Home-Start is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Home-Start volunteers support families in the following way: - Offering support, friendship and practical help. This might include help with budgeting, meal planning, attending appointments, accessing services etc. - Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected through non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential support. - Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual. - Emphasising the positive aspects of family life and positive parenting. - Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed. - Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional well being for the ultimate benefit of their own children. - Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community.

Home-Start Clackmannanshire are looking for volunteers to support the operation of our Charity shop on Alloa High Street. Whether you are keen to be front of house serving customers, have an interest in supporting us with sorting donations, or merchandising and promoting our stock, they have a role for you! ABOUT: Home-Start Clackmannanshire offers guidance, friendship and practical support to families across Clackmannanshire who have at least one child under the age of twelve. They work with families to help them overcome issues impacting their lives, through a range of family support services. Their families are each unique, however common issues they support include: isolation and 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. In addition to providing these direct family services, they have a thriving Chairty Shop on Alloa High Street, selling pre-loved items ranging from prams and clothes to toys and bric a brac. Home-Start have two members of part time staff who run the shop along with their incredible team of volunteers, which they are looking to expand. THE ROLE OF SHOP VOLUNTEERS: Their volunteers operate alongside staff members to ensure the smooth and successful running of the shop. Home-Start works with volunteers to find the right role for them within the shop. They have volunteers who love engaging with customers, and making window displays. Other volunteers prefer to be behind the scenes sorting donations, or pricing items. TASKS FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE: - Welcoming customers - Operating the till and card machine to process sales - Sorting donations - Readying stock for the shop floor – steaming, pricing, labelling clothes hangers, steaming etc. - Visual Merchandising – creating displays in the window and on the shop floor - Replenishing stock - Photographing stock for sale on the Facebook page AS A VOLUNTEER YOU WILL: The group are looking for volunteers who are able to work well within a team, and have a positive, inclusive manner when working with the public. Retail experience would be beneficial but isn’t a requirement. Home-Start Clackmannanshire require a minimum of 2 hours availability and commitment across the week, although will be flexible where possible. They are in particular need of volunteers to support them in extending their opening hours to a Saturday. SUPPORT PROVIDED: After an initial chat and taster session, each volunteer will complete a full induction programme. This provides an overview of Home-Start Clackmannanshire, covers health and safety, procedures etc. and focuses on tasks associated with your agreed role. Home-Start have a wider package of training available to all volunteers, including Retail Skills, Manual Handling, First Aid, SQA in Volunteering Skills and more. For younger volunteers (aged 12-25), they are also registered with Saltire Awards to provide recognition of your volunteering hours. The Retail Supervisor is the day to day contact for volunteers, but Home-Start Clackmannanshire's Enterprise and Development Manager is also contactable, and will lead on training. ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDED WITH: - Uniform (polo shirt and hoodie) - Travel expenses - Social opportunities - Refreshments (if volunteering over 4 hours, lunch will be provided) Please note that the premises is fully accessible. **Compatible with Saltire and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.** FIND OUT MORE: If you would like to get involved, or to find out more about our volunteering roles at the shop, please contact Sarah@hsclacks.co.uk or call the shop on 07936 366 810.

This branch is looking for additional volunteers to help them carry out their branch activities. What you will be doing There are several opportunities available to you at the branch, depending on your skills and how much time you are willing to offer. You could be: Ensuring that the branch is a safe place for children and vulnerable adults and is complying with NAS policies. Organising branch fundraising activities. Writing a newsletter for the branch members. Organising group outings and activities for branch members. Be responsible for the campaigning the branch does. Organising PR for the group including running a website. Be responsible for the refreshments at events. There are lots of ways you could be involved with the branch. If you are interested, contact us for more information. When and where Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. Home based (plus travel to branch activities)

Team Jak provides practical and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and related illnesses, their family and friends and those bereaved. Team Jak Ambassadors can have different roles including family support and fundraising, including - raising awareness and fundraising opportunities such as bag packs, helping at a merchandise stand and collection buckets in supermarkets, schools, colleges, shopping centres and concerts. We will be hosting a number of larger fundraising events in Aberdeen throughout the year with the aim to raise £70,000 to open our Jak’s Den in Aberdeen. Family support roles can be rewarding and involve anything from playing with the children during our activity days and at our child and teenage groups, to making tea and coffee at our support sessions, talking with parents, sorting out merchandise bags and delivering to our newly diagnosed warriors in hospital, and preparing items for events. Volunteers receive initial induction training, ongoing support and any further relevant training opportunities. Team Jak have an Awards scheme and we hold a yearly event dedicated to thanking our volunteers and celebrating their success. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For more details please contact: Caitlin Stewart (Children, Young Person and Family Coordinator) at email caitlin@teamjak.org.uk or phone.: 07852 877157/ 01506 412302