Would you like to help to support children, young people and families in Midlothian? Are you able to offer a few hours of your time each week? If so, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. Children 1st works to keep children and young people safe, well, and loved within their families and communities. This volunteering opportunity will be based within the Children 1st Midlothian Family Wellbeing Service which supports children and young people across Midlothian. Volunteering with the Midlothian team will complement the support families receive from the wider team to help build confidence and stronger family relationships, reduce isolation, build stability in their recovery, and promote a sense of belonging with their wider community. It is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families across Midlothian and develop valuable skills, knowledge and experience. “I love my role as a Family Wellbeing and Befriending Volunteer. I get to see young people flourish and thrive throughout my time with them, I get to help build their confidence and see them come into their own. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey.” (Children 1st Volunteer) What will I be doing? We know that safe, supportive and trusting relationships are an essential part of building families’ confidence, resilience and wellbeing. Our volunteers build relationships with families in the following ways: • Befriending – building a positive 1 to 1 relationship with a child or young person and supporting them to take part in a range of activities within their community and to build their confidence and self esteem. What you do together will depend on the interests of the child and could include taking them to a local park, art and craft activities, attending events in the community and much more. • Parent Mentoring - develop a trusting 1 to 1 relationship with a parent/carer with the aim of helping them to increase their confidence and promote good mental-health and well-being. What you do together will be based on individual needs and interests and could include support to attend activities in the local community and help with attending appointments. • Group Work – working alongside Children 1st staff to create a warm and welcoming environment for parents/carers and/or children and young people attending group sessions, trips, and activities run by the service. We will explore further what families need and the skills and qualities you could bring to one of these roles at interview and during training and induction. Please see the role description below for more information about the role. Training and support We provide a comprehensive introductory training course that will equip you with the skills and knowledge that you need. We plan to start our next training course in November 2025 (exact dates TBC) which will run from our Midlothian base in Eskbank. We provide all of our volunteers with ongoing support and opportunities to develop in the role. We also reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for travel and costs incurred as part of the volunteering role. Further information You don’t need to have any specific previous experience or formal qualifications although some understanding of issues affecting children, young people and families and good communication skills will be helpful. We are seeking to further enhance our diversity from the perspective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender and disability. We also have an interest in hearing from people with lived experience of substance use (whether their own or as a loved one), poor mental health and those who are care-experienced. We ask volunteers to commit to giving a few hours a week for at least a year. If you would like to find out more about the role or have any questions please get in touch via volunteer@children1st.org.uk - we’d love to hear from you. To apply please follow the link below.

We require volunteers to help with our befriending groups Some examples of what we require are Pick up/drop off bus chaperon, general set up and break down of equipment, befriending - chatting with attendees and serving refreshments.

The charity was set up in 2014 by her family in memory of Linda Tremble, who sadly lost her battle with anorexia nervosa in 2011. Since 2019 we have expanded to become Scotland’s leading community eating disorder charity and now hold support group meetings for people over 18 with eating disorders and for parents, carers and families in Ayrshire, Fife, Forth Valley, Glasgow, Highland, Lanarkshire, Perth, Edinburgh and Tayside. In the future our strategy is to expand into other areas in Scotland so that we can ensure that everyone in Scotland affected by an eating disorder gets support and respect in the heart of their community. This listing relates to development of our service across Ayrshire. Main duties: Weekly, one hour phone calls with your befriendee Offering peer support and a listening ear Signposting befriendees and escalating any safeguarding issues Maintaining regular support and supervision sessions Skills & experience required: To be a good listener To be able to offer support and encouragement in a non-judgemental manner To have a good knowledge and understanding of the needs of people with mental health issues, particularly eating disorders. Volunteers who have previously had an eating disorder must have been fully recovered for at least two years before taking on this role To have good timekeeping skills To be open and honest whilst also maintaining appropriate boundaries. To be articulate, with a good telephone manner and able to communicate in a warm and welcoming way To be patient, allowing befriendees to take recovery at their own pace. To be committed to attending regular training when required

You must be a parent or have carer experience. Good communication skills; friendly and empathetic. Volunteers will be supported by a volunteer co-ordinator and will have regular support and supervision, as well as ongoing training. Home-Start Wigtownshire is a voluntary organisation in which volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to families with young children who are facing personal challenges, helping to prevent family crisis or breakdown. Home-Start Wigtownshire volunteers support families in the following ways: Home Visiting ; Family Group ; Telephone Befriender Offering support, friendship and practical help. This might include help with budgeting, meal planning, attending appointments, accessing services etc. Visiting families in their own homes, or by helping out at our weekly family groups, or providing remote support via a telephone/video call where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected through non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential support. Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual. Emphasising the positive aspects of family life and positive parenting. 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. Interested in finding out more?