Call Companions is a telephone befriending service providing regular chats to older people, often living on their own and with little social interaction. Our call companion coordinators oversee a small group of around six call companions and the older people they speak to on a regular basis. This is a flexible, homebased voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As the call companion coordinator, you will be the main point of contact for everyone in your group. You will regularly contact both the volunteers and the older people, making sure they have all the support and information they need to make or receive their regular calls and responding to any queries or concerns. You will keep the team at Re-engage updated and submit a monthly report. This is challenging but rewarding role that makes a big difference in the lives of people experiencing loneliness.

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.

Aberdeen Multicultural Centre (AMC) is an outcome driven, user led charity, committed to making a positive impact on the lives of wider communities in Aberdeen. AMC encourages co-operation and integration amongst diverse community groups. AMC’s vibrant aims are to support communities from social, economic, welfare & environmental perspectives. AMC has run Climate Change projects for the last five years aimed at awareness raising and changing behaviours in relation to home energy efficiency, active travel, food waste, recycling and home gardening amongst diverse communities in Aberdeen. AMC has become cultural hub of communities in Aberdeen. AMC has been organising different cultural events such as International Mother Language Day, Aberdeen Mela- One World Day, Multicultural Burns Night etc. AMC also involved in different sports & physical activities such as Multicultural Football Festival, Multicultural Bike Rally, Wellbeing & Mindfulness Meditation Sessions, Relaxation & Chair base exercises for BAME older people etc. Post Covid-19 recovery stage we are looking to go back to our normal operations and activities. Planning ahead we need a grant proposal writing volunteer’s support to our team. A fantastic and exciting opportunity to assist in the continued successful development of Aberdeen Multicultural Centre and make a real difference for people and communities. All help is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Ahashan Habib, Centre Manager at E Mail: a.habib@abmc.org.uk or tel. 01224 561992.

NHS Western Isles is looking for volunteers to be the welcoming face at our reception sites in Western Isles hospital. We are looking for people who will welcome patients, visitors and staff into our hospital. Meet and Greet volunteers have become an important role in our continuing response to Covid-19. You will help guide people around the hospital site, supply essential PPE and hand gel for those entering the hospital and help make patients hospital stays more comfortable by delivering their belongings to them, which are dropped at reception by relatives while hospital access is restricted. You can volunteer if: • nobody in your household has coronavirus symptoms, for example, a cough or high temperature • you're aged over 18 and under 70 years old and fit and well with no symptoms • you’re not pregnant • you do not have any long-term health conditions that make you vulnerable to coronavirus • Government Coronavirus Covid-19 guidelines • Volunteers will be risk assessed in accordance to COVID-19 volunteering guidance to NHS boards. e mail info@volunteercentrewi.org

Volunteer Drivers will be required to collect food parcels from NCT and to families isolated/ vulnerable during the pandemic.

Volunteers required to deliver leaflets to advertise the services being offered by NCT during COVID. Also future help to develop this organisation as it moves towards Development Trust status, promote the services offered; the function spaces available for community, private and commercial hire and events, the enterprise cafe and catering services together with promotion and engagement of community groups, within the charity owned and run community centre. Volunteers will be working alongside NCT centre staff, and service users who are attending the centre for groups, drop in cafe and events. An ability to bring experience of marketing within the service and community sector would be useful however not essential as there are a range of multi level opportunities from strategic management to daily social media coordination and public relations.

Do you have bike repairor upcycling skills? Support our Bike technicians and Project Coordinator with the delivery of the Community Tracks Inverclyde programme! Our aim is to support and encourage local people to choose sustainable transport measures and encourage healthier lifestyles, while also supporting the provision of practical activities for local people in relation to bicycle recycling, maintenance and refurbishment. Tasks •To help sort, build and refurbish bikes donated to the project - with reuseable parts where possible •To assist in the day to day running of the bike workshop •Learn to use existing and future mechanical skills and experience to diagnose faults, assess viability of repairs, while helping to undertake safety checks and refurbishments •Assist with pop-up bike events within the wider Inverclyde area •To interact with local people, local businesses and community groups to promote cycling and training opportunities •Ensure that H&S protocols are followed at all times •Contribute towards the development of good working practices and external bike events •Ensure that equipment is stored safely, kept clean and in safe working order. •Volunteers may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities not set out in this role description. It's a great way to meet new people and develop your skills! Start date dependent on covid-19 guidelines - but hopefully start anytime.

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. This year, in response to the crippling effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples physical, emotional and mental health, that the pandemic has only exacerbated, TLC are setting up a befriending service to combat loneliness and isolation in Aberdeen. Our aim is that our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers will not only provide a lifeline to people, in the form of friendship, but also a helping hand to reconnect to the community, bringing joy and passion back into people’s lives. Due to Covid-19 government restrictions, the project will run differently than usual with the use of video conferencing or by phone, however, once restrictions are eased and it is safe to meet in person, befriending sessions will operate face-to-face in people’s homes or in the community. If you would like to be a beacon of hope for someone in need, please apply to become a TLC Befriender. For further information please contact Jonny Astill, Development Manager at EMail: jonny@tlc.org.uk

The Royal Voluntary Service is working in partnership with NHS Grampian and the 3 Health and Social Care Partnerships in Grampian to recruit additional volunteer drivers to support the COVID-19 vaccination programme. We are seeking drivers able to drive their own vehicle, who live throughout the Grampian area, but we particularly need drivers living in or near Buckie, Turriff, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Banchory, Insch, Speyside, and Elgin Area. Volunteer Drivers will help people attend their COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Vaccination is our best way out of the pandemic, it is so important that everyone can attend their vaccination when they receive their appointment notification. Volunteers have made a massive contribution to support people to stay safe and well during the pandemic, they have been a lifeline for many in our communities. Full training, risk assessment and reimbursement of any costs is provided. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer driver to support the COVID vaccination programme, please go to https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk / https://volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering or call 01224 937110

Are you a good listener, non-judgemental and empathetic with an ability to relate to traumatic life experiences that some of the children/young people referred to us may have faced? Befriend a Child is a local charity that provides 1:1 befriending and mentoring services for school aged children and young people. We recruit caring adults who act as role models for school-aged children who face some kind of disadvantage. They spend time together on a 1:1 basis, talking, sharing and having fun. Could that be you? If you are reliable and fun-loving, with a positive disposition and you can commit to sparing a few hours each month, you could make a huge difference in a young person’s life. Excellent training and support is provided and all our volunteer roles adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines and restrictions. For more information/to register your interest please visit https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/get-involved/befriending/ and/or email us at volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk