The Caf4e & Company Lunch Club is working with Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership to address the problem of social isolation among older people in Bridge of Don. The Lunch Club runs once a fortnight on Fridays and provides a nutritious hot meal along with activities and entertainment and the opportunity for members and volunteers to socialise and develop friendships. Volunteers benefit as they find themselves involved in a community where they are able to help others but also receive support, encouragement and friendship. We provide a warm and welcoming environment and volunteers are able to choose which tasks suit them best – driving, social interaction & hosting tables, practical tasks, befriending. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All help is greatly appreciated. To find out more, please contact the Lunch Club Coordinator Rachel Wallace at Rachel.caf4e@outlook.com

Volunteers will be part of the Larkhall Community Network and will meet people for a walk or a coffee and get them out of their homes, to get them feeling confident about going out in the community. Once they feel comfortable at going out they would introduce the person to a variety of activities available within their communities and support the person to attend.

You will be matched with a child/young person (4 to 16 years) who has additional support needs e.g. Learning Disability, Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s or their siblings. Spending regular 1:1 time with you, weekly for 3 or 4 hours, they will become more confident and have fun in the process. You will develop a positive and trusting relationship with the child you are matched with, encouraging and enabling them to go to places and try new things that interest them with you.

Volunteers can become one-to-one befrienders for 2 hour sessions on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Befrienders support children and young people; engaging with them in activities such as baking, swimming, arts and crafts, games or walks along the beach, depending on the interests of the child. Befriending generally takes place between 3.30 and 6 pm on weekdays, after school. Those wishing to volunteer must undergo Families First training which includes child protection training and are subject to PVG enhanced disclosure checks. Our befriending service places value on the individual child and gives them the opportunity to form positive relationships and build up self-esteem. Parents have witnessed the benefits to their children. One parent commented that - 'this service is second to none. It has opened up so many opportunities for my son and has made a huge difference to him'.