*Help people who feel alone - just a few hours a week from you could make the future brighter for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation.* Hand of Solace is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation which helps people who may be lonely or at risk of loneliness and social isolation. -What our volunteers do: Loneliness and social isolation affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being or feeling alone can have a devastating impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as on communities, hospitals and other public services. Through just a few hours a week, you could provide a huge help for someone experiencing loneliness or social isolation. -Support for people and volunteering during COVID-19 Pandemic: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our befriending service to our older people has now transitioned from face to face to phone/video contact. We now also offer shopping, prescription collection etc. where necessary to the older people. Depression is also a major issue so our befrienders are needing to keep in touch more often than before to ensure their Befriendees are safe and sound and to offer any possible support. -How to get involved: We provide volunteer support to tackle loneliness in the following areas of Aberdeen: - Stoneywood - Seaton - Bucksburn - Northfield - Bridge of Don - Dyce If you would like to volunteer with us, send us an email or give us a ring and we will contact you within a few days to provide further details and discuss how you can get involved. Our email is info@handofsolace.co.uk , or by phoning the contact number- 07378432436.

Linking Lives UK has been working hard to respond effectively to the impact of Covid-19 particularly among those already affected by social isolation and loneliness on a daily basis. Aberdeen Two’s Company is a local telephone befriending service that connects volunteers with local people (‘Link Friends’) through telephone contact. The aim of our telephone befriending is to help reduce the impact that social isolation by making connections with others. This is especially important at this time of COVID-19 Crisis in the UK. To volunteer and help please complete the following form at https://forms.gle/5LbSKmH7o9Zh5J2n8 or email aberdeentwoscompany@gmail.com All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

*Active Schools Aberdeen on the lookout for new volunteers to boost local children’s involvement in sport* Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team is seeking new volunteers who are eager to play an important role in improving the health and wellbeing of Aberdeen’s young people. The invitation to volunteer extends to anyone over the age of 13 with an interest in sport and a desire to give back to the local community, who is inspired to help young people. Secondary school pupils who opt to volunteer will be accompanied by an adult when helping to deliver sessions. A sportscotland national initiative that aims to provide all children with high quality opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity, Active Schools is delivered in Aberdeen by award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen. The team engages with all local authority primary and secondary schools across the city, with a responsibility to encourage young people to participate in free physical activity sessions and join extracurricular sports clubs. Prior to Covid-19, a notable 89% of Active Schools activities were carried out by volunteers including parents, teachers, students, secondary school pupils and family members. The 2018 to 2019 school academic year saw 891 volunteer deliverers, with some 9588 pupils attending sessions. Eilidh Shanks, former Active Schools volunteer during secondary school, said: “I really enjoyed volunteering for Active Schools. I was involved in helping at netball clubs, holiday activity camps and fun runs. I loved that I got to work with kids of all ages, encouraging them to take part in sport. It was rewarding to see the kids enjoying themselves and improving each week.” Volunteering can also help to shape a career in sport. Rory Anton, former Active Schools volunteer, commented: “During my time volunteer coaching for Active Schools, it really helped me see the power of sport for young people and allowed me as a young coach to develop my leadership capabilities. There are definitely aspects of my job as a Club Development Officer at RGU SPORT supporting the development of our Student Leaders that I couldn’t do without the experience of leading so many sessions for Active Schools.” This is a key opportunity to join a supportive team and individuals will receive full training to ensure safe delivery of all sessions. Those who have the desire to make a difference, acquire new skills and positively impact the lives of local children through sport and physical activity are urged to get involved. To find out further information about becoming an Active Schools volunteer, please visit sportaberdeen.co.uk/active-schools/volunteer-with-active-schools/ or contact the team directly at activeschools@sportaberdeen.co.uk

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.

Wellbeing Scotland is a voluntary organisation with services across Scotland. We provide a wide range of holistic services for individuals and families whose life experiences have impacted negatively on their wellbeing. Since 1994 we have offered client centred, holistic, trauma informed therapeutic services and have specialised in abuse and trauma work. We work with both children and adults. Due to the Covid 19 crisis our services have never been more needed, and we are currently in need of Volunteer Befrienders in all areas. Do you or anyone you know have a few hours a week to spare to be listening ear to someone who is currently needing a friendly chat? At this time, our befrienders will work remotely by telephone or video calling. No experience necessary(although being a good listener would be an advantage) as training will be provided to help you with this role, and you will be appointed a supervisor for ongoing support. All equipment will also be provided and expenses for out of pocket costs will be reimbursed. Please contact us at email volunteer@wellbeingscotland.org or tel.: 01324 630100 for further information or to request a volunteer application pack.

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. In response to the effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples wellbeing (physical, emotional, social and mental health), that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated, TLC have responded to this need and further developed our befriending service to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many in our city. Our service is provided to anyone aged 18 years and over in Aberdeen who is experiencing or at risk of loneliness or isolation. Your help as a volunteer would therefore make a real difference. Our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers 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. If you would like to be a beacon of hope to someone in need, please do apply to join our fantastic team of volunteers. For further information please email us at volunteer@tlc.org.uk