What role could you play in empowering witnesses of crime? Victim Support Scotland is looking for Witness Support volunteers all across Scotland to provide practical and emotional support to those witnesses attending court visits in their local area. You will be given in-depth training into court procedures and the juridical system, develop skills in listening and support. This is your opportunity to join a lively network of volunteers and grow personally and professionally. All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. As you will be working alongside staff and witnesses, good oral and written communication skills are essential to this role as is the ability to work in a non-judgemental manner. PVG checks and references required. ***For all enquiries, please tell state where you reside - thanks***

How can you help victims and witnesses of crime? Being a victim or a witness of crime can be a confusing and stressful experience for many people. Victim Support Scotland (VSS) volunteers provide a webchat and telephone service which can provide support and answer queries to those who approach us. What will I be doing? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system via webchat. • Talk to people affected by crime via phone calls and web chat • Update our database record system • Link service users with other organisations • Provide relevant support and information to anyone affected by crime • Promote VSS’ services What benefits will I receive? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: • All reasonable expenses paid • The offer of a reference for future work • The knowledge that you are providing help to an organisation that helps others • The opportunity to grow your skills personally and professionally

Youth Education volunteers deliver interactive workshops to enable children and young people to understand, cope with and respond to crisis. The education aims to reduce the harmful effects of stigmatising behaviour around migration and first aid emergencies linked to risky behaviour around drugs and alcohol, by working with young people to explore humanitarian values and to build their personal, social, emotional and critical thinking skills. The content of the workshops delivered will be determined by the specific needs of the young people we are working with. >About the Team: The Red Cross want to provide education that helps people understand, cope with and respond to a crisis and develop resilient communities. Through education programmes, staff and volunteers work together to educate adults (over 18 years old) and young people (aged 10-19 years old) across the UK to help them understand, cope with and respond to a crisis. To achieve this we will equip people with skills and build their confidence so they are able to act when needed. >We educate young people in first aid, reduction of stigma and conflict in three risk groups: * First aid relating to drugs and alcohol. * Stigmatising behaviour towards refugees and asylum seekers. >Typical tasks include: * Delivering interactive workshops to groups of young people to reduce the harmful effects of conflict, emergencies or stigma. The topics of conflict and emergencies may include first aid (topics dependent on area) * Assisting in the planning of workshops and preparation of resources * Evaluation of the workshops * Record-keeping and other administration associated with education delivery * Care and maintenance of training resources * Regular communication with your line manager * We expect all volunteers to have an annual coaching observation >About the person: Someone who is positive about young people and believes that they can make a difference. Previous experience of youth work or teaching is desirable however we also welcome those with no previous experience of working with young people but have a passion for education as full training and development is provided. You need to have good interpersonal, diplomacy, communication and teamwork skills although full training can be given for any specific requirements. >Also someone who is: * Able to communicate effectively with young people. * Willing to be adaptable and flexible. * Responsible, organised, reliable and able to work independently. * Eager to explore humanitarian issues and values with young people. * Committed to developing young people's skills and abilities to help them be more resilient. * Recognise the value of equality and diversity. * Willing to uphold the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and adhere to the Society's Equal Opportunities Policy. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. Volunteers complete two full days of foundation training introduction the Red Cross and then role specific training and shadowing an experienced educator. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a difference. For more details please contact Annabelle Britton, Engagement and Development Manager at E Mail: education@redcross.org.uk or tel.: 0161 888 8908.

We will train you to provide advice to local people regarding social security benefits, tax credits, fuel poverty and many other issues. You will need to be a good listener, open minded and non-judgemental. In return, you will receive training and experience in all aspects of welfare rights. All volunteers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland's role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. Our Volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Duties include: *Discuss service users' needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face to face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact. *Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarization visits. *Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. *Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members. *Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey.

To give talks and presentations about the work of Guide Dogs within a designated area, in line with the guidelines received at speaker training courses What does the role involve? • To give talks when requested to local organisations and groups within a 15 mile radius of the your home • Keeping up to date with Guide Dogs news and key messages • Talks should be natural and enthusiastic, tailored to the audience and following guidelines on current key messages • Passing any donations given for talks to the Mobility Team as per guidelines • Attending cheque presentations when requested by the local Mobility Team • Informing your Mobility Team Support Worker of any requests to do talks using the speaker cards supplied • Encouraging local organisations and groups to volunteer or fundraise on behalf of Guide Dogs What will I get out of it? • Meet a variety of local groups and people • Enjoy giving information about Guide Dogs’ aims which enable blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else

Volunteer assistant dealing with front of house, admin, research and general duties.

• To give talks when requested to local organisations and groups within a 15 mile radius of the your home • Keeping up to date with Guide Dogs news and key messages • Talks should be natural and enthusiastic, tailored to the audience and following guidelines on current key messages • Passing any donations given for talks to the Mobility Team as per guidelines • Attending cheque presentations when requested by the local Mobility Team • Informing your Mobility Team Support Worker of any requests to do talks using the speaker cards supplied • Encouraging local organisations and groups to volunteer or fundraise on behalf of Guide Dogs

The participation support volunteer role will assist in providing and supporting a variety of fun activities for children and young people age 8 - 18 with care experience (eg a child or young person may be in foster care, residential care, looked after at home or kinship care) on a fortnightly basis at our group in Ayr. The group runs on a Tuesday after school at 4.30 – 6.30pm at The Domain. Participation Support Volunteer: Purpose and Aims of the role This role will involve interacting with children and young people aged 8 - 18 years via a variety of activities eg arts/crafts/DJ workshops/sport/games/general youth work at our fortnightly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year. What will I be doing? • Supporting staff to undertake new activities • Helping children to have fun • Building young children’s confidence and self esteem • Being a positive role model What skills can I bring to this role? • Experience of working with children (Not essential) • A knowledge of issues affecting children and young people • Ability to work well with children • Good communication and listening skills • Ability to encourage and motivate children and young people to participate in activities. • Any specific interests in arts/drama/sports/music/games etc What qualities do I need? • To have a non-judgemental approach to people, have empathy • Be enthusiastic, flexible and committed • Reliable and approachable • Friendly, helpful and understanding • Reliability and a commitment to treat all information in a confidential manner • To have a good value base, be open minded and level headed When will I be needed? • Regular groups and events Location Ayr – South Ayrshire What will I gain from the role? • A sense of satisfaction in helping children and young people build their confidence and self-esteem to achieve their full potential • Practical experience of working with young people • Experience to get back into the workplace or education • Have fun! What support will I be given? • Induction and child protection training • Role specific training • Expenses – all out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed • Supervision and support from your manager / coordinator Additional Information For all roles involving regulated work with children and young people, applicants will be required to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application. This opportunity is subject to the completion of satisfactory references and successful registration on the PVG Scheme.

Volunteers would support ESOL learners in accessing a range of community activities and help them find out what's on in their area. Volunteers will be given training on becoming a Buddy, introducing them to ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Awareness Sessions. All applicants will be required to undertake the awareness sessions as well as induction, and would be expected to commit to at least 1 hour per week (subject to a full Disclosure Check).