A young carer is someone up to the age of 18 who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who due to illness or disability cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. It may involve practical support like cooking, housework, or emotional support. A group volunteer with Aberdeen Young Carers will assist staff members in delivering any planned activities e.g. arts and crafts, baking etc. They will actively participate with the activity, encourage young people to join in and have fun and build up positive relationships with the children and young people by being friendly and non-judgemental. They will also have the opportunity to lead groups if they wish to. At this time we are predominantly looking for volunteers to help at our School Holiday groups in the Summer Holidays in 2023. We are working on a schedule of groups which we would need volunteers for but these groups will have a range of activities! There will also be the opportunity for volunteers to help with our monthly groups, on an ad-hoc basis or at events. Events typically include summer outings, Christmas parties and Young Carers’ festivals. Further opportunities are available to assist in promoting our events e.g. putting up posters and spreading the word, in helping us at groups. Excellent support and relevant training is provided and our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity. To apply for this role – please visit: https://volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities/16049-children-s-activity-support-group-helper-aberdeen-young-carers-2020-11-24 or contact Jacqui Hall, Volunteer Coordinator at email jacqui.hall@barnardos.org.uk / telephone: 07783 848410 for any more details.

The 2023 Bowls Scotland National Championships take place at the National Centre for Bowling, Ayr, from Sunday 23rd July until Saturday 29th July and we're now looking for volunteers to assist at one of Scotland's largest annual sporting events. Over the week more than 1,500 players and 10,000 spectators will pass through the gates at the home of Scottish Bowls. We have a number of roles required to be carried out and no previous experience is required. These include: General Admission and Ticket Sales Social Media Co-ordinator Live Scoring Assistant Player Registration General Marshal / Stewarding VIP Area Assistant Retail Assistant Media Photographer / Videographer Competition Assistant

Are you interested in wildlife and would you like to get involved in practical work on our Culbin Sands reserve? We are looking for new volunteers to get involved and help us manage our remote and fascinating Culbin Sands reserve. We rely on the hard work and dedication of volunteers to keep the habitats on this reserve in fine condition. To do this, we are running work groups, usually once or twice a week between Monday and Friday, from September to April. This role is suitable for under 18’s. We will carry out habitat management tasks during these work groups, which will include the removal of scrub and small trees with hand tools and burning brash on bonfires. We are looking for volunteers to help out with these management tasks by joining our dedicated team of volunteers. The tasks are running as part of our LIFE 100% for Nature Project, which aims to improve the condition of sand dune and vegetated shingle habitats on the reserve, to benefit a range of rare and threatened species. In this role you'll learn about the management and ecology of this important reserve while developing new skills in habitat management or just enjoying this remote and wild reserve. Due to the remoteness of the reserve, there are no indoor toilet facilities at this reserve. You will need to make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus injection. Volunteers will need to bring their own food, drink and outdoor clothing, including wellies. The RSPB will provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment relevant to the tasks, such as work gloves and protective glasses. You don't need to have any previous experience, and volunteers can try a session to see if the role is for them. You can apply for this role online https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/36060-practical-reserve-work-reserve-work-party-volunteer-culbin-sands-2022-08-08

Moray Handyperson Services are looking for new DIY-ers to join their team, especially in the Elgin area. Volunteers complete small/minor maintenance jobs that some older or vulnerable people cannot do by themselves in their own homes. Each year, this local charity helps hundreds of people stay safe and independent in their own home. Small jobs can range from changing a light bulb, to fitting curtain rails, from assembling flat-packs, to even doing a bit of decluttering. These jobs usually take less than an hour and you can choose to do a job at a time that is convenient for you. Volunteers are usually matched to a job in their local area, and if you can't help out, that isn't a problem either, as you can say no or yes to a job. Now that's flexible volunteering! Contact them if you think you could part of their volunteer team. How It Works: The MHPS staff receive requests from clients and collect relevant details, usually over the phone. They then find a volunteer who has the skills, is nearby and is available. If the volunteer accepts the job, MHPS send the volunteer all the details they need to do the job. Most jobs require the volunteer to visit the client in the client’s own home. The volunteer first makes a brief assessment to ensure the job is as described and it is safe for them to proceed. Once the job has been carried out, there is usually opportunity to chat with the client to determine if they are well, need support in any other areas. Completion paperwork (easy and quick to do) is returned to the MHPS office.

