NHS Grampian is always recruiting members of the public to be part of the NHS Grampian Public Involvement Network. The NHS Grampian Public Involvement Network is a group of patients, carers and members of the public from across Grampian who have an interest in health and health services. Members are also sent regular updates and notice of other opportunities to get involved with NHS Grampian e.g.: focus groups, local events. A great opportunity to be involved and help develop the NHS in Grampian. For more details please contact: NHS Grampian Public Involvement Team e-mail.: gram.involve@nhs.scot tel.: 01224 558098 Web: www.nhsgrampian.org/involvingyou

The Aberdeen City Youth Council is the official voice of young people in Aberdeen. It works with many bodies in the city to improve representation of young people in the Aberdeen. It is made up of young people, aged between 14-25 years, from different areas and interest groups in Aberdeen. Youth Councillors are committed to involving and consulting young people and believe young people should have a voice at local, citywide, national and international levels. Opportunities exist to participate in various ways. 1. Youth Action Committee 2. Mentoring Scheme 3. Scottish Youth Parliament 4. Ongoing youth related events. Looking for young people interested in youth issues and democracy. Contact for further details.

This initiative is about planting varieties of apple trees in any suitable space available. The blossoms are excellent for honey bees which are under threat. Apple varieties that are under threat of being lost are also maintained. Any fruit is to be made available for communities to use as they wish. Fruit may be used for eating directly, for cooked products and for cider making. Any profit from apples cropped will be returned to the community as well. Volunteers are needed to assist the project by : • Digging a hole. • Partly backfill with compost. • Place the apple tree, tree support and protection as required into the hole. • Complete backfill and water as appropriate. • Label with apple variety, its primary use, name of volunteer, date planted. • Feel good for helping the bees, the planet and our communities. Initially we are looking at two sites: 1. Grove Nursery at Hazelhead. 2. Cove Woodland Trust, South Cove Road. More sites will be developed across Aberdeen and the North East and other volunteering and job opportunities may arise as the project develops. All aspects of grafting, pruning etc. can be arranged for volunteers showing the correct aptitudes. A fantastic opportunity to help an exciting initiative. All help greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Brian Allan, Volunteer & Funding Co-ordinator at E Mail: brianaltenscc2@gmail.com or Tel.: 07751275757.

*Are you passionate about animal welfare? Join our growing team of volunteer Home Visitors and play a vital role in supporting owners and pets in your local area who are facing an emergency situation.* Pet Fostering Service Scotland (PFSS) provides short-term, emergency foster care for pets whose owners are facing one of the following situations: *Ill health *Temporary homelessness *Domestic abuse Every year we provide temporary foster care for around 200 pets across Scotland – but we want to be able to support even more. Our volunteer Home Visitors play a vital role in delivery of our service by visiting potential volunteer pet foster carers to assess their house, home situation and the fosterer. This opportunity is home based with travel to other local locations to carry out home visits. Travel can be by public transport or car and travel expenses will be provided. You will be contacted by PFSS when there is a need for a home visit in your area. The main tasks are: *Contact the potential fosterer and arrange a time for the home visit to take place *Carry out the home visit following the guidelines provided by PFSS. *Complete the home visit report and return a copy to the Home Visit Coordinator Full training and support is provided to all volunteers. Includes: *Handbook for the role, induction and informal training either face to face or over the phone when starting in role. *Ongoing support provided and informal update training as required. If you are an animal lover who wants to develop new skills and be part of a team making a difference to pets and owners in Aberdeen and/or Aberdeenshire then we'd love to hear from you! For more information please contact us at E Mail: volunteering@pfss.org.uk or Tel 0355 811 9909 (then choose option 8 then 1 after the welcome message).

Food and Fun was introduced by the Council as a pilot to deliver free meals and activities to children in key areas of Aberdeen during school holiday periods and has been rolled out on a permanent basis. Over Christmas, as an extension of the project, special events were hosted for young people to enjoy the festivities – from ice skating and crafts to a disco and visit to Santa. For everyone involved in Food and Fun there’s a busy period ahead. The main aim is to ensure children continue to be fed, recognising the importance of school meals during term time for a large number of families, and also to provide the opportunity to take part in physical activity in a nurturing environment. The initiative has been recognised with awards – but the reward and motivation for the many people who have put their heart and soul into developing the programme is in the positive impact there is on children, families and communities. When we talk about our purpose – about caring for our city and our people – we think Food and Fun is a shining example that we can all be incredibly proud of. Many participants obtain great life skills which has assisted them in securing other opportunities as well as the personal development and satisfaction that this also brings. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. To volunteer / for more information please contact Martin Smith, Locality Inclusion Manager at E Mail: martinsmith@aberdeencity.gov.uk or Tel.: 01224 788538.

Northfield Community Centre is a popular and dynamic community centre and registered charity with a range of activities to support people and the community. Our popular P1 to P7’s group (over 50 members) has been running for over 30 years now with the fantastic help of volunteers. We now need / have exciting volunteer opportunities for new people to assist volunteering at the group to keep it going. Activities the children/young people at the group take part in include arts and crafts, play etc. This is a great, enjoyable opportunity which also provides brilliant experience for volunteers. All volunteers are provided with excellent support and any relevant training e.g.: first aid, health and hygiene, basic child protection. All help is greatly appreciated and makes areal difference. If there is anyone out there who would like to help out on a Thursday night from 5.00pm till 7.30pm at Northfield Community Centre, Byron Square, please contact Jacqui Innes, Centre Coordinator at E Mail: jacqui@northfieldcommunitycentremc.org or call 01224 695416.

We have exciting opportunities at HALLA – Harlaw Area Lifelong Learning Association to help in the community as a Development Volunteer. This can involve aspects such as looking at the learning needs of people around the Kaimhill School area, encouraging volunteering with the charity/association, help develop new programmes and classes at the Kaimhill Learning Centre, help prepare funding proposals and applications, act as a ‘face’ of the charity/Learning Centre and help with room bookings at the Learning Centre. A fantastic opportunity to assist in the positive development of the Kaimhill community. Good support is provided to all volunteers e.g.: board members and part time admin. worker will always be there to help. All help is greatly appreciated. Please contact us on email: sandratindall.halla@gmail.com or tel.: 01224 861129 for further details.

Baldridgeburn Garden are looking for volunteers to support and develop their community garden. There are a range of volunteering activities to get involved in, including: -Meeting regularly to think about the future of the group, meeting activities would include: taking notes, planning the garden, contributing to funding applications, liaising with the Community Worker to purchase garden equipment using the garden budget -Inviting and welcoming people to visit/join the garden group -Representing the garden group at events and/or meetings where relevant -Organising and leading garden open days, including promotion, attendance at and delivering activities on the day -All season’s gardening activities. Volunteers are supported in the role, offered the necessary training and given lots of other opportunities should you wish. Everyone is welcome and those that attend, volunteer and work there enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Helping with raising funds for the Bureau. -Researching potential opportunities for raising funds for the Bureau -Developing fundraising strategies and plans -Working with Board Members/Treasurer and Management to meet fundraising objectives -Organising events to raise money for the Bureau -Drafting and delivering presentations to potential and existing funders

To help provide effective and efficient advice to members of the public. -Interviewing clients -Finding, interpreting and communicating information so clients can make informed decisions -Act on behalf of clients, when needed - Negotiating, referring and drafting letters for clients -Completing clear case records -Recognising the root cause of problems and participating in taking action Our volunteer Advisers can either be generalist advisers (they advise on many different topics) or they can become specialist advisers (advising on a specific topic(s))