The Red Cross run a Patient Transport Service which provides an essential lifeline for those who need to get to and from hospital treatment facilities. The service provides enhanced care for those needing additional medical support during the journey and this role includes clinical skills and would give volunteers good experience, especially for those wanting a career in ambulance work and the NHS. The role is based in Aberdeen and we are looking for people who can complete 15 days of training run via a combination of e-learning, Zoom training and face to face sessions. You would need to be able to commit to the dates from 20th-23rd April for training in Aberdeen. Once this is completed, we are looking for people to do 2 x 8 hour shifts per month, which can be weekend, evening or weekdays. The minimum age for the role is 21 and you need to have held a UK Driving licence for 2 years. The role will involve: • Collecting and taking patients to a hospital or other treatment centre for appointments or visits • Completing all tasks associated with service delivery, e.g. accurate records, cleaning to approved infection control schedules, equipment used in accordance with training and procedures. • Using communication equipment, if required, in accordance with the radio licence and British Red Cross guidelines, and keeping appropriate records of use • Applying the duty of candour requirements to communication with service users and representatives. • Additional support and guidance sought when required • Providing basic first aid as necessary, in line with the current scope of practice, regulatory standards, and British Red Cross policies, procedures and core values To apply please go to http://bit.ly/ASAberdeen or for more information email MBaxter@redcross.org.uk

Castlebank Horticultural Centre are looking for volunteers with a keen interest in growing local produce, greening their fingers and looking to learn new skills within their luxurious community garden. The role gives volunteers the chance to meet new people, learn new skills and enjoy some fresh air whilst socialising with others in a friendly green environment. All tools and equipment are provided. However it is requested that volunteers wear comfy clothes and sensible shoes. All ages are welcome. However children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Castlebank Horticultural Centre sits within the historic Castlebank Park, on the banks of the Clyde in Lanark. Lanark Community Development Trust are looking for an enthusiastic individual to facilitate the maintenance and propagation from their rose collection. There is an opportunity for the development of the rose garden - including for the introduction of new plants and cultivars. Castlebank volunteers are supported by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Together, both staff and volunteers will propagate and grow a wide range of heirloom vegetables, herbs, rare edible plants, herbaceous, perennials, alpines, succulents, trees and shrubs for education and the restoration of historic Castlebank Park. The volunteer position would be ideal for an experienced gardener who is enthusiastic about roses and is looking to use their skills and knowledge to help out in the community. The volunteer will work with the Trusts' Educational Gardener, Stuart and fellow volunteers to maintain and develop the rose garden and herbaceous borders in the historic Castlebank Park terraced gardens. Specific tasks and duties: - Leading maintenance of the rose gardens including educating volunteers, dead heading, organic spraying, feeding, pruning etc. - Helping to maintain and develop herbaceous borders - Helping to maintain infrastructure

Castlebank Horticultural Centre sits within the historic Castlebank Park, on the banks of the Clyde in Lanark. Lanark Community Development Trust are looking for an enthusiastic individual to facilitate their plant propagation activities to provide their garden with healthy, pesticide free, organically grown plants and seedlings. Castlebank propagation volunteers are supported by dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Together, staff and volunteers grow a wide range of heirloom vegetables, herbs, rare edible plants, herbaceous, perennials, alpines, succulents, trees and shrubs for education and the restoration of historic Castlebank Park. This volunteer position would be ideal for a person looking to gain valuable experience prior to entering a career in horticulture - or for an experienced gardener looking to use their skills to help out in the community. The volunteer would work with their Educational Gardener, Stuart and fellow volunteers to produce quality, organic seedlings, herbs and other plants for growing on in the Education Gardens and Castlebank Park, and to sell at Castlebank Horticultural Centre events to raise funds for ongoing projects. Volunteers also help maintain and improve the propagation area including infrastructure and gardens. Specific tasks and duties: - Propagating by seed, cutlings, division and transplanting - Watering, fertilising, weeding and plant detailing - Helping to maintain infrastructure and propagation surrounds

Call Companions is a telephone befriending service providing regular chats to older people, often living on their own and with little social interaction. Our call companion coordinators oversee a small group of around six call companions and the older people they speak to on a regular basis. This is a flexible, homebased voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As the call companion coordinator, you will be the main point of contact for everyone in your group. You will regularly contact both the volunteers and the older people, making sure they have all the support and information they need to make or receive their regular calls and responding to any queries or concerns. You will keep the team at Re-engage updated and submit a monthly report. This is challenging but rewarding role that makes a big difference in the lives of people experiencing loneliness.

