Who Cares Scotland

Charity registered in Scotland SC026076

Who Cares? Scotland is a national voluntary organisation, working with care experienced young people and care leavers across Scotland. We support care experienced people to have their voice heard and influence to make positive change within the care system.


Current opportunities

We are looking for committed volunteers who can provide a strong foundation to help strengthen their communities by helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their skills and confidence and to be included, understood, respected and valued in their communities. The Participation Support Volunteer role will assist in providing and supporting activities for young people, providing supportive adults to ensure all children and young people can thrive and bring communities together. This role will involve interacting with young people primary aged 6-13 years through supporting and leading on a variety of activities eg, arts/crafts/sports/general youth work at our fortnightly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year. This role will help build community strengths for Care Experienced people and provide social networks to help build resilience and positive outcomes for children and young people. Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society. Due the importance of building and maintaining relationships we are looking for someone who can have a long term commitment to supporting our group. We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience. What will I be doing? * Supporting staff to undertake and plan activities * Leading on activities * Supporting Care Experienced young people’s sense of belonging and connection * Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities * Helping children and young people to have fun * Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem * Being a positive role model What skills can I bring to this role? * Experience of working with children (not essential) * A knowledge of issues affecting Care Experienced children and young people * Ability to work well with children and young people * Good communication and listening skills * Ability to encourage and motivate children and young people to participate in activities What qualities do I need? * To have a non-judgemental approach to people, have empathy * Be enthusiastic, flexible, and committed * Reliable and approachable * Friendly, helpful, and understanding * Reliability and a commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner * To have a good value base, be open minded and level-headed What will I gain from the role? * A sense of satisfaction in helping children and young people build their confidence and self-esteem to achieve their full potential * Practical experience of working with children and young people * Experience to get back into the workplace or education * Have fun! What support will I be given? * Volunteer induction and child protection training * Role specific training and additional training opportunities * Expenses – all out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed * Supervision and support from your volunteer co-ordinator

We are looking for volunteers who can provide a strong foundation to help strengthen their communities by helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their skills and confidence and to be included, understood, respected, and valued in their communities. The Group Work Volunteer role will work alongside our innovative and energetic East Lothian project team, supporting the delivery of the fortnightly East Lothian Champions Board groups. The group allows Care Experienced children and young people to build connections with others and provides a platform for them to raise their views and experiences to promote change. This role will involve interacting with young people aged 12-17 through supporting and leading on a variety of activities e.g. arts/crafts/sports/general youth work at our fortnightly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year. This role will help build connection and belonging for Care Experienced young people and provide a platform to allow them to influence positive change. Providing transport to young people to and from the fortnightly sessions is a key need for the group. Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society. We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience. What will I be doing? Supporting staff to undertake activities Leading on activities Supporting young people’s sense of belonging and connection Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities. Helping children and young people to have fun Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem Being a positive role model

We are looking for volunteers who can provide a strong foundation to help strengthen their communities by helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their skills and confidence and to be included, understood, respected, and valued in their communities. The Group Work Volunteer role will work alongside our innovative and energetic Edinburgh project team, supporting to raise awareness of Care Experience and supporting activities for young people, providing supportive adults to ensure all children and young people can thrive, bringing communities together. This role will involve interacting with young people aged 5-17 through supporting and leading on a variety of activities e.g. arts/crafts/sports/general youth work at our fortnightly/monthly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year. This role will help build community strengths for Care Experienced people and provide social networks to help build resilience and positive outcomes for children and young people. Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society. We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience. What will I be doing? Supporting staff to undertake activities Leading on activities Supporting young people’s sense of belonging and connection Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities. Helping children and young people to have fun Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem Being a positive role model

We are looking for volunteers who have strong IT skills and have experience using online platforms such as Teams and Zoom. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for those looking to volunteer remotely, have the chance to access opportunities and gain more third sector experience. Who Cares? Scotland Education and Engagement team are looking for a Virtual Education and Engagement volunteer to assist in the delivery of online sessions, discussing and reflecting on Corporate Parenting practice in relation to people with Care Experience. The role will involve providing technical support and supporting the delivery team where necessary. This is an exciting and newly developed role which gives practical experience within the Third Sector, providing training to Corporate Parents on care experience, and would allow for personal development for a suitable candidate. This position is almost exclusively online, therefore, open to anyone with the ability to work remotely and possesses IT skills. Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society. We aim to recruit people with excellent qualities from a wide variety of backgrounds who share in our mission. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with care experience. *What will I be doing? • Assisting in the delivery of online sessions to Corporate Parents, ensuring technical and minor issues are dealt with in real time. • Helping to monitor and moderate chat. • Answering questions in the forum chat. • Dealing with any technical issues as they arise – i.e. advising people to turn off microphones, facilitating breakout rooms, admitting late attendees to the session etc. *What will I gain from the role? • Extensive training in care experience related issues – induction, Child Protection training and Understanding Care Experience training. • Experience of the third sector through information and sessions. • Experience of teamwork. • This is a new role which you will help develop – your input will be vital. • CV expansion *What support will I be given? • Volunteer Induction and extensive training • Role specific training & ongoing development opportunities • Expenses –all out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed • Supervision and support from your group lead and volunteer coordinator A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Yvonne Atkins, Volunteer Manager at email: volunteering@whocaresscotland.org or telephone: 07973802134.