Who are we Tayside Cancer Support offers the opportunity for anyone affected by cancer in Tayside and the surrounding are to receive emotional, social and practical support, either on an individual basis or in a group setting. The charity has been in existence since July 1994, and is made up of an Executive Committee of voluntary Trustees, one part-time paid employee and approximately twenty volunteer befrienders plus other people who support our events. We work with cancer patients, their families, carers and friends. We do this alongside healthcare professionals and other charities and support groups to provide vital support and information. Anyone can utilise our services who, either has cancer or is supporting someone on their cancer journey, e.g family or friends. They don’t need a specific referral, they can just get in touch. There are no costs associated with our services. Our annual numbers in a story: · Roughly 20 befrienders working with clients for around 30-40 hours a month. · We spend around £1,000 a month on counselling and therapies for our clients, this is roughly 20 clients who are benefiting · The Drop-in Café has had visits from around 50 people over the year. Support we need As we continue to raise our profile and support more clients living with cancer we need to ensure we have a fantastic pool of befrienders who are willing to give up their time to support those clients. When people are going through tough times, it can help to have a friendly, non-judgemental ear. A problem shared is a problem halved! We provide befriending support to those living with cancer throughout the Tayside and NE Fife area. This support is invaluable to those we support. We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to become a befriender, here’s what’s involved: · No experience necessary, all training and supervision is provided · You can communicate with your client either on the phone or in person · A good listening ear!

“Would you like to reap the benefits of carrying out the role of a Volunteer Telephone Befriender? We are looking for people who can regularly telephone a vulnerable person, experiencing loneliness and social isolation, living within the Angus community. Telephone Befriender Volunteers are required to ring a person to check on them and overtime build a friendship. We are looking for people: • Aged 18 and over • Live in Angus • Good listening skills • Patience, Empathy and Understanding • Ability to keep records of calls made • Flexible, reliable and punctual • Clear sense of personal boundaries and confidentiality • Able to provide non-judgemental support • Engage with training and development Your important impact: One 30 minute call to a person, who is feeling lonely and isolated, seems really simple, but having someone to talk to and someone to listen, could really make such a positive difference to a person. It may be that you are the only person they speak to, that day, or even that week. By enrolling to become a Volunteer Telephone Befriender, you are playing a vital role in reducing social isolation and loneliness, within the Angus community. If you are interested in becoming a telephone befriender, please get in touch.

Space at Youth Befriending provides one-to-one befriending for children and young people aged 5-16 though supporting them to learn new skills and provide a social experience for children and young people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. The befriender is there to encourage the young person to explore new activities and interests. Befriending can help to build the young person's confidence and self esteem, improve social skills and support them to access opportunities locally and throughout Edinburgh. We have been successfully delivering our Service in the South West area and now have secured funding to develop Youth Befriending city wide.

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to help support Older People throughout North Ayrshire who are living in their own home. This role requires the following: • Someone to provide companionship and support by visiting the individual in their own home • Where possible, accompany older people to lunch clubs, social activities etc. to increase social interaction and encourage the older person to develop new friendships If you like the idea of working alongside older individuals to prevent isolation then this is the right opportunity for you.