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.

One to One Volunteer Befriender Person Specification Essential Advantageous Personal Qualities • Warm, friendly and encouraging • Interested in supporting people • Reliable, honest and trustworthy • Able to maintain confidentiality • Empathic and understanding attitude • Conscientious and self-motivated • Able to keep calm in stressful situations • Flexible • Clean driving licence and access to a car • Good sense of humour • Happy to be in the presence of dogs (Guide Dogs) Experience • Previous one to one volunteering experience • Previous experience of people with sight loss and hearing loss Knowledge/Understanding • Knowledge and understanding of issues faced by people with sensory loss Skills • Good communication/ Interpersonal skills • Good listening skills • Ability to recognise and respect other people’s boundaries • Ability to recognise and apply own limits and boundaries • Ability to attend and make use of support and supervision • Open to ongoing training as required • Ability to promote confidence and independence Values • Accepting the person for who they are – being non-judgemental • Respecting others as being of equal worth • Respecting other’s choices, lifestyles and rights • Not imposing own values and beliefs • Appreciating differences (e.g. race, culture, gender etc.) • Able to view someone as a person, not a stereotype   ROLE DESCRIPTION GROUP VOLUNTEER . Who are we looking for? We are looking for friendly and reliable people who enjoy the company of others. Sensory Awareness training will be provided and so no previous experience of working with people who has sight/hearing loss is required. A PVG check will be required for this role, and we would be looking for a minimum of 6 months commitment. Tasks • To provide company and emotional support • To assist service user to develop social contacts by joining community events and social groups • To support a service user with shopping • To provide telephonic befriending when necessary • To accompany service user to café or for a healthy walk • To Commit minimum 6 hours per month. We are looking for volunteer/s who drive and can assist our service users with transport. But not driving would not exclude you from being suitable for the role. Volunteers are particularly required in the Arbroath area. Training & Support • Induction training will be provided by Cilmi Eldho. North East Sensory Service’s (NESS) Volunteer Coordinator in Angus. • Sensory Awareness Training will be provided by Libby Hillhouse, the Training and Information Officer • Support in the voluntary role will also be provided by Cilmi Eldho. • Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed through NESS. Contact for Application form: Cilmi Eldho NESS Volunteer Coordinator (Angus) 07720 811896, cilmi.eldho@nesensoryservices.org

Group Volunteer Person Specification Personal Qualities • Warm, friendly and encouraging • Interested in supporting people • Reliable, honest and trustworthy • Able to maintain confidentiality • Empathic and understanding attitude • Willingness to learn • Conscientious and self-motivated • Able to keep calm in stressful situations • Flexible • Happy to be in the presence of dogs (Guide Dogs attend with some members) • Clean driving licence and access to a car • Good sense of humour Experience • Previous volunteering experience • Previous experience of people with sight loss and hearing loss Knowledge/Understanding • Knowledge and understanding of issues faced by people with sensory loss Skills • Good communication/ Interpersonal skills • Good listening skills • Ability to recognise and respect other people’s boundaries • Ability to recognise and apply own limits and boundaries • Ability to attend and make use of support and supervision • Open to ongoing training as required • Commitment to work within the group’s and organisation’s boundaries • Ability to promote confidence and independence Values • Accepting the person for who they are – being non-judgemental • Respecting others as being of equal worth • Respecting other’s choices, lifestyles and rights • Not imposing own values and beliefs • Appreciating differences (e.g. race, culture, gender etc.) • Able to view someone as a person, not a stereotype We are looking for friendly and reliable people who enjoy the company of others. Induction training will be provided and so no previous experience of groups or of sight/hearing loss is required. A PVG check will be required for this role and we would be looking for a minimum of 6 months commitment. Tasks • To support the group to achieve what they wish to do • To assist group members with refreshments • To assist group to plan and organise activities/speakers • To assist group members to find seats and negotiate the room • To interact with group members and develop positive relationships • To encourage the group to interact with one another • To assist with money handling as required We are hoping that we can also secure volunteer/s who drive and can assist with transport to the group for a limited number of group members. But not driving would not exclude you from being suitable for the role. Training & Support • Induction training will be provided by Cilmi Eldho. North East Sensory Service’s (NESS) Volunteer Coordinator in Angus. • Sensory Awareness Training will be provided by Libby Hillhouse, the Training and Information Officer • Support in the voluntary role will also be provided by Cilmi Eldho. • Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed through NESS. Volunteers are particularly needed in the Arbroath area. Contact for Application form: Cilmi Eldho, NESS Volunteer Coordinator (Angus), 07720 811896, cilmi.eldho@nesensoryservices.org

We are a national charity that works to remove barriers for deaf children and young people. Youth Support Volunteers, including Communicators, are an essential part of NDCS’s events for deaf children and young people. Volunteers assist with aspects such as: -two-way communication for children and adults with varied communication methods -Translate between English and British Sign Language (BSL) -Develop own practice to reach and maintain competence as a Communicator -Support deaf children and young people to be happy and healthy at events -Encourage and support deaf children and young people to realise their potential -Supervise deaf children and young people and keep them safe -Be positive role model -Be responsible for yourself as part of a team -Most events are at weekends, with some events taking place in the week. The time commitment varies. We have some volunteers who help at 2-3 events each year and others who help at 1-2 events per month. We are particularly looking for volunteers who are available to help at week-long residential holidays in the summer. All help is appreciated! All volunteers will receive support and training. We reimburse out-of-pocket expenses. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact: email volunteer@ndcs.org.uk / switchboard 0121 234 9829 (voice and text)