Dundonald Castle is a 14th Century hilltop fortified ruin which is looked after on a daily basis by The Friends of Dundonald Castle SCIO, who also manage the attraction’s Visitor Centre. We are currently looking for Volunteer Tour Guides to take members of the public on tours of the castle. If you are a people person with a passion for history this could be the opportunity for you. Tasks will include: - Telling the fascinating story of the castle and the castle hill - Undertaking castle opening and closing procedures and daily cleaning

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.

Volunteer advisors support the public with issues and enquiries. The office is often busy, but working with experienced staff familiar with dealing with complex issues. An opportunity to help people by providing free advice and information. comprehensive training and support provided. In the current challenging times, CAB are needing to recruit volunteers more than ever, can you help? Great opportunity to retrain and learn new skills while helping the community

Carers Link is supported by a dedicated team of Volunteers. Whether personally providing support to carers or helping in the office, we couldn't do what we do without them. The main responsibility is governance: to ensure we run efficiently and properly, that our funds are spent properly, to monitor the progress of the work of the organisation and to make sure that as the organisation grows, it continues to meet the needs of Carers in East Dunbartonshire. We are keen to hear from anyone who has personal caring experience, either now or in the past. However, although you do not need any formal experience to become a Board Member, you should be comfortable with reading reports.

Make a difference by listening, signposting and sharing information. Excellent listening skills and an ability to put people at ease on the telephone? Able to keep a level head when others are emotional? Happy to ask for support and advice? Our Helpline Team receives around 1800 enquiries each year from parents, adults and a range of agencies that support or employ dyslexic people. Each member of the team commits to just one morning or afternoon per week. By being a listening ear, signposting, and sharing knowledge and information, you will become a significant part of the journey to a dyslexia-friendly Scotland. A working knowledge of dyslexia and the Scottish education system would be useful but is not essential. In-depth training and support will be given. You can choose whether to volunteer from home or in our office in Stirling.

EDAP require members who could assist with some of the work which will be required to ensure that all projects are carried out well. It doesn’t mean that you need to commit huge amounts of time – you could just volunteer in an area that is of interest to you. You could give as much or as little of your time as you are able and you would not be put under pressure to take on anything we weren’t comfortable with.

Your role as a Clan LISTENING & SUPPORT VOLUNTEER is essential in helping to provide our vital Listening and Support service to people affected by a cancer diagnosis in your local community. The listening and support service offers a welcoming, relaxed, safe and confidential environment for people to talk about the cancer experience with someone who can listen and provide emotional and wellbeing support either face to face or by telephone. Typical activities include: • Meeting and greeting clients attending our local wellbeing centres • Providing emotional, practical and wellbeing support and information to new and existing clients using the Clan client pathway either face to face or by telephone • Colaborating with Clan staff to ensure the best possible support and service for clients and signposting where appropriate • Recording client session notes and debriefing with Clan staff • Receiving donations and providing support where appropriate • Helping to raise awareness of Clan services by attending and supporting internal and external events • Activities may vary depending on the location of the wellbeing centre Role commitments • Volunteering on a rota basis attending a 3-hour shift (approx.) either weekly, fortnightly or monthly for a minimum of 12 months and on occasions be flexible and available to help at short notice • Attending required training and volunteer meetings to receive updates, ongoing development and support • This role is regulated activity and requires membership to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme which will be applied for on your behalf by Clan Essential skills and experience required There are no prerequisites for this role in terms of professional qualifications and Clan will provide you with the relevant training and ongoing supervision to support you in your role. However, some experience in support skills, health and social care and third sector would be an advantage. We value personal experience and would welcome anyone without the preferred skills and experience but are passionate about making a difference and supporting local people in their community to apply for this role. How Clan will support you Your role as LISTENING & SUPPORT volunteer can often involve dealing with difficult situations. It’s our responsibility to ensure you have all the relevant training and support to enable you to fulfil your role and have a rewarding volunteering experience. Clan will provide you with: • Comprehensive induction to Clan and your role • Clan SUPPORT VOLUNTEER training program including Listening and Support Skills and Safeguarding • Ongoing training, supervision, development and wellbeing support • Reimbursed expenses incurred whilst volunteering in accordance with our Expenses Policy