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for. We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enroll some new volunteers to set up a group in Aberdeen. Typically, our groups meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. Presently many groups are meeting virtually via Zoom but when regulations allow, they will return to Face to Face. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others. Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3: the group leader and two group volunteers, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers. There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from week to week but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Many groups also offer a small resource library and can share information about local sources of support. For further details please contact Phill Abbiss, Volunteer Coordinator (North) at E Mail: phill.abbiss@uksobs.org or tel.: 07535 854 860.

Scotland Versus Arthritis is looking for individuals willing to lead short health walks in your area, lead on other physical activities, or facilitate virtual support groups. Full training and on-going support for volunteers will be available. We are also looking for expressions of interest from anyone keen to become an instructor of Tai Chi or Qi Gong for arthritis. The current Covid restrictions have meant that for many the wait for treatment may be a year or more away. Painkilling prescriptions are seldom more than a temporary relief. Support and exercise can however offer a better way to self-manage the daily on-going pain and fatigue. In readiness for the eventual lifting of lockdown we are asking, can you spare an hour or two each month to help? Please contact your local Development Officer, Dr. P. Neville, p.neville@versusarthritis.org or phone 07501 501114 for details.

Aberdeen Multicultural Centre (AMC) is an outcome driven, user led charity, committed to making a positive impact on the lives of wider communities in Aberdeen. AMC encourages co-operation and integration amongst diverse community groups. AMC’s vibrant aims are to support communities from social, economic, welfare & environmental perspectives. AMC has run Climate Change projects for the last five years aimed at awareness raising and changing behaviours in relation to home energy efficiency, active travel, food waste, recycling and home gardening amongst diverse communities in Aberdeen. AMC has become cultural hub of communities in Aberdeen. AMC has been organising different cultural events such as International Mother Language Day, Aberdeen Mela- One World Day, Multicultural Burns Night etc. AMC also involved in different sports & physical activities such as Multicultural Football Festival, Multicultural Bike Rally, Wellbeing & Mindfulness Meditation Sessions, Relaxation & Chair base exercises for BAME older people etc. Post Covid-19 recovery stage we are looking to go back to our normal operations and activities. Planning ahead we need a grant proposal writing volunteer’s support to our team. A fantastic and exciting opportunity to assist in the continued successful development of Aberdeen Multicultural Centre and make a real difference for people and communities. All help is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Ahashan Habib, Centre Manager at E Mail: a.habib@abmc.org.uk or tel. 01224 561992.

This is a very rewarding role providing much-needed support for people who are accessing our service. The main element of the role is to deliver or collect wheelchairs to/from people’s homes supporting them to maintain their independence, or you could choose to support members of the public from varying locations around the hub area (e.g., often using partner supermarket car parks) to enable them to obtain a wheelchair or other mobility aids equipment. You could also be driving between hub and spoke locations to transfer stock. This is the ideal role for someone who enjoys meeting people, can show compassion and empathy and who likes driving. It will involve driving a Red Cross or hire vehicle. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact us at email wheelchairvolunteer@redcross.org.uk or tel.: 03000 040309.

Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. For over 65 years our doctors, nurses and carers have given people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can. To help in this vital work we have a number of exciting upcoming events where we are seeking volunteers to support us. For more information about any of these opportunities and other ways you can help Sue Ryder please contact Ciara Twiggins, Philanthropy and Events Executive on Email: ciara.twiggins@suerydercare.org or tel.: 07976 422792.