Cycling Without Age Scotland is a transformational project which brings the elderly population closer to the outdoor environment through the power of Cycling. It offers the elderly or less able bodied, the chance to hitch a ride on a trishaw and enjoy the outdoors in a relaxing and invigorating way. Based on the national model, the Lewis and Harris Chapter has formed a core local committee and are keen to recruit volunteers to help establish and run the project. Our first aim is to raise enough money to purchase two trishaws, one for Stornoway and one for Tarbert. We then plan to link up (initially) with local care homes and organise to take elderly residents out on trishaws. Volunteers The project would offer considerable opportunities for volunteers and taking part would increase confidence and social skills in all age groups. For those who volunteer with the project, it is a chance to be part of something that makes a real difference to the lives of those in their community. They will form friendships and, from the stories they hear on the rides, learn more about their local community. They will develop important social skills and their own health will benefit from the exercise and fresh air.

Various volunteer roles available - at start and finish points including taking times

Litter isn’t nice. It spoils the places we live, work and visit. It devalues our beautiful country. Clean Up Scotland is our campaign to tackle litter. Whether you are an individual, member of a community, school or a business, we can all work together to improve our environment. Through Clean Up Scotland, we raise awareness of our litter problem, take action and inspire others to do the same. We can help you to organise a litter pick, find a litter pick happening near you or nominate someone for our Clean Up Scotland Hero award. If you are a business, we can organise volunteering activities and CSR days, or you can support our campaign financially, knowing that your money will make a real difference to our environment. Together we can make a difference.

We are excited to welcome the Tall Ships Races back to Aberdeen in July 2025. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on the city for four days of celebrating, sharing culture, and international friendships at Europe’s largest free family event. Hosting a successful Tall Ships Races provides a whole host of opportunities to get involved in a spectacular, world-famous event. There will be a number of varied and exciting roles available. We would love to have a team of welcoming volunteers who are able to share their knowledge of Aberdeen with visitors and crews. Roles could include way finding, information points, meet and greet, as well as stage and site management support. For more details and to register your interest to be a Tall Ships Races 2025 Aberdeen Volunteer please visit: https://www.tallshipsaberdeen.com/ and https://www.tallshipsaberdeen.com/#form

Parkruns are free, weekly, 5km events, bringing communities together in public parks and open spaces to have some fun in a friendly, social and supportive environment. The event at Rozelle Park in Ayr is held every Saturday morning with heaps of different ways to volunteer, including setting up the event, marshalling, timekeeping, scanning, handing out finish tokens or tail walking, to name just a few. It’s really simple to get involved: - Register once for free on our website - you will get a unique parkrun ID - Send the event an email or message on Facebook about helping out. - Come along on Saturday morning and have a fun morning helping in the community and meeting new people. The minimum age to formally volunteer is 16, although families with children over 4 are welcome to lend a hand. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No training is required, roles are fully supported on the day and you can take part as often or as little as you would like to at any parkrun event. If you want to meet new people, have fun, learn new skills, use your skills, build confidence and contribute in a positive way to your community, helping at parkrun is a great place to start! Do you love having fun, love meeting people, love making Ayr a healthier and happier place…then we’d love to hear from you.

We are looking for volunteers to join our charity where they will be able to deploy to events and support first aid training to the public. Scotia Medical Group provides event medical services across Grampian and further afield. Recent events included MacMoray festival; Cultivate Festival; Christmas at the Castle, Crathes and many more.

This volunteer role includes all aspects of care including stable, yard and field work, maintenance and rehabiltation work with the horses. No experience needed for non ridden work as full training given. Great opportunity to help loving animals in beautiful countryside, make new friends and gain skills.

One of Scotland's Great Trails, The Dava Way, is maintained entirely by volunteers...Could you join the team for the occasional Saturday? The Dava Way links the 24 miles between Forres and Grantown mostly following the route of the dismantled Highland Railway Line and is used by thousands of walkers, cyclists and horse riders each year. It is maintained by members of the Forres-based Dava Way Association and funded by donations and occasional grants from local and national charities. The Association organises monthly maintenance days to clear drainage and cut back undergrowth and fallen trees so that the path remains usable. As well as maintenance tasks, the volunteers are progressively improving the track as and when funding permits. Key to the ongoing success of the Dava Way is the team of volunteers who give their time to maintain the trail. Please consider joining the team on a regular or even occasional basis.

Scotland Versus Arthritis is looking for individuals willing to lead short health walks in your area, lead on other physical activities, or facilitate virtual support groups. Full training and on-going support for volunteers will be available. We are also looking for expressions of interest from anyone keen to become an instructor of Tai Chi or Qi Gong for arthritis. The current Covid restrictions have meant that for many the wait for treatment may be a year or more away. Painkilling prescriptions are seldom more than a temporary relief. Support and exercise can however offer a better way to self manage the daily on-going pain and fatigue. In readiness for the eventual lifting of lockdown we are asking, can you spare an hour or two each month to help? Please contact your local Development Officer, Dr. P. Neville, p.neville@versusarthritis.org or phone 07501 501114 for details.

REAP is currently looking for 2 or 3 volunteers to help support upcoming gardening sessions at their Maryhill Therapeutic Garden in Elgin. Working alongside the REAP team, volunteers will help participants get involved in gardening activities, helping people to build their skills, confidence, and wellbeing. Therapeutic gardening is the use of garden space to improve and build resilience in mental health; to increase physical activity; develop social skills and encourage a healthier diet. REAP’s aim is to help participants improve their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing through gardening and socialising in a beautiful, peaceful environment. Sessions are returning soon on February 11th and will run on a weekly basis on Tuesday afternoons 2-5pm or Friday mornings 10-12:30pm. Volunteers can help people take part in various gardening activities such as sowing seeds, learning about composting and harvesting vegetables to take home. There’s also a chance to socialise during the tea breaks! Volunteers will also be supported in their development by being offered training relevant to the project. If you are a friendly, patient person, able to engage with a wide variety of people, and can volunteer outside in a practical way, have an interest in gardening ( food growing or ornamental 😊 ), or even have skills that could help build a new garden bench!) please do get in touch with REAP, who will be very happy to tell you more about how to get involved. Tel 01542 888070