Why we want you 1 in 5 people in the UK say they are lonely. Volunteers like you help people to gain confidence so that they can reconnect with their local community. What you will be doing Give companionship to people in their home or in the community. Help people to build confidence and self-esteem. Support people with everyday tasks such as shopping or doctor appointments. Help people to use local community services and social groups. Keep records of tasks. What's in it for you Meet new people and be part of a dynamic and inclusive team. A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training. An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives.

Why we want you 1 in 5 people in the UK say they are lonely. Volunteers like you help people to gain confidence so that they can reconnect with their local community. What you will be doing Give companionship to people in their home or in the community. Help people to build confidence and self-esteem. Support people with everyday tasks such as shopping or doctor appointments. Help people to use local community services and social groups. Keep records of tasks. What's in it for you Meet new people and be part of a dynamic and inclusive team. A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training. An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives

If you are aged 18 or over and fit and well with no underlying health conditions, could you offer some of your spare time to help at your local hospital or community healthcare setting? Key duties: • Spending time with patients who are on their own. • Recreational, social and therapeutic activities including: games, puzzles, reading, reminiscing hobbies and musical entertainment. • Accompany patients to non-clinical areas e.g. chapel, shop, restaurant/café with consent from families/patient. Patient must be independently mobile and deemed fit for leaving the ward area. • To ensure patients know where facilities are located. • Referring any patient concerns about their clinical care to a nurse. • Assisting at mealtimes with guidance from nursing staff. • Helping patients complete menu cards. • Handing out food trays and collecting used trays. • Cutting up food/opening containers • Checking and completing food/fluid charts (depending on ward area) • Providing fresh drinks and refilling water jugs Personal specification: • Volunteers must be 18 or over • This is not a clinical role and you will not be shadowing or assisting staff • Willingness to undertake any necessary training as outlined by staff • Ability to work as a team player • Ability to communicate well with patients • Patience and composure • A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach • Reliable/ dependable and flexible • Understanding of confidentiality • Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach Additional requirements and general information • Successful placement will be dependent on Disclosure Scotland PVG and Occupational health clearances plus two character references • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times • Volunteers should not: undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with the Volunteer Manager; undertake any manual handling tasks without the appropriate training; undertake patients’ personal or clinical care • A volunteer can offer emotional support and empathy but must under no circumstances offer advice or medical opinion on a patient’s treatment • Volunteers are in place to complement the work of the paid staff and are not used to replace roles that are normally undertaken by paid hospital employees • Volunteers are bound by the ‘Volunteer Agreement’ which should be signed and returned to the Volunteer Manager prior to undertaking this role • You will be required to undertake training relevant to the role including: corporate induction; role training prior to ward placement and other training as identified for the role whilst on placement • Volunteers are required during the following hours: breakfast 8am – 9.30am; lunchtime – 12 – 2pm (approx.); and evenings 5pm – 7pm. • Ability to commit to the same times each week would be preferre

REAP is currently looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help support upcoming gardening sessions at their Maryhill Therapeutic Garden in Elgin. Working alongside the REAP team, volunteers will help participants get involved in gardening activities, helping people to build their skills, confidence, and wellbeing. Therapeutic gardening is the use of garden space to improve and build resilience in mental health; to increase physical activity; develop social skills and encourage a healthier diet. REAP’s aim is to help participants improve their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through gardening and socialising in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Sessions are returning soon on February 11th and will run on a weekly basis on Tuesday afternoons 2-5pm or Friday mornings 10-12:30pm. Volunteers can help people take part in various gardening activities such as sowing seeds, learning about composting and harvesting vegetables to take home. There’s also a chance to socialise during the tea breaks! Volunteers will also be supported in their development by being offered training relevant to the project. If you are a friendly, patient person, able to engage with a wide variety of people, and can volunteer outside in a practical way, have an interest in gardening ( food growing or ornamental 😊 ), or even have skills that could help build a new garden bench!) please do get in touch with REAP, who will be very happy to tell you more about how to get involved. Tel 01542 888070