We know that little things can make a big difference for people and their families living with a terminal illness – like having someone to chat to over a cup of tea. You will be matched with someone who you’ll visit in their home, go out somewhere with or chat to over the phone. You can offer your time any day of the week, between 9am and 9pm, so that you can find a time that works for you and the individual that you are supporting. The type of support our Helper volunteers give often includes: • Companionship and emotional support • Practical help • A break for families and carers • Information on other support available •Support after a bereavement. Volunteers need to be aged 18 years or over, live in Lothian and commit at least three hours each week for a minimum of one year. Due to Covid-19 all training is online at the moment. There is no face to face with clients at the moment, this is done virtually at present. Contact Katie Wardlaw directly at E: katie.wardlaw@mariecurie.org.uk

We’re looking for enthusiastic and open-minded adults from all walks of life to volunteer to work with vulnerable children and young people aged 8 - 14 who are looked after at home. Your role will be to work one to one with the young person using your own life experiences and skills to encourage them to achieve their goals. No particular experience or skills are necessary - but a strong belief in the potential of young people is essential. Full training will be given, and once you're matched with a young person we'll expect you to be committed to them for at least a year. Interested? For an application pack, or to find out more information about the role, please get in touch!

intandem, Scotland’s mentoring programme for young people, brings together vulnerable young people with a mentor to build a consistent and trusting relationship, and improve their chances in life. The Scottish Government has appointed Inspiring Scotland to lead the development of the intandem programme. Move On are responsible for delivering the service in the Lothians and, in partnership with YMCA Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh. We’re looking for enthusiastic and open-minded adults from all walks of life to volunteer to work with children and young people aged 8 - 14 who are looked after at home. You’ll be working on a one to one basis with the young person, using your own life experiences and skills to encourage them to achieve their goals. Full training will be given, and once you're matched with a young person we'll expect you to be committed to them for at least a year. Interested? Interested? For an application pack, or to find out more about the role, please get in touch.

Young Volunteers between the ages of 14 - 20 are trained as befrienders before joining them online with Harry (Youth Coordinator). The overall aim is to enhance the young people’s confidence and skills through volunteering, and reducing social isolation for older people as well as increasing usage of technologies, the conversation will be on group video call until face to face can return. The project will train, support and provide supervision for young voluteers to lead on delivering the sessions (with support and supervision from the Project Coordinator) for older people, with those invovled shaping the discussion and activity at each session. At this time the theme of the sessions are split into being very relaxed, organic and over a cuppa (Tuesdays) and a more structured quiz (Wednesdays) It is hoped that in addition to the positive impact the project will have on residents, the befriending will allow volunteers to build confidence and gain valuable social skills under the support and supervision of the project worker.

Many Midlothian parents need someone to talk to. They may have no friends or family to confide in. Or they may want someone like you who they can trust to be non-judgemental about the ups and downs of family life. They would like to have your praise and encouragement and for you to share their interest in their child’s development. The families all have children under 5 and are experiencing some difficulty or stress. Volunteers make a real difference by offering them a listening ear and emotional support. At the moment we need male and female volunteers who can make a 30 minute weekly call by phone or Zoom. Usually our volunteers make 2 hr home visits, but we cannot offer face to face volunteering in 2020 though we hope to do so in the future. Our aim is to make families more confident and resilient. We’ll train you to be a good listener to the parent’s worries and to encourage them to give their children a positive start in life. Each family needs something different, most of them need another adult for a non-judgmental weekly chat; someone reliable that they can trust; helping families to be more organised; to read a story to the children; helping parents feel more confident about playing with their children. We’ll support you all the way with regular support from a paid staff member. We’ll repay any out of pocket expenses. We’ll also match you carefully with the type of family that suits you to ensure that you can build a good supportive relationship. We’ve been going for over 30 years and won awards for our work. Our volunteers say they feel very well looked after and that they get really solid experience to use in careers like Social Work, Social Care and Psychology. Others just say it is fun and rewarding to be able to make such a difference to a family. Our next training will be online in March 2021. for an application form go to www.homelinkfamilysuport.org or email info@homelinkfamilysupport.org or telephone 0131 661 0890​

