Human contact is vital. As we are all finding out, without it, life changes. Community Alcohol Related Damages Service is a befriending service run by Rowan Alba. Health care specialists, GP’s, hospitals and mental health services refer individuals to our service. These people, for various reasons have been living the way we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of them for most of their lives. We need to recruit and train volunteers now so we can respond to those that have been referred to us during this time.

The workshop is a safe alcohol / drug free working environment. Our aims are to support our workers and where possible enable them to enter into mainstream employment. Working in a supported workshop, assisting worker / volunteers with barriers to employment e.g. mental health, drugs / alcohol issues, to carry out assigned tasks.

We provide emotional support by listening to people when they are finding life tough. People call us for a range of reasons. Samaritans volunteers get excellent training and work in pairs at their local branch. We need a range of volunteers - from listening to running the branch in all other ways. Please register your interest by clicking “volunteer with us: on Shetland Samaritans website.

Social isolation and loneliness is a huge issue in the Moray area. As a volunteer mentor you will be matched with a young person who you would spend regular time on a 1:1 basis, working towards building a trusting relationship. Volunteers take part in activities that is of interest to your young person, such as cooking, sports, and crafts. You can also introduce them to new activities to help them learn new skills and develop new interests. Through having a mentor, a young person can develop confidence and self-belief to achieve their life goals. As a volunteer you will gain practical experience of spending time with children and increase your knowledge about the issues affecting young people. You will meet a range of new people and be filled with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that you have helped make a difference in a child’s life.

Could you offer an hour per week, to support a young adult in Midlothian? "Grandmentors" is an award winning mentoring programme, matching Volunteer Mentors who have a range of life skills and experience, with young adults aged 16-26 who are care experienced or who face a range of other life challenges or barriers. Grandmentors launched in Midlothian in 2023. Our Volunteer Mentors help young adults to navigate the transition into adulthood, guiding and helping them learn valuable life skills such as managing their finances, accessing Employment, Education and Training, and supporting their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Normally our Volunteer Mentors are aged 50+ and have skills and life experience to offer. However, if you are younger than 50 and feel you could offer time to support a younger adult, we would love to hear from you too! It is important that you have good people and communication skills, patience, and can offer a regular commitment of at least an hour per week (or a couple of hours per fortnight). Full training and support will be given throughout your volunteering experience as a Mentor! We will also re-imburse any volunteer expenses costs that you incur. Interested in finding out more? Apply today and we will be in touch!

The role The role of a CAB general adviser is very varied. Some of the thing’s advisers do in Nairn CAB: •Interview clients at the bureau, by phone or in person: listen to the client and let them explain the problem, help them to clarify the issues by exploring the problem and asking questions. •Provide information from our AdviserNet information system and other sources. •Explain the choices the client faces, and what these choices mean. •Offer practical help to clients by writing letters, making phone calls and helping fill in forms. •Perform calculations (for example, to assess entitlement to certain kinds of benefits). •Refer clients to other agencies if they are better placed to help. •Record cases: make a record of the client’s details so that further help can be given if a client returns to the bureau. •Prevent future problems by identifying issues that affect a lot of clients – this is called social policy work. Does this sound like you? •Able to listen and communicate with clients. •Able to use a computer. •Willing to undertake the basic training and in-service training to keep them up to date. •Able to work within the CAB principles-keep confidentiality and give impartial advice. •Able to work within CAB equal opportunities and anti-racism policies. •Willing to work as a team member. How to apply - Please email: bureau@nairncab.casonline.org.uk

