Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis for an hour or so each week, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

AIA invite applications from individuals who are willing to share their expertise, knowledge and skills in taking forward this important work and ensuring best practice in Board Governance. The individual must be committed in our collective strategic vision for the organisation in creating a more inclusive community where every person’s voice matters. We are looking for people who have an understanding and commitment to social justice and have the following skills and expertise: • Finance/Accountancy (Treasurer) • Law/HR • Expertise by Experience • Leadership/Governance This role is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed in line with AIA’s expenses policy. Currently the Board Meetings are being held remotely via video conferencing so we would consider people who live further afield than Tayside.

This role involves using your own lived experiences of eating disorders in a positive way to raise awareness, fight against stigma and campaign for change. Working as a team, 'Seen but not Heard' eating disorders collective advocacy have developed training around eating disorders, two films, awareness events, attended conferences, responded to/developed consultations and have produced leaflets and resource packs.

This research role involves using your own lived experienced of eating disorders in a positive way to raise awareness, fight against stigma and campaign for change. Working as a team, ‘Seen but not Heard’ eating disorders collective advocacy have developed training around eating disorders, two films, awareness events, attended conferences, responded to/developed consultations, and have produced leaflets and resource packs.

The role involves using personal experiences of living with Psychosis as part of CAPS collective advocacy group (Experiences of Psychosis); to raise awareness of Psychosis, promote understanding, fight against stigma and campaign for change. The group have made films, produced a training workshop, attended conferences & are working on awareness raising around psychosis in the local community and beyond.

The role with Dumfries and Galloway Advocacy Service is to provide Independent Advocacy to vulnerable people across Dumfries and Galloway. To both empower and enable clients to be heard and to take as much control of their situation as is possible. Being an Independent Advocate involves listening and making sure the client’s thoughts and wishes are understood and that the clients' voice is heard. It is about the client being in control of their situation. As well as having face-to-face and virtual meetings with your client there will be a requirement for all meetings and communications on the progression of the client’s case to be kept electronically. For this reason, you must have access to a laptop / computer, the internet and a landline or mobile phone. You must be able to keep confidences (organisational exceptions) and boundaries, express yourself clearly in verbal / written form, work as part of a team and on one’s own, be able to use email, word etc and carry out work electronically. You will also be required to attend meetings with the client and source information to allow the person to make informed choices. You will make a difference to other people’s lives; develop new skills and meet new people and you will work alongside a small friendly team.

Do you believe that everyone has aright to have their voice heard and be part of their local community? Do you have a few hours to spare each month to support a developing third sector organisation? If the answer is Yes then we would like to hear from you! We are looking for someone with: - Financial/accounting experience - Strong communication skills - A commitment to social justice/human rights … to join our dynamic Board of Directors. The board currently meet bi-monthly, with office bearers meeting in between board meetings. Meetings currently take place in the evening, online.

WaterAid Speakers are trained volunteers that deliver inspiring talks and workshops, to raise awareness about the importance of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, to transform peoples’ lives for good. Our Speaker volunteers engage audiences about the important work of WaterAid, inspiring them to take action, as they speak with schools, universities, businesses, youth groups, religious places of worship, service organisations, and many more. WaterAid Speakers: •Deliver a minimum of four talks or workshops per year, either online and/or face to face. •Deliver talks or workshops on key days such as: World Water Day on 22 March, World Toilet Day on 19 November, Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May and Global Handwashing Day on 15 October. •Contact new audiences to organise and deliver talk and workshop opportunities. •Complete online Speaker Network training and adhere to volunteer guidance and best practise. •Make use of our public speaking resources (such as PowerPoint presentations) included in our Speaker e-newsletter, emails, and online resource library. •Keep up to date with our key messages, appeals, campaigns, fundraising and volunteering. •Regularly liaise with the Speaker Network team about talks and workshops. •Provide feedback on talks or workshops by completing the online evaluations. •Provide support to new Speakers around their public speaking development. •Demonstrate the WaterAid values including being considerate when representing WaterAid and always leaving others with a positive view of our organisation and the work that we do. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. To become a WaterAid Volunteer or for more information please email speakers@wateraid.org

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to listen, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If so, this could be the role for you. *What is a caseworker? Caseworkers visit clients 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. *Why do we need you? Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan. Our trained volunteers listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help people navigate life in and beyond military service. We need you to join your local SSAFA team to help us achieve this. *When would you be needed and where would you be based? The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. *What does this role involve? • Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time • Meeting clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances • Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice • Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding • 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 • 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). A great opportunity to help. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. If you wish to volunteer/for further details please contact Julie Silva (Branch Secretary, Grampian) at email: Julie.Silva@grampian.ssafa.org.uk or telephone: 07879846200.

The Partnership works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to break down barriers, overcome challenges and improve quality of life. The group comprises approximately 15 members of the public, working with five local councillors, and its vision is to: a) To bring about improvements to the lives of people in Aberdeen City who experience exclusion because of disability by promoting a rights-based approach to disability equality. b) To create a society where disabled people are valued, respected and included in the life of the City. c) To encourage and promote inclusion and equality. d) To create fair opportunity by identifying and removing the disabling barriers which disabled people face daily including prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes. e) To provide a means of partnership, consultation and joint action with Aberdeen City Council Meetings are held at Aberdeen Town House (entrance from Queen Street, Aberdeen). There is also the option to join the meeting remotely if you choose to do so. The Disability Equity Partnership (DEP) has 6 meetings over the year. Examples of projects we have been working on include the City Centre Masterplan, Union Terrace Gardens, webpage and information accessibility to reduce barriers and improve access to information, goods and services. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Baldeep McGarry, Equalities Officer at email: BMcGarry@aberdeencity.gov.uk or tel.: 07767353006.