Our volunteers visit families at home to help them to play, get out of the house, settle into a new area, enjoy family life and have fun. The families all have children under 5 and are experiencing some difficulty or stress. Volunteers make a real difference by offering them a listening ear and practical and emotional support. We need male and female volunteers for 2 hrs a week for about 6 months Our aim is to make families more confident and resilient. We’ll train you to be a good listener to the parent’s worries and to encourage them to give their children a positive start in life. Each family needs something different, most of them need another adult for a non-judgmental weekly chat; someone reliable that they can trust; someone with the energy to play and the patience to read with children; someone who can help everyone get out and connect with their community. Volunteers might also do things like baking with the kids; helping families to be more organised; helping parents feel more confident about playing with their children. We’ll support you all the way with regular meetings with a paid staff member. We’ll also match you carefully with the type of family that suits you to ensure that you can build a good supportive relationship. We’ve been going for over 30 years and won awards for our work. Our volunteers say they feel very well looked after and that they get really solid experience to use in careers like Social Work, Social Care and Psychology. Others just say it is fun and rewarding to be able to make such a difference to a family.

Become one of our professional and trusted committed volunteers and deliver a unique mix of services and opportunities to promote mental health and wellbeing. Equal Access provides support and information for men and women from minority ethnic communities who are experiencing feelings of stress, isolation, depression, anxiety or unhappiness and are able to access information about the services available. As we adopt the current social distancing measures put in place by the Government as a result of Covid-19 our Equal Access Team are working hard to ensure that support is still available to those who need it. Instead of offering support face to face, all matches will now be offered via telephone or video call and we are looking for volunteers to help us deliver this. If you speak another language, enjoy working with people and would be able to pick up the phone or make a video call we’d love to hear from you.

Being a Gig Buddy with Thera means that you will be paired one on one with a person who has a learning disability (They will be known as your buddy). You will be paired with this person based on any interests you share. Being a Gig Buddy involves regularly attending events with your buddy and meeting up with them as often as your ‘gig’ requires. You will also help them choose the events you go to, and help with practical/transport arrangements. Being a Gig Buddy also means empowering your buddy to expand their social networks. For this reason we ask that you attend at least 3 of our social events every year, these can be anything from an Open Mic night, to a world class comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe. As part of Gig Buddies you will become part of a growing community of ‘sound people’ here in the Lothians who are encouraging people with a learning disability to live the social life they choose.

It’s good to talk! If you love a relaxed, friendly chat on the phone and if the idea of doing this whilst also making a genuine impact as a volunteer sounds too good to be true … read on. Our members tell us that their regular check-ins and chats with someone at Sight Scotland Veterans are something they look forward to. Sometimes they can even be a lifeline. Just a simple phone call once a week can make the difference that helps one of our members overcome the effects of isolation and loneliness. We need a friendly and naturally chatty home-based volunteer who can check in regularly with our members by phone, take some time to make sure they are doing OK, and fill them in with all the latest gossip at Sight Scotland Veterans. You will never be cold calling, there’s no pressure and nothing to sell. We will only ask you to call signed-up Sight Scotland Veterans members who we know will be only too happy to hear from you. As a volunteer, you will get to know inspiring people, gain valuable experiences, and help us to change the lives of those who have served their country. For more information please contact James Whyte, Volunteer Development Manager at email james.whyte@sightscotland.org.uk or tel.: 0131 446 3154.

We are delighted to welcome back Volunteers and have opportunities across our services in Aberdeen. So, no matter where you live in the city, there could be an opportunity near you! In the first instance we are seeking Befrienders. Many of our Service Users have been shielding for over a year. We are looking for Volunteers to become befrienders, being a befriender means you could be supporting someone with an outside walk, build up confidence with support to a supermarket, help with laundry, just enjoy sitting having a chat over a cuppa, or maybe help with some light domestic duties or cooking. All Volunteers will go through pre recruitment checks that include, Interview, PVG and References. Volunteering is such a worthwhile act, not only can your support be lifechanging for an older person, but you can also gain, increased confidence, experience improve your own self-esteem, feel part of a team, and make new friends. For more details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: jsuttar@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 07901944728.