Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 in Denmark by Ole Kassow and Dorthe Pederson. Ole wanted to help the elderly get back onto their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw. He started offering free rides to the local nursing home residents … and the rest is history!
Cycling Without Age Scotland now generates “miles of smiles” in every part of Scotland and its reach and impact are growing every day. It enriches and enhances lives, unlocks doors, enables older people to once again be an active part of their communities, once again to “feel the wind in their hair”, to rekindle old friendships and to make new ones and to rejoice in heart-warming stories. This is unparalleled access, which we also provide to disabled people.
Every day Royal Voluntary Service helps thousands of older people to live the life they want. We provide practical services in homes, in hospitals and in communities all across England, Scotland and Wales so people can be independent and active. Royal Voluntary Service is one of the largest voluntary organisations and much of our work is supporting older people. We provide practical solutions to the everyday problems of loneliness and isolation. Volunteers are vital to the work of Royal Voluntary Service. Without them Royal Voluntary Service simply wouldn't exist. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, men or women, young or older and we've got something for everyone, including specialist roles such as this. Anyone who volunteers for Royal Voluntary Service knows that they are joining a charity which people trust - our style is practical, positive, personal and professional. Royal Voluntary Service is committed to being an Investing in Volunteers organisation.
We work with people and providers to promote equality and change in health and social care. We do this by:
• bringing people and providers in health and social care together, as members - to identify common
issues and form collective voices and actions
• supporting them to speak with that voice, or representing them where required
• keeping them informed and up to date
• supporting their learning and development through training
• identifying gaps and developing new ideas in health and social care to address them
• supporting co-production at all stages in the design and delivery of health and social care in the
Borders.
The voice of the Voluntary Sector with a strong and diverse membership. Dedicated and experienced staff providing support, development advice, facilitating networks as well as sharing news and information. We also provide office space to rent, room hire, grant finder services, administration services and much more.
Royal Voluntary Service helps thousands of older people to live the life they want. We provide practical services in homes, in hospitals and in communities all across the UK so people can be independent and active. Much of our work is supporting older people. We provide practical solutions to everyday problems of loneliness and isolation.
Food Train Connects aims to connect two groups of people:
Older people (aged 65+) throughout Scotland requiring a little bit of a helping hand to continue living comfortably and contentedly at home; and
Volunteers who are willing to provide that regular support to help improve the quality of life of someone living nearby.
During the current coronavirus crisis, our support is focusing on vital shopping provision, however over time, this site will be extended to help meet the wider needs of older people living at home across the country. If you would like to tell us what kind of wider support would benefit you or someone you know, please contact us at shopping@thefoodtrain.co.uk or 0800 304 7924.
If you or someone you know would benefit from help with weekly shopping, or if you would like to volunteer to support someone in your community, please click the buttons below to sign up.
We are Blind Veterans UK and we believe that no one who has served our country should battle blindness alone. That's why we're here to help with lifelong practical and emotional support which we provide to Armed Forces and National Service veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight. We help veterans recover their independence and discover a life beyond sight loss. Our charity has been offering physical and emotional support to vision-impaired veterans since 1915. Blind Veterans UK's work ranges from helping veterans relearn vital life skills and providing them with the tools they need to be independent in their own homes, to offering new learning, training and recreation opportunities and providing long-term nursing, residential and respite care.
Age Concern Ayr is a registered Charity in Scotland dedicated to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of the those aged 55+ in South Ayrshire.
Age Concern Ayr is 100% funded by the Charity Shop and Public Donation and all money raised is used for the benefit of residents in South Ayrshire.
We have been operating in South Ayrshire since the opening of our Charity Shop in 1975.
Very quickly The Charity Shop proved to be a great success, but something else was needed.
Customers to the shop were looking for advice on a number of topics ranging from benefits to details on local lunch clubs.
Although the shop volunteers at the time dealt with these enquiries as best they could, it was evident that there was a local need for more.
With funds that had been raised from the Charity Shop it was decided that an Advice & Information Centre would be established and after 13 years of hard work by dedicated Volunteers this was realised in late 1987.
To provide information and support to carers and former carers through:
• one to one support,
• group support,
• training,
• informal advocacy
• social activities,
• support for young carers,
• carer involvement opportunities.
The organisation seeks to ensure that carers of all ages are recognised and valued, receive the information and support they need to allow them to care with confidence and in good health, and are empowered to have a life of their own outside caring.
The Community Alliance Trust is a community-led organisation which exist to benefit the community of the Greater Craigmillar area of Edinburgh fallowing the principles of sustainable development. It does this by: Developing community assets and new social enterprise initiatives in the local community, Taking their lead from the community in planning and implementing their projects.
Garioch Community Kitchen exists to enhance the health and well-being of all sectors of the community in Central Aberdeenshire. We aim to provide a range of services including informative food workshops in a safe and supported environment, delivering practical and nutritional information and teaching transferable food skills. To work in partnership with other agencies and groups to promote healthy cooking and eating choices.
The Macular Society is a UK-wide charity supporting people with macular degeneration and other sight loss conditions.
Its vision is to beat macular disease once and for all through funding research, building scientific capacity, facilitating collaboration and communication, and involving patients.
It offers many services to support people through their sight loss journey, including advice and information, counselling, befriending, and support groups.
a) To advance the education of children, young people and adults by providing opportunities to engage in the study, practice and teaching of community sports and community learning which develops their spiritual, mental and physical capacities and enable them to improve their conditions of life. b) To advance public participation in sport in Kirkcaldy and the surrounding area through the promotion, alone or in conjunction with others, of participation in football and other sporting activities and acting as advisors in relation to the development of football and other sporting activities. c) To advance health in Fife by the promotion, alone or in conjunction with others, of the benefits of physical activity and provision of assistance in relation to sports-related and healthy lifestyle matters
Rubislaw Park is a private, luxury care home in Aberdeen, surrounded by beautiful mature gardens and set against a backdrop of woodlands.
