Northfield Community Centre is a popular and dynamic community centre and registered charity with a range of activities to support people and the community. Northfield Community Learning Association is looking for people who like to support the local community, families/children. All volunteers are provided with excellent support and any relevant training e.g.: first aid, health and hygiene, basic child protection. A great and enjoyable opportunity to help and make a difference in the local community. All help is greatly appreciated For further details please contact: Jacqui Innes Tel No: 01224 695416 E Mail: jacqui@northfieldcommunitycentremc.org

Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN)’s purpose is to inspire and promote, connect and support community-led action in Scotland to address the Climate Emergency. Please see our website: https://www.scottishcommunitiescan.org.uk/ Would you like to help take climate action to the next level? We have a new volunteer role available with our Events working groups! You would be helping once a week with the following: -Events organizing and facilitating -Taking part in regular events working group meetings -Contacting potential speakers and facilitators -Promoting events by writing blog posts and promoting on social media. -Compile a report on the event. As a volunteer led organisation, our capacity to offer thorough training on events coordination is limited so we would expect you to have some experience or to be adaptable. There will be some initial training on the way SCCAN operates. The start date is flexible to suit your availability. Our events and meetings are currently done online through zoom. Commitment could range from once / week to twice a month. If interested, please drop us an email at info@scottishcommunitiescan.org.uk

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.

Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) was granted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) charitable status in March this year. We are now looking to find talented, passionate and skilled people to fill some vacant seats on our Board of Trustees to help us grow and develop our innovative and solution focused new charity. This is a unique opportunity to help lay the foundations to ensure AiR has a long-term future as a charity with solid processes in place to ensure it meets its mission of: “To be a bridge from ‘dependence’ to ‘independence’ for the individual seeking to recover from problematic substance use and addictive behaviours”. This is such an exciting and invigorating prospect for individuals to get involved and be participant in the tsunami of change which is now gaining momentum and being driven by “Experts by Experience” and the vibrant Lived Experienced Communities which are blossoming, not only locally but are now established as a national phenomena. Since its conception, AiR and its members have worked tirelessly to establish and build collaborative relationships with professional services and third sector support agencies. We have consistently driven the message that individuals who have personal lived/living experience of active substance use, including Family members who have been affected by the addictive behaviours of a loved one, and the Recovery Communities they represent have something valid, essential and extremely beneficial to bring to described Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC). We can provide existing services and clinical structural systems with resources, skills and capabilities that they, no matter how much effort, time and money they invest, will never be able to offer or provide. So, it gives the greatest of pleasure to see this is now recognised on the highest levels that “Recoverists” can productively contribute to the design, development and delivery of truly person-centred ROSC. This being evidenced by the vision, philosophy and content of the Scottish Governments “Rights, Respect and Recovery” Drug and Alcohol Strategy. We also believe it is reaffirmed by the recent success in being granted funding from the Government’s National Development Fund, with our principle partner Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA), for our ‘Recovery Peer Pathway’ joint two-year project. This collaborative venture will build on three years of pilot work to further establish and build proactive and productive Developmental Pathways within ADA and their Volunteer network while in synergy with AiR membership for individuals who desire to initiate change in their behaviours and outlook as they progress on their recovery journeys within, and imperatively out-with, statutory and formal support services. We believe that the blue sky thinking behind this project categorically and emphatically fits with the expectations, outcomes and concepts of the above Government policy. So, if you have lived experience, or a stakeholder interest, and a passion for recovery and are willing to give of yourself that another may learn, you will not find a better opportunity to indulge your appetite than from within Aberdeen in Recovery. For more information please contact Dermot Craig, Recovery Community Development Manager at E Mail: dermot@aberdeeninrecovery.org or tel.: 01224 638342 / Mobile: 07751 213108.

>Who we are: The African Council is an independent voluntary organisation with a mission to promote the social and economic welfare of African People. We celebrate the best in African culture(s), history and values. We promote the attainment of education and life skills especially among Africans. We also advance active citizenship among Africans through engagement in civic and political process, institutions and leadership. >Some of our projects: 1. Employment/Enterprise coaching events • The event seeks to provide coaching and empowerment for Africans through education, guidance and support, to increase Africans involvement in employment, enterprise and entrepreneurship opportunities. 2. Civic and Political structures coaching events • The event seeks to provide coaching that encourages and provides guidance to Africans, to increase involvement and participation of Africans in civic and political life in Scotland, 3. Engagement events • Our engagement events seek to understand the challenges and barriers that Africans face in participating in all areas of Scottish life and ways to mitigate these challenges. >Volunteering Opportunities: Volunteers are vital for delivering the African Council's projects and services. We are looking for volunteers to join our team and we currently have volunteering opportunities available in the following areas: 1. Website Support 2. Corporate Communications 3. Social Media Management 4. Legal 5. Digital marketing and advertising 6. Event planning, support and management 7. Research 8. Administration 9. Help desk >Benefits of volunteering with the African Council include: 1. Opportunities to learn new skills 2. Employability training 3. Meet new people 4. Networking opportunities 5. Flexible working times 6. Develop your skills and talent and turn it to something employers will be excited about 7. Boost your CV with relevant work experience\n8. Fun hangouts, as well as, 9. Satisfaction of being a part of team that will make a significant difference in Scotland Fantastic opportunities to help at a very exciting time in the development of the African Council. All help is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Ca-ananay Maduka, Volunteer Coordinator at E Mail: info@africancouncil.org.uk or Tel.: 01224 579218.

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.

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.

*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).

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.