Can you help promote services to local people in your community? Can you help at events and awareness raising sessions? You could help improve access to services in your community. This role is ideal for people who already have a connection to their community or would like to build one. The Service Team Volunteer role supports in the delivery of advocacy and other services by: • Helping clients understand about advocacy • Attending events and awareness raising activities • Networking and promoting our services and organisation • Signposting to other services • Building professional relationships and partnership working • Supporting our community engagement programmes in your local area Volunteering with VoiceAbility is ideal for people who have or want experience in human rights, health, care and wellbeing - but we care more about your values and empathy than your level of experience. Volunteer, Ben’s priorities changed after a serious illness: “I wanted to give something back. It’s really rewarding as you get to use your knowledge and skills for a really good purpose.” You’ll develop skills in communication and confidentiality, add experience and knowledge to your CV, and know you’re making a genuine difference to people’s lives. As a volunteer you’ll receive full training, support from the volunteer team and your local advocates, and paid expenses.

Settled relies on our huge team of volunteers spread across the UK. We currently have around 100 volunteers, working across more than 20 European languages. Our volunteers help some of the most vulnerable Ukrainian citizens secure and access their rights in the UK. As a Ukrainian Adviser, you will have the chance to support Ukrainian citizens and their families with their status under the Ukrainian UK visa schemes and access associate rights. You will assist our Ukrainian lead adviser, a Ukrainian national herself and qualified solicitor. You will be assisting Yuliia provide quality immigration advice to beneficiaries and support with her cases. This volunteering role is home-based, writing email to clients and answering emails. As well as support around the Ukrainian visa schemes, you will be supporting beneficiaries with common associated issues impacting Ukrainian’s currently. Such as, housing placement breakdowns and navigating entitlement to welfare benefits. Training will be provided on the Ukrainian visa schemes and Settled’s service and systems. You will be working under the supervision of Yuliia so OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) accreditation will not be required. You will gain new skills and confidence and will join a network of dedicated and positive volunteers of many nationalities and cultures! Summary of duties: • Support Yuliia to provide quality immigration advice and support to our beneficiaries on the Ukrainian visa schemes and associated rights via phone or email. • Maintain case records and follow good case management principles ensuring all client interactions are accurately recorded on our case management system, Charitylog. • Adhere to GDPR principles and practice when dealing with client data. • Attend training organised by Settled and keep an up to date working knowledge of the Ukrainian visa schemes and current issues impacting Ukrainian people resettling in the UK. Role requirements: • Confident with engaging with members of the public, many of whom may be distressed or in distressing situations. • A passion to support vulnerable people within the Ukrainian community. • Detail orientated and able to digest complex information and relay this to clients accessibly. • Regular time to commit to the role. Ideally, weekly, or fortnightly. Volunteering commitment for a minimum of 6 months is preferred. • Access to a computer and the internet. • Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check. • Proficiency in English and Ukrainian is required. Russian language is optional. Full training is provided. No previous advice experience necessary although any relevant experience is welcome.

We are excited to have various volunteering opportunities within Angus Independent Advocacy including a role on the citizen advocacy steering group (CASG). The CASG is made up of people who have lived experience and its aim is to steer the citizen advocacy project into the next phase of its development. In citizen advocacy the citizen advocate (volunteer) is a person who can support another person (advocacy partner) who may be facing barriers to connect to their local community and have their voice heard. Being part of the steering group is “an opportunity to consider adding your experience and skills to help steer the project” ( Bill, steering group member ). To become part of the Citizen Advocate Steering Group or to find out more, register your interest here or call our office on 01241 434413.

The Partnership works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to break down barriers, overcome challenges and improve quality of life. The group comprises approximately 15 members of the public, working with five local councillors, and its vision is to: a) To bring about improvements to the lives of people in Aberdeen City who experience exclusion because of disability by promoting a rights-based approach to disability equality. b) To create a society where disabled people are valued, respected and included in the life of the City. c) To encourage and promote inclusion and equality. d) To create fair opportunity by identifying and removing the disabling barriers which disabled people face daily including prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes. e) To provide a means of partnership, consultation and joint action with Aberdeen City Council Meetings are held at Aberdeen Town House (entrance from Queen Street, Aberdeen). There is also the option to join the meeting remotely if you choose to do so. The Disability Equity Partnership (DEP) has 6 meetings over the year. Examples of projects we have been working on include the City Centre Masterplan, Union Terrace Gardens, webpage and information accessibility to reduce barriers and improve access to information, goods and services. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Baldeep McGarry, Equalities Officer at email: BMcGarry@aberdeencity.gov.uk or tel.: 07767353006.