We provide exemplary standards of Residential Care, Respite Care, Dementia Care and Whole-life Nursing Care, taking an individual-centred approach to care.
We believe that developing an atmosphere of individual care and attention our service users will contribute to their well-being and comfort enabling them to enjoy life to their fullest potential.
Reduce social isolation
Improve the emotional and socail well-being of older adults in community
Offer a chance to develop a trusting relationship
enhance quality of life
assist those who are currently socially excluded to take a more active part in their community
Help encourage and maintain a sense of community
Offering an opportunity to engage volunteers
Headway exists to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and friends. A weekly group is held with various activities taking place from support groups to fun days out.
Members receive help and support in coping with life, find out what local services are available and share in the emotional rollercoaster that goes with brain injury.
Overtonlea is a modern, purpose built residential home for adults with complex support needs in the South Mainland of Shetland. We offer residential support on a long term basis as well as respite support.
We provide person centred support to individuals who reside at Overtonlea.
The Carers Centre offer support to Carers through information and advice including financial and advocacy advice, and assistance to carers assessments. There is also a Young Carers Project offering support and breaks for Young Carers between the ages of 7-18 years old. A Hospital Project provides support for carers in hospital or if the person being cared for is in hospital. The Short Breaks Project provides short breaks for Carers to help improve their health and wellbeing.
The Museum is open from April until October. Opening times are Monday - Saturday 11 am. - 4 p.m.; Sunday open 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The organisation's purposes are: The advancement of education of the public in the history of Dalbeattie The advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science. To extend, enhance and maintain a collection of social historic materials; preserve and restore other materials for the purpose of public display; and to carry out works for the improvement and development of the museum.
To assist community and voluntary groups in Annandale with their transport needs.
The provision of community transport and other services for the inhabitants of Annandale and the surrounding areas in need by reason of disablement, poverty, social or economic circumstances
Umbrella organisation for disabled people. Operate demand responsive transport service for elderly and disabled people, hire out mobility scooters and wheelchairs, social activities clubs for young disabled people, stock and sell aids for independent living as well as general information.
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home. Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health. We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and ability and these include shopper, driver, delivery assistant and office assistant.
Shopmobility Renfrewshire provides four sets of services to people with mobility disabilities in Renfrewshire to help them to move around and participate fully in social, economic and cultural activities.
First, we provide the free daily hire of traditional wheelchairs, powerchairs (electric wheelchairs) and electric mobility scooters. We also offer longer term hires at a low cost.
Second, we provide a repairs and maintenance service for mobility equipment.
Third, we arrange opportunities for our clients to attend exciting events and enjoy the culture and social opportunities available in Renfrewshire.
Finally, we advocate on the behalf of anyone with a mobility disability in Renfrewshire and ensure that any policy and practices of organisations take them properly into account.
We’re a centre promoting re-use and recycling of fabrics, hardware and furniture. We aim to further the work of the Salvation Army through supporting their shops. As a voluntary organisation we offer meaningful volunteering experiences listening to what our volunteers are looking for and meeting those needs.
The Caf4e & Company Lunch Club is working with Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership to address the problem of social isolation among older people.
We support active or former fishermen and their families, with over 140 years of experience providing vital services on quayside, on the waves, or in the home.
The Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership is the organisation which brings together Dr Gray's Hospital, community care services at the Moray Council, public health services, primary care, mental health, learning disability, health improvement and community health services.
Every day of your life matters, from the first to the last. Marie Curie believe everyone living with a terminal illness should be able to get the most from the time they have left, however hard that may sometimes feel. They will be here for you and your family when you may feel like no-one else is, to help you cope when you don't know how.
Marie Curie Nurses care for you in your home, when you need them most, day or night. Our hospices are at the heart of communities around the UK. And our trained volunteers and advisers are here for you with practical information and support when you do not know what to do next or just need to talk. They will be by your side with care and support every step of the way, bringing light in the darkest hours.
We are a SCIO which primarily help women who are the victims of present or past abuse.
We run courses to help women understand what they have been through and build the skills they need to live an abuse free life.
We also offer empowerments classes for women to teach them the skills they need to live their best life.
We also have health and wellness wellness classes for women.
Food Train is a registered charity, voluntary organisation and social enterprise. Since 1995 Food Train has been making daily life easier for older people, providing vital services to those who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability.
Food Train makes hundreds of grocery deliveries every week, ensuring those most in need have access to fresh groceries. Teams of dedicated local volunteers across the regions also go that extra mile by helping with household jobs, delivering books through our library service and providing much needed friendly social contact and meals through our Meal Makers and befriending services.
Our Growth
Following 15 years of successfully supporting older people throughout Dumfries and Galloway, in 2010, Food Train embarked on our ambitious project to make our services available to older people in other parts of Scotland. With support from the Scottish Government, Community Food and Health Scotland and the relevant health and social care partnerships, we are delighted that Food Train services are now available in many more areas.