Volunteer Support Worker (remote) Our vision at Break the Silence is to make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by sexual trauma. As a home-based support worker, you can help effect positive change and improve lives. As a volunteer you can help our service by ensuring we offer a responsive, welcoming, and easy to use interface to our clients when they make initial contact with us. Volunteering with Break the Silence is flexible and can fit around your existing commitments. By helping for a few hours per week you can make a real difference. Volunteering is a great opportunity to develop and grow. We offer a supportive volunteering experience, and we are committed to equal opportunities for everyone. All we ask is that you have a kind and positive approach with a real desire to help improve people’s lives. Volunteers can make a real impact, learn new skills and make new friends along the way.

Breaking Borders is a group for women who have been displaced from their home countries, giving them the opportunity to connect with women going through the same journey. The group meets every Monday at Hope Wellbeing in Ayr, and aims to try out a new craft activity every week. The group provides a safe space for women and given the nature of the group female volunteers would be preferred for the opportunity. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with tasks including setting up the space, mentoring/providing a listening ear to group members, signposting members to other organisations for additional help, running a craft activity, spending time with group members to speak English, and helping to look after the group member's children. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity and we would be interested in speaking to you even if you cannot commit on a regular basis. We especially need extra volunteers during school holidays to work with young people. We are also hoping to expand our service to include making home visits so if a Monday afternoon does not suit please still get in touch.

The main thing that we ask for is your time! This will be a combination of attending meetings (mostly in person) and events, along with some reading of reports and documents all of which revolve around providing oversight and governance of the company and its activities. It adds up to a few days per month with most of the business conducted at our company HQ in the Bridge of Don. There are board meetings once a quarter then a variety of sub-committees that meet 3-4 times a year. The expectation is that you will be a member of at least one of the sub-committees which should align to your area of interest and/or expertise. On appointment, you will be registered as a company director at Companies House and you will meet with our Managing Director who will provide a comprehensive induction and introduction to the company. A full role profile will be provided once you apply, so for now the key things to know are: *What your duty is as a trustee: Responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charitable company, developing its aims, objectives and goals in accordance with company guidelines, legal and regulatory guidelines. Protect the wealth and assets of the organisation and be legally responsible for the assets and debts of the charitable company. *Term of office: Three years(with the option of a further three years) *Remuneration: None, but out of pocket expenses are paid (excludes attending routine meetings) *Statutory responsibilities: Ensure the company complies with its constitution, articles of association and relevant legal, regulatory and governance frameworks. Provide leadership and assist with setting the overall direction and strategy of the company. Ensure that the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard. Monitoring the financial position and ensuring that the company operates within its means and that there are clear lines of accountability for financial management. Act as guardian of the charity’s assets, both tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper application. Bring challenge and rigour to the business presented to the Board and its Committees and actively participate in the debate and discussion, offering expertise, advice and opinion as appropriate. Fully meet the requirements of the trustee code of conduct Safeguard the good name and values of the charity. *Your key attributes will be your professional experience and expertise, having worked in commerce and business at a management level. Ideally your past or present career will align with one or more of the following key areas: • Finance and accountancy • Property and asset management* • Human resource management •Marketing and commercial development* • Digital and technology* • Health, safety and environment* • Legal and governance • Architecture, capital projects and procurement • Sports administration • Change management • Charitable enterprises. *denotes area of particular interest A fantastic opportunity to make a difference for people, the community and sport in Aberdeen. For more information please contact Tess Murphy, Corporate Support Manager and PA to the Board of Directors at thmurphy@sportaberdeen.co.uk