Volunteers are essential in every area of RDA life. From coaches to cake bakers, people support RDA in many different ways – and we always need more. Whatever skills you can bring, giving your time to your local RDA group will mean that more disabled people can enjoy the therapy and fun of horses. Volunteering with RDA should be rewarding and fulfilling – and we want you to benefit from your time with us. Our award-winning programme of volunteer training means it’s not just our participants who get the chance to learn and achieve their goals. We welcome volunteers of 12 and over, there is no upper age limit and we need a wide range of skills – not just with horses. RDA is a diverse organisation and we are at our best when we bring together people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the RDA family, so why not find your nearest group today

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact Heidi Bisset, Programme and Schools Manager- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire at email: mentor.services@mcrpathways.org or tel: 07587104597

The Boys’ Brigade is the oldest uniformed youth organisation in the country. We promote habits which leads young people to be good all round citizens, through an extensive programme. It is rewarding and an honour to watch 5 year old shy children grown into confident young adults, ready to play their part in society. With Covid-19 rules many Companies are looking for additional volunteers to help run the different Sections separately. Helping out in a BB group with children and young people can make all the difference to young lives – meaning happier young people, happier communities and a society that values the contribution that we can all make; young, old or in-between. We call our volunteers “leaders” because they guide a course for children and young people. *What do volunteers do? There are lots of different ways that you can help. We work with boys and girls from all backgrounds and of all faiths, and with those with no faith. Most of our volunteers come along for a couple of hours a week in the evening and get involved with one or more of our four age sections: Anchors, Juniors, Company, Seniors. We need volunteers to help children with activities, games, sport, arts and crafts, hobbies, music etc. Whatever you can help with is greatly valued. We also want volunteers who will be able to relate to young people and over time, become adults they can trust and talk to. *I can't help every week, do you still want me? Yes! The beauty of volunteering with the BB is that you can be flexible, and if you can only help out once a month, or even once a year at the annual camp then we are happy to welcome you. *What is the age limit? You can volunteer from 14+ as a Young Leader, with a wider range of roles for those aged 18+. There’s no upper age limit. We really do welcome applications from all ages. *Do I have to be Christian? Some churches where BB groups are based like leaders to be members of that church, but are happy that certain roles are performed by people who are in sympathy with the Christian basis of the BB. Other than that, we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and cultures. There are BB groups in and around Aberdeen, looking for volunteers, from Cove to Balmedie, Powis, Northfield, Woodside and the Bridge of Don, and everywhere in between. There will be a group near you who will welcome and greatly appreciate your help. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and communities. For further information please contact Andy Cowie at email: acowie999@btinternet.com or tel.: 01224 7903248 / 07715279478.

At MCR, we know that there is amazing potential and talent in all young people, regardless of their home life and circumstances. Bur for many, that potential has yet to be discovered. Life experience has knocked the confidence out of some, firmly locking away those seeds of aspiration and hope. It is our aim to uncover, nurture, and develop the skills and capabilities of our most disadvantaged young people. We bridge talent with opportunity through relationship focused mentoring. We're looking for mentors to #BeTheBridge for the young people of Anderson High School. All that's required is one hour per week and a desire to help a young person. Building a positive relationship is based on non-judgemental listening and encouragement. It's about turning up consistently, for no other reason than you care. When one person mentors, two lives are changed. Our mentors help realise the full potential of their young person and empower them with the confidence and belief to make it happen. Mentoring is creating a wave of positive change, impacting our schools, community and country.

Volunteering Matters Overview At Volunteering Matters we believe everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive, so we bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. We partner with communities to overcome adversity, tackling social isolation and loneliness, improving health, developing skills and opportunities. And because we’re a national charity, we do this at scale, sharing our expertise and building partnerships to make an even bigger impact. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all. Project Overview Our Volunteers Supporting Families in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the South East and South West localities of Edinburgh, empowering them to face a range of life challenges. We recruit, train and match dedicated, local volunteers to help families every step of the way, spending 1-1 time together on a personalised set of goals chosen by the family, for the family. We can help in many ways, such as improved living standards, budgeting, healthier eating, better school life and behaviour, access to health and wellbeing aid, as well as introducing parents to community resources, to name a few. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service and we are now delighted to extend the programmes reach to families in Edinburgh. Who can volunteer with us? Our volunteers are locally based people with an understanding of the challenges that families are facing. Aged 18+, each volunteer brings different life experiences and skills that they can use to help the family they are matched to, offering support on a weekly basis, usually for 6-9 months at a time that suits everyone. They build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, acting as a friendly face who listens and cares about the family. All volunteers are interviewed, trained to the highest standards and undergo disclosure checks before being matched with a family. What can we offer volunteers? As well as the sense of achievement that comes through supporting a family, our volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, attend social events with other volunteers and enhance their employability. Certificates are provided upon completion of induction training and at the end of the commitment, with project staff happy to provide references for future studies or employment.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Primary 7. Our Roslin Company meet every fortnight on a Wednesday evening from 6pm. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and lots of skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings! With more volunteers we will be able to do more activities and hopefully be able to take the young people to camp! All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Secondary 6. Our Bonnyrigg Company meet every Tuesday evening from 6.00pm for kids in Primary 1 – 6. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings and camps! With more volunteers we will be able to do many more activities with more children & young people. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer you will assist our leaders in facilitating a wide variety of activities for children in P1 to S6. Our Loanhead company meet Wednesdays from 6pm for kids in P1 to P6 and Thursdays from 7pm for young people P7 to S6. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games, sports, arts, crafts and skill-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings, camps and participating in local events. With more volunteers we will be able to do more much activities and allow more children & young people to come along and join the fun. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. We would not expect you to attend both evenings each week but would ask you to commit to attending one regularly. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Have you ever thought about giving back to your community? Your help could provide a safe space for Children & Young People to go each week to Learn, Grow and Discover. As a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade you can become involved in helping our leaders facilitate a wide variety of activities for children from Primary 1 to Secondary 6. Our Penicuik Company meet every Friday evening from 6.30pm. Each meeting varies but typical activities include games and sports, arts and crafts and skills-based activities that go toward the achievements programme. Not to mention going on outings and assisting with the participation in regional competitions! With more volunteers we will be able to do many more activities and maybe be able to organise more camping experiences for the young people. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and enjoy working with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. All volunteers must have PVG clearance which we will facilitate.

Our volunteers come along for a couple of hours a week on a Friday evening and get involved in facilitating our varied program for the youths, typical activities include games, sports and arts & crafts. We often participate in competitions, go on outings and arrange camp for our youths. All we ask is that our volunteers are enthusiastic, committed and able to work with children and young people. Being able to work well as part of a small team is beneficial. We have various opportunities for training for our volunteers at local and national level. You can volunteer from 14+ as a Young Leader, with a wider range of roles for those aged 18+. There’s no upper age limit. We really do welcome applications from all ages. All volunteers working with youths are required to have a PVG. This will be facilitated by the company.