Chest, heart and stroke conditions affect one in five people in Scotland and we know there’s so much more to be done to reach everyone who needs support. That’s why, as a values-driven organisation, we are striving to develop innovative solutions to the challenges people living with our conditions face. We want people living with our conditions to be able to live their life to the full, accessing the medical, rehabilitation and wellbeing support they need at the time and place they want. Through our campaigning work, we fight for their right to the services they need. We are using our entrepreneurial talents to generate income to develop new services using the latest technology. Our agile forward-thinking approach is creating health solutions that will improve lives and reduce the burden on our struggling NHS. CHSS is playing a major role in healthcare in Scotland, with aspirations to work collectively with local and national healthcare partners to do so much more. We are accountable to the people we support living with our conditions. That’s why we have embedded a people-driven, participative approach to work inclusively to identify our priorities.
Our vision: welcome to a Scotland where people with our conditions can live their lives well. Full lives, with the right support, at the right time and in the right place. A place where they can shape their future and live the life they want to lead.
Our mission: welcome to a community where people can support each other, secure the expert help they need and collectively advocate for the care that matters to them. Welcome to the charity that never underestimates the power of a cup of tea, a conversation started, a recovery begun. No Life Half Lived means we need to listen to people with our conditions and deliver well for them. We have identified four goals to get us there:
• We will place our focus on addressing the unmet needs of people with our conditions - social, emotional and physical - across all Scotland’s communities.
• We will be led by our people: people with lived experience of our conditions, their families and carers, friends, colleagues and healthcare professionals.
• We will secure the funding required to deliver via a diverse income portfolio that is consistent with our values and ethical approach
• We will be effective and accountable in all that we do
Everyone has the right to live life to the full. After a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition or a stroke, many people experience fear and isolation and struggle with the impact on their lives. CHSS won’t stand for that. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to.
Proud to stand out from the crowd, Heart Research UK is the charity dedicated to your heart. We inspire and invest in pioneering medical research, ground-breaking training and education and in communities to improve their heart health for themselves.
Always looking to the future, we give clinicians unique opportunities to gain the latest skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to become the experts of tomorrow. We show youngsters born with heart disease, and those who care for them, that they can live active lives.
Our Healthy Heart Grants focus on communities to prevent heart disease in the first place.
To promote and assist the general good of all old people in the Burgh of Grangemouth by assisting the work of statutory authorities and voluntary organisations engaged in providing facilities for physical and mental recreation, developing physical improvement, furthering health, relieving poverty, distress or sickness or in pursuing any objects which now are or hereafter may be deemed by law to be charitable.
Mearns Kirk Helping Hands is based in Newton Mearns and we aim to improve health and wellbeing and reduce isolation and loneliness in our community. We do this by providing a range of groups and activities throughout the week including Tai Chi, Blether & Brew Coffee Afternoon, Friendship Club and a Men's Breakfast Club. We also have a befriending project for people aged 65+ who are feeling lonely or isolated and would like the companionship of a volunteer befriender. We are volunteer led and cannot provide any of the services we do, without our amazing volunteer team. We are community helping itself.
To support/assist disadvantaged veterans residing in Clackmannanshire and surrounding areas, who are socially isolated, have various mental health/medical and physical problems. Visiting veterans whom are residing in Nursing/Care homes so they have social interaction with like minded ex-military.
Dunfermline Athletic are a professional football club currently playing in the second tier of the professional league structure organised by the SPFL. Its aim is to be recognised throughout the football world as a sustainable and entertaining community based football club, which is rooted in its communities, respectful of its heritage, and represents the town of Dunfermline with pride.
To advance citizenship or community development and to provide relief to the people resident in East Renfrewshire and surrounding area, who are in need by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage by providing and assisting in the provision of not-for-profit community transport services serving the needs of such people, and of other community groups and members.
The Hard of Hearing Group have trained volunteers who can provide help and support with the following:
1. tubing, minor repairs, ear mould cleaning and battery replacement
2. Advice on how to clean your hearing aids and how to get the most out of your hearing aids
3. Information and signposting to other services and an introduction to other useful equipment. For further information contact direct. Also offer a care home service, including a free comprehensive service which will enable staff to be able to give further support to residents who are hard of hearing. Their training and support programme includes:
•Care and maintenance of hearing aids training - cleaning, re-tubing and changing batteries and Deaf Awareness training.
•Follow up support on a monthly basis by a volunteer for up to six months, reducing to bi-monthly when staff are competent.
•Further training given to new staff when necessary.
Eildon Housing Association has partnered with Cyrenians to deliver Older People Active Lives (OPAL) in the Borders. The project provides preventative services for Eildon tenants aged 60+ and offers a range of activity and learning groups in local communities, offering a safe accessible space to build local community, have fun, improve physical health, keep mentally active and learn new things. Community members decide what they would like to do, things like social and supper clubs, digital skills classes, singing and arts groups, to community cooking and more
We have several services in Fife which provide support to older people.
We support older people to (re)connect with their community or help them share their experience and skills for the benefit of others.
We help older people who have a range of long-term conditions which limit what they can do, while others are in good health but lack the resources required to live a full and active life.
We also provide support to people who have significant caring responsibilities. We also support people to improve or manage their mental and physical health.
Ways we help:
• reduce isolation by helping you to participate in your community
• connect with additional support and specialist services
• realise your resilience and resourcefulness
• focus on the change you want to achieve in your lives
• share your skills and experience through volunteering
The organisation’s purposes are:
4.1 The provision of a Youth & Community Centre for the use of the inhabitants of the district of Scalloway and environs, irrespective of age without distinction of any specific group, which will provide space for meetings, lectures, classes and other forms of recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.
4.2 The advancement of citizenship by providing opportunities for volunteers to develop and facilities for the use of community groups.
We run direct services for children, young people and the elderly and also do a number of community events including the Christmas Lights and flags that decorate the village.
