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volunteering opportunities
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Home-based volunteering, Suitable for groups
At Nourish, our new project looks at researching the ‘British restaurants’ government initiative of the 1940s to develop a Public Dining concept that will support local communities today.
British Restaurants were created to provide a hot, healthy, and cheap meal (9p equivalent to £1.50 today) to those who needed it such as those who had homes destroyed by bombings, ran out of food rations, were desperate for support and a place to socialise and to feel a part of a community. By 1943 there was more than 2,000 restaurants serving 500,000 meals a day. Restaurants were set up by local councils in safe spaces from town halls to local churches, they also featured artwork to make the space engaging and joyful- not just a simple soup kitchen but a proud place for community.
We want individuals from all backgrounds, anywhere in Scotland, with a range of skills and abilities to join us on researching this forgotten history!
We are also interested in learning from international examples of state-subsidized dining experiences as further inspiration for our framework of Public Diners. Our current community researchers have found examples all over the world such as: Milk Bars (Poland), Hawker Centres (Singapore), Langar’s (Sikh Gurdwara), Peoples Commune Kitchens (China) and many more.
This is a mostly at home role, where volunteers can access online collections and archives for anything relating to British Restaurants in Scotland. Volunteers are encouraged, if able, to visit local museums, archives, and libraries for this research also. We will provide support and training for volunteers for accessing these materials.
The role also includes interviewing members of the public who may have visited/ used these restaurants during World War Two and after. We will also be interviewing individuals who also used international examples of state subsidised restaurants. This will involve the actual interviewing but recording and transcribing the session. We will also provide support and training (through a separate group) on this. This means that occasionally a volunteer may need to travel to interviewing locations. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel and related costs, this will be further explained during onboarding. Volunteers can also be involved with outreach strategies to find interviewees.
All these resources and materials will be used to create a touring exhibition on British Restaurants as evidence and inspiration to how they would work today; Public Diners. Volunteers also have the opportunity to assist in the curation of this exhibition.
This is a great opportunity for those interested in advancing their academic journey or career in the heritage sector or even if you are interested in local history!
For more information about the project and the type of research we are looking for please visit our website: https://www.nourishscotland.org/projects/public-diners/
We are recruiting a team of Charity Ambassadors to help develop engagement across each Region, to maximise opportunities to raise funds and increase support from the Community. You will be actively involved with The Charity on the ground and play a key role working alongside the Regional Community Fundraisers, as and when required:
- Identifying various opportunities in your local area to raise awareness of The Charity & our wide range of Fundraising Campaigns. This could anything from contacting your local supermarket’s ‘Community Champion’ and organising an information stand and bucket collection or supporting a Supporter Group meet up in your area.
- Representing The Charity in your area, by undertaking presentations & cheque collections at schools, local companies & community groups
- Helping us to recruit new fundraisers and supporting those who are already signed up for a campaign, in your area. For example, attending a local Twilight Walk or promoting The Big Bake to local companies.
We’re looking for people who are:
- Passionate about the Charity and our vision
- Flexible and willing to get involved as and when opportunities arise
- Confident and comfortable in undertaking presentations to a wide range of audiences
- Skilled at spotting new opportunities to raise awareness and funds
- Friendly, approachable and able to communicate at all levels
- A team player, who is also able to work on their own initiative
We particularly encourage applications from those who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, including individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
What can you gain from volunteering?
- You’ll join a friendly, passionate team and develop an understanding of how this team at The Charity operates.
- The opportunity to network with other volunteers and play a key role in the brain tumour community.
- You’ll have the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, while developing and learning new ones to take forward into the future
Time commitment
Initially, we envisage a minimum of 2 or 3 days per month, depending on the regional focus, and this will also be guided by whether you are researching new awareness raising opportunities in your area, or setting up a school presentation for example. Flexibility if a key part of the role as we are often presented with exciting opportunities to raise awareness or funds, at short notice.
Practical considerations
You will receive training from the Community Fundraising Team and ongoing direction from a Regional Community Fundraiser, who will be your key contact. We carry out reference checks for all individuals who will be volunteering with us on a regular basis. Volunteers will be required to complete some internal data protection and disclosure documentation before commencing the role. Volunteers must be over 18. We encourage volunteers to claim for any reasonable expenses that are incurred in the course of their volunteering with the Charity.
Home-Start Angus volunteers offer a regular home-visiting service to young families who are experiencing difficulties or feel they are not coping. During the home visits they offer support, friendship and practical help. In offering support Home-Start volunteers are alongside families doing things “with” and not “to” them. All of us in Home-Start recognise that bringing up young children is not easy and a little reassurance and praise can go a long way!
This role requires a high level of commitment and reliability and will be supported by the Home-Start Angus Co-ordinators.
