Become a Trustee at VSA VSA is looking for Trustees to join its Board. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a historic charity with a formidable reputation and to help the Board build a long-term plan. VSA has over 150 years’ experience of delivering social care in Aberdeen, to vulnerable people, adults and older people with learning difficulties and mental health needs. We have grown to be a major employer with an accredited Skills Qualification Centre. VSA has a strong corporate and community volunteering tradition. Today, VSA is of a medium sized company providing education, housing support and social care to young people and adults with complex needs. We particularly want to hear from people with a medical background, or current skills in the following: charity & company law, complex learning & behavioural education/social care and environmental/social governance. Key aspects of trustee roles at VSA are as follows: • To assist the Chair in providing Board leadership on specific areas of strategic direction • To act as an effective champion for VSA • To ensure that VSA has people with LD & MH at the heart of decision making • To oversee and ensure the implementation of VSA policies, with responsibility for occasional decisions on individual recipient cases • To ensure effective corporate governance, risk management and financial management of VSA • To ensure public accountability for the funds for which VSA receives from central and local government and raises independently • To uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and probity and comply with the Board’s Code of Conduct You will be interested in joining VSA’s Board if you have a personal commitment to supporting vulnerable children, young adults and older people with learning disabilities and/or mental health needs to lead the best of life alongside current practices in the above field. This role is not remunerated but all reasonable expenses, for example childcare, travel etc will be covered. The time commitment is approx 8 to 10 days per year. This is likely to include attendance at Board or Committee meetings, reading and preparation time, and other meetings such as Strategy or Stakeholder. If you are interested please contact the Chair of Trustees, Kevin Shand via Ally Panton at the email address below. To express your interest in becoming a Trustee and to arrange an initial informal discussion, please email ally.panton@vsa.org.uk

Help People at Difficult Times Listening volunteers are there for anyone who needs someone, and provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Every seven seconds someone contacts us. Every seven seconds we can help someone turn their life around. As a listening volunteer you get the chance to make a real difference to someone’s future. You can offer support on the phone, email or text. Volunteers typically volunteer a minimum of a 4 hour duty per week, as well as a 4 hour night duty at monthly intervals. There are no qualifications required and you’ll receive full training to prepare you for the kinds of conversations you’ll have. And when you start out, you’ll have a mentor with you, to give you confidence you’re doing the right thing. You can also apply to help with administration or other non-listening support. Let us know how you would like to help.

Our Macmillan Buddy service provides a lifeline for people with cancer by offering them weekly support. The service is delivered by volunteers, who undergo comprehensive training and are fully supported by our staff and lead volunteers. As a Macmillan Buddy volunteer, you can make a real difference to people's lives, at the hardest time of their life. As a volunteer buddy, you are there as someone for your service user to talk to about how they are feeling and their support needs during this difficult time. Our Macmillan Community Buddies visit the service user face-to-face in the local community, usually the service user's home. This can also include offering support with simple practical tasks around the home. You'll also: - Be a key part of a friendly team of volunteers and staff - Receive comprehensive training and support - Have the opportunity to develop your communication and people skills - Receive out of pocket expenses, in line with our expenses policy

We are looking for office-based volunteers to assist with evening and Saturday cover to carry out general administrative duties and liaise and communicate with our staff, volunteer counsellors and clients. -Main Duties: • Administrative Support: Assisting with general office duties including answering telephone calls, checking voicemails, filing, data entry, admitting clients to the building; ensuring cleaning protocols are adhered to. • Client Support: Provide a warm and welcoming environment for clients visiting the office, helping to manage the client waiting list; contact referrals, either by phone or email, to arrange initial meetings. • Documentation: Assist in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, ensuring confidentiality, and compliance with data protection regulations. • Event Support: Support Cairns events and workshops by helping with organisation, logistics, registration and communication. • Collaboration: Work closely with volunteers and staff to ensure smooth operations within the office. Excellent support and relevant guidance is provided to all volunteers. There will be a formal induction and support from a supervisor and support will be provided to enhance skills and knowledge in the field of mental health and counselling services. A fantastic opportunity to help and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Vic Cargill at email: info@cairnscounselling.org.uk or telephone: 01224 633131