Portobello Older Peoples Project is a n unregisteredlunch/social club that supports older people who live in the Portobello area. The aim is to reduce soclal isolation and support physical and psychological wellbeing
Central Borders Citizens Advice Bureau (CBCAB) is a member of the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, the nationwide network of independent advice agencies. We offer free, independent, confidential, impartial information and advice from our office in Galashiels.
Help is available to all members of the Central Borders community and we work with over 1,500 clients per year.
The Bureau’s aims are:
• to ensure that people do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the services available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.
• to exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policy and services both locally and nationally.
Victim Support Scotland is the lead voluntary organisation in Scotland helping people affected by crime. It provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses and others affected by crime. The service is free, confidential and is provided by volunteers through a network of community based victim and youth justice services and court based witness services.
To enable carers and clients to have regular breaks;
to provide respite care to those with acute illnesses, their carers and families;
to support vulnerable people living alone;
to provide a high quality service for people with dementia;
to work with people who provide support care
We are an Edinburgh based charity matching people who want to garden with people who have space to share. We focus on those who need the most help, often older or disabled individuals or carers who are struggling to manage their outside space. Garden partnerships can help vulnerable people remain independent in their own home and reduce social isolation while at the same time garden volunteers benefit from access to gardening, food growing and joining a thriving community of growers across the city.
The Allotment Market Stall (TAMS) is a community project collecting and selling excess allotment produce.
-OUR MISSION IS:
To reduce waste, reduce food miles and make great produce available at affordable prices.
-OUR VISION IS:
We aim to connect people with where their food comes from and with each other and their communities.
-OUR VALUES ARE:
We value growing and eating local fruit and vegetables.
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland (CBCS) exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people in Scotland. We seek to help anyone experiencing bereavement to understand the grief and cope with their loss. We work primarily through volunteers, providing free care to bereaved people. We also train and educate individuals and organisations who may in turn be able to contribute to the well-being of bereaved people.
Live Music Now Scotland's mission is to bring high-quality live music to people throughout Scotland, particularly those who would otherwise not have access to its transforming benefits and ability to effect societal change.
Music is the heart and soul of Scotland – and makes us the people we are. Live Music Now Scotland believes that everyone should be able to enjoy the power of music – wherever you are.
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home. Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health. We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and ability and these include shopper, driver, delivery assistant and office assistant.
Promoting learning opportunities, particularly in the fields of healthy living, improving literacy, active citizenship, the recognition of achievement and employability, promoting a broad range of non-formal but structured group learning activities for public benefit. Supporting people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to become more involved in planning their own learning programmes and their continued development. Engaging with the most vulnerable people and groups and planning programmes with them which will help them to reach their full potential. Working with young people to plan and support their own learning and achievement programmes. Offering guidance and support to groups and individuals who would like to broaden their learning opportunities and gain accreditation monitoring and evaluating the association’s activities with a view to ensuring continuous improvement.
Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service exists to ensure that people's rights, needs and wishes are heard and respected. We support with people to get the information that they need to make choices and ensure that they are genuinely involved in the decisions that effect their lives. We are funded to work with people over 65, adults with learning disabilities and
adults using mental health services
The Argyll & Bute Patients’ Independent Advocacy Project is part of the Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service. It exists to ensure that patients’ rights, needs and wishes are heard and respected. We support patients to get the information that they need to make choices, and help to enable patients to express their views about decisions affecting their care and treatment.
We have recently secured funding to provide independent advocacy for adults living with one or more Long Term Conditions which are progressive or degenerative, or which impact on their ability to lead an independent life within Argyll & Bute.
LEAP has provided befriending services to people aged 50 and over – often the most vulnerable people in our community. The aim of these services is to provide support and companionship to older people who may be isolated or lonely. Volunteers from the local community are recruited and trained to carry out the tasks requested above and are supported by a Volunteer Development Officer.
To provide residential care and short break opportunities (respite care) to sixteen older people as well as ten day care places between Monday and Friday. The care is offered in Christ's name and we seek to retain and regain the highest quality of life which the individual is capable of experiencing at any given time.
Food Train began in Dumfries in 1995 following a community survey of older people that found many of them struggling with their weekly grocery shopping; an idea was developed to ease this burden on older people. A partnership of local shops and volunteers formed and Food Train began making deliveries of fresh groceries to older people in need with the help of local volunteers and shops.
Food Train operated very successfully in Dumfries town area between 1995 and 2002 but the founder members knew there was potential to expand the service across the region. A four year funding package from the Scottish Executive ‘Better Neighbourhood Services Fund' awarded in 2002 allowed staff to be recruited to develop Food Train and deliver grocery support across all Dumfries & Galloway. By 2006 the grocery delivery service was fully operational across the region and the Board focused on the evidenced needs of the members and developed Food Train 'EXTRA' - an additional home support service. More recently a third service has been added in Dumfries & Galloway, again responding to the needs of our members with a befriending service helping those experiencing isolation and loneliness.
In 2008 we began researching, planning and preparing to expand Food Train into other parts of Scotland. With support from The Scottish Government, Community Food & Health (Scotland) and The Rank Foundation, we have been able to expand Food Train into West Lothian, Stirling, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, providing food access solutions to many more older people and clearly demonstrating our ability to transfer our successful model geographically.
Food Train is now a thriving multi award winning Charity supporting older people in 7 local authority areas in Scotland, with a view to developing further and wider across Scotland to bring food access to all Scotland's older folk.
We are a charity and social enterprise that helps older people to reminisce, replay and reconnect through the power of sport and physical activity.