Home-Start volunteers are expected to work towards the increased confidence and independence of the family by:
• Offering support, friendship and practical help
• Visiting the families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
• Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual
• Emphasising the positive aspects of family life
• Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and an understanding developed
• Encouraging parents' strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
• Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to use effectively the support and services available in the community
This roles requires the following commitment:
• Initial Course of Preparation, normally lasting 24 hours over a number of weeks
• Minimum of 2 - 3 hours per week according to the family's needs
• Regular support and supervision
• Ideally a commitment of 12 months or more
This is exciting and rewarding voluntary work which requires energy, commitment, reliability, creativity and a sense of humour. All volunteers can expect the support of the Co-ordinators, other volunteers and the Board of Trustees, and, through the Co-ordinator, other professionals involved with the family. The Board of Trustee’s membership includes 2 representative volunteers. There are also opportunities for self development and social contact with others in Home-Start.
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Home-based volunteering, Suitable for groups
At Nourish, our new project looks at researching the ‘British restaurants’ government initiative of the 1940s to develop a Public Dining concept that will support local communities today.
British Restaurants were created to provide a hot, healthy, and cheap meal (9p equivalent to £1.50 today) to those who needed it such as those who had homes destroyed by bombings, ran out of food rations, were desperate for support and a place to socialise and to feel a part of a community. By 1943 there was more than 2,000 restaurants serving 500,000 meals a day. Restaurants were set up by local councils in safe spaces from town halls to local churches, they also featured artwork to make the space engaging and joyful- not just a simple soup kitchen but a proud place for community.
We want individuals from all backgrounds, anywhere in Scotland, with a range of skills and abilities to join us on researching this forgotten history!
We are also interested in learning from international examples of state-subsidized dining experiences as further inspiration for our framework of Public Diners. Our current community researchers have found examples all over the world such as: Milk Bars (Poland), Hawker Centres (Singapore), Langar’s (Sikh Gurdwara), Peoples Commune Kitchens (China) and many more.
This is a mostly at home role, where volunteers can access online collections and archives for anything relating to British Restaurants in Scotland. Volunteers are encouraged, if able, to visit local museums, archives, and libraries for this research also. We will provide support and training for volunteers for accessing these materials.
The role also includes interviewing members of the public who may have visited/ used these restaurants during World War Two and after. We will also be interviewing individuals who also used international examples of state subsidised restaurants. This will involve the actual interviewing but recording and transcribing the session. We will also provide support and training (through a separate group) on this. This means that occasionally a volunteer may need to travel to interviewing locations. Volunteers will be reimbursed for travel and related costs, this will be further explained during onboarding. Volunteers can also be involved with outreach strategies to find interviewees.
All these resources and materials will be used to create a touring exhibition on British Restaurants as evidence and inspiration to how they would work today; Public Diners. Volunteers also have the opportunity to assist in the curation of this exhibition.
This is a great opportunity for those interested in advancing their academic journey or career in the heritage sector or even if you are interested in local history!
For more information about the project and the type of research we are looking for please visit our website: https://www.nourishscotland.org/projects/public-diners/
The Grampian SSAFA branch is looking for volunteer caseworkers to support veterans located in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Huntley, Keith and Aberdeen City. Caseworkers visit veterans to work out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.
The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home.
What does this role involve?
• Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely
• Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances including financial information
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice
• Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing
• Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the
Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)
What can you gain from this volunteering role?
• Support people in your community with a military background
• Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!
Minimum Age: 18
Is a criminal record check required? Yes
Description
This is a unique opportunity for you to make a positive difference to the lives of victims and witnesses affected by crime. Crime can affect anyone in Scotland and every one of us can help. Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. What sets us apart from other support organisations is that we are available to all victims of crime no matter what it is or when it happened.
We are looking for more people to join our incredible team of volunteers who provide information, guidance, emotional support and practical assistance to help anyone affected by crime, including victims, witnesses their families and friends. This may take place in person, online, and in court.
Organisation aims and objectives.
Victim Support Scotland is the leading charity dedicated to helping people affected by crime across Scotland. We support victims of crime, witnesses and their family members, regardless of who they are and their circumstances. Our service is independent, free, non-judgemental and confidential. We offer bespoke support, personalised to the needs of each individual.
Victim Support Scotland provides information, practical help, emotional support and guidance through the criminal justice system. We offer specialist services to support people who face specific crimes including murder, terrorism, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence and hate crime. We empower people to cope with the aftermath of a crime and find the strength to move forward with their lives.
We have dedicated volunteers, supported by paid staff, in our national and local offices across Scotland, as well as our teams in the Sheriff and High Courts, helping us to provide high quality support to those affected by crime. Victim Support Scotland represents the voice of people affected by crime. We influence key national policy decision-making to champion victim and witness rights and improve support services.
How would you help?
Our Support 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. This includes:-
• 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 familiarisation 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.
What are the benefits to me ?
Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. Each time you volunteer you make a positive difference to someone’s life.
As a volunteer you will:
• Support people when they most need it.
• Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector
• Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role.
• Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime.
• A chance to give something back.
• Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively.
• All agreed expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed.
Bowel Cancer UK are the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. They are determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. They support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.
It is important that information and advice about bowel cancer signs and symptoms and how we can help as a charity is as visible and accessible as possible. This flexible opportunity enables you as a volunteer to represent Bowel Cancer UK both nationally and at a local level, by distributing Bowel Cancer UK publications within your local area and/or delivering presentations (standardised template created by Bowel Cancer UK) either virtually over zoom or to your local community.
The volunteer for this role must have (or have previously had) bowel cancer. We encourage volunteers to add their own experience of bowel cancer when delivering these talks: we believe that people with experience of bowel cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend, are uniquely equipped to raise awareness and deliver these talks.
Our Awareness programme aims to provide accurate information and advice about bowel cancer signs and symptoms through our national roadshow and via talks and stands both in person and virtually to businesses, schools, community groups – you name it! For these activities we rely on enthusiastic volunteers who themselves have experience of bowel cancer, either themselves or through a close friend or family member. If you have an experience of bowel cancer and are confident speaking to others about the disease then this role could be for you.
Main duties and responsibilities
• To deliver key messages on bowel cancer and the work of Bowel Cancer UK to a range of audiences (organisations, groups, clubs, workplaces)
• To work pro-actively to promote awareness within your local area using our branded publications
• To add your personal experience of bowel cancer to the standard presentation (where appropriate)
• To act as an ambassador for Bowel Cancer UK at a local level, displaying energy, enthusiasm and commitment to our aims
• To aim to deliver the equivalent of one talk per month, i.e., 12 per year. This is an aspirational and flexible target
• Ensuring information in the local community is relevant and up-to-date
• Establish connections with local organisations and community groups
Training and support provided
• Training to deliver our awareness materials
• Training to use Zoom and/or Teams can be provided if needed (virtual delivery of our awareness talks is optional, some of our volunteers only deliver talks in person)
• Regular virtual volunteer social opportunities (optional)
• Regular support and supervision from Bowel Cancer UK staff
If you are interested, please click the ‘Apply’ button below (available when logged in and registered). You will then be contacted by the coordinator by email or phone call. If you have not heard back after 5 working days, the first step is to contact the organisation with the contact details provided. You could also check your junk/spam folder on your emails just in case the response is there. If that doesn’t work out then please feel free to contact Volunteer Glasgow on info@volunteerglasgow.org.
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-roles/support-our-services-team/
Volunteer Task Description and Person Specification
Pain Concern is a UK based charity for those living with chronic pain, and those who care for and about them.
Purpose of Volunteer Role
The volunteer will be responsible for reviewing Pain Concern’s information including leaflets, Pain Matters magazine and Airing Pain radio programmes.
Task Description
• Read information leaflets
• Listen to audio files
• Give feedback to us by filling out an easy form
Skills and Personal Qualities
• Be flexible (E)
• Good communication skills (E)
• Proficient using Google Forms and/or Microsoft Word (E)
• Critical thinking (E)
• An interest in chronic pain (E)
E/D = Essential or Desirable
Availability and location
•Remote location. Desired minimum commitment of 3 months.
• This role does not require a regular time commitment, but responding to requests for feedback
as and when it is required.
Support, supervision and training
The Listener & Reader Panel Team Leader will provide any guidance required on an ad-hoc basis.
To apply:
Please email hr@painconcern.org.uk
We are Guide Dogs and we’re here to help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.
We don’t just provide life-changing guide dogs, we also provide advice, skills, emotional and practical support for people and families living with sight loss to help them live actively, independently and well.
What does the role involve?
Are you an organised person with strong administration skills who enjoys being part of a team? Fundraising secretaries do a fantastic job in keeping our fundraising groups running efficiently... From taking minutes, maintaining accurate records, booking collections and writing letters of thanks to our supporters, the tasks are engaging and most importantly you'll be making a real difference by helping Guide Dogs to provide life changing services to people living with sight loss to help them to live their lives independently!
The Museum of Communication aims to study, collect, preserve and exhibit items that tell the story of communication from the days of pre-electric telegraph to the latest state-of-the-art technology. The museum is run entirely by volunteers, and they are looking to grow their team with Visitor Guides.
As a Visitor Guide, you will speak with members of the public that come to the museum, guide them through and explain exhibitions, and answer any questions that they have about items in the museum. The museum has permanent exhibitions as well as new temporary exhibitions every summer. Visitors come from across Fife and beyond to see their collections and guides have the opportunity to speak to a wide range of visitors.
If you would like to gain experience in a museum environment and enjoy engaging with people and history, this is the perfect role for you.