Want to make a difference through your volunteering? Angus Citizen Advice Bureau have a fantastic range of rewarding volunteer roles including providing generalist advice, collating social policy information, administrative, reception roles or as a Board member. Working out of three offices in Angus located in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, we have volunteers working out of all of the offices. Angus CAB offers advice across a wide range of areas, like benefits, debt, housing, employment, consumer, immigration, and more. So, our training must equip an adviser to be able to provide advice in all these areas. It’s not a matter of becoming an expert in all of them though – we have a centralised online advice system which any adviser can use to find the right solutions for a particular case. Our training just covers the basics of all of these topics, as well as interview skills, data protection, the aims and principles of the service, and equalities and diversity. Each stage of the training is made up of a blend of learning activities, including e-learning modules, self-study booklets, video clips, adviser checklists, etc. Accessibility and flexibility allow trainees to complete this learning in any location where they have a computer or tablet, and at their own pace. So the training is thorough, but done in a trainee-centred way. It takes at least three months for a person to complete it. Volunteering at Angus CAB is a great way to help your community and also gain transferrable skills, experience and contacts. If you’re thinking about volunteering, please contact Gael Cameron Volunteer Training and Development Officer, to arrange an information chat by e-mail gael.cameron@anguscab.org.uk or by telephone 01241 870661. Or alternatively click on the button below.

Volunteering Matters are a national volunteering charity. We are currently supporting MADE4U in ML2, a vibrant community organisation in the ML2 area of North Lanarkshire, through the development of their Board of Trustees. MADE4U in ML2 was founded in 2006, through the collective action and community compassion of a number of local churches in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. Our vision is to see a community free of isolation, low self-worth and lack of opportunity for change. Our main charitable aims are reduction of poverty and distress in the community in which we work, and to increase the health and wellbeing of those in the area, through community development, education, support and recreational activities. We are committed to partnership working, and the engagement and support of local volunteers. Charity Trustees are a group of people who ultimately exercise control over, and are legally responsible for, the charity. They provide overall direction, support and encouragement, ensure the smooth running of the organisation and are responsible for the governance of the charity. We currently have 5 members of our Board of Trustees offering a range of skills and experience and local connections. We are currently looking to recruit talented new Trustees who can support our organisation with its charitable aim of making a difference within the ML2 community. We are particularly looking for individuals who have experience in either Human Resources, Finance/Accounting, Income Generation/Fundraising, Building Management, or Leadership/Management. A full volunteer role description, for the position of charity Trustee, is available. The Board of Trustees normally meets bi-monthly, usually online via Zoom and occasionally at the MADE4U IN ML2 Centre in Cambusnethan, Wishaw. It is important that Trustees are able to visit the centre and be available to meet with staff occasionally. The commitment required of a Trustee is normally 6-8 hours per month however this can vary at different time periods of the year and depending on strategic priorities and focus. A full induction and on-going training will be offered, as well as on-going support and incurred travel expenses. Ideally, Trustee’s will commit to the role for a period of 1-3 years minimum, providing a level of stability to the Board and the wider charity. As a volunteer, we can offer you: ● A rewarding volunteering experience with the opportunity to support and shape the work and strategic direction of a well respected, local charity in North Lanarkshire ● The opportunity to use your skills and experience in a way that benefits the ML2 community ● Becoming a Trustee can be an ideal opportunity for personal growth and development, gaining experience in governance and leadership ● The opportunity to work closely with other stakeholders, meeting new people We welcome any enquiries regarding this position and would be happy to discuss it further with any interested parties. If you would like a copy of the full role description, please do contact us by expressing your interest in volunteering.

