The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and supports people aged 50+ to volunteer in their local communities. We are looking for people who are interested in knitting items for charity. We have 2 Knitting Groups, one in Alloa and one in Dunblane. Both meet in person every 3 months and are an opportunity for knitters to get together, make friends, and compare knitting projects. The group offers free wool, advice, and support. Knitters knit various items such as blankets, hats, and scarfs which are donated onto care homes and other charities. Other knitting materials include premature baby clothing which is gifted to the NHS. Knitters choose what they would like to create, and how they would like their knitting to be donated. If you are interested, or for further details on our groups, please contact us.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and supports people aged 50+ to volunteer in their local communities. Across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire we run 5 projects involving hundreds of volunteers. These include volunteering activities within local hospitals and primary schools, charitable knitting groups, a walking group for older people, and a community Handyperson Service. We are looking for new Volunteer Organisers who can help ensure that our groups and activities run smoothly. For example, as a Schools Volunteer Organiser you will help us to recruit new volunteers, and making sure that existing volunteers are supported and enjoying their volunteering experience. We currently have vacancies for school organisers in Stirling, Falkirk and in Clackmannanshire. Instead, if you would prefer to become a Handyperson Organiser, you will help to ensure that tasks needed by older people are "assigned" to an appropriate volunteer, and that all volunteers are supported. We currently have a vacancy for a Handyperson Organiser in Stirling and Clackmannanshire. Or perhaps you have a new idea for an activity or group, that older people could take part in? We'd love to help you set up a group and can provide all ongoing support! The volunteering hours are fully flexible and we will be able to work around your availability. If you are passionate about volunteering and would like to help us support other volunteers, we would love to hear from you!

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages and supports people aged 50+ to volunteer in their local communities. Across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire we run 5 projects involving hundreds of volunteers. These include volunteering activities within local hospitals and primary schools, charitable knitting groups, a walking group for older people, and a community Handyperson Service. We are looking for new Volunteer Leaders who can help ensure that our groups and activities run smoothly. For example, as a Schools Volunteer Leader you will help us to recruit new volunteers, and making sure that existing volunteers are supported and enjoying their volunteering experience. We currently have vacancies for school leaders in Stirling, Falkirk and in Clackmannanshire. Instead, if you would prefer to become a Handyperson Leader, you will help to ensure that tasks needed by older people are "assigned" to an appropriate volunteer, and that all volunteers are supported. We currently have a vacancy for a Handyperson Leader in Stirling and Clackmannanshire. Or perhaps you have a new idea for an activity or group, that older people could take part in? We'd love to help you set up a group and can provide all ongoing support! The volunteering hours are fully flexible and we will be able to work around your availability. If you are passionate about volunteering and would like to help us support other volunteers, we would love to hear from you!

Be the point of contact for Chess Club activities within designated library – assisting with development of activities as required and helping foster a sense of community within the group. This would suit someone looking for a front facing community role with a strong social focus. The volunteer would: • Assist library staff to set up each weekly event • Promote other library events and groups to interested users • Assist staff to clear up after each event Chess Club Volunteer Role • Support and run chess activities at your local library • Assist with each session, taking guidance from library staff • Be a Library Champion within the local community What will you get out of it? • Making a difference to your local community • Make new friends and feel connected to the wider volunteering programme • Learn new skills; community events, promotion, evaluation. • Reduced membership to ActiveNL Gyms Volunteering Role • We’re looking for volunteers who can offer a minimum commitment of 2 hours per week • Anyone with an interest in supporting their local library service and the activities they provide • Be active and participate in events in your own community

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) are looking for Volunteer Walk Leaders, to take part and lead walks across the Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire areas. Normally Walk Leaders are aged 50+ however this is not essential. Our Walking Group meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Those who participate are older people normally aged 50+ who benefit from the opportunity to get out of the house, meet other people, and keep active. Our walk programme is published each quarter with information on the days/dates of each walk, along with the starting location. As a Walk Leader, you will lead a walk, ensuring that all Walkers are safe during the activity. Training and support is provided.

Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring programme, operating in various locations across the UK. We are currently looking for new Volunteer Mentors to join our programme in Midlothian which launched in 2023. It is widely recognised that care-experienced young people are some of the most disadvantaged in society. Many are in care because they have experienced, or are at risk of, neglect and/or abuse. Security and stability are often missing from their lives. We recruit, train and support volunteer mentors (normally but not exclusively aged 50+) who draw on their wealth of professional and personal life experience and skills to support young people (aged 16-26) through life transitions on their pathway to independence. Grandmentors is all about empowering and positive relationships, aligning to “The Promise” that Scotland made to its care experienced population. Young people are listened to, heard, and responded to. They benefit from safe, consistent loving relationships, and access to meaningful support to boost mental & physical wellbeing, resilience, and confidence. Grandmentors facilitate conversations around keeping well, coping strategies, self-care, and self-management. Each young person alongside their Grandmentor co-produces a bespoke support plan and set goals based on their needs. They explore and review the young person’s challenges, and priorities. These range from enhancing mental & physical health and wellbeing, dealing with stress and conflict, support to access sustainable and appropriate housing, career, and education goals, budget planning and more.

Volunteering Matters is a national volunteering charity. We are looking for volunteers to join our Handyperson project which runs across Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire. Our team of volunteers help older people, or people with disabilities, with small and minor maintenance tasks in their own homes. The types of tasks that volunteers complete normally take 1 hour or less. Examples include putting up shelves, building small bits of flatpack furniture, changing lightbulbs, rewiring plugs, replacing smoke alarm batteries, and hanging mirrors, curtains, or blinds. It can be challenging to find a tradesperson willing to do such minor tasks. It can also be difficult or even dangerous for some people to do these tasks by themselves – particularly if they are older, frail, or have a disability. So the support that our volunteers provide is invaluable. Volunteering hours are completely flexible, and we will work around the volunteer and what spare time they have. You can volunteer as little, or as much as you like. Full training, support, and travel costs are provided. Volunteers are normally aged 50+ however this is not essential.

Providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere to patients and visitors as they enter the hospital. Signposting, and if necessary, guiding to relevant areas/departments within the hospital. Supporting with the implementation of COVID safety measures (wearing of masks and use of hand gel). Maintain stock of wheelchairs; replacing once someone has finished and cleaning for next use. This can be a difficult time for patients and visitors so having that warm and helpful welcome can make all the difference. Quote: I attended Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline. At the entrance door I was met with professionalism. The friendly meet and greeter at the door made me feel as though I was entering a top hotel.

Could you support unpaid carers or people with disabilities to access benefits? Could you help someone find local services? Could you help someone understand the information they have been given about their care and support? Could you support or lead a group of people on a topic of interest? You could help improve the quality of someone’s life. This role is ideal for social work students, an interest in the care sector or retired professionals. Support Session Volunteers help our clients with general advocacy, supporting people with a variety of challenges. This helps us to reduce waitlists and support more individuals by: • Helping clients understand about advocacy • Supporting clients to self-advocate with our tool kits • Signposting clients to other services where required • Supporting the service to deliver “collective” advocacy sessions • Light Touch Advocacy • Supporting advocates with casework • Promotion of services and the organisation • Logging activity onto our systems Volunteer, Ben’s priorities changed after a serious illness. “I wanted to give something back. It’s really rewarding as you get to use your knowledge and skills for a really good purpose.” You’ll develop skills in communication and confidentiality, add experience and knowledge to your CV, and know you’re making a genuine difference to people’s lives.

St John Scotland promotes and supports the placing of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) in communities across Scotland. St John Scotland helps local community groups by donating towards the cost of the equipment and offering free Bystander CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions.