Do you enjoy making a difference in your community? We are setting up an osteoporosis support group to be based in the community in Galashiels and are looking friendly, welcoming people to help. An amazing opportunity to support and help others in a community setting with the newly formed Galashiels Osteoporosis Support Group. Help individuals to improve their quality of life, whilst helping them learn to live well with this debilitating condition. The (CAMEO) Osteoporosis Support group (Come and meet others with Osteoporosis) will meet up in the community in Galashiels. The group will be welcome to all, but is mainly for people with osteoporosis or those touched by the condition to meet up and be given the opportunity to speak to others in a similar situation. The group is being set up in the community with a local volunteer team, but will have ongoing support and guidance from the Volunteer and Public Engagement team at the ROS. The Galashiels Osteoporosis Support Group will be run in a relaxed fun and informative way. Osteoporosis Support Groups can be another great source of information and can help other people in similar situation by helping to raise awareness about all things Osteoporosis, especially if newly diagnosed. There are lots of ways to get involved, but this could include: • With the Volunteer Lead, helping to plan for and organise upcoming meetings. • Sending and replying to emails, sending meeting invites, writing newsletters and updates. • Help to set up before and clear away after the meeting. • Meet and greet attendees on the day, being a point of support for group attendees, answering questions and helping them in ways that best meets their individual needs. Giving peer support, helping to guide and assist others on their Osteoporosis journey. • Work as part of the team, helping to support the group and the Volunteer Lead, with the support and help of the ROS and the Borders Volunteer Action. • There may be the opportunity to take part in community awareness events and to take on other volunteer role if interested. Times: No minimum commitment, but to help secure the future of the group, a long term commitment would be preferred. We plan for meetings to be held four times a year for two hours.

Volunteers are the heart of Home-Start, and they are looking for kind, compassionate individuals to join the team of Home-Visiting and Group Support Volunteers. WHERE: In your community WHEN At a time that suits you COMMITMENT: 2 hours a week (flexible to your availability) TRAINING PROVIDED: Yes ABOUT: Home-Start Clackmannanshire offers guidance, friendship, and practical support to families across Clackmannanshire with at least one child under twelve. They work with families to help them overcome issues impacting their lives through various family support services. Every family is unique. However, common issues they support include loneliness, mental health difficulties, bereavement, family breakdown, addiction, and physical ill-health. They've been supporting local families across Clackmannanshire since 1988. The Home-Start team (staff, volunteers and trustees) are committed to ensuring that children are given the best possible start in life as #childhoodcantwait. THE ROLE OF GROUP SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS: Home-Start understand that entering a family's home may seem daunting for some people. If you want to engage with multiple families at a time who have children under 5, our group provision is the perfect setting for you! Our groups operate across three locations in Clackmannanshire – Tullibody, Alloa and Tillicoultry, aiming to provide families support, friendship, and fun. As a group volunteer, your role would include tasks such as: - Setting up/Clearing away play equipment. - Encouraging play/supporting an activity such as arts and crafts or messy play. - Offering support/conversation to parents/carers in attendance. - Supporting our Group Workers with the general running of the sessions. - Preparing snacks (food hygiene training available for volunteers keen to support snack preparation). TRAINING: The Group Support Volunteers must complete a 6–7-week preparation course. This provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and truly understand the importance of your role whilst also giving staff the time to get to know you so they can match you with the right family/group. The training is designed by family practitioners and experts in the industry and covers essential information, including: - The role of a Home-Start volunteer - Values, attitudes, and inclusivity - Confidentiality - Listening and communication - Meeting the needs of families and children - Safeguarding REQUIREMENTS: Volunteers are required to: - Have some form of parenting/caring experience. - Commit to the training programme. - Commit to regular family support/group sessions. - Provide two references (character or professional). - Join the PVG scheme (Home-Start will support this process). Having a criminal conviction does not necessarily exclude you from volunteering with Home-Start. If you are concerned about this, please get in touch). - Understand that support provided to families is entirely confidential. - Have a non-judgemental attitude. - Adhere to their policies and procedures to protect themselves and the families. ONGOING SUPPORT: Each volunteer has a dedicated Family Support Co-ordinator who will be their main point of contact and provide support throughout their volunteering journey. Given the nature of this role, they have a robust preparation course and induction. Chances for ongoing training, development, and social opportunities are provided throughout the year (they have a volunteer calendar of events). Home-Start are also committed to supporting the team to develop, so if a training or learning need/interest arises outside the calendar, they will do their best to help you access it. This is an incredibly rewarding role, and you will have the chance to be part of a vital local service and a global network of Home-Starts. All volunteers are provided with travel expenses. References are available for volunteers. Both the premises and group premises are fully accessible. Please note we cannot guarantee family homes are accessible, but we will take accessibility requirements into account when matching volunteers with a family.

SupportedED – The Linda Tremble Foundation needs support group facilitators to help deliver community peer-to-peer support for groups of people affected by an eating disorder. Volunteers are needed for a new monthly group in Kirkcaldy and tasks include: • Preparing for sessions • Allowing space for participants to talk • Asking questions to the group • Signposting when necessary By helping people suffering from an eating disorder and their families to discuss their feelings and concerns you can help them to look towards a more positive future. If you are a caring and empathetic person who can help those attending to feel less isolated, more understood, cared for, listened to and supported, SupportED would value your contribution to the team. Volunteers are part of a supportive, informal and friendly group of fellow volunteers and like-minded people, and all training and support are provided.

Helping run a peer support group in your local community: By giving your time, you will help us to reach the thousands of people living with sight loss in your area and provide life-changing support. Why we need you: The Macular Society is the UK’s leading charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world-class research, and the best advice and support Our groups provide information, support and new friendships to those with macular disease, along with their family and friends. Whether you can spare a few hours or a couple of days a week, you’ll be doing something great to help people with macular disease. Rewarding and enjoyable roles Everyone has a reason for volunteering. Perhaps you know someone who has macular disease, are currently supporting a loved one, or want to give something back to support your community. If you want to gain experience or develop new skills, we are sure we have something for you too. Will it suit me? You will be working as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of the group. No one person is responsible, which helps to lighten the load. Select the task(s) that feel right for you. Tasks shared by volunteers may include: • Meet and greet – welcoming members and guests, sharing information, wrapping things up at the end. • Group programme – organising guest speakers and suggesting social activities. • Keeping in touch with group members. • Maintaining a list of members and sharing updates with head office. • Collecting meeting subs. • Organising and/or serving tea and coffee. • Setting out the chairs. Time commitment Most of our groups meet monthly. The Galashiels Macular Support Group will be meeting at a central venue in Galashiels. Two to three hours is all we need each month, with flexibility if things change for you. Offering your help If you see yourself in this role, get in touch to have a chat. If it isn’t for you, then we would still love to hear from you. We have other exciting volunteer opportunities that may be a better fit for your time and talents.