Family friends work directly with families, coming alongside and giving support to parents and children when they need it most, making sure they feel less isolated. Safe Families is a charity that works with 35+ local authorities around the UK. Safe Families offer hope, belonging and support to children, families and care leavers; they do this primarily, but not exclusively, with and through local churches. No one should feel alone. Safe Families exist to create relationship and connection because everyone deserves to belong. Volunteers will undergo training before matching with a family, to help them feel best equipped and prepared. They will receive support throughout the entire process. Family friend support can range from a couple hours every few weeks, to once a week support - meeting for coffee, being a listening ear, going out to the park etc. Contact Caitlin at caitlinfrew@safefamilies.uk or 07393462300 for more information about volunteering.

Wee County Veterans & Supporters aim is to provide veterans with information & support on housing, health issues, employability, welfare and benefits as well as social interactions with ex-military personal and supporters. Supporters are the veteran’s family We also attend memorial services, participate in poppy collections, distribute food hampers, and assist with attendance of our heroe’s funerals. The Veteran Support role varies dependent on the needs of the local veterans. The Veterans and Supporters attend fortnightly meetings to see which activities / support is required and who can provide the support. This includes visiting care homes or long term hospital admissions, transport to hospital appointments, support with housing, employability, befriending including home visiting or support to attend groups. Helping with Poppy appeals, Armed Forces day or Remembrance parade. The Veteran Support Volunteer does not have to be a veteran themselves, however they must have experience of living with a Veteran, for example Father/ mother, husband / wife or son/ daughter. Our Volunteers are friendly, supportive with good listening skills. If you are providing transport, you must have a valid license and access to a car. For 1-1 befriending a PVG will be required.

Forfar Open Gardens are looking for Volunteer Gardeners to provide general help within the garden whether that be pottering in the outdoor or indoor planting areas, clearing and pruning in the large woodland space or any of the many jobs in between. The garden is an open space for people young and old to come along and enjoy so you have a keen interest in gardening or would like to learn then they would love to hear from you. Youth opportunities are available on Friday afternoons. Interested? Want to know more? Get in touch.

Your Community Needs You! Help save lives in your community by volunteering to become a Community First Responder. https://www.scottishambulance.com/your-community/community-first-responders/ Our community first responders are volunteers who are trained by us to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives. Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment. They are usually based in rural communities where our crews have longer to travel to the patient. Full training is provided. Key areas of responsibility: To provide primary response to specific calls including those reported to be of a “life threatening nature”, as directed by the Ambulance Emergency Dispatch Centre (EMDC) Control. You will only be sent to calls that are in the area that you’re covering. • Participate in the provision of on-call cover, on a rota arrangement as agreed with the scheme/group co-ordinator or scheme/group lead. • Respond to calls in an efficient and safe manner as an individual or as part of pair. • Responsibility for the readiness, cleanliness and general maintenance of equipment within their charge • Report any untoward occurrences in conjunction with the scheme co-ordinator using SAS forms. • Attend training sessions and local scheme / group meetings and maintain skill base competencies as deemed appropriate to the role of a community first responder • Ensure consistency in compliance of procedures, observance with safe working practice and Ambulance Service “Community first responder” policy and objectives.