Launched in 2011, Sporting Memories supports a wide range of people aged 50-plus, including those living with dementia, living with depression or facing isolation and loneliness to improve their mental and physical wellbeing through our regular club sessions, situated within local communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
They are dedicated to bringing older people together with the aim of making a positive difference in their lives by providing them with a welcoming, supportive and structured environment where they can develop confidence to improve their lives for the better.
Sporting Memories achieves this by offering a range of support mechanisms and unique products which are designed to aid the development and running of sessions in a range of locations including community and leisure centres, care homes, hospitals and a range of settings.
Braveheart?s aim is to improve the health, function and quality of life for older adults in Forth Valley. It?s all about keeping well for longer and we deliver a range of services including health mentoring and walking programmes to adults with or at risk of developing long term health problems, in particular coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes
The company's objects are: 1. To relieve the poverty of individuals and families on low income or experiencing financial difficulties. 2. To promote the benefit and welfare of people who are older, have a physical or learning disability, those who are progressively or chronically ill or are experiencing mental health problems and their families/carers.
Abbeyfield is an organisation providing independent living for older people. We provide very sheltered en-suite accommodation for up to 12 tenants at Tullis House in Monifieth. Lunch and Dinner are prepared, cooked and served daily in the dining room and ingredients for breakfast and teas and coffees are provided in shared kitchens for tenants own use.
The aims of CLASP are the relief of poverty and advancement of education. The charity’s objectives are:
To develop a community managed and run sustainable project in the Stevenston area but serving the North Ayrshire area.
To encourage a more empowered, informed and socially active community through community capacity building and active citizenship training and activities.
To support and facilitate individual and group activity on issues relating to social inclusion.
To provide a local base for information, advice, assistance and resources on issues such as poverty, health, unemployment, money advice, literacies and local training opportunities in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations.
To recruit and train local volunteers in the above activities offering, where possible, recognised accredited opportunities in partnership with training and education providers.
To develop a community managed and run sustainable project in the Stevenston area but serving the North Ayrshire area.
To encourage a more empowered, informed and socially active community through community capacity building and active citizenship training and activities.
To support and facilitate individual and group activity on issues relating to social inclusion.
To provide a local base for information, advice, assistance and resources on issues such as poverty, health, unemployment, money advice, literacies and local training opportunities in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations.
To recruit and train local volunteers in the above activities offering, where possible, recognised accredited opportunities in partnership with training and education providers.
Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. We campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families and provide an extensive range of innovative and personalised support services.
We set up Aberdeen Linking Lives as we observed that our nation has an aging population that are lonely and socially isolated. We are a Linking Lives UK partner which has more than 20 years’ experience and aim to make a transformational impact in the lives of 130 elderly people per year by reducing their social isolation.
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure is a charity with over 400 employees delivering sport, leisure, arts and culture services in East Renfrewshire. We operate 10 libraries, 4 sports centres with gyms and pools, a 330 seat theatre, 18 community facilities incorporating a wide range of halls, social function and event venues, community centres and pavilions. We also manage the letting of 35 schools in the evenings and weekends.
We exist to promote the health, fitness, personal development and wellbeing of the residents of East Renfrewshire (and beyond) by:
• Encouraging the population of the East Renfrewshire area to be more active in promoting and supporting the development of sporting and health and fitness opportunities that are accessible for everyone.
• Supporting people to be more creative and nurture potential for personal success and wellbeing through the provision of cultural facilities and resources.
• Helping individuals and community groups to benefit from social engagement, community interaction and volunteering.
• Promoting and making available lifelong learning opportunities, including the promotion of literacy and digital inclusion and stemming from these opportunities make a social and economic contribution to society.
The Carnoustie Community Café is a thriving Community Organisation in Carnoustie which supports local people to go on Local Health Walks and is an excellent social space for people to meet chat and enjoy hot food and hot drinks and have fun. The Café is a grassroots voluntary organisation and this would be an excellent time to join our team and help make a difference to so many in the community.
The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is the only Civil Service charity dedicated to helping retired civil servants, widows/widowers, partners and dependents enjoy a better and more fulfilling retirement.
We operate a range of welfare, volunteering and leisure activities all run and supported by volunteers.
We currently have two befriending schemes, the Phone Buddy scheme and National Visitors Network which provide telephone based friendship calls and home visits to any beneficiary experiencing loneliness or social isolation.
In addition, we are also available to offer signposting, help and advice on a whole range of subjects.
Reengage (formerly Contact the Elderly) is a national charity and organises monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties for people over 75 who live alone with little or no support from family and friends. One Sunday afternoon a month volunteers use their car to take older members to and from a volunteer host’s home for tea, cake and companionship. Hosts take it in turn to welcome the small group of older people and volunteer drivers into their home for a few hours.
Lead Scotland is a voluntary organisation set up to widen access to learning for disabled young people and adults, and carers in Scotland. In Fife, learners can chose what they want to learn and are supported by volunteers, one-to-one or in small groups.
Lead Scotland also run a Fife-wide, time limited befriending project for anyone over 16 who is facing social isolation or loneliness. People are supported on a one-to-one basis by local volunteers.
The objective of our charity is to provide to the communities of Renfrewshire and the areas of East Renfrewshire, (Barrhead, Neilston and Uplawmoor), high quality Specialist Palliative and End of Life Care.
Listening and reacting to the needs of our patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, ACCORD Hospice has grown and developed since its inception in 1982. None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of individuals, local groups and businesses. Their trust in ACCORD Hospice is never taken for granted and is greatly valued.
