You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

Do you own a friendly, outgoing, though not too boisterous dog who loves to have a fuss made of them? Then perhaps, you might like to thank about registering them in our THERAPET visiting service. You heard of it? Let me tell you about it. For some years now it has been recognised, more nd more, that pets are good for us! Indeed it has been scientifically proved that the mere action of stroking a dog, cat, slows down the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, and makes someone who has already suffered a heart attack much less likely to have another. Through no fault of their own, many people find themselves deprived of the companionship of a much loved dog. It may be they have had to go into sheltered housing, residential care, a long stay hospital etc. The same applies to children and adults who have an additional support need and those suffering from a terminal illness. THERAPETS come in all breeds, cross-breeds, or 57 variety mongrels! They can be small, medium or large. The only vital statistic is a steady and happy temperament. The dogs are approved for temperament and general stability being accepted and are not considered until at least one year old. Volunteer owners must become actual members of CANINE CONCERN SCOTLAND TRUST - mainly so that we can be sure of insurance cover - although happily so far we only know of one, very minor accident, a happy day's tail sweeping a vase from a low table. Volunteers must be willing to make a regular commitment to visit, it need not be very often, once a fortnight, once a month or whenever, but the visits must be regular because the residents and patients look forward to them so much and are disappointed if they suddenly cease. Sometimes small miracles occur - people who have never spoken, turned their faces to the wall in fact - magically come to life at the first appearance of a dog in a ward! This to the surprise and delight of the nursing staff, in many cases the dogs and owners provide some light relief for them too. Sadly, it has to be said that some of the residents or patients the THERAPETS are their only visitors. We like to encourage them to regard the doggy visitors as their very own. There is no charge for this service which is organised and carried out entirely by volunteers. We fund raise in various ways to keep it going. More than anything else, we need MORE VOLUNTEERS! The service has proved so popular that they demand has overtaken the supply. So, if you think this might be for you, or once importantly, for your dog, please do contact us for more detail and perhaps an application form to register your dog.

Join Our Team and Be the Heart of Change! 🌟 Position: Fundraising & Events – Events Volunteer Location: Erskine Edinburgh / Various Community Venues - Scotland Wide Your Mission: Unite with us to build a Scotland where Veterans and their families thrive. At Erskine, our vision is clear: to offer Veterans their best possible future through the best possible care and community support. Role at a Glance: As an Events Volunteer, you'll be at the forefront of generating vital funds to support our Veterans. Your enthusiasm will light up various community settings as you: 📆 Schedule: Coordinate with our fundraising team based on your availability, making this a flexible commitment. 🏢 Event Setup/Clear up: Play a crucial role in setting up and tidying event/venue areas and displays, ensuring everything runs smoothly. 📋 Registration Desk Host: Welcome participants with a warm smile and assist them with registrations. 🛍️ Merchandise Maestro: Show off your sales skills by manning our Erskine-branded merchandise stalls. 🎟️ Raffle Rockstar: Sell raffle tickets and/or collect donations on-site during events. 🚚 Logistics Pro: Help transport goods and resources to and from event venues. 🏃 General Runner: Be the go-to person for various on-the-day tasks that keep the event running seamlessly. 🎉 Event Extraordinaire: If you're up for it, you might even contribute to event entertainment, activities, or event photography to capture the magic. 🤝 Support Ambassador: Provide support, encouragement, and resources to event participants taking on sponsorship challenges. Time Commitment: Length: A minimum of one day. Weekly Hours: 2-8 hours, depending on your availability. We're flexible to accommodate your schedule. Training Requirements: 🌟 Core Induction: Get acquainted with Erskine's history mission and values. 🏛️ Site Briefing: Familiarise yourself with the event location and role tasks. 🤝 Optional Fundraising Session: Enhance your fundraising knowledge to learn re our targets and how our money is spent on veterans Diversity and Inclusion: Erskine welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, aged 14 and above. You don't need prior experience; our training program will support you every step of the way. Skills and Attributes: 💙 Passion: A deep commitment to supporting Veterans. 🤝 Trustworthiness and Honesty: Essential qualities for our team. 😄 Professional and Friendly: An outgoing manner that engages people. 📜 Adherence to Guidelines: Ability to work within fundraising guidelines. Requirements and Benefits: 👥 Age Requirement: Must be 16+ for bucket collections unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or volunteering as part of a uniformed group. 🚗 Travel Expenses: Receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket travel expenses, up to £15 per day. Rewards of Volunteering: By joining us, you become an essential part of raising funds and awareness for Erskine. You directly contribute to ensuring that our residents receive the quality of care they so richly deserve. Ready to Enlist for a Cause? Apply Now! Your dedication can change lives and shape a brighter future for Veterans and their families. Together, we'll make Scotland a place where they truly thrive. Join us today and be the heart of change! 🤝 Ready to Make a Difference? Contact Us: 📞 0141 814 4640 📧 volunteering@erskine.org.uk 🌐 www.erskine.org.uk

Guide Dog UK are looking for short stay host families to host a guide dog [in training] for up to 10 weeks. The guide dogs will be receiving regular/daily training from the Guide Dog UK trainer in Caithness . Your role will be to keep the dog in your home and follow simple training guidelines while the dog is receiving its official training. Our trainer will pick up and drop off the dog from your home four days a week. For the remaining three days, including the weekend, the dog will stay with you all day. Guide Dogs provide exceptional training and encouragement throughout your volunteering journey and will pay all pre-agreed expenses.