Sight Action’s Western Isles Sensory Centre, based in Stornoway, is on the lookout for volunteers to help with several vital services. The charity currently offers both practical and emotional support to around 235 adults and children throughout the Western Isles. The centre, which plays a crucial role in providing lifeline services, has several volunteering opportunities on offer. Volunteers are required to work within the centre to give advice and practical support with hearing aids, as well as other aids and equipment. They are also needed to help offer befriending services, or aid service users with driving them to appointments, help with shopping etc. Full training will be given to volunteers.

Linking Lives UK has been working hard to respond effectively to the impact of Covid-19 particularly among those already affected by social isolation and loneliness on a daily basis. Aberdeen Two’s Company is a local telephone befriending service that connects volunteers with local people (‘Link Friends’) through telephone contact. The aim of our telephone befriending is to help reduce the impact that social isolation by making connections with others. This is especially important at this time of COVID-19 Crisis in the UK. To volunteer and help please complete the following form at https://forms.gle/5LbSKmH7o9Zh5J2n8 or email aberdeentwoscompany@gmail.com All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

*Help people who feel alone - just a few hours a week from you could make the future brighter for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.* Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which helps people who may be lonely or at risk of loneliness and social isolation. -What our volunteers do: Loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being or feeling alone can have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as on communities, hospitals and other public services. Through just a few hours a week, you could provide a huge help for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation. -Support for people and volunteering during COVID-19 Pandemic: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our befriending service to our older people has now transitioned from face to face to phone/video contact. We now also offer shopping, prescription collection etc. where necessary to the older people. Depression is also a major issue so our befrienders are needing to keep in touch more often than before to ensure their Befriendees are safe and sound and to offer any possible support. -How to get involved: We provide volunteer support to tackle loneliness in the following areas of Aberdeen: - Stoneywood - Seaton - Bucksburn - Northfield - Bridge of Don - Dyce If you would like to volunteer with us, send us an email or give us a ring and we will contact you within a few days to provide further details and discuss how you can get involved. Our email is info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.

Could you help us at Connecting Carers? Are you warm, friendly, have life experience and willing to give up some free time to connect with others? This could be the place for you. We support unpaid carers. We offer a variety of flexible and fun volunteering opportunities, we have something to suit everyone: - Befriending by telephone - Online support groups (Adult or Young Carers) - Face to Face support groups (Adult or Young Carers) - Counselling Volunteers (Student or trained Counsellors) If you are interested in, or wish to discuss any of these opportunities please contact or apply to: volunteering@connectingcarers.org.uk or text / telephone: 07570 302287 We would love to have a chat with you and see where you could fit in