Volunteers required to assist the general public with any problems or queries regarding using computer and internet. Volunters would preferably have some knowledge of using a PC and the internat but not essential as training could be provided

Blackwood Homes and Care was founded in 1972 by Dr Margaret Blackwood MBE, a campaigner for the rights and independence of disabled people. We deliver our vision of helping people live their life to the full in the pioneering spirit of Dr Blackwood by providing high quality housing, care and support for disabled people of all ages, with over 1500 homes across all 29 mainland local authorities in Scotland. -What will I be doing as a Digital Buddy?: Can you help our customers feel less isolated by supporting them to use technology to connect with the wider world? We are looking for people who are confident with basic IT skills and have the patience to share your skills with people who are new and uncertain when using technology. You also need to enjoy making casual conversation and building familiar relationships. Customers are perhaps unsure how to connect to the internet, charge their device, video call a friend or do shopping online. Helping someone make a video call for the first time to family they’ve not seen due to the pandemic really makes a difference to their quality of life along with their mood and mental wellbeing. At Blackwood we believe that using technology can significantly improve the lives of our customers. We provide care (in care homes), care at home services and tenancies to people with different support needs. Our customers have been offered a tablet which is set up with our innovative system CleverCogs. The role out of this is delivered by our Digital Skills Coaches but people continue to need support with basic IT issues to gain skills and confidence. Some customers don’t like to ask for more help, so knowing there is a wider network of buddies that can provide digital support will be very beneficial. This is where your time will be invaluable! Due to COVID-19 this role will start remotely, providing help over the phone or a video call. As restrictions ease, you will be able to visit customers in their home. Hopefully getting to meet some of the people you’ve helped remotely. -What will you get from volunteering?: • Supporting your local community to join the digital age and providing them with the autonomy to run their own lives online • The opportunity to be involved in key unforgettable digital-learning moments, such as their first video call with a much-missed family member • By providing a friendly face and conversation, you are helping to eradicate social isolation for many • Satisfaction that you’ve made a difference to the lives of Blackwood Customers. • Be involved in our innovative initiatives • Build on trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills • Awareness and knowledge of differing accessibility and communication needs, and how to meet those needs • Evidence of IT, communication and disability accessibility knowledge and skills for your CV • Induction to Blackwood • Training on the likely issues that you’ll help with to ensure you’re confident undertaking your role. • Support throughout your volunteering. Staff will be available should you need assistance and we’ll have a regular catch up. -What do I do next?: Please get in touch with the Volunteering Development Co-ordinator, Zoe MacGregor to find out more. Contact Zoe at email: volunteering@blackwoodgroup.org.uk or tel.: 07976 573745. Or look at the website https://www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk/volunteer for more opportunities and complete the on-line expression of interest form. You will be contacted to arrange an informal discussion to find out more and talk about what you would like to do. You can also follow Blackwood Homes and Care on social media to hear about what’s going on.

We are a Christian based charity and our mission is to help those most in need. Our area covers helping people in financial hardship and/or debt. We work with clients with a variety of issues and have various in house support and work closely with other organisations to get people the best help possible. The Debt Advice service has been running for many years now and we have an ever increasing demand for our services. We are looking for individuals who have a keen interest in the Salvation Army’s work and would be keen to join our team to help and support those going through financial difficulties. If you are reliable, have the ability to keep confidences, able to record information accurately, computer literate and have good listening skills and the ability to empathize with our clients and fully understand the situation they are in and how it affects them and passionate about helping others then we would love to hear from you. We offer full training in the form of I-learn portal or training day, Generalist Advice Training, Debt Advice Service Induction, Client Management System. Your tasks will include interviewing clients to gain a full understanding of their situation, record financial information, complete paperwork, sign post clients, undertake administrative tasks. This is a volunteer role and hours can be discussed and agreed and reasonable expenses will be paid. Due to the level of investment and training we give our volunteers we would ask for an initial commitment of 12 months.

