Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis for an hour or so each week, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you. Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in Dundee who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young person and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face If you are interested in this opportunity please email: alice.carbone@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (now part of the Volunteering Matters Family of Brands) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

Volunteering Matters is a national volunteering charity. We bring people together, through the power of volunteering, to overcome some of society’s most complex issues. One of our most successful projects across the UK is RSVP - the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme. People who have time on their hands, particularly those who are aged 50+, develop, organise and run a range of activities in their local communities. In Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire, RSVP runs a Handyperson Project which is led by volunteers. Our team help older people, or people with disabilities, with small and minor maintenance tasks. The tasks we complete for people are varied, normally taking less than 2 hours. Examples include unblocking sinks, putting up shelves, building flatpack furniture, changing lightbulbs, rewiring plugs, replacing smoke alarm batteries, and hanging mirrors, curtains, or blinds. It can be challenging to find a tradesperson willing to do such minor tasks which can be difficult or even dangerous for some people to do these tasks themselves – particularly if they are older, frail, or have a disability. Our service is free although the service user pays for any supplies e.g. washers or lightbulbs etc. Donations are welcomed from those who access it. Tasks included in the role Contact clients to arrange a suitable time for the task Carry out task Record task completion using an on-line report form Accept donations if offered, record and hand in so they can be banked. Volunteers receive full support from the Handyperson team as well as travel expenses and health & safety equipment. The days of the week and hours available are completely flexible and we will work around the volunteer and what spare time they have. If you are interested in volunteering, or you know someone who could do with some help around the house, then please contact us.

Volunteering Matters is a national volunteering charity. We bring people together, through the power of volunteering, to overcome some of society’s most complex issues. One of our most successful projects across the UK is RSVP - the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme. People who have time on their hands, particularly those who are aged 50+, develop, organise and run a range of activities in their local communities. In Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire, RSVP runs a Handyperson Project which is led by volunteers. Our team help older people, or people with disabilities, with small and minor maintenance tasks. The tasks we complete for people are varied, normally taking less than 2 hours. Examples include unblocking sinks, putting up shelves, building flatpack furniture, changing lightbulbs, rewiring plugs, replacing smoke alarm batteries, and hanging mirrors, curtains, or blinds. It can be challenging to find a tradesperson willing to do such minor tasks which can be difficult or even dangerous for some people to do these tasks themselves – particularly if they are older, frail, or have a disability. Our service is free although the service user pays for any supplies e.g. washers or lightbulbs etc. Donations are welcomed from those who access it. Project Organiser Role The Handyperson Project is looking for a Lead Organiser. Ideally the role will be undertaken by someone aged 50+ however this is not essential. This is a volunteering role which supports the running and management of our project. Tasks and activities included in this role are: Ensuring the project runs smoothly, providing support to and working alongside a group of Coordinators & Volunteers Helping to recruit other Coordinators and Volunteers (support is provided) Helping to ensure we promote our project locally, so older people, and people with a disability know about it Helping to ensure task requests from the public are received, logged and assigned to an appropriate Volunteer Helping to ensure we keep track of tasks completed, logging details onto our system Liaising with the Volunteering Matters Manager for the Forth Valley area as required Liaising and meeting with the team of local RSVP group organisers (meeting quarterly)