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.

Grandmentors is an award winning inter-generational mentoring programme, matching volunteer mentors aged 50+ with young people aged 16-24 who have had adverse childhood experiences. Grandmentors has now launched in Midlothian. Our volunteer mentors help young people navigate the transition to independence by guiding them through life skills such as managing finances, accessing employment, education and training, and supporting their health and wellbeing. This opportunity is for volunteers (normally aged 50+) who have life experience and skills to offer. However, if you are younger than 50 and feel you could offer valuable support, please do apply or contact us to discuss further. It is important that you have good people skills, communication skills, patience, and can offer a regular commitment of a few hours per week (weekly or fortnightly). This role requires PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) scheme membership, which will be handled and processed by us. We provide our volunteers with comprehensive training, on-going support, and volunteer expenses.

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 Family Supporters in Edinburgh project offers practical and emotional support to families across the city 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 for an hour or so each week, 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. We also encourage and welcome volunteers who have the ability to speak multiple languages join our team! 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.

Volunteer Leaders [or assistants] to support the 1st Wick Beaver Group provide Scouting instruction to young people [age 6-8] to help with good citizenship and social interaction

- 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/

The Risk Factory is a purpose built centre set up like a film set of everyday situations where visitors can experience risk in a safe environment covering topics such as fire, home and road safety. Our volunteer Safety / Tour Guides escort small groups round the lifelike scenarios delivering safety messages and running simple activities that enable them to think about dangers and actions to reduce and / or avoid risk.

This is a fun and supportive volunteering opportunity for 14 to 21 year olds who are interested in health and wellbeing. The Junction Youth Advisors (JYAs) meet as a group to talk about issues affecting young people's health and wellbeing in North-East Edinburgh. You'll make a real difference to The Junction by helping us to improve and promote our services. The JYAs are often asked to contribute their ideas to city-wide, national and international projects too. You can help try out our new services, create new resources like posters and videos, promote The Junction at events, take part in discussions and suggest your own ideas. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and build up your confidence in a safe and friendly group which values young people's rights and voices.

To support the delivery of a wide range of child centred outdoor learning opportunities giving children, young people, and families the opportunity to connect with each other and with the natural world. To help the organisation provide opportunities for children and young people to succeed, building confidence, self -worth and self-belief. To help the organisation provide an inclusive service so that children and young people will have fun, stay safe, be inspired, and make friends; contributing to and providing them with life skills required to thrive in the modern world. To support the delivery and facilitation of a stimulating and innovative outdoor learning/play in the local community in East Kilbride and assist in the delivery of varied outdoor programmes. Main Duties: - Support the delivery of monthly outdoor learning & play programmes for families in the local community. - Facilitate freely chosen and self-directed play opportunities. - Work with the wider volunteer team to set-up and take-down of kit for each play session. - Encourage children to plan and choose the activities that they would like to do, enabling them to experiment and learn about themselves and the world around them, while allowing them to grow and take risks within the safety of the project. - Participate in the planning and organisation of activities for each session, including preparation and storage of kit and materials. - To support the supervision of participants at all times, making sure that safety procedures are followed conforming to the project’s Child Protection and Health & Safety policies and other relevant policies and complete any appropriate reports e.g. accident / incident forms. - Support in promoting good behaviour and dealing with any challenging behaviour in accordance with the projects policies and procedures. - Always ensure non-discriminatory practices – in line with the Equal Opportunities policy. - Assist in the preparation and clearing up of activities and work areas. - Support the promotion of the initiative and of the sessions. Personal Qualities & Skills: - Be kind, patient, respectful and able to work in a team. - Excellent communication skills with children and adults. - Ability to work in partnership with other organisations - Be organised and efficient. - Good team worker, self-motivated and passionate about providing play opportunities for children. - Able to use own initiative and be flexible in their approach. - Be able to work within the values-led ethos of the OutLET: Play Resource. - Adaptable to varied workload. - Willingness to work in all weathers and seasons. Desirable Skills & Experience - Experience of working with children, young people or families. - Experience in delivering outdoor programmes with children or young people. - An understanding of and passion for the principles of play and the role of adults. - An understanding of Forest School ethos and principles. A full clean driving licence and access to a car is ideal, but not essential

You can make a difference to children and young people in your local community by volunteering in The Boys’ Brigade. Buchan Battalion Boys' Brigade would love to hear from you if you are keen to work with other dedicated volunteers at one of their ten Companies in Buchan to support children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 to live their lives to the full. Training will be provided. We currently have vacancies in Various locations including Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Rosehearty, Sandhaven, New Deer, New Pitsligo, Strichen and St Combs We have faith in young people, providing them with opportunities to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun and caring environment which is rooted in the Christian faith. Anchors are from age 5-8. In this Section the emphasis is on fun and programme activities include games, crafts, stories and opportunities to learn and share in new experiences. Junior are from age 8-11. In this Section the programme provides challenges, adventure and opportunities to learn and grow and enables the children to work in a team and take more responsibility. Company Section are from 11-14. In this Section young people get the chance to develop existing skills and learn new ones, through a fun, balanced and challenging programme of activities. Young people are encouraged to have a say and help shape their own programme. They can get involved in anything from helping others in their local community to playing sports, trying out adventure activities or being creative through dance or art – there’s something for everyone! There are also opportunities to go away on camps and residentials, which are often the highlights in the annual programme. Seniors are from 14-18. In this Section young people in this age group are encouraged to lead their own programme, supported by volunteer leaders, and have the opportunity to go away on camps and residentials. It’s all about the young people deciding what they would like to do and organising it for themselves. Throughout their time in the BB, children and young people can gain badges and recognition for their participation in the programme.

Avonbridge Hall hosts a variety of events throughout the year for their small community. Currently we run a Cafe, Bingo & Book Bug sessions. We are always keen to hear from anyone who could spare a bit of time now and then to help with events and activities through the year. Our Facebook page is updated regularly with news and upcoming events. Feel free to browse our page for more information on Avonbridge Hall! https://www.facebook.com/people/Avonbridge-Hall/100081199249320/