We seek volunteers to collect oral histories from local residents and people involved in the project gathering stories about the Union Chain Bridge, its history, cultural context and role in everyday life in the area. The main focus of the role will involve Training in good practice in the gathering of oral histories. Meeting and recording structured conversations with people. This may include using virtual communication strategies as appropriate to the current situation. Transcribing these conversations. The content will be held in the project archives and will inform educational materials and public exhibition materials including the project website. Skills/Experience required: An interest in local history, people and culture. Good interactive verbal communication skills. Ability to work on your own and in a team. Attendance at appropriate training to develop your skills. Through this role you will gain: Experience of working with recording technology as appropriate to the task. Understanding of ways to gather oral histories, including developing questioning techniques, pro-active listening skills and managing ethical issues that might arise from interviewees’ contributions. The opportunity to develop your knowledge of local history, geography, and culture with a focus on the Union Chain Bridge. Experience of working independently, yet as part of a bigger team.

Our statistics have revealed that 218,000 over 50s in Scotland say they feel lonely all or most of the time. As people get older, it can be harder to maintain social connections. Retirement, bereavement or moving somewhere new can leave people feeling lonely and isolated. That's where you come in! The Age Scotland Community Connecting Service aims to connect older people across Scotland to social groups and clubs in their local community. As a Community Researcher, you'll help to identify and research groups and clubs around the country, updating our Community Connecting database with the most accurate and up-to-date information. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Ashley Marr, Age Scotland Friendship Manager at email: ashley.marr@agescotland.org.uk or telephone: 03333232400.

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

>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.

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.

Research Ethics Committees consist of up to 18 members from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds. Our committees review health and social research, check that people are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and provide an opinion as to whether the research is ethical. We currently have vacancies for members of the public who are not currently healthcare professionals, and who are interested in thinking about issues from the perspective of a potential research participant and would like to develop knowledge of research ethics. Members receive training in ethical review and have opportunities to debate challenging issues. Positions are voluntary but expenses are paid for. The Committee meets on average for half a day per month and carry out additional work by email correspondence. Contact us for an application form or an informal chat on tel: 01224 558458, email gram.nosres@nhs.scot Interest can be registered at any time.

We are looking for enthusiastic and friendly volunteers who can regularly give us four hours of their time per fortnight. We are currently open 2 days a week from 11am to 3pm and are hoping to increase our opening hours in the near future. Duties of the role include: • Welcoming visitors and answering questions • Selling museum publications • Recording visitor information • Receiving items donated by members of the public We are looking for people who have: · An interest in Dalkeith’s history · Good people skills · Good listening skills Experience of using Word and Excel would be a bonus You can check out our website for more information about the museum at www.dalkeithmuseum.co.uk. A volunteer application form can be downloaded and printed from the site for completion. Alternatively, email volunteers@dalkeithmuseum.co.uk if you would like to be contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator.

By choosing to volunteer with Western Isles Citizen Advice Service you'll be giving something truly valuable back to your community. As a charity, our volunteers are essential to allow us to deliver the important work we do. What's involved? There are a broad range of volunteering roles available within Western Isles CAS, so you can use your skills, knowledge and experience where it matters most from adviser roles to behind the scenes support we will let you choose were you think you'll make the greatest impact. What are the benefits? Volunteering is a fantastic way to stay active and involved in the local community. As a new member we will instantly make you feel at home. Let's not forget the feel good factor too! Giving people the information and advice they need to turn their lives around is very rewarding. As well as making a difference you can also learn valuable skills . 42% of our volunteers go on to further education or employment. As an adviser you will be part of the wider network and will have access to ongoing training and development. If you would like to volunteer with us or find out more we would love to hear from you!

Impact volunteers help us to evaluate our work so that we can understand the impact of our services. This can involve interviewing older people or asking them to complete questionnaires. The role asks you to give around two hours each week (or eight to 10 hours per month). You will spend most of your time surveying older people on the phone and gathering their responses, and there may be interviewing opportunities for those volunteers who would like to do so. This is a flexible and remote voluntary role that can be carried out from home. You will need one reference and to complete an ID check for this role. Tasks could include: Conducting evaluation surveys with older people over the phone. Collecting evaluation responses on an online form?during calls?and submitting to Re-engage. Compiling and inputting data from written surveys into spreadsheets or systems. Conducting evaluation interviews with older people over the phone (this requires prior experience and / or qualifications). Following?all?guidance in your?impact volunteer?training modules to ensure that?you handle all personal data securely, are aware of our safeguarding framework, and that the?activities are?completed?in line with our charitable?aims. This volunteer role asks you to give around two hours each week (or eight to 10 hours per month). You will spend most of your time surveying older people on the phone and gathering their responses, and there may be interviewing opportunities for those volunteers who would like to do so. This is a flexible and remote voluntary role that can be carried out from home. We will give you the training and guidance you need to carry out the tasks successfully. We’ll also be on hand to provide advice and guidance. If you're interested, please click the ‘apply’ button below (available when logged in and registered). You will then be contacted by the coordinator by email or phone call. If you have not heard back after 5 working days, the first step is to contact the organisation with the contact details provided. You could also check your junk/spam folder on your emails just in case the response is there. If that doesn’t work out then please feel free to contact Volunteer Glasgow on info@volunteerglasgow.org.

Volunteers welcomed to support Live Borders curators, archivists and educators. Tasks vary from contributing information, research and digitising resources for Borders Collections Online database, to helping at events/exhibitions or supporting on-site conservation, cataloguing and storage projects. Role Description : Volunteers can get involved in a range of ways to help our team deliver priority programmes in museums/archives work. We have opportunities available working either remotely (online) and in our Museums/Galleries plus Heritage Hub archive, located across the Scottish Borders area. Skills/Experience Required: We are looking for volunteers with a diverse range of skills and subject interests. Our collections and database projects cover everything under the sun from textiles, photography and local history, to natural sciences, art and motorsport. Current projects involve assisting with cataloguing, inventories, storage/labelling and digitising of 150,000 historic objects, artworks and images. In addition, volunteers can also support our team in the care and conservation of collections on-site and help with associated research topics. We also have opportunities for volunteers to assist at events or invigilate at exhibitions. Volunteering can be either digital/online work for collections database and research work, or site-based at museum/archive area offices located in Hawick, Peebles, Duns or Selkirk. Hours to be arranged by agreement, minimum commitment of 3 months required.