Home-Start Angus volunteers offer a regular home-visiting service to young families who are experiencing difficulties or feel they are not coping. During the home visits they offer support, friendship and practical help. In offering support Home-Start volunteers are alongside families doing things “with” and not “to” them. All of us in Home-Start recognise that bringing up young children is not easy and a little reassurance and praise can go a long way! This role requires a high level of commitment and reliability and will be supported by the Home-Start Angus Co-ordinators. Home-Start volunteers are expected to work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by: • Offering support, friendship and practical help • Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected • Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual • Emphasising the positive aspects of family life • 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 This roles requires the following commitment: • Initial Course of Preparation, normally lasting 24 hours over a number of weeks • Minimum of 2 - 3 hours per week according to the family's needs • Regular support and supervision • Ideally a commitment of 12 months or more This is exciting and rewarding voluntary work which requires energy, commitment, reliability, creativity and a sense of humour. All volunteers can expect the support of the Co-ordinators, other volunteers and the Board of Trustees, and, through the Co-ordinator, other professionals involved with the family. The Board of Trustee’s membership includes 2 representative volunteers. There are also opportunities for self development and social contact with others in Home-Start.

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.

Are you a parent in Scotland? Do you remember what it was like becoming a first time parent? The Why Not Trust are looking for volunteers to become Peer Mentors, providing support to soon to be or new care-experienced parents. We know it take a village to raise a child, but not everyone has the same support networks around them. We aim to create a judgment and stigma-free community of mentors and mentees where trusting one-to-one relationships can be established. What does a Peer Mentor do? • Chat with your mentee on a regular basis, roughly 4 hours per month • Encourage, empower and champion your mentee • Provide gentle guidance in relation to parenting • Engage with your mentee in a non judgemental, caring and supportive way Some of the many benefits our volunteers can expect: • Become part of a supportive and welcoming community • Get matched with a fellow parent you have something in common with • Meetings that fit your schedule – online or in person • Receive accredited mentor training • Get paid for your travel expenses and other expenses • Improve your own confidence as well as your mentees • Develop your communication and listening skills The Why Not? Trust is working towards doing things differently. If you would like to become a Peer Mentor or would like more information, please email our Peer Mentor Lead, Ashleigh at ashleigh.donaldson@whynottrust.org or call on 07850725799. We look forward to hearing from you!

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.