What is Parent Connect? Parent Connect is a new parental employability support project in Aberdeenshire. The aim of the project is to help unemployed and underemployed, low-income parents in the local area to get on in life and raise their family income through gaining employment and progressing in their careers. Who does Parent Connect support? Parent Connect provides wraparound support to: Lone parents Parents under 25 year Ethnic minority parents Parents with disability or with a child with disability Parents with 3+ children Parents with a youngest child under 1 year old. Which organisations do we work with? Project Scotland part of Volunteering Matters are working closely with Aberdeenshire Council, Enable Works and The Foyer to provide this holistic support. What do Mentors support Parents with? Parent Connect mentors provide person-centred support, and this will look different for every relationship depending on the needs of the mentee. Some parents may need help with generally improving their self-confidence, improving employability skills or identifying their goals/ next steps. Some mentees might have a clear idea of the career they want to progress in and are looking for specific support or advice around this. What is the commitment? 1 hour every 1-2 weeks Minimum 4 months commitment Meeting time/format is flexible and to be agreed between mentor and mentee e.g. online or in-person What are the benefits of Volunteering? Volunteering as a Parent Connect mentor is a mutually rewarding experience. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference to somebody’s life and an impact in your local community! Mentoring can help to build on leadership and coaching skills and you’ll get chances to network with other volunteers. We will provide you with training, ongoing support from start-finish, provide references and also reimburse appropriate volunteer expenses.

The Friday Youth club is a vital social club for all children in Garthdee. Bring your best attitude and come help us make Friday Youth Club something the kids won't forget! Your responsibilities will be: 1) To assist in the running of the youth programme. 2) To supervise young people and ensure general health & safety and rules of conduct. 3) To assist with necessary programme set-up and clean-up. 4) To facilitate and participate in games, activities and discussions with young people This is also a great opportunity to develop you customer services, communication and care skills. You will also gain experience working with children and make new friends! All volunteers are greatly appreciated and provided with excellent support. Please contact us to find out how you can help, join our fantastic team of volunteers and make a real difference in the community: Email: volunteerinchgarth@gmail.com / Tel: 01224 325191 / Website: http://www.inchgarth.org/

We're looking for an adult volunteer who will provide a supportive friendship for a socially isolated young person aged between 8 and 18 who lives in South Ayrshire. Ideally this will involve meeting with their young person every couple of weeks for a few hours, spending time together accessing local activities. This includes: • Be matched on a 1:1 basis with a young person. • Go on regular outings and activities with the young person. • Have the opportunity to participate in group outings/activities and also volunteer support sessions. • Keeping in touch with the Project about the young person’s achievements / growth and activities, and to receive ongoing support from the Bfriend team. • Open minded as we work with young people from a wide variety of backgrounds. • Following training, to be able to have empathy and understanding of some of the issues encountered by young people referred to the team. • Continuous focus on the needs of the young person who you are matched with. • Willing to participate in a broad range of activities mutually agreed with the young person. • To be a positive adult role model for the young person and, very importantly, to have FUN! • Have an awareness of and be able to adhere to Bfriend’s policies and procedures.

Could you make a difference to a parent or carers life? Aberlour works with children and young people who have experienced disadvantage, trauma or have disabilities. We pride ourselves on our child centred focus and strong commitment to the individual development of each child emotionally, socially, physically and intellectually. We help parents and carers who are struggling to cope as a result of a variety of issues within the family. We work with whole families as well as children on their own. We are looking for Befrienders to work with parents/carers to provide opportunities for activities and to have someone to speak to. What will I be doing? • Making a difference a parent/carers life • Spending regular time with a parent/carer • Helping support families experiencing difficulties • Supporting them when difficulties arise • Sharing an activity/hobby • Attending activities • Completing a diary after each visit • Attending regular support sessions • Contributing to service assessments through support. What skills can I bring to this role? • A genuine interest in the well-being of families • A few hours to spare each week • Reliability and discretion • Friendly and approachable • Non-judgemental attitude • Good communication and listening skills • Responsible and dependable What qualities do I need? • To have a non-judgemental attitude and approach to working with parents/carers • To be empathetic • To be able to treat all information in a confidential manner • Be friendly, helpful and understanding • Be enthusiastic, flexible, committed and patient. When will I be needed? • Befrienders will spend a few hours each week with a parent/carer and also attend monthly group activities and attend all Aberlour training • Flexibility • A minimum of 1 year’s commitment is required for this role. Location - Dundee & Angus What will I gain from the role? • Befriending training • Make new friends and meet new people • Get out and about • Have FUN! • Attend social events. What support will I be given? • Induction and child protection training • Befriending training • Specific training • Matching support • Ongoing support and supervision Additional Information Due to Health and Safety requirements you must be at least 18 years of age to undertake this volunteering role. For all roles involving regulated work with children and/or protected adults, Aberlour will require the applicant to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application. This opportunity is subject to the completion of satisfactory references and successful registration on the PVG Scheme.