Whilst the Hospice operates, rightly, within a tight regulatory framework, the management structure at ACCORD ensures staff concentrate on care, compassion and quality of life – always putting our patients first. Inspection reports from Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) tell us that we meet and surpass the required standards and indeed are very positive about our patient centred approach.
We continue to ensure that care is safe, effective and person centred by encouraging our staff to maintain and add to their knowledge and skills, resulting in a well trained and experienced multi-disciplinary team of staff and volunteers.
Internal audits on the quality of care reveal particularly high levels of patient and carer satisfaction across all Hospice services of which we are justly pleased and proud.
We continue to maintain a strong partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Renfrewshire’s Health & Social Care Partnership. This collaboration with health and social care partners allow us to influence palliative and end of care services that aim to meet the changing needs and expectations of patients, families and carers in our community.
Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership is a caring partnership working together with our communities to enable people to achieve fulfilling, healthier lives and wellbeing.
Food Train is a registered charity, voluntary organisation and social enterprise. Since 1995 Food Train has been making daily life easier for older people, providing vital services to those who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability.
Food Train makes hundreds of grocery deliveries every week, with the help of dedicated local volunteers, ensuring those most in need have access to fresh groceries.
Parkinson's UK are working to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's. We offer information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson's, their families and carers.
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home. Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health. We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
Sporting Memories are a charity and social enterprise that helps older people to reminisce, replay and reconnect through the power of sport and physical activity.
Launched in 2011, Sporting Memories supports a wide range of people aged 50-plus, including those living with dementia, living with depression or facing isolation and loneliness to improve their mental and physical wellbeing through our regular club sessions, situated within local communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
We are dedicated to bringing older people together with the aim of making a positive difference in their lives by providing them with a welcoming, supportive and structured environment where they can develop confidence to improve their lives for the better.
Bylines Scotland is part of the Bylines Network, an IMPRESS-regulated not-for-profit organisation which works with volunteers to fill the gap between the established media and ordinary people, diversifying public conversation and training new journalists.
Braveheart is a small charity, operating in the Forth Valley area of Scotland, which provides self management support groups and a led walking programme to adults with or at risk of developing long term health problems, particularly coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Braveheart's model is unique to the UK. It is entirely volunteer led, and it takes a community development approach. Brave heart trains lay volunteers, many of whom have long term health conditions themselves and it involves them as leaders. Our approach is to engage with " high risk" individuals in non clinical settings such as community centres and church halls to support and encourage them to take responsibility for improving their health.
Care and Share Companionship provides companionship support to people over the age of 60 who are living in isolation or loneliness. Support is offered by our trained, PVG checked volunteers on a 1-1 basis which may include an introduction to a local group of interest, weekly, fortnightly or monthly. We offer a flexible and personalised approach to address the needs of the person we are supporting, such as shopping, health appointments or visiting family or friends. We also offer telephone support and respite for carers. We aim to provide a service that helps improve health and well being to make people feel valued and part of their community.
Ability Borders was established to be the “Go to” organisation for people living with a physical disability or long term condition, their families and carers and to signpost to other areas of support wherever possible. Ability Borders is a partner with the local authority, NHS and the wider third sector on ensuring that the Physical disability strategy implementation meets the ambitions and outcomes and fully includes members in all the activities as we are a user led organisation.
Community Connectors has been established to help those who are eligible for a care alarm but who do not have the signatories required, we will support the individual and match with our volunteers. Our other key aim is to help those who are isolated either through Covid-19 or any reason and again we want to help address isolation by utilising a number of 'community connectors' projects i.e. our knitting for new born babies, our Digital Boost and our connect and chat.
Wellbeing Scotland is a voluntary organisation with services across Scotland. We provide a wide range of holistic services for individuals and families whose life experiences have impacted negatively on their wellbeing. Since 1994 we have offered client centred, holistic, trauma informed therapeutic services and have specialised in abuse and trauma work. We work with both children and adults.
We support, develop and represent community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering. We have around 35 staff members covering these activities across Fife, operating from our offices in Glenrothes, Cupar, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy. We provide a wide range of support to third sector organisations and have expertise in a wide range of skills and topics including governance, funding, legislation, policy, volunteering, managing people, planning and problem solving.
We receive core funding from the Scottish Government and Fife Council to provide four key functions:
- support, develop and represent the third sector.
- support, develop and represent social enterprises.
- support, develop and represent volunteering.
- support and promote third sector engagement with the Community Planning Partnership.
Provides Active Ageing day service for older people living in Glenrothes and the surrounding area. This includes services for people living with dementia.
Also provides a Help to Stay at Home service comprising one-to one inhouse visits lasting one hour, and two hour visits allowing for outings in the community.
Erskine provides unrivalled support to Veterans in Scotland, through three care homes and a Veterans Village, comprising of 44 cottages, an Activities Centre, five Assisted Living Apartments and 24 Transitional Supported Apartments.
Erskine’s strength lies in the very special blend of dedicated care, compassion and understanding we offer to residents and their families.
Erskine care for nearly 1,000 residents each year; our care homes provide Veterans with the companionship of like-minded people. Erskine not only care for their Veterans – we care about them.
Our aim is to support older people to live independently at home. Our preventative services address the difficulty older people face getting their weekly grocery shopping, doing jobs around the house and the growing isolation that comes with failing health. We also aim to provide a wide range of supported volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and ability and these include shopper, driver, delivery assistant and office assistant.
The Galloway Talking Newspaper is a charity, run by volunteers, who produce a weekly audio-tape of news from the Wigtownshire Free Press and the Galloway Gazette. A magazine USB of articles and interviews is also sent out regularly.
