Across West Dunbartonshire, many people live alone and feel isolated. The reasons will be different - they may be housebound, have no close family or friends, or just feel anxious. In every case, what is missing is the chance to just blether. Care-givers are a great support, but they can’t give the time that some of our neighbours need. If chatting about the weather, who’s who on TV, what team is playing best or just what’s happening in the world sounds like you…then we need your help! A regular call from you will make all the difference to someone who may have little or no other company during the day. All we ask from you is an hour or so of your time, a listening ear…and of course, your chat! WDCVS VISA employability scheme is where volunteers who are actively looking for work can brush up on the skills that employers are looking for, the VISA certificate highlights the skills that the volunteer has achieved in their volunteer role, the certificate can be created and sent to them as a PDF.

Across West Dunbartonshire, many people live alone and can often feel isolated. The reasons for this will be varied - they may have difficulty leaving the house alone, have no close family or friends, or have lost confidence after illness or a life-change. In every case, what is missing is someone like you. Everyone gets older and we are living longer. It can become harder to make new friends and connections as we leave work, grow apart, see family move away and deal with health issues. The aim of the initiative is to support people to feel they are involved in their communities and build their confidence to be as active as they can - we need your help to make it happen. With your help, someone in our community could feel supported, less alone and more able to get out and about. If this sounds like you, all we ask is a few hours every week of your time, over a year. We will be here to provide any help and support you need. In return you will have the satisfaction that your support has made all the difference in someone else’s life. Please help us. You will understand that for everyone safety you will be asked to go through a PVG (police) check. WDCVS VISA employability scheme is where volunteers who are actively looking for work can brush up on the skills that employers are looking for, the VISA certificate highlights the skills that the volunteer has achieved in their volunteer role, the certificate can be created and sent to them as a PDF.

To spend some one-one time chatting and getting to know the residents, reminiscing about their past, current interests and hobbies. You would participate in activities with the residents (dominoes or cards) or possibly accompany them on a walk or perhaps a visit to a local cafe for a chat depending on what the person would like and is able to do. You would be joining a friendly and welcoming team of staff who will be supporting you in your role.

Social groups are a great way to give people on the autism spectrum an opportunity to improve their confidence, self-esteem and reduce isolation through spending time with others in a group setting and accessing social activities in the community. What you will be doing Attending the monthly support group sessions Supporting the group leader with setting up and clearing away after a meeting Welcoming new members Signposting to other support, professionals, organisations etc Liaising with the group leader and the other volunteers to ensure there is a volunteer present for the duration of the meeting Do you have personal experience with autism and want to make a difference in your local community? Being a few hours a month, this role can fit around your responsibilities and you can decide when you would like to volunteer. We know our volunteers have busy lives and we do our best to fit around you. The role is fully supported by the regional Senior Branch Engagement Officer and the other branch volunteers. You will receive full guidance and training for everything you’ll need to do. When and where Online meetings every 3rd Thursday evening of each month

NCT Glasgow Breastfeeding Buddies provide free, friendly, parent to parent breastfeeding support throughout Glasgow. Our volunteer Breastfeeding Peer Supporters facilitate groups in the Gorbals, Kirkintilloch and Barrhead. We are looking for local parents with breastfeeding experience to train as Breastfeeding Peer Supporters and help to facilitate our community group in the Gorbals. Breastfeeding Peer Supporters offer parent to parent support to breastfeeding mums/parents within the community. They provide support, information and a listening ear. As a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter, you will: Help to set up the room, Make tea/coffee, Provide a warm welcome (and a warm drink!) to parents attending our group, Provide support and information on breastfeeding, a listening ear, and signposting where necessary, Complete group related admin tasks, Help to tidy up after the group is finished, Please note that you will be required to complete 21 hours of online training (3 hours x 7 weeks) and fill in an online workbook. All Breastfeeding Peer Supporters must have a minimum of 3 months of breastfeeding experience (can include expressing). 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.

To support and assist in the running of the Morphfit Gentle Movement classes. Duties include: - Arriving early and setting up chairs and equipment - Ensuring clients have signed the class register - Monitoring client’s fitness exertion levels - Providing water to clients during the class - Actively taking part in the fitness class and conversing with clients -To encourage and congratulate clients on their successes - Cleaning up and reorganising the room after classes Good organisational skills and timekeeping are required for the classes to be ready for clients in advance of their arrival. The ability to converse with clients and provide encouragement. Good observational skills to monitor clients exertion levels to ensure everyone is taking part safely. Most importantly, the ability to take part and have fun with our clients to ensure a positive and progressive environment. Full training and support will be provided to ensure that you are comfortable in the role. You will also always have the support of a class instructor who will be leading the exercise class Through this position volunteers can expect to build their confidence and planning skills. Building lasting and meaningful relationships with our clients and monitoring their progress. Taking pride in their work knowing that their effort greatly improves the lives of our clients. The experience gained can also lead to further opportunities in the health and fitness industry.

There is opportunity to be placed as a volunteer directly with the Older People's Mental Health Team in Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership, gaining a unique insight into the work they do whilst giving one to one support to their clients. The team consists of Community Psychiatric Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Post Diagnostic Support Workers, Clinical Support Workers and Community Care Assistants. They predominately work with clients aged 65+ living with dementia or mental illness, including depression, anxiety, psychosis or bipolar affective disorder. Volunteers will be matched with one of their clients to give befriending support, either in the client’s home or local community.

Sight Action’s Western Isles Sensory Centre, based in Stornoway, is on the lookout for volunteers to help with several vital services. The charity currently offers both practical and emotional support to around 235 adults and children throughout the Western Isles. The centre, which plays a crucial role in providing lifeline services, has several volunteering opportunities on offer. Volunteers are required to work within the centre to give advice and practical support with hearing aids, as well as other aids and equipment. They are also needed to help offer befriending services, or aid service users with driving them to appointments, help with shopping etc. Full training will be given to volunteers.

LINK supports adults aged 18 to 65 years old in the East Fife and Levenmouth areas who may be experiencing isolation due to their mental health issues through one-to-one befriending and group events. They are looking for volunteers for their adult befriending project. Befrienders will assist the adults to increase their resilience, confidence, social skills and self esteem through consistent and reliable support, and engaging in activities together. If you have a spare couple of hours a fortnight and would like to help adults who have been isolated due to mental health issues, LINK would like to hear from you.

Kingdom Companions is a befriending service for vulnerable, perhaps lonely or socially isolated adults who need support to achieve a goal for themselves. This might be getting back into the community, travelling independently, or becoming involved in volunteering themselves. Volunteers are asked to provide friendly, relaxed, practical, and encouraging support to the adult on a one-to-one, regular basis for up to 16 weeks. It could be within the adult's own home or in the community. There are roles all over Fife for community befrienders who have a couple of hours a week/fortnight to help someone with this. Could this be you? Befriending can be a terrific way to build confidence and skills for jobs such as social care or customer service, as well as helping you to get out, feel good about helping others and even go to new places. Your travel and other out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed. FVA aim to match you with someone who lives in your local area. You will get detailed training, as well as ongoing support. Get in touch now!