We are now holding weekly drop-in volunteering sessions as part of our Bothwell Road Community Garden Open Afternoons. Volunteers will help us with weeding, maintenance, composting, tidying and carrying out repairs and improvements. Sessions are open to local people who want to help us in keeping the garden as a special place for both people and nature. Previous gardening experience isn't required, so you can come along even if you are new to gardening (we all are new to this) . We are also looking for some people with DIY skills to help with basic repairs. Volunteering is suitable for adults rather than children. Often there are more volunteers than there are garden jobs that we can supervise. But if there isn’t enough work for you to do, you are still very welcome to come along to chat and socialise with other people in the garden. Tea/Coffee provided, but please dress appropriately for the weather and outdoor working.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who will help us maintain our garden and surrounding areas. We are looking to grow our own plants and vegetables to be utilised within the Community Hub and the Garnock Valley Community. This role would see the volunteer supporting service users with garden projects as well as lone working.

We rely on the help of the many volunteers who give their time and their talents to us freely. We always need dedicated and reliable volunteers that can help out and new volunteers are always welcome. There are many volunteering opportunities including working directly with our dogs, manual and maintenance, fostering, becoming a home checker, fundraising and helping at our events. Yet for safety reasons, we ask you to start off as a general volunteer with us and once you have gained the trust of our rescues, then you can start to volunteer directly with our dogs. Volunteering not only benefits our dogs but also provides lots of benefits for our volunteers too including: - Meeting like-minded people who are passionate about animal welfare - Gaining new skills or developing existing ones - Gaining a sense of achievement by doing something rewarding - Putting something back into the community - Developing personal skills and confidence Please note that if you wish to volunteer at the centre, it does involve physical work and due to our location your own transport is essential. For on-site roles you will be invited to attend an induction course with our team when you will be asked to show ID and full proof of address before you can take up a volunteering role with us. On site sessions will currently be at our principle site in Ayr. The different types of sessions are as follows: CORE session – daytime, on site including poop picking, kennel cleaning and water checks. SUPPORT sessions – other on-site activities which may include any of the activities listed below as required by SRS at the time. SORT session – on site (or may be at home) sorting and preparing donations (daytime or evening). BARTER session – offsite (with on-site collection – requires transport) supporting with bartering deals made, collecting donations and may also include help with taking washing to the large wash centres. EVENT sessions – preparing and running events such as car boot sales, tabletop sales etc. Other activities you can help with? Just get in touch with us and we'll find the perfect role for you. THANK YOU!

BECYCLE Workshop SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation – charity number: SC053291) is a small, wholly volunteer operated and donations based community bike workshop that provides a free place to access practical help, education, learning and advice for maintaining and repairing bikes. The workshop also provides free bikes to children (u18) and loans out bikes to anyone, with a fully returnable deposit system. It is currently open twice a week (8 hours), every week of the year, no matter the weather. Every person that volunteers at the workshop becomes a bike mechanic first and foremost - no matter how much experience you have just now with bikes or tools. You’ll learn quickly and surprise yourself with the amount you can take onboard - and you’ll be well supported by volunteers with decades of experience at fixing bikes and helping people. Don’t worry though about being the odd one out, none of us get paid and never will. In addition further roles we are looking for specialists in are; - Accountant - Fundraising - Graphic Design - Social Media Manager - Videographer On top of the two in-person sessions (Monday and Wednesday 4-8pm), most volunteers offer their time and expertise in a variety of areas that keep the workshop ticking over, or assist specific functions that align with their background and experience such as driving, photography or social media. We are formed of a group of dozens of volunteers from various backgrounds, ages, life experiences and nationalities. Our greatest strength is the trust we have in each other and encouraging the individual talents of each volunteer, that help make the workshop what it is today. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, pop down to our workshop at 21-23 High Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3EB between 4-8pm any Monday or Wednesday for a chat. Volunteers have also used their time and work at BECYCLE to leverage themselves into new careers, university courses and support job applications. Expect lots of social events, casual group rides, BBQ’s, bonfires, days at the beach, eating together, nights out, meeting lots of new people and getting dangerously addicted to bikes…. For more information please contact Scott Goodall, BECYCLE Workshop Trustee at email: becycleworkshop@gmail.com or telephone: 07743731990.