The media is distributed, free of charge, to those who by reason of visual impairment, or physical handicap, are unable to read these newspapers for themselves. At present approximately 90 news-tapes are sent out every week and returned for re-use.
If you, (or someone you know), is eligible, please get in touch either through your GP, the Eye Clinics, held in Stranraer and Newton Stewart, or through Dumfries & Galloway Social Services, Sensory Services Dept., on 01387 253 927
For further information, phone :- 01776 830 315
HcL is a major Scottish Charity based in the Lothians. The organisation was set up in November 1982 to operate a transport service for people with a range of disabilities and health needs who are unable, or have great difficulty, in using public transport.
Our services include 'Dial-A-Ride' which is a door-through-door transport service and 'Dial-A-Bus which is a semi-scheduled door-through-door shopping service. We cover Edinburgh and Lothians and operate from two local bases. We also respond to requests for journeys nationally on an availability basis. Currently there are twenty minibuses (Dial-A-Ride) and nine minibuses (Dial-A-Bus) in the fleet which have been specially adapted to carry wheelchair users and ambulant passengers.
AbilityNet is a registered charity that exists to help change the lives of disabled people by helping people to use digital technology at work, at home or in education. Our vision is to create “A world in which digital services are equally accessible to all.”
This is a community-lead event that provides a weekly safe, friendly and fun way for 4 - 14 year olds to exercise outdoors over a 2km distance. The organisation parkrun is global, with adult 5km routes in addition to the junior events throughout the world. There are volunteering opportunities at each event e.g. marshalling along the course - this involves cheering on the children and ensuring they follow the correct route, time- keeping, barcode scanning and volunteer co-ordinating. It is very socially inclusive and there is a job for all abilities. This means that junior parkrun is more than just about the children getting fitter. Also, as many of the adults run with their children, it has widespread public health improvement potential.
Equal Futures has been supporting people with an additional support need to make connections since its foundation by family carers in 2002. We work with adults (18 years plus) with an additional support need, this could be a learning disability or another significant lifelong condition, such as Down’s syndrome or autism.
We believe that people with Additional Support Needs are among some of the most isolated, our vision is a society without loneliness with your help we can try to achieve this for everyone.
Befriending and Circle support can help someone with an additional support need make valuable connections: building their confidence, resilience and independence.
Our services also provide reassurance and respite for their family members who have often undertaken a significant caring role.
We offer a flexible approach with services that are delivered at a time and pace to suit the individual and family at the centre of the support. The services we offer are entirely free of charge.
Aberdeen Civic Forum represents the views of communities in Aberdeen on the Community Planning Partnership.
We help to ensure that all the communities of Aberdeen have their say when plans are made for the future of the City of Aberdeen.
The Shetland Befriending Scheme offers a one to one support service to young people and young adults aged between 7 and 18 and to adults aged 16+ years of age. Our volunteers support individuals who can benefit from some additional input. There are a whole range of reasons why individuals may want to be part of our scheme but all can benefit from taking part in lots of different and exciting activities in their local community.
Scotland's Gardens is a registered charity established in 1931 that raises funds for worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.
The gardens that open for us are considered amongst Scotland's finest. Most of them are privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.
40% of funds raised at the garden openings goes to charities of the garden owners' choice whilst 60% net is shared between:
- Maggies's Cancer Care Centres
- The Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland
- The Gardens Fund of the National Trust for Scotland
- Perennial
The Scotland's Gardens guidebook containing full details of all the gardens opened during the year is available in leading bookshops and other appropriate retail and tourist outlets from early December.
Enable older people to eat well, age well and live well by providing volunteer support. Food Train Connects aims to connect any older person wishing a little extra practical or social support with a local volunteer eager to help in their local community.
The broad aim of The 65 Club is to take action which will improve the quality of life of older people (50 years and older), their families and disabled people living in Prestwick and the surrounding areas within South Ayrshire.
Re-engage is a charity that is positive about older age and committed to fighting loneliness so that people can have social lives and friendship groups however old they are. We inspire and enable meaningful connections and shared experiences within communities across the UK for people over 75 facing loneliness and social isolation.
Our volunteers work together to create better communities and help to enrich the lives of our members by giving them something to look forward to.
Older people who may have felt very alone, now feel valued as individuals, continue to form friendships, and have groups that give support. We make sure that people know they are important well into old age. Respectful, determined, warm, pioneering, and local: we are Re-engage and we are bringing generations together.
Bethany Christian Trust is a Scottish Christian social action organisation that aims to transform the lives of vulnerable people and local communities across Scotland.
Founded in Aberdeen at the end of 2016, Pet and Companion (PEACE) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), providing Pastoral Care along with Canine Therapy to people in need of support and companionship, particularly: the elderly; patients receiving end of life care; and students during stressful periods. Our aim is to help alleviate the loneliness and isolation experienced by many of those we visit, and thereby improve people’s mental health and general well-being.
PFSS is a registered charity which provides a unique service, supporting pet owners who are in one of the following emergency situations:
- Ill health
- Temporary homelessness
- Domestic abuse
If a pet owner is in one of these situations and is unable to afford boarding fees or arrange any other care for their pet, then PFSS will try to help.
PFSS does not operate a boarding centre or kennels but relies solely on volunteers who welcome the pet into their own home.
Our fosterers have been approved through an assessment process and had a home visit by our team.
Volunteering Matters, the UK’s largest volunteering charity, believe that everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive. We bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages those aged 50+ to volunteer and be active in their communities. RSVP projects can take many forms, from school support, to driving schemes, all having an incredible impact both on the wider community, and our volunteers.
