The Royal Air Forces Association is the charity that supports the RAF family, looking after the welfare of serving and former-serving personnel and their dependants, helping them in times of need. We exist to ensure that the sacrifices made by those who serve their country in the Royal Air Force does not result in suffering, poverty or loneliness. *How do we support them? We provide a wide range of needs-based welfare support. This includes everything from providing home visits and much needed short breaks, to offering advice and, in some cases, financial assistance in times of difficulty. *Could you give a little time to help others? Join our Volunteer programme today! Volunteering for the Association is both exciting and rewarding. We offer a variety of exciting roles, each with different tasks and commitment required. In the Aberdeen area we are currently recruiting volunteer caseworkers. *What do I get out of volunteering? There are so many benefits to joining our fantastic team of volunteers, including: • Giving you the opportunity to learn new skills, increase knowledge and gain experience in other sectors • Boosting your self-esteem and confidence • Contributing to a worthy cause by engaging in meaningful activities and by giving back to those who gave so much • Enhancing personal effectiveness • Looking great on your CV! So please get in touch to find out more about how you can help today! You can register on our website at https://rafa.org.uk/give-support/volunteering/ and we will confirm your registration via email. If you have any queries or questions, please do contact us at volunteers@rafa.org.uk Alternatively, you can call us for a chat about the roles on 0800 018 2361.

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.

Who are we: AILN initially grew from a group of disabled people who wanted to see a change in the way that community care services were offered to people. When Direct Payments (DP) were first introduced in 2003, they were keen to promote this as an option for independent living. AILN have been providing high quality Self-Directed Support (SDS) advice and information to the people of Ayrshire for over 17 years. AILN is a peer-led, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with charitable status. This is an exciting time to join AILN as a volunteer as we have been successful in securing 3 years of funding for a Dementia Befriending Service from the Community lottery fund. Our aim is to provide companionship to the person living with dementia and thus in turn provides respite for the unpaid carer. Purpose of the post • To provide 1-1 befriending companionship to people living with early-stage dementia. This will either be accompanying the befriendee on a walk, shopping trip, activity in the community, providing companionship in the persons home, playing scrabble etc or having a chat over the phone • To think and act responsibly and follow guidance or instructions relating to Health & Safety, equality, and diversity • To support the Befriending Coordinator by completing a feedback form after each visit with the befreindee Key duties and responsibilities: • Have a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of AILN services and activities • To successfully complete essential training for the post • Make regular weekly/fortnightly visits, telephone calls at an agreed time suitable to the person • Provide companionship and company to the person living with dementia. • Spend time chatting and getting to know the person, talking with about their current and past life experiences • Provide feedback to the Befriending Coordinator around the conversations and how the meet ups are going • Provide immediate feedback to the Coordinator or Service Manager on any issues or concerns that you become aware of Person Specification Essential Skills & Abilities: • Good telephone, verbal, and written communication skills • A good listener • Enjoy meeting new people and having conversations • Enjoy learning more about someone and their interests in their past and life history • Consistency and reliability • Understanding the need for confidentiality • Ability to work on own initiative • Empathic and understanding of the needs of those living with dementia and the demands/challenges faced by the unpaid carer. • Ability to communicate with people in a sensitive and person-centred manner, including people who require support, carers, other professionals, and members of the public • Must carry out duties of this role with due regard to equal opportunities and non-discriminatory practice Desirable Experience: • Experience/knowledge of working/living with someone living dementia • Previous experience of volunteering • Hobbies/interest to share, discuss • As the project develops, the ability to work flexibly to suit the changing needs of the organisation i.e., weekend/evenings • I.T skills Other: Volunteers are advised to volunteer 2 hours a week (befriending time and filling in of feedback sheet). Befriending should be carried out by prior arrangement (volunteers able to choose hours flexibly, perhaps very occasional evening and/or weekends to suit the needs of the befriendee). What we provide: • Ongoing support, guidance, and regular supervision by the coordinator of the service • Receive formal recognition for your volunteering contribution and/or a reference which reflects positive contributions associated with your volunteering • Specialised role training to develop skills and confidence in the role • Reimbursement of agreed expenses directly related to the volunteering role • Access to the Scotland Wellbeing Hub www.wellbeinghub.scot • Feel valued, supported, and respected

We're looking for an adult volunteer who will provide a supportive friendship for a socially isolated young person aged between 8 and 18 who lives in South Ayrshire. Ideally this will involve meeting with their young person every couple of weeks for a few hours, spending time together accessing local activities. This includes: • Be matched on a 1:1 basis with a young person. • Go on regular outings and activities with the young person. • Have the opportunity to participate in group outings/activities and also volunteer support sessions. • Keeping in touch with the Project about the young person’s achievements / growth and activities, and to receive ongoing support from the Bfriend team. • Open minded as we work with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds. • Following training, to be able to have empathy and understanding of some of the issues encountered by young people referred to the team. • Continuous focus on the needs of the young person who you are matched with. • Willing to participate in a broad range of activities mutually agreed with the young person. • To be a positive adult role model for the young person and, very importantly, to have FUN! • Have an awareness of and be able to adhere to Bfriend’s policies and procedures.