The Volunteer would be working front of house welcoming visitors to the museum and in the small gift shop.

- Willing to participate in activities and learn about new cultures? - Ready to create social change and improve peoples lives? No matter where you are in Scotland, you have access to training and learning opportunities abroad that can help you gain skills, boost confidence, and earn qualifications. Our organisation offers multiple trips throughout the year, with mentors available to provide support. We partner with other organizations to offer placements in Ghana, Romania, and potentially Eastern European countries, each with a unique set of activities and tasks that focus on developing various skills. We offer shorter 3 to 4 day trips for young people, aged 16-30, as well as longer trips of 2 to 3 weeks for anyone over 16. An exciting and great opportunity to help and make a difference. For more information please contact Megan Beattie, Project Delivery Lead at email: start@standinternational.org or telephone: 0131 659 9943. Further information is also available at: https://www.standinternational.org/

We’re looking for help with a range of tasks and activities before, during and after the festival, including: Clearing, preparing and setting up/taking down the site before and after the festival; Venue building and decorating; Helping us to steward the event; Invigilating on site artwork; Promotion, including flyering, content creation etc; Meeting and greeting guests and taking tickets at the box office; Assisting with stage management and artists’ support;

Help us take on Scotland’s single biggest killer! Help us build up the pace in Scotland by sharing our badges and displaying posters across your local area; playing your part in the future of Scottish medical research and taking on heart disease. Our Heart of Scotland Appeal is a fundraising campaign to raise and spend money in Scotland on vital medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. 41 people die every day in Scotland from cardiovascular disease and we know that the death rate from coronary heart disease is almost 50% higher than for the South East of England. This isn’t fair and we want to change this. We will provide posters for you to display in your local shops, community centres, libraries, supermarkets, pharmacies and doctors surgeries to help us reach as many people as possible. The Heart of Scotland Appeal is backed by internationally acclaimed Scottish fashion designer, Christopher Kane. Christopher has designed four unique badges featuring the words Love, Care, Brave and Life. We can send you a box of badges to sell to friends, family and colleagues for donations, as well as asking local shops if they will have a box of badges on their counter (that we can then send out to them directly). Join our network of volunteer Pace Makers and help us get everyone wearing a Heart of Scotland badge. Together we can keep those we love around for longer. For more information please contact Pamela Hook at E Mail: fundraisingadmin@heartresearch.org.uk or tel.: 0113 234 7474.

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.

*About Bud: Bud is Poppyscotland’s brand new vehicle for exploration and learning, a truck that transforms into a mobile community space, comprising a mini poppy factory, micro-museum and with interactive learning opportunities. Bud is an interactive experience that encourages visitors to create their personal remembrance journey through exploring the exhibits. It is helping us keep remembrance relevant all year round. *About the opportunity: As a Bud Heritage Volunteer, you will support the delivery of the Bud project when Bud is in your area. This could see you supporting in one of the key tasks below: -Welcome members of the public and groups (schools, girl guides, brownies, cubs, cadets etc.) visiting Bud on their arrival -To deliver activities both indoor and outdoor as planned by the Bud team -To assist with evaluation of Bud by encouraging feedback and collecting data -To be flexible in the performance of the post and undertake duties requested by the Bud team -Support the staff team in set up and take down at visits and events. Support staff in the delivery of activities with schools, groups and public visitors *Benefits for you: -Having access to appropriate training for the role -You will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of new people -Building on your existing skills and developing new ones -Being part of a friendly, committed team -Attending local events A fantastic opportunity to help PoppyScotland and be part of the exciting Bud Project. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. *What’s next? For further information or to express your interest in this opportunity, please get in touch either *Online – www.poppybud.org.uk/volunteer , * Email – volunteer@poppybud.org.uk or *Phone – Sandra Comrie – 0141 773 6221.