You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:- • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email VolunteerScotNi@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. We have dogs at various ages and stages of their career who may need temporary accommodation and the need will be dependent on your location and circumstances. In this role your support will include: • Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for a dog or puppy. • Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed, exercised, and cared for to maintain excellent health. • Using positive reinforcement training techniques to teach or maintain behaviours. • Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. Foster volunteers who care for dogs in training need to drop off and collect their dog from a local regional centre. Times are normally Monday to Friday between 8 - 9am and 5 - 6pm however there are allowances. Dogs will stay with our staff in the centre during the day to complete training. In the evenings and at weekends volunteer dog fosterers will keep the dog at home. If you require any more information or would like to chat to someone about this role then please email VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk

Do you enjoy shopping, going for a coffee/tea or walks? If so then you would be ideal to meet up with one of our ladies living with sight loss on a flexible basis. She would also like some help with small shopping tasks, for example for gifts and clothes. This lady doesn't have much support to get out so you could really make a difference to her life. By becoming a My Sighted Guide volunteer, you can provide company and help someone regain their confidence and get out and about in the community again. You will be matched for 3 to 12+ months, meeting up around once a week but chat to us about your availability as we can work around this at times.

We have been providing therapies and support for people living with MS and other conditions since 1984 from our Therapy Centre in Leith. We actively encourage and support volunteering opportunities – they are vital to our organisation and everything we do. We welcome people from all walks of life who can support us and provide a welcoming and friendly face. You will be trained and supported in the operation and delivery of our oxygen therapy service. This is a vital and beneficial therapy for many of our clients in the management of their long-term condition. We also offer volunteering opportunities with our physiotherapy service, administration and in fundraising activities. https://form.jotform.com/210402577045347

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is willing to work as part of a team providing high quality assistance and support to a variety of individuals including adults with learning and physical disabilities. The Volunteer Support Assistant will assist the Support Workers and other team members with the Service Programme and any other activities which make take place during operational hours

The RAF Association is a member-led, welfare charity that exists to ensure that all members of the RAF community are supported, when they require it. Volunteering for the RAF Association is a great way of developing your skills and meeting new people, at the same time as supporting members of the RAF community in your local area who need your help. A Caseworker is someone who volunteers for the Royal Air Force Association gathering information, asking questions and completing necessary forms and by doing so, you will make a real difference. You will also work closely with the Area Welfare Officer to complete each case successfully. For more information, please contact us at email volunteers@rafa.org.uk or you can call us for a chat about the role on telephone: 0800 018 2361. Further details are also available at: https://rafa.org.uk/give-support/volunteering/

People living with cancer tell us they need emotional support to feel less isolated and lonely and sometimes need some help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By choosing to join us as a Buddy volunteer, you’ll be doing something amazing for people in these extraordinary times, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. There are two types of buddy volunteer: -Community Buddy: provides face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks. and -Telephone Buddy: provides telephone support to alleviate loneliness and social isolation for people living with cancer -What we're looking for: *Good listener and clear communicator *Patient, flexible and reliable *Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries *Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources *Understand the need to maintain confidentiality -What you can gain from this opportunity: *Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference *Use and develop your communication and people skills *Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer *Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) All volunteer help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference. For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/200-macmillan-telephone-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact Clare Jamieson, Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer Services Delivery Lead (North Scotland) at Email: CJamieson@macmillan.org.uk or telephone: 07561 853550.

We believe everyone has the right to live life to the full following the diagnosis of a chest or heart condition, stroke or Long Covid. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to. Across Scotland, we provide vital advice, information, and support through our No Life Half Lived strategy. Join our amazing team of Kindness Callers, who provide a listening ear to people who have had one of our conditions via a weekly telephone call to reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness. For more details and to register your interest in volunteering please visit: https://volunteer.chss.org.uk/opportunities/51993-kindness-volunteer-area-wide-2023-08-15 or email the CHSS Volunteering Team at volunteering@chss.org.uk

This opportunity is for vibrant people who enjoy all that entails working with young people of various backgrounds. The Ark is open to young people on Friday evenings from 7pm – 9.30pm. Volunteers are required to help from 6.30pm-9.30pm for set up and close down. Some of the responsibilities include, serving drinks and snacks at the bar, capturing social media images and videos, helping operate the sound booth and music. Volunteers roles are rotated throughout the night, to allow you to gain more skills and qualities. ​Why should I volunteer with the Ayr Ark? · Opportunity to gain a youth qualification. · Develop employability skills and work experience. · Training opportunities. · Meet new people. · Volunteer team building days and activities. One of our volunteers, started coming to the Ayr Ark at the age of 13 and went on to become a part of our volunteer group. Erin recently left us to start UNI but when asked ab out her experience of volunteering she said: “I’ve made friends for life here and gained skills and real life experience I never thought possible and it helped me grow as a person” – Erin Cran, Volunteer.

Family Wellbeing Befriending Volunteer - Edinburgh Would you like to support children, young people, and their families in Edinburgh? Children 1st works to keep children where they are safe, well and loved with their families and communities. This volunteering opportunity will be based within the Children 1st Edinburgh Family Wellbeing Service which supports children and young people across the city. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is at the heart of what we do. Our work includes support for families who face a number of different barriers and challenges including: ethnically diverse backgrounds; money worries; children with additional support needs; children and parents affected by poor mental health, and families affected by domestic abuse. We take a strength-based approach to improve safety and wellbeing. Volunteering with the Edinburgh Family Wellbeing Service as a befriending volunteer will complement the support we provide to help reduce isolation and promote a sense of belonging by encouraging children and young people to engage with their wider community. What will I be doing We know that safe, supportive and trusting relationships are an essential part of building children’s confidence, resilience and wellbeing. As a befriending volunteer you will build a positive 1 to 1 relationship with the child or young person you are matched with. You will meet with them regularly and support them to take part in a range of activities within their community and to develop new interests and connections. What you do together will depend on the interests of the child and could include taking them to a local park, taking them to sports clubs, art and craft activities, attending events in the community, and much more. We aim to match volunteers and children based on shared interests wherever possible and we also take into account volunteers’ transport requirements. We will explore this with you at interview and during training and induction. Please see role description below for information about the role. Further Information We would love you to be part of the Children 1st team. We provide a comprehensive initial training course that will equip you with the skills and knowledge that you need. Our next training will run on the following dates: • Sun 5th Nov – 10.00am-4.30pm • Weds 8th Nov – 6.00pm-8.30pm • Weds 15th Nov - 6.00pm-8.30pm • Sun 19th Nov - 10.00am-4.30pm This training is being run in partnership with our East Lothian and Midlothian services and will take place at the Children 1st office at 83 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh, EH9 1AT. We cover reasonable travel expenses for those attending the training. We also provide all of our volunteers with ongoing support and are able to reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for travel and costs incurred as part of the volunteering role. We ask volunteers to commit to giving a few hours a week for at least a year. As the children we support attend school we are looking for volunteers with availability out with school hours and weekends. Interviews: We anticipate that interviews will take place from the w/b 12th September 2023. If you would like to find out more about the role or have any questions please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Rebecca Gracher – rebecca.gracher@children1st.org.uk