We currently need support during the week on our mum and child sessions, these sessions are provided to help families connect and support one another. Your main role would be set up room, hosting and speaking to parents and tidying the room if you have small children than can be there whilst you volunteer

MCR Pathways is a multi-award-winning mentoring programme helping Scotland’s care-experienced and vulnerable young people achieve the same educational outcomes, career opportunities and life chances as all other young people. At the core of the MCR Programme are 1 hour weekly in-school meetings between a young person and mentor, who listens and provides encouragement. MCR Mentors come from all walks of life and commit to supporting a young person in school for a minimum of a year, ideally two. They are trained and supported by MCR throughout the mentoring relationship. External research shows that MCR mentoring has made a significant and lasting impact on young people’s confidence and self-esteem, in addition to school staying-on rates, attainment and progression to positive destinations - college, university, and employment. Share an hour and support a young person to reach their potential. When one person mentors, two lives are changed. Get involved! https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/

At Barnardo’s across Perth and Kinross the children and young people we support will be or have been affected by parental substance use, poor parental mental health, domestic violence or have an additional support need. They may also have experienced impact of poverty, neglect and abuse, homelessness, their own poor mental health and emerging substance use issues, as well as a care histories and behavioural issues. Volunteer befrienders/mentors provide quality one to one time to a child, young person or parent and are there to provide a listening ear, to talk and support the child, young person or parent to access leisure and recreational opportunities. We occasionally will have opportunities for 2:1 befriender roles to help build up people’s confidence as a befriender before doing lone working. Befrienders will focus on building their child’s or parents confidence and resilience as well as reducing their isolation and encouraging them to get more involved in the local community. We have roles available to help either children, young people or parents-volunteers can choose the role that they do with Barnardo’s. Befriending activities will vary according to the individual needs of the child/young person/parent and the role will involve being in the community helping them to access and enjoy activities that are local to them and to help develop skills and interests. For example, some of the children/young peoples/parents need support to go to an activity in the community and some need someone to talk to one to one. Volunteers provide vital support to children, young people and parents which helps the individuals to build up confidence, meet new people and access local activities. Some of the befriending roles may take place during school hours in a school setting (or during school hours when supporting a parent) but usually the roles supporting children and young people will take place after school hours, early evenings and weekends. We are also looking for volunteers who have experience and knowledge in supporting children and young people with additional support needs and who may have knowledge with using Makaton. Previous experience is not essential with children and young people with additional support needs but for some of our roles previous experience would be much welcomed. • Minimum age 18 (but can start the induction process at 17) • Minimum of 2 hours per week or 2 hours per fortnight (Monday-Sunday-during school, after school, evenings, weekends) • Befriender roles are across Perth and Kinross but the matching process would take into account locality and vehicle access. • Travel expenses provided within Perth and Kinross Boundaries • 6 month commitment for a befriender role

"Grandmentors" is an award winning inter-generational mentoring programme, matching volunteer mentors who have a range of life skills and experiences, with young people aged 16-26 who are care experienced or who have "adverse childhood experiences". Grandmentors has now launched in Midlothian in 2023, for the first time! Our volunteer mentors help young people navigate the transition to independence into adulthood, by guiding them through life skills such as managing finances, accessing employment, education and training, and supporting their health and wellbeing. This opportunity is for volunteers (normally aged 50+) who have life experience and skills to offer. However, if you are younger than 50 and feel you could offer valuable support, please do apply or contact us to discuss further. It is important that you have good people skills, communication skills, patience, and can offer a regular commitment of a few hours per week (weekly or fortnightly). This role requires a PVG check which we will process for you after you apply to become a mentor. We provide our volunteers with comprehensive induction training, all on-going support, volunteer expenses and lots of other great benefits including the chance to make a difference to a young adult in need.