Being a Community Connector Volunteer is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the success of a leading health charity and make a real difference to the people we support. The role will include: • Researching potential CHSS partner organisations using guidance provided; this may be groups, associations, local companies and schools. • Locating contact details for mailings / event promotion • Inputting data into a excel spreadsheet • Providing the fundraising team with feedback to research

Let’s TALK Volunteers will connect with people through engaging activities in order to help identify ways participants can take control of their lives and their treatment and raise awareness of the local support available to them. This role will include: • Co-producing and delivering the Let’s TALK project to tackle issues surrounding stigma and discrimination associated with poor mental health • Scoping out new signposting opportunities and resources • Promoting values of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing • Using own story of recovery or creative talents to empower others • Support from Project Facilitators throughout your role Due to Covid restrictions, the Let’s TALK project is currently run remotely so the role requires you to have internet access and a suitable device or laptop/computer.

Ever thought of helping people, but not sure what you could do? Do you enjoy spending time with older people? Do you have a few hours a week to spare to help others? Becoming a Safer Ageing volunteer may be just for you! Hourglass Scotland is part of the well-established UK-wide charity, Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse), the only UK-wide charity dedicated to calling time on the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people. We’re dedicated to promoting safer ageing and a fairer society for all older people. We’re setting up an exciting new Community Hub, to provide comprehensive advice and support around the abuse of older people and safer ageing. The Hub will be available to older people, their loved ones, and anyone else concerned about an older person; providing immediate advice and support, as well as services to proactively help keep older people safe from harm, abuse and exploitation. We’re now recruiting a team of volunteers to help us deliver frontline support to older people and others. Volunteering roles We are developing a range of services and activities to promote safer ageing and stop abuse, incorporating prevention, recovery and resilience, including interest-based groups, social events, one-to-one support, and more. Volunteering roles include: • Hosting or assisting with coffee mornings or social events • Facilitating or assisting interest groups (e.g. crafts, photography, story-telling, local history, etc) • raising awareness of the work of Hourglass & issues relating to safer ageing and the abuse of older people • providing one-to-one support to an older person in their own home, a community setting or over the phone • hosting information stands or pop-up clinics at community venues and events We are looking for people who are passionate about stopping abuse and empowering older people to live well and age safely; who understand the experience of and issues affecting older people; who can demonstrate empathy, patience, sensitivity and resilience; and who can listen and support non-judgementally. If you match this description, and are over 18 years of age, and can commit to an hour or more per week, we’d love to hear from you. Some roles may be home-based, and we will be working primarily in Fife initially. Are you interested?

All across the UK our 300 volunteers support older and/or disabled people at home to offer one-to-one support with technology, whether a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Our volunteers: * Trouble shoot technical issues * Offer impartial advice on technology * Set-up new tech and install hardware and software * Show people how to use their tech at home eg, shop online, send/receive emails, Skype with family/friends * Make adaptations to support a disabled person’s specific technology needs

Project Scotland supports young people across Scotland to reach their potential through tailored support, mentoring & the opportunity to experience the benefits of a volunteering placement. They are looking for volunteers to commit to spending 1 hours a week for a minimum of 6 months, mentoring the young people that Project Scotland works with.

We are a charity who support children and young adults suffering from genetic disorders and we are currently in need of new fundraising managers. We are looking for committed individuals who can spare a few hours per week to aid the charity in organising fundraising events. We are currently based in Dundee, Scotland and so volunteers from that area would be preferable. However, we will welcome candidates from all over the country to work from home. This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity but full time vacancies will open up for successful participants.

The opportunity would involve driving our minibus from the estate to The Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns and back, helping the elderly residents on and off with their shopping. There may also be occasional trips to other destinations on an ad-hoc basis.

Home-Start Glenrothes is a Family Support charity offering support and friendship for parents with young children (0-5years). We offer support to families across Glenrothes through home visiting volunteers and Family Support Groups. The purpose of the Home-Start Glenrothes Family Support Group is bringing together parents and children who may be feeling isolated or lacking in confidence and who may like the opportunity to meet other families. Children have the opportunity to play with their peers and form friendships and are also encouraged to play with parents. We provide activities that are designed to allow families to play and grow together and to build confidence in a relaxed atmosphere. Volunteers assist the Family Support Group Co-ordinator to provide the activities. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you have experience of supporting families and have ideas for activities to engage our younger children. Perhaps you have an interesting hobby or a creative mind? Either way, we are keen to build on the range of activities offered and would love to hear your ideas. Please note, we are currently working to government guidelines and have various measures in place to protect our families, volunteers and staff. Please feel free to get in touch to speak to us about these safety measures should you have any concerns.

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland provide weekly clubs with the aim of improving well-being and reducing isolation through the power of sport. As a consequence of the on-going pandemic many of our community groups have been able to transition to virtual groups using platforms such as Zoom. As a result this has opened up the opportunity for the recruitment of a new type of volunteer, somebody who is comfortable setting up and running group sessions using the functionally of platforms like Zoom. Like the face to face groups the online sessions incorporate the opportunity to “banter” and reminisce about sport, take part in fun quizzes and competitions and take part in gentle seated exercise sessions. Sessions last approximately 1.5 hours.

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact Heidi Bisset, Programme and Schools Manager- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire at email: mentor.services@mcrpathways.org or tel: 07587104597