Mearns FM is continually on the look out for some fresh new voluntary talent. What do you get? Some real hands on experience of working in a professional environment. You’ll be taught the art of radio presentation. You’ll see every aspect of how a radio station is operated. We’ll also help you get a foot into the industry, and you’ll get the opportunity to be a part of a hardworking and committed team of volunteers. Further permanent or temporary studios could be established anywhere in K & M with internet access if volunteers in that location wish to organise one. No previous Broadcasting experience is required and training is provided. We transmit programmes made by other community organisations. They must however meet Ofcom guidelines.

Mearns FM is continually on the look out for some fresh new voluntary talent. What do you get? Some real hands on experience of working in a professional environment. You’ll be taught the art of radio presentation. You’ll see every aspect of how a radio station is operated. We’ll also help you get a foot into the industry, and you’ll get the opportunity to be a part of a hardworking and committed team of volunteers. The whole variety of tasks involved in running a totally volunteer based Community Radio Station with established studios in Stonehaven and Portlethen. Further permanent or temporary studios could be established anywhere in K & M with internet access if volunteers in that location wish to organise one. No previous Broadcasting experience is required and training is provided. We transmit programmes made by other community organisations. They must however meet Ofcom guidelines.

Mearns FM is continually on the look out for some fresh new voluntary talent. . What do you get? Some real hands on experience of working in a professional environment. You’ll see every aspect of how a radio station is operated. We’ll also help you get a foot into the industry, and you’ll get the opportunity to be a part of a hardworking and committed team of volunteers. Further permanent or temporary studios could be established anywhere in K & M with internet access if volunteers in that location wish to organise one. No previous Broadcasting experience is required and training is provided. We transmit programmes made by other community organisations. They must however meet Ofcom guidelines.

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.

Support older people in the Scottish Borders to get digitally connected to friends, family & the wider world. We would like to pair up all the older people who are involved with a digital buddy. We are looking for people who can spare a little time to help an older person practise, give them a little encouragement and be there if they need a little help remembering how to do something going at the pace that they feel works for them. You don 't need to be an expert just know your way around the internet, shopping online, downloading Apps etc... We will provide you and the person you are supporting step by step photo instructions for whatever the task is that the person would like to learn how to do. Initially the support will be either by telephone or outdoors. In time as the restrictions ease and guidance allows these may move to be indoor in cafes and potentially other indoor settings but this will be dependent on how both yourself as the volunteer and the person you are supporting feel about this.

Support older people in the Scottish Borders to get digitally connected to friends, family & the wider world. We would like to pair up all the older people who are involved with a digital buddy. We are looking for people who can spare a little time to help an older person practise, give them a little encouragement and be there if they need a little help remembering how to do something going at the pace that they feel works for them. You don 't need to be an expert just know your way around the internet, shopping online, downloading Apps etc... We will provide you and the person you are supporting step by step photo instructions for whatever the task is that the person would like to learn how to do. Initially the support will be either by telephone or outdoors. In time as the restrictions ease and guidance allows these may move to be indoor in cafes and potentially other indoor settings but this will be dependent on how both yourself as the volunteer and the person you are supporting feel about this.

Support older people in the Scottish Borders to get digitally connected to friends, family & the wider world. We would like to pair up all the older people who are involved with a digital buddy. We are looking for people who can spare a little time to help an older person practise, give them a little encouragement and be there if they need a little help remembering how to do something going at the pace that they feel works for them. You don 't need to be an expert just know your way around the internet, shopping online, downloading Apps etc... We will provide you and the person you are supporting step by step photo instructions for whatever the task is that the person would like to learn how to do. Initially the support will be either by telephone or outdoors. In time as the restrictions ease and guidance allows these may move to be indoor in cafes and potentially other indoor settings but this will be dependent on how both yourself as the volunteer and the person you are supporting feel about this.