The role with Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. To both empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as is possible. Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and making sure the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and that the clients’ voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation. As well as having face-to-face and virtual meetings with your client there will be a requirement for all meetings and communications on the progression of the client’s case to be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop / computer, the internet and a landline or mobile phone. You must be able to keep confidences (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and on one’s own, be able to use email, word etc and carry out work electronically. You will also be required to attend meetings with the client and source information to allow the person to make informed choices. You will make a difference to other people’s lives; develop new skills and meet new people and you will work alongside a small friendly team.

>Who we are: The African Council is an independent voluntary organisation with a mission to promote the social and economic welfare of African People. We celebrate the best in African culture(s), history and values. We promote the attainment of education and life skills especially among Africans. We also advance active citizenship among Africans through engagement in civic and political process, institutions and leadership. >Some of our projects: 1. Employment/Enterprise coaching events • The event seeks to provide coaching and empowerment for Africans through education, guidance and support, to increase Africans involvement in employment, enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities. 2. Civic and Political structures coaching events • The event seeks to provide coaching that encourages and provides guidance to Africans, to increase involvement and participation of Africans in civic and political life in Scotland, 3. Engagement events • Our engagement events seek to understand the challenges and barriers that Africans face in participating in all areas of Scottish life and ways to mitigate these challenges. >Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteers are vital for delivering the African Council's projects and services. We are looking for volunteers to join our team and we currently have volunteering opportunities available in the following areas: 1. Website Support 2. Corporate Communications 3. Social Media Management 4. Legal 5. Digital marketing and advertising 6. Event planning, support and management 7. Research 8. Administration 9. Help desk >Benefits of volunteering with the African Council include: 1. Opportunities to learn new skills 2. Employability training 3. Meet new people 4. Networking opportunities 5. Flexible working times 6. Develop your skills and talent and turn it to something employers will be excited about 7. Boost your CV with relevant work experience\n8. Fun hangouts, as well as, 9. Satisfaction of being a part of team that will make a significant difference in Scotland Fantastic opportunities to help at a very exciting time in the development of the African Council. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Ca-ananay Maduka, Volunteer Coordinator at E Mail: info@africancouncil.org.uk or Tel.: 01224 579218.

Barnardo’s is committed to providing ‘Better Outcomes for More Children’. Our children’s services volunteers help the charity to deliver essential services in local communities, providing support to over 300,000 children, young people and their families. This role provides a great opportunity to join our fantastic children’s services and help make a real difference. Barnardo’s Ukraine Support Helpline provides culturally sensitive signposting, advice and therapeutic support to young people, individuals and families affected and displaced by the Ukraine war. The service offers 3 tiers of support: Tier 1: supporting young people, individuals and families who contact the Ukraine Support Helpline seeking advice, as well as practical and emotional support. This support includes signposting to Barnardo’s services and other organisations who can provide services to meet their needs. Tier 2: supporting young people, individuals and families where the level of need requires more in-depth support over a longer period. The Helpline Advisor works with the service user to develop a support plan and to address specific issues. Tier 3: providing tier 2 support along with therapy. We are specifically looking for Helpline Advisor volunteers who can speak English and Ukrainian or Russian to: respond to contacts via the freephone number and email, provide more in-depth support in some circumstances and refer onto local Barnardo’s services and other organisations (where appropriate). We are looking for excellent communicators looking to make a difference to the lives of individuals and their families who have been impacted by the Ukraine war. Why we want you Barnardo's protects, supports and nurtures the UK's most vulnerable children. Barnardo's helps bring out the best in children – no matter who they are or what they have been through. Our volunteers help make this happen. What you will be doing Providing information and advice to young people, individuals and families affected by the Ukraine war, who access our Helpline via email and a freephone number. Providing emotional/moral/practical support for young people, individuals and families, while maintaining an appropriate volunteer/service user rapport. Encouraging young people, individuals and families to access resources and signposting to relevant services (internally and externally). Promoting and encouraging service users to make active choices and informed decisions. Recording all contacts in line with Barnardo’s policies. The skills you need The ability to speak Ukrainian or Russian. A good understanding of the issues experienced by people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, refugees and asylum seekers. Reliable, punctual and trustworthy. Approachable and welcoming. The ability to ask questions and take feedback. Excellent IT skills and be computer literate. Flexible, committed and responsive to the needs of young people and families accessing the online service. Being self-disciplined, self-motivated and self-reliant. What's in it for you Full induction and training. Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role. Regular supervision and support. Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance. Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing. Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity. Disclaimer We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the role exactly, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on volunteering@barnardos.org.uk or call us on 0208 498 7320

Seeking empathic, professional volunteers to support vulnerable adults with M.E./CFS by phone/online, to understand their rights and make informed choices. Two hours a week; full advocacy training and supervision provided. Are you a good listener with an empathetic, professional and methodical approach? Do you have two hours a week to support vulnerable adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? Action for M.E.’s UK-wide advocacy service, expanding in Scotland, supports adults with M.E./CFS to understand their rights, make informed choices, and have their views and wishes heard and respected, dealing with issues including health, social care, housing and employment. You’ll work entirely online/by phone to meet and represent clients, agree an action plan, undertake research, contact professionals and more. Full training, support and supervision provided by our experienced, friendly team.