The Age Scotland Comradeship Circles service aims to reduce loneliness by offering older members of the ex-service community the opportunity to enjoy regular group camaraderie by telephone.
DebRA was founded in 1978 by a group of parents whose children were affected by EB. At this time only some 200 people with EB were known to health professionals in the UK.
The original aims of the charity were to stimulate knowledge of and interest in
Braw Tea CIC is a social enterprise with the ambition to support *disadvantaged women in Dundee. It will do this through the creation of a community café in Broughty Ferry that will provide training and employment opportunities. The social enterprise will support the women to build confidence, self -esteem, reduce social isolation and stigma and will support the women to secure future employment and economic freedom through gaining relevant transferable workplace skills. Our name indicates that we will do ‘good’, offer good food and will be based in Broughty Ferry
.
*The beneficiary group will include:
- Women who face challenges through poverty, social isolation, poor educational attainment, mental health issues, domestic abuse, low risk women offenders, and refugee/asylum seekers. Referrals to the project will be made through working closely with identified third sector partners, the volunteer agencies and Dundee City Council Employability Team. This list is not exclusive, and we will work with any woman who may benefit from the support and training provided.
We support the community of North East Fife by running two hubs
LGBTQ hub
offering a safe space for the LGBTQ community working together with Trangender Fife to offer safe space for meetings, quiizzes and guest speakers such as the Community Police
Working with our two local Highschool clusters to offer support for senior students facing LGBTQ Issues
Community Cafe
We offer a safe space for single parents and their children, elderly socially isolated, Migrants/refugees and Ukranians, people suffering mental health from local hospital and clients from nearby homeless centre are all welcome
Working along with our partners cosy kingdom to support our client with increasing energy poverty as well as seescape to support our visually impaired clients.
Re-engage is a charity that is positive about older age and committed to fighting loneliness so that people can have social lives and friendship groups however old they are. We inspire and enable meaningful connections and shared experiences within communities across the UK for people over 75 facing loneliness and social isolation.
Our volunteers work together to create better communities and help to enrich the lives of our members by giving them something to look forward to.
Older people who may have felt very alone, now feel valued as individuals, continue to form friendships, and have groups that give support. We make sure that people know they are important well into old age.
We work to improve the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey. We celebrate ageing and challenge ageist prejudice throughout society. Our mission is to make Scotland a better place for older people. From a dedicated helpline for older people, to support and funds for older people's groups, to campaigns on the issues that older people tell us matter to them, we're working on many fronts to make Scotland a better place for older people.
CFINE improves health and well-being and the environment, tackles poverty and builds resilience through a range of support and services for and with disadvantaged, vulnerable, low-income individuals, families and communities in NE Scotland.
Our main aim is to assist in alleviating social isolation and loneliness and offer a supportive environment and work to offer a wide range of social activities and events - all designed to encourage adults and older people to lead happy, independent lives. This can impact on people’s lives by improving confidence, by encouraging interaction and contributing to the making and sustaining of friendships. A nutritious three course meal which is cooked on the premises also assists in meeting the dietary needs of service users who attend.
The Day Service also supports carers to enable them to take a break from the caring role in knowing that there loved one is being supported.
AbilityNet aims to make the benefits of computers available to adults and children with disabilities to enable them to use a computer at home, in education or in employment. AbilityNet provides a wide range of services to individuals, professionals in the field of disability, employers and the public sector.
Our overall mission is to potentially save lives by preventing and reducing violence and the fear of violence as well as empowering individuals to manage safer lives. Our objectives are to :- provide practical training and solutions to help people avoid violence and aggression. To raise awareness of the importance of personal safety in the community. To provide a point of contact for people at risk or secure advice.
Dundee Therapy Garden is a mental health charity providing Horticultural Therapy to veterans of the Armed Forces and Uniformed Services. We use gardening activities to facilitate improvements in mental and physical health and social functioning. We work from a purpose built site in Dudhope Park. Many volunteers are engaged in working directly with veterans but many other opportunities are also available.
Re-engage exist to bring older people together into social groups at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing.
Last year, nearly 7,000 older guests were part of over 900 groups across the UK, supported by 12,000 volunteers.
The aim of the organisation is to develop informal educational opportunities accessible for women from minority ethnic groups within Falkirk Local Authority and locally surrounding areas. In furtherance of the group aim shall seek:
a) to meet personal, social and educational needs of those attending.
b) to promote, through informal, educational and leisure activities, the health and well being of the membership within the organisation.
c) to promote multiculturism by being inclusive.
d) to raise awareness within the group and the wider community aspects of cultural sharing and dealing with racism.
e) to promote, through personal individual development and group work, respect, tolerance and acceptance of all cultures.
f) to encourage women to participate fully in society by allowing them to develop personal skills and interests.
Rainbow Muslim Women's Group are also operating as a food group.
VSA has over 150 years’ experience of delivering social care in Aberdeen, to vulnerable people, adults and older people with learning difficulties and mental health needs. We have grown to be a major employer with an accredited Skills Qualification Centre. VSA has a strong corporate and community volunteering tradition. Today, VSA is of a medium sized company providing education, housing support and social care to young people and adults with complex needs.
ENABLE Scotland is a dynamic charity run by its members. We campaign for a better life for children and adults who have learning disabilities. We support people who have learning disabilities and their families to live, work and take part in their communities.
We provide a growing range of person centred services designed to be flexible and adapt to the needs of the people using these services.
We make sure that children and adults with learning disabilities and their carers are at the heart of everything that we do.