We are all about Companionship in the Community – we offer a safe space for retired people to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs! Can you support us by helping in our Community spaces? Are you confident and friendly with good listening skills? Are you dependable and trustworthy? A real team player who can ‘think on your feet’? Do you make a mean cuppa? If yes, to the above and you can spare 3 to 4 hours a few times a month then we might just have the perfect opportunity for you (and your well-behaved dog too, if you have one!)

Give a Dog a Bone are all about Companionship in the Community - through offering a safe space for retired people to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs. Give a Dog a Bone are all about Companionship in the Community – they offer a safe space for retired people to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs! Can you support them by helping in their Alloa Community Space? Are you confident and friendly with good listening skills? Are you dependable and trustworthy? A real team player who can ‘think on your feet’? Do you make a mean cuppa? If yes, to the above and you can spare 3 to 4 hours a few times a month then we might just have the perfect opportunity for you (and your well-behaved dog too, if you have one!) Volunteers can expect to be: - Welcoming visitors and their dogs to the Community Space, engaging with them and make them feel at ease. - Confidently and accurately promoting the aims and objectives of the charity. - Maintaining high levels of cleanliness and tidiness at all times, ensuring that the Community Space presents no risks to visitors, dogs, staff or volunteers. - Dealing with any donations handed via the Community Space for the charity as instructed by the Management Team. - To attend any additional training necessary for the volunteer role. Benefits of the role include: - Full training will be provided – in your local community space with a member of staff or experienced volunteer. It is a hands-on role and you will be well supported throughout. - Increased confidence and sense of purpose. - Meeting new people and building new relationships. - Giving something back within your local community. - If you have a well-behaved dog, they can volunteer with you as a Companionship Dog! - It’s a win/win! The volunteer can expect to be given a named contact within the charity to help and support you and your dog throughout your volunteer journey! If you need any more information or would like to apply, please register your interest on their website www.giveadogabone.net or contact us at hello@giveadogabone.net

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

A Young Carer is someone up to the age of 18 who provides unpaid support to a relative, friend or neighbour who due to illness or disability cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. Responsibilities may include practical support such as personal care, cooking, housework, or emotional support. Aberdeen Young Carers are looking for volunteers to spend some quality time with a child or young person between the ages of 5-18 on a regular basis, getting to know them, and building up a positive relationship by being reliable and non-judgemental when listening to them. A befriender volunteer will support the Young Carer to enjoy activities and experiences within the Aberdeen community to reduce isolation, and promoting self-esteem and confidence. This is a flexible opportunity and you can commit to meeting with a Young Carer for a few hours on a fortnightly or monthly basis depending on what time you have available. This would take place out with school hours, predominately over evenings or weekends. To be a befriender volunteer we ask for a minimum time commitment of six months, so that the child or young person benefits from consistent visits and has time to build a professional relationship with the volunteer. To apply, please visit: https://volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities/16050-befriender-aberdeen-young-carers-2020-11-24 or contact the Volunteer Coordinator below: Andrew McGettigan E-Mail: andrew.mcgettigan@barnardos.org.uk Phone: 07724287057