Join Our Team and Make a Difference! Are you passionate about helping others and eager to make a real impact in your community? We invite you to become a vital part of our food bank team, where your efforts will directly support individuals and families in need. As a volunteer, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring food donations are efficiently managed. You’ll welcome and thank donors, check, weigh, and record incoming stock, and sort food by date and type. You’ll also prepare stock orders for our food bank centre and emergency food boxes, ensuring timely and accurate distribution. By maintaining a clean and organised warehouse, and reporting any health & safety concerns, you'll help create a safe and welcoming environment. Your support can bring hope and encouragement to those who need it most. Together, we can create a more compassionate community, one interaction at a time. Volunteer today and be the change you want to see your city! For more information please email: foodbankvolunteering@tlc.org.uk or telephone 01224 211222.

Glencraft are a social enterprise and charity, dating back to 1843. We provide employment opportunities to disabled and disadvantaged persons in Aberdeen, with a particular focus on visual impairment, and we do so by manufacturing high quality mattresses. Our mattresses are shipped around the UK, and even to China and Canada, but we also sell to a loyal customer base in Aberdeen, from our factory and showroom in Mastrick. For local sales, we undertake the deliveries ourselves, using our own van. We are currently seeking volunteer support for deliveries. Deliveries are typically limited to within 30 miles of Aberdeen, and we try to limit them to Thursday mornings. The role requires the person to have good communication skills to keep a good relationship with customers, requires good physical fitness to help carry mattresses up stairs to customers rooms, and clean personal appearance to represent the Glencraft brand in a positive manner. The volunteering can also include some simple assembly work of bed bases and headboards, so basic DIY skills would be helpful. Due to limitations on our insurance policies, the volunteer must be over 30 years old and hold a full clean UK driving licence. It is an important role for the business and we welcome any persons who are motivated to perform the role. For further details please contact Donald MacKay, Chief Executive at email: donald.mackay@glencraft.co.uk or telephone: 01224 873366. A fantastic opportunity to be involved in a successful charity and social enterprise. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. More information about Glencraft is also available at https://glencraft.luxury/pages/social-enterprise

Volunteers are the life and blood of Foodbanks, your qualities could be just what they need. As the demand for support continues to rise, Glenrothes Foodbank are looking for Warehouse Assistants on a Monday (10am-3pm), Wednesday (11am-5pm) and Friday (10am - 3pm). This role largely involves sorting and packing of food donations and can, at times, be physically demanding. You will become part of a friendly and committed team of volunteers and contribute towards ensuring emergency food is provided to those who need it most. Volunteering with Glenrothes Foodbank provides the opportunity to obtain competent warehouse skills within a voluntary environment. The systems within the warehouse develop one's understanding of safe stock storing, recording and general food management. It increases awareness of safe manual handling and food hygiene. The position carries a degree of responsibility when dealing with sensitive issues and a confidentiality clause is included for every volunteer.

Top Toes provides a personal foot care service for clients who are unable to provide their own personal foot care. This is an essential service for the community. Good foot care can reduce the risk of falls among vulnerable older people, improves mobility and improves quality of life. This project also supports the work of NHS podiatry services, allowing them to focus on quality care for those who really need it. Footcare tasks include: · Set up and maintain sterile treatment room with appropriate equipment · Check and clean plinth · Complete health and well-being checklist with each client · Remove client’s footwear (where requested by client) · Clean toenails with sterile antiseptic wipes · Clean and check the client’s set of clippers for cleanliness and suitability for use (clients will be given their own set of clippers at their first appointment and will bring with them to each subsequent appointment) · Cut toenails · Give foot care and emollient advice If you think that you can contribute to this important service, or would like to know more, then please do get in touch: eleanor.paterson2@nhs.scot. Thank you!

Riverview is an Adult respite – Providing short breaks to individuals living with physical or emotional needs and their families and carers. The service is looking for a handyperson to help with small tasks around the inside of the building and help with small projects. What are the benefits for you: • Gaining experience in supporting staff • We give our volunteers a sense of family, together transforming the lives of the vulnerable people we care for and support • Gaining new experiences and learn new skills • Build confidence and gain a sense of achievement • Improved physical and mental health wellbeing • Free training and development • Adding to your CV • Trying something new and meet new people • Have fun!

Riverview is an Adult respite – Providing short breaks to individuals living with physical or emotional needs and their families and carers. The service is looking for a gardener to help with small tasks around the outside of the building, weeding, planting flowers, assisting to keep it tidy, help with small projects. What are the benefits for you: • Gaining experience in supporting staff • We give our volunteers a sense of family, together transforming the lives of the vulnerable people we care for and support • Gaining new experiences and learn new skills • Build confidence and gain a sense of achievement • Improved physical and mental health wellbeing • Free training and development • Adding to your CV • Trying something new and meet new people • Have fun!