Our Buckie lifeboat crew couldn’t launch without a strong fundraising crew in support. You could save lives at sea by helping organise and run fundraising activities in the area. Could you spare a couple of hours to help at a store collection? As part of our fundraising crew you will be supporting the lifesaving work of the volunteer lifeboat crew. The RNLI has a wide network of local fundraising teams/groups organising a broad range of events and activities each year raising vital life-saving funds. The teams/groups are supported by a Community Manager. The range and frequency of the events is determined by the team members themselves and the amount of time volunteered is up to the individual. We are keen to welcome new people with new ideas and new skills into our local team so that we can develop our programme of fundraising activities and events in new, creative and innovative ways and contribute to saving more lives at sea. Together we save lives at sea. The impact you will make You will enable volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews to save lives at sea by carrying out and supporting vital fundraising activity in your local community.

The opportunity is for vibrant people who enjoy all that entails working with young people of various backgrounds and for those who are looking for experience within this area. Volunteers will assist with the running of after school activities, helping with the set-up, and pack down, as well as running holiday activities. Volunteers should be flexible as all activities will take place during evenings and school holidays. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, get in touch to find out how you can get involved. Student Placements Looking to get experience in a youth work setting? We are open to working with students who are required to do a work placement as part of a Youth Work related degree. We have a partnership with UWS, speak to your programme leader or get in touch with us to find out more. Why should I volunteer with the Ayr Ark? Opportunity to gain volunteer awards Develop employability skills and work experience. Training opportunities Meet new people. Volunteer team building days and activities. We are looking for vibrant people who enjoy all that entails working with young people of various backgrounds. FRIDAY YOUTHWORK TEAM – VOLUNTEERING This opportunity is for vibrant people who enjoy all that is involved with working with young people of various backgrounds. The Ayr Ark is open to young people on Friday evenings from 6:30-9:00pm. Volunteers are required to help from 6:00pm-9:15pm, this will involve both set up and pack down. Some of the responsibilities include, handling money and use of our till, serving drinks and snacks at the bar, engaging with young people through conversation and/or games, and being a role model to our young people. Volunteer roles are rotated to different areas within the building throughout the night, to allow you to gain more skills and qualities. One of our volunteers, started coming to the Ayr Ark at the age of 13 and went on to become a part of our volunteer group. Erin recently left us to start UNI but when asked about her experience as a volunteer she said: “I’ve made friends for life here and gained skills and real life experience I never thought possible, and it helped me grow as a person” – Erin Cran, Volunteer.

The Hairy Highland Coo Trail is coming to Perth and Kinross, 28 June - 6 September 2024, raising vital funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland.   Each of our coos has been transformed into a unique masterpiece by a talented artist and enjoys its own special spot along the trail.  We’re looking for reliable volunteers, aged 18+, to join our Coo Crew, making weekly local checks on your allocated member/s of our udderly amazing herd of life-size sculptures to make sure they always look their best for their visitors.  You’ll be provided with a special cleaning kit, a Coo Crew t-shirt and we’ll make sure you are fully trained on all aspects of coo cleaning.  What activities will I be involved in?  - Rolling your sleeves up, cleaning any dirt or debris from each of your coos   - Sending a quick pic of your coo to the coo trail inbox after each week’s clean  - Reporting any damage you find - Chatting about the Coo Trail and CHAS to any visitors you meet (full training will be provided).  You will also get the chance later to join the volunteer teams at our farewell weekend (21- 22 September) and/or the closing auction of coos (Thurs 26th September), all taking place at Scone Palace.  What are the benefits to me?  - Being part of an exciting new project (which you can add to your CV)  - Meeting new people  - Having fun!  - Getting more involved and making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition.  What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?  - By keeping our Coos looking their best, you’re helping to make sure visitors enjoy their Coo Trail experience and feel positively about CHAS.  - You will also be a visible presence in the community and help to raise awareness of the vital services CHAS provides  What else should I know?  CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation improves the quality of care we provide, helps us reach more families and children, and maximises a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise. We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. If you have any questions please cootrail@chas.org.uk

"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.