Nightstop North-East Scotland offers temporary, emergency accommodation for young people facing homelessness. A young person accessing this service could be facing homelessness for any number of reasons, with 75% of referrals being due to a breakdown of relationships at home. This accommodation is offered in the homes of trained and vetted volunteers, who are supported by professional staff. Hosts can be anyone, with the only requirements being that they must be able to provide a spare room, a hot evening meal and a listening ear. This offers an accommodation option which may be more suitable for young people than traditional homeless hostels. Nightstop are currently looking for volunteer hosts. Hosts are offered a £15 stipend per night when Hosting and 24/7 on-call support is available throughout the stay. If you can help/for further details please contact Megan Douglas, Nightstop Co-ordinator, Aberdeen Foyer at email: Megan.Douglas@aberdeenfoyer.com or telephone 07467 919813.

*Do you have room? Do you have a spare room in your home that you’d be willing to open for a young person who has nowhere to stay? Our Nightstop service relies on ordinary people – just like you - with a spare bedroom which they are willing to offer to a guest. We’re looking for Nightstop hosts to volunteer to provide a young person with a safe place to stay, a hot meal, the opportunity to wash and breakfast the next day. Ideally you’ll also provide a listening ear to make a young person feel safe and secure. *Here’s how it works - -Application – Hosts need to be able to offer a young person their own private bedroom, a hot meal, breakfast and a packed lunch if needed. Access to a hot shower or bath and the use of laundry facilities within the host’s home should also be accessible. Hosts who require their young person to be out of the house through the day will be supported by the Nightstop Co-ordinator. Hosts can receive a stipend to cover costs. -Safety Checks - As part of the process, Hosts are required to complete a PVG check; a home visit will also take place. This type of support isn’t right for everyone, Nightstop must be a safe and appropriate option for both young person and the volunteer hosts. -Training - Training covers an introduction to youth homelessness, boundaries, practical tips and safeguarding rules. And we’re always on hand for a supportive phone call. -Matching - Nightstop hosts will be matched with young people, based on things like location, home environment and of course the availability of host. When a match has been made the Nightstop Co-ordinator will support the introduction of young person to the host. -Support throughout stay - Hosts and young people are offered assistance throughout the stay from Aberdeen Foyer’s Nightstop Co-ordinator with the aim that over the course of the stay, Aberdeen Foyer can support the young person to find a more long-term solution to what has taken them to the brink of homelessness. This might involve mediation with family to move back to the family home or help to explore all housing options. Aberdeen Foyer in conjunction with Nightstop offers a holistic approach. We discuss the options for continuing education, training and/or employment options; as well supporting the health and wellbeing of the young person. -Follow-up after stay - When the young person’s stay has ended, the hope is that we will have helped them on to a positive destination. Aftercare in the form of a debrief will be offered to both the host and young person and at this point, Hosts might identify training needs and support required. Hosts can take time off in between hosting one young person to the next. *How to become involved - If you have a spare room that could provide a safe place for a young person we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch with out Nightstop Co-ordinator by e-mailing nightstop@aberdeenfoyer.com or calling 07467 919813.

“A digital world accessible to all” Award winning IT charity AbilityNet is looking for IT Support volunteers to help people get the most out of technology. We support older and disabled people to use technology, from setting up a new device, to showing how to use zoom or do an internet food shop. The role would take place in your local area, face to face with clients or help over Teamviewer. You don’t need to be a tech guru to help out. If you use a computer at home or work, and perhaps support family and friends with their tech issues, you are likely to have the skills we are looking for. Relevant guidance and excellent support is provided to all volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Donna Baker-Smith at email community@abilitynet.org.uk or telephone 01926 956850.

Our volunteers are a great asset to our homes and care teams. They support us to enrich our residents' lives and remain truly connected to the communities in which they live. From school children who volunteer to take part, to retired professional who want to give something back, our volunteers are as diverse as our teams and residents. We are a not-for-profit organisation specialising in care homes for the elderly across England and Scotland. We have 18 services in Scotland, which provide tailored care and support to people with a range of care needs. Glenfairn House Care Home - Ayr Queens Care Home – Prestwick Howard House Care Home – Kilmarnock Kintyre House Care Home – Invergordon Mull Hall Care Home – Invergordon Millport Care Centre – Ayrshire Birch House Care Home – Aberdeenshire Park Lodge Care Home – Aberdeenshire Pitcairn Lodge Nursing Home – Aberdeenshire The Meadows Care Home – Dornoch Tyneholm Stables Care Home – East Lothian Westwood House Care Home – East Kilbride Forefaulds Care Home – Lanarkshire Abercorn House Care Home – Lanarkshire Camilla House Care Home – Edinburgh Bridge View House Care Home – Dundee Allanbank Care Home – Dumfries To learn more about each care home, please copy and paste the link to your browser - https://www.sanctuary-care.co.uk/jobs/volunteering/how-apply-be-sanctuary-care-volunteer If you would like to help our care homes through volunteering, opportunities are available for weekdays or weekends, daytime, or early evening. Volunteer befriender Leisure and activities volunteer Walking volunteer Volunteer driver Gardening volunteer Volunteer entertainer Day care centre volunteer Hairdressing/beauty volunteer Housekeeping volunteer Catering assistant volunteer Reception volunteer For more info on our volunteering opportunities, please go to https://www.sanctuary-care.co.uk/jobs/volunteering/how-apply-be-sanctuary-care-volunteer to learn more and apply online.