Children's Panel members are ordinary people like you who have chosen to do something extraordinary. Children's Panel members make decisions about the welfare of vulnerable children and young people and what needs to be done to support and protect children and young people. Being a member of the Children's Panel could change your life, and make a difference to someone else's. Many people join because they want to make a valuable contribution to their community. Others enjoy the skills development that membership of the Children's Panel can bring. Many of the skills that make a good panel member are also highly valued in the workplace such as negotiation, leadership, communication and teamwork. You don't need any formal qualifications. You just need to care. We are now recruiting 550 new panel members to serve across Scotland. Have you got what it takes? BEING A PANEL MEMBER IN ABERDEEN: If you have any queries, or would just like to chat to someone about volunteering in the Children’s Hearings System, please contact the Clerk to the Area Support Team: NAME: Mark Masson EMAIL: mmasson@aberdeencity.gov.uk TEL: 01224 522989 NAME: Cheryl Nevill EMAIL: cnevill@aberdeencity.gov.uk TEL: 01224 522113 For more details and to apply to join the panel in your local area please visit www.childrenspanelscotland.org

The role is diverse but demanding. You could be doing anything from policing a football match to assisting at a road accident. Special Constables also police major sporting and public events and provide an excellent bridge between the Police Service and the public, representing both the community within the police service and the police service within local communities. Specials come from all walks of life and the role can suit those who are able to commit the time to volunteer alongside their own paid employment. It can also be a way for people to experience the role who are considering it as a future career. You must meet our essential criteria to join and go through the application process. You’ll receive training that is closely aligned to the content of the initial training provided to Probationer Officers, ensuring you are ready to police your streets.

Victim Support Scotland provide practical and emotional support to members of the public who are affected by crime, as well as supporting witnesses who attend court. Victim Support Scotland are currently looking for dedicated volunteers to support Victim’s and Witnesses of crime within the community and within the court settings in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Full training will be given, local staff will support throughout and there are opportunities for further training. Our volunteers are asked to give an average of one day a week/fortnight to support individuals affected by crime. This can be within the community supporting through telephone calls, face-to-face office-based appointments or when required home visits. We also support witnesses at court within both Aberdeen Sheriff & High Court buildings and at Peterhead and Banff courts. Our court-based volunteers inform witnesses of the court processes and will also support vulnerable witnesses whilst they give their evidence sometimes with the use of Special Measures. Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland is rewarding and worthwhile, where you can make a real difference, if you feel you are empathetic, non-judgemental and have the time to commit please get in touch. For further information please contact us on E Mail: witnessservice.Aberdeen-sc@victimsupportsco.org.uk or tel.: 01224 652361.

The Mission of Time to Heal is to provide holistic support and, to relieve the needs of persons affected by domestic violence primarily, but not exclusively, women and children from minority ethnic groups. We are currently seeking volunteers to help at our Empowerment Centre in Bon Accord House, Riverside Drive, Aberdeen. Tasks include: ● See that the Reception area is kept tidy and looks professional at all times. ● Ensure procedures for signing in, identifying, escorting, and signing out are adhered to at all times. ● Welcome visitors in a pleasant, courteous manner ● Distribute incoming mails and deliveries to the appropriate personnel/function. ● Maintain the door entry system, ensuring there is an adequate supply of key fobs. ● Provide training on the duties and responsibilities of Reception to the appropriate personnel. ● Supervise the labelling of keys, ensuring they are stored in the Key Safe. ● Produce and maintain Operating Procedures for the Reception Rota. ● Answer calls in a timeous, courteous and effective manner. A fantastic opportunity to help. All help is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Abiola Crown, Manager at E Mail: abiola.crown@ttoheal.org or tel.: 07796511319.

Shetland Women's Aid are looking for women to join us in promoting the safety and wellbeing of women and children in Shetland who are affected by domestic abuse and gender-based violence. SWA is a registered charity funded by local and national grant aid to provide safety planning, counselling, refuge, advice and guidance about housing, finance and legal issues to women. There is also a children and young person's service focused on offering therapy and support to children and young people. The aim for Shetland Women's Aid is 'An equitable society in which women, children and young people are valued participants, able to determine their own future and are free from all forms of abuse.' As a trustee you will be instrumental in helping us realise our vision and mission. Part of your role will be to ensure that our day to day operation fulfils our strategic vision. If you decide to join Shetland Women's Aid, you can make a real difference to the women and children who experience domestic and sexual abuse.

