. We are looking for people with enthusiasm, a sense of humour, good communication skills, experience of life, and an ability to teach or pass on skills (practical or creative) who would like to come in and share their skills with a group of approximately 30 people. Activities can be tailored to individual interests and may involve smaller groups as one or more activity can take place daily. We are always open to suggestions. Once in post, with volunteer consent, we will apply for an I.L.A. (Individual Learning Account) to pay the cost of these courses. Volunteer should read the notice board for updates regarding training or fundraising activities.

Portobello Older Peoples Project (known as POPP) is a small lunch/social club in Portobello. As part of the Wednesday team at POPP you will prepare the hall, provide a welcome (and a cuppa) when the members arrive and serve lunch. You will also support members to take part in activities such as quizzes, singing, reminiscence sessions and outings. Making time to chat is also an important part of the day. In addition, you will be part of a rota helping as an escort on the bus that bring the older people to the club and home again.