*Our award-winning charity is looking for Tech volunteers to support older and disabled people with their tech at home.* - Our Vision: Do you have a passion for the power of technology? Our vision is to create ….. “A world in which digital services are equally accessible to all” As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can help unleash the power of technology to ensure that older people and disabled people are not excluded from the digital world. “One of your advisors, Trevor, has been helping me with some very basic computer skills on a tablet that I have hardly touched since it was bought for me as a present from my wife. I suffer from Parkinson’s and it is very difficult for me to concentrate. Trevor has been extremely kind and patient and has opened up a world I hardly knew existed.” (AbilityNet client). - Overview: All across the country our 300 volunteers support older and/or disabled people at home to offer one-to-one support with their technology, whether that’s a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Our volunteers: -Trouble shoot technical issues. -Offer impartial advice on technology. -Set up new tech and install hardware and software. -Show people how to use their tech at home e.g. shop online, send and receive emails and Skype with family and friends. -Make adaptations to support a disabled person’s specific technology needs. - What will I be doing? -Contacting clients to arrange a date/time to support (home visits or supporting them remotely). -Carrying out tech support for the clients you have accepted. -Feeding back on progress via our online ticketing system. -Supporting your local Coordinator with promoting the volunteer service in the local area. -Getting together with other tech volunteers at team meetings and wider company events. -Undergoing training on technology, particularly adaptive technology. -Supporting other volunteers through our online chat facility. - What skills do I need?: You don’t need to be a tech guru to help out. If you use a computer at home or work, and perhaps support family and friends with their tech issues, you are likely to have the skills we need: -A passion to help others. -Good IT and computer skills. -Knowledge of standard operating systems and software. -The ability to communicate well with people. -Patience and empathy. - What are the benefits to me?: As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can: -Change the lives of disabled and older people. -Benefit from technology and disability training. -Network with a nationwide team of other Tech volunteers. -Be flexible with your volunteering and plan it around your other work and home commitments. - How much time will I need to offer?: The service is client led and will depend on the demand in your local area. The work is flexible and you can arrange visits around your home and work commitments. On average a volunteer undertakes 4 hours of volunteering a month, this can be in or out of work hours, in the evenings or weekends. - What else do I need to know?: -We pay travel expenses at 45p per mile. -As you will be help vulnerable adults you’ll need an enhanced PVG (Scotland) –Protection of Vulnerable Groups check which will be renewed/checked every 2 years (at no cost to the volunteer). - What should I do next?: If you think you have what it takes to be an AbilityNet Tech volunteer please either apply online at https://abilitynet.org.uk/abilitynet-itcanhelp-volunteer-application or if you would like more information, or to chat further about the volunteer role contact the AbilityNet at email.: Volunteers@abilitynet.org.uk or phone 0800 048 7642. You will be contacted by a local Coordinator with more details/to introduce you to volunteering at AbilityNet.

Do you have a passion for the power of technology? Our vision is to create a world in which digital services are equally accessible to all. As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer Coordinator you can help unleash the power of technology to ensure that older people and disabled people are not excluded from the digital world. All across the UK our 350+ volunteers support older and/or disabled people at home to offer one-to-one support with their technology, whether that’s a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. They trouble shoot technical issues, offer impartial advice on technology, set up new tech and install hardware and software, show people how to use their tech at home e.g. shop online, send and receive emails and video call with family and friends and make adaptations to support a disabled person’s specific technology needs. Each area has a volunteer Coordinator at the helm, managing the balance of client requests and volunteer resource to ensure each client’s IT needs are met in a timely and effective manner. What will I be doing? • Creating local awareness by publicising the service to, for example, disability charity organisations, libraries, community centres etc. this could include making phone calls, popping in to introduce yourself and the service, or presenting/attending events or meetings. • Using our online ticketing system to allocate and manage client requests within our Service Level Aims. • Communicating with clients to provide updates on volunteer availability and any issues or delays to their ticket resolution. • Reviewing monthly figures and trends and react appropriately with promotions and recruitment to fill gaps in service. • Contacting, interviewing and feeding back on potential volunteers. • Supporting and motivating your local volunteer team through team meetings and regular contact. • Attending ad-hoc company events or meetings. • Approving volunteers’ expenses. • Undertaking client IT support (if you also wish to be a Tech volunteer). What are the benefits to me? As an AbilityNet Coordinator you can: • Change the lives of disabled and older people in your local area. • Develop your management, marketing and communication skills. • Benefit from technology and disability training. • Network with a nationwide team of other Coordinators and IT volunteers. • Be flexible with your volunteering and plan it around your other work and home commitments. for further information and to hear from current volunteers, please click on link: https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info/join-our-volunteers

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and supports people aged 50+ to volunteer in their local communities. Across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire we run 5 projects involving hundreds of volunteers. These include volunteering activities within local hospitals and primary schools, charitable knitting groups, a walking group for older people, and a community Handyperson Service. We are looking for new Volunteer Organisers who can help ensure that our groups and activities run smoothly. For example, as a Schools Volunteer Organiser you will help us to recruit new volunteers, and making sure that existing volunteers are supported and enjoying their volunteering experience. We currently have vacancies for school organisers in Stirling, Falkirk and in Clackmannanshire. Instead, if you would prefer to become a Handyperson Organiser, you will help to ensure that tasks needed by older people are "assigned" to an appropriate volunteer, and that all volunteers are supported. We currently have a vacancy for a Handyperson Organiser in Stirling and Clackmannanshire. Or perhaps you have a new idea for an activity or group, that older people could take part in? We'd love to help you set up a group and can provide all ongoing support! The volunteering hours are fully flexible and we will be able to work around your availability. If you are passionate about volunteering and would like to help us support other volunteers, we would love to hear from you!

We provide a “Talking Newspaper” service, making recordings of articles from newspapers including The Herald Scotland, Glasgow Times and The National five days a week and for visually and reading impaired people across the country to listen to online through our website www.cueandreview.com, internet radio or Amazon Alexa enabled devices. We also create weekly podcasts of articles from the newspapers we cover which are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. We interact with local visually and reading impairment advocacy and support groups too, to get feedback on our service and help our listeners with any technical problems they have relating to accessing the “Talking Newspaper” service.