Victim Support Scotland Volunteer How can you support victims and witnesses of crime? Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland’s role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online, and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. How would you help? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey Providing support at Court What benefits would I get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: Support people when they most need it Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime A chance to give something back Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed What skills and experience do I need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can work with people of all ages, backgrounds and life situations. Although we provide full training and support, knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of supporting people is beneficial. As a Victim Support Scotland Volunteer you will need: Effective communication skills The ability to actively listen to service users and anyone affected by crime An interest in learning about the criminal justice system and understand the service user’s journey An awareness of confidentiality obligations and the responsibilities that come with upholding these obligations Effective time management skills (and working under pressure) Access to a car or ability to use public transport What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: a minimum commitment of approximately one day per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. a minimum commitment of at least 1 year so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can I apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Joining the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s Confidentiality agreement • Commitment to Data Protection • Volunteer Agreement

With a long and impressive history the Special Constabulary is a part-time, volunteer body consisting of officers with similar powers to that of police officers. As a special constable, you'll forge strong partnerships in the community, patrolling our streets, preventing crime and interacting with all kinds of people to help keep your local community safe. Special Constables can act as a positive force for change - bringing with them an extensive pool of skills, talents, experience, local knowledge and diverse backgrounds - as well as enhancing the overall level of service provided by the police. So whatever your walk of life, step forward now and find out how being a Special Constable could be the perfect fit to suit your lifestyle.  

Trading Standards advise retailers how to avoid selling tobacco and NVP (nicotine vaping products) to under-18s through the use of proof age schemes. We put shops to the test on this with the help of young volunteers. Volunteers should be non-smokers, between 16-16 1/2 and have written parental/guardian consent. Volunteers are trained in what to do and say while test purchasing, and are accompanied by a Trading Standards staff-member throughout. They are trained never to lie to shopkeepers but to avoid giving information that may identify them. Volunteers are not asked to test-purchase near to school or home and are free to pull out at any point. All transport, meals and refreshments are provided. We also give volunteers certificates confirming their volunteered hours (including travel and training), and references for college and/or jobs. If they wish, two or more volunteers can travel and train together. Previous volunteers have found the experience enjoyable and worthwhile.

How can you help victims and witnesses of crime? Being a victim or a witness of crime can be a confusing and stressful experience for many people. Victim Support Scotland (VSS) volunteers provide a webchat and telephone service which can provide support and answer queries to those who approach us. What will I be doing? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system via webchat. • Talk to people affected by crime via phone calls and web chat • Update our database record system • Link service users with other organisations • Provide relevant support and information to anyone affected by crime • Promote VSS’ services What benefits will I receive? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: • All reasonable expenses paid • The offer of a reference for future work • The knowledge that you are providing help to an organisation that helps others • The opportunity to grow your skills personally and professionally

Victim Support Scotland Volunteer How can you support victims and witnesses of crime? Victims of crime often feel a range of emotions in the aftermath of an offence. It is Victim Support Scotland’s role to provide victims and witnesses of crime emotional and practical support in person, online, and in court. Volunteers are supported by VSS staff who manage the service. How would you help? Our volunteers provide emotional support, practical help, information and guidance through the criminal justice system. We aim to empower people who have been impacted by crime, to move on with their lives. Discuss service users’ needs by telephone, webchat, appointments and face-to-face contact, agreeing next steps at the end of each contact Help service users feel more confident by arranging and conducting court familiarisation visits Support service users in the court room and other appropriate locations on the day of the trial, liaising with court officials on behalf of the service users. Feedback and agree follow-up actions with staff members Provide administrative support in completing the service users journey What benefits would I get? Volunteering with Victim Support Scotland can be challenging and also extremely rewarding. As a volunteer you will: Support people when they most need it Learn new skills and knowledge of the criminal justice sector Gain access to a range of specialist training courses that are relevant to your volunteering role Positively contribute to your community as a member of a team actively working to reduce the impact of crime A chance to give something back Receive support in your volunteering role to deliver services effectively All reasonable expenses (e.g. travel) will be reimbursed What skills and experience do I need? We are looking for committed, reliable and empathetic volunteers who can work with people of all ages, backgrounds and life situations. Although we provide full training and support, knowledge of the criminal justice system and experience of supporting people is beneficial. As a Victim Support Scotland Volunteer you will need: Effective communication skills The ability to actively listen to service users and anyone affected by crime An interest in learning about the criminal justice system and understand the service user’s journey An awareness of confidentiality obligations and the responsibilities that come with upholding these obligations Effective time management skills (and working under pressure) Access to a car or ability to use public transport What is the time commitment? We know that our volunteers have busy lives, so we agree the time commitment with each individual volunteer. However, we ask for: a minimum commitment of approximately one day per week, however this may vary depending upon the needs of the service. a minimum commitment of at least 1 year so that they might get the most out of a volunteering role. How can I apply? The people we support come from all communities across Scotland, as do our volunteers. We welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds and languages. To ensure we provide the best possible service to people affected by crime, we ask all volunteers to follow our processes. This will involve: • Joining the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme • Providing two satisfactory references • Completing our three day ‘Introduction to Victim Support Scotland’ training module • Signing and abiding by Victim Support Scotland’s Confidentiality agreement • Commitment to Data Protection • Volunteer Agreement