Would you like to make a difference to New Scots, Migrants, Refugee families in your community? Would you like to help tackle Child Poverty? We have the right opportunity for you! Volunteering Matters is now recruiting volunteer mentors for our Parental Employability Project to help build resilience and aspirations to move parents towards and enter employment. While our staff will be on hand to help you provide employability specific support to parents, your role as a mentor will be focused on developing additional skills and overcoming personal barriers to facilitate their entry into the job market. More specifically, you might be supporting your mentee with confidence building, communication skills, social skills, proactiveness, future plans and aspirations, accessing local community groups. No previous experience or knowledge required, just a willingness to make a difference to families in your community. We especially welcome applications from mentors that have direct or indirect lived experience of any of the mentioned barriers and struggles and feel ready to provide friendly guidance to someone who is on their employment journey. We welcome mentors with additional languages. You will be ideally a flexible, patient and reliable individual with strong people skills. Before you start, we will invite you to attend training, aimed at providing you with all the necessary tools and knowledge to carry out your mentoring role safely and knowingly. You will also have multiple opportunities to meet with the mentor project worker in 1:1 meetings and go through any questions or doubts you may have before you start.

TCA's Kith & Kin project are looking for a volunteer to facilitate our weekly Kinship Carers group. This is based within our Arbroath office, on Fridays from 10:00-11:30am (school term-time only). Kith&Kin has supported Kinship families in the Angus area for over 6 years - the group is an informal setting for Kinship Carers to come together and access support & guidance from the facilitator, as well as from their peers who have shared experiences. We are looking for someone to join us who is: • Enthusiastic • A great listener • Passionate about helping others The families we support have been affected by another's substance use, so it is essential that the volunteer in post would feel comfortable and confident in discussing topics in relation to this. Relevant training will be provided before starting, as well as ongoing support from the team and Manager. If this sounds of interest to you, or you would like further information, please feel free to contact us via any of the methods below. Ashton - 01241 872989 ashton.julien@alcoholtayside.com

Home-Start Glasgow South is a family support charity based in Glasgow South. We work with families, with at least one child up to the age of 8, who are struggling to cope with the challenges of parenting along with sometimes difficult personal circumstances. Our volunteers visit families for 2-3 hours each week in their own home to provide practical and emotional support. If a family is isolated, they may need support to go to a local group. An overwhelmed parent may need help to organise the household or it could be that a mum or dad just need someone to talk to. A volunteer can make a big difference in a couple of hours a week. Volunteering in the family home can also include Perinatal Support (pregnancy -2 years) and English Tutoring. The support and friendship you can provide is invaluable and can help take away some of the stresses of day to day life, enabling parents to cope better with daily tasks and improve their confidence, giving their children the best possible start in life.

We are seeking a committed and dynamic individual to serve as the Chair of our charity. As the Charity Chair, you will play a pivotal role in guiding and supporting our organization as we work towards our mission of reducing the ripple that alcoholism has on Scottish communities. This is a volunteer position that requires a passion for our cause, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive positive change. Responsibilities: 1. Leadership and Governance: • Provide strategic leadership to the board, ensuring the charity's mission is fulfilled through effective governance. • Foster a positive and inclusive board culture that aligns with our commitment to linking individuals to a life unburdened by someone else's drinking. 2. Strategic Planning: • Work collaboratively with the board to develop and implement a strategic plan that enhances our ability to link individuals to support, information, and peers. • Monitor and evaluate the implementation of strategic objectives, adjusting as necessary to better serve our community. • Stay connected to the communities and the needs of those we serve. 3. Fundraising and Advocacy: • Collaborate with the board and staff to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies that enable us to expand our reach and impact. • Advocate for our mission, raising awareness of the challenges individuals face and the support we provide. 4. Financial Oversight: • Work closely with the treasurer and finance committee to ensure the financial health of the organisation, supporting our mission to create sustained change. 5. Team Collaboration: • Collaborate with board to provide guidance and support in the implementation of programs that facilitate our mission. • Encourage a culture of innovation and continuous improvement as we strive to better link individuals to the support they need. • Build strong networks and connections with the alcohol support community. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. As part of the onboarding process volunteers receive a DrinkLink induction and ongoing training throughout their tenure within the area they support; as a charity we also benefit from ACVO (local third sector interface) and SCVO – Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisation membership and a range of exclusive benefits, training and events. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a difference and join a passionate organisation providing vital support for people affected by someone else’s drinking. If interested/for more information please contact Nicola Bolland, HR Director at email: nicola.bolland@drinklink.org