Social isolation and loneliness have a major impact on the health, well-being and life expectancy of adults with Down's Syndrome. Down's Syndrome Scotland's exciting new Friendz Meetups Programme aims to tackle the loneliness and social isolation experienced by adults with Down's syndrome in Scotland. By becoming a Friendz volunteer you can help young people and adults with Down's syndrome get out and about more, meet up with each other and grow their friendships as well as their confidence, self-esteem and independence skills. On top of that, it's also fun, rewarding and will make a serious impact on the people experiencing social isolation in Scotland! Friendz volunteers will form part of a team of trained, skilled, volunteers who will support small groups of adults with Down's syndrome to come together for monthly social, community Meetups designed to promote the development of friendships, social skills, community confidence and independent decision making. Volunteers will also support the group members in identifying activities, groups and places of interest in their local community that they can access independently. This role is a great opportunity to do something fun and inspirational while having a serious impact! Further details about this role: - Person centred support to young people and adults with Down's syndrome in a social group situation. - Enable adults with Down's syndrome to develop their friendships with each other by helping to make meeting arrangements, supporting independent travel and planning the social activities they choose to do. - To provide discrete individual/group support and promote a positive group dynamic, encouraging participation, responsibility taking and positively acknowledging skills and qualities of group members. - To ensure group safety and wellbeing through dynamic risk assessment and adaptive decision making. - Communicate positively with participants, parents and carers. - To establish and maintain appropriate boundaries within the volunteering relationship. - To support members to think about what's on in their local areas and encourage positive lifestyle choices. - To participate in support, individual and peer supervision meetings and training events.

Wee County Veterans & Supporters aim is to provide veterans with information & support on housing, health issues, employability, welfare and benefits as well as social interactions with ex-military personal and supporters. Supporters are the veteran’s family We also attend memorial services, participate in poppy collections, distribute food hampers, and assist with attendance of our heroe’s funerals. The Veteran Support role varies dependent on the needs of the local veterans. The Veterans and Supporters attend fortnightly meetings to see which activities / support is required and who can provide the support. This includes visiting care homes or long term hospital admissions, transport to hospital appointments, support with housing, employability, befriending including home visiting or support to attend groups. Helping with Poppy appeals, Armed Forces day or Remembrance parade. The Veteran Support Volunteer does not have to be a veteran themselves, however they must have experience of living with a Veteran, for example Father/ mother, husband / wife or son/ daughter. Our Volunteers are friendly, supportive with good listening skills. If you are providing transport, you must have a valid license and access to a car. For 1-1 befriending a PVG will be required.

Would you like to help people with a learning disability to socialise in their local community and make friends? Dates-n-Mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with a learning disability. We run lots of social events and activities, helping people to meet others and to build friendships and relationships. As a Community Volunteer, your role is to help our members enjoy socialising in safe and friendly environments. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. The events are sociable, great fun and your role is very rewarding. You will initially shadow a volunteer or member of staff to help you get to know everyone and see what is involved. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 1 event per month. Dates-n-Mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers. We require our volunteers to join the PVG scheme but there is no cost to yourself. All expenses including travel will also be covered. For further information or to apply please contact Raynor McCulloch, Volunteer Co-ordinator at E Mail: volunteering@datesnmates.org.uk or tel. 07720 591229.

Would you like to help people with a learning disability to socialise in their local community and make friends? Dates-n-Mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with a learning disability. We run lots of social events and activities, helping people to meet others and to build friendships and relationships. As a Community Volunteer, your role is to help our members enjoy socialising in safe and friendly environments. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. The events are sociable, great fun and your role is very rewarding. You will initially shadow a volunteer or member of staff to help you get to know everyone and see what is involved. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 1 event per month. Dates-n-Mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers. We require our volunteers to join the PVG scheme but there is no cost to yourself. All expenses including travel will also be covered. For further information or to apply please contact Raynor McCulloch, Volunteer Co-ordinator at E Mail: volunteering@datesnmates.org.uk or tel. 07720 591229.