Volunteering Matters are a national volunteering charity. We are currently supporting MADE4U in ML2, a vibrant community organisation in the ML2 area of North Lanarkshire, through the development of their Board of Trustees. MADE4U in ML2 was founded in 2006, through the collective action and community compassion of a number of local churches in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. Our vision is to see a community free of isolation, low self-worth and lack of opportunity for change. Our main charitable aims are reduction of poverty and distress in the community in which we work, and to increase the health and wellbeing of those in the area, through community development, education, support and recreational activities. We are committed to partnership working, and the engagement and support of local volunteers. Charity Trustees are a group of people who ultimately exercise control over, and are legally responsible for, the charity. Our current Chair of Trustees is looking to retire having been involved with the organisation since its conception. We are looking to recruit a new individual with the skills and experience to act as a figurehead for our organisation, lead the Board of Trustees while promoting good governance, and provide effective and empowering line management support to our charities Senior Manager. A full volunteer role description, for the position of Chairperson, is available. The Board of Trustees normally meets bi-monthly, usually online via Zoom and occasionally at the MADE4U IN ML2 Centre in Cambusnethan, Wishaw. It is important that the Chair of Trustees is able to visit the centre and be available to meet with staff on a regular basis. The commitment required of the Chair of Trustees is normally 12-16 hours per month. A full induction and on-going training will be offered, as well as on-going support and incurred travel expenses. Ideally, the Chair of Trustees will commit to the role for a period of 1-3 years minimum, providing a level of stability to the Board of Trustees and the wider charity. As a volunteer, we can offer you: ● A rewarding volunteering experience with the opportunity to support and shape the work and strategic direction of a well respected, local charity in North Lanarkshire ● The opportunity to use your skills and experience in a way that benefits the ML2 community ● Becoming a Trustee can be an ideal opportunity for personal growth and development, gaining experience in governance and leadership ● The opportunity to work closely with other stakeholders, meeting new people We welcome any enquiries regarding this position and would be happy to discuss it further with any interested parties. If you would like a copy of the full role description, please do contact us by expressing your interest in volunteering.

The Inspire Project is a mentoring and supported volunteering programme in Edinburgh, aiming to help "New Scots". New Scots aged 16-35 have the opportunity to take part in volunteering placements in their community, as well as the chance to have a Mentor who will support them as they try to move forward in life, in a new country. As a mentor you will meet regularly with your mentee to provide practical and emotional support. You might help the young adult to increase their confidence, improve English skills, help to get into employment or further education, or achieve other personal or professional goals. Normally meeting with your mentee for around an hour a week, this is a great opportunity to be a positive and reliable source of support to a person facing life challenges and barriers.

Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young adults. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young adult aged 16-30 on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you! Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young adult we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around the City of Edinburgh who are able to offer 1 hour of their time once a week or fortnight to help transform the life of someone else. The young adults we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; poor mental health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country, disabilities or other life challenges and barriers. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following our safe recruitment process, we provide induction training, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young adult and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months, or longer, depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (part of the national charity Volunteering Matters) works with people across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, care experience, migrant status, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around mentoring support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

*****Exciting New Partnership with Lead Partner The Welcoming and Project Scotland **** The Inspire Project is a new wraparound volunteering and mentorship programme being launched to support New Scots across Edinburgh and Dundee. New Scots aged 16-30 will be provided with a tailored volunteer placement within their local community and a mentor who will support them as they navigate their experience while gaining valuable skills and confidence. As a mentor you will meet regularly with your mentee to provide practical and emotional support over the course of their placement.

If you want to give back to your community, this is a great way to do it. The Moray Firth Credit Union is seeking people who are interested in the exciting opportunity to serve on their Board. The Credit Union has a long history of serving the local community. Formerly the Forres Area Credit Union until 2020, it was set up in 1995 as a response to high unemployment in the area when a nearby Fabrication Yard closed. Today, the main office of the ‘Savings & Loans Co-operative’ is located at 53 High Street Forres, and there are now ‘satellite’ collection points in other places in Moray as this social enterprise develops. If you have an interest in people, community or even if you want to learn more about the unique role a credit union plays in the lives of the people and communities they serve, (and have some spare time) the Moray Firth Credit Union would be delighted to hear from you. For a Board of Directors Pack please call 01309 676735 or email info@morayfirthcreditunion.co.uk for further information and an application. Volunteers are invited to join the Credit Union if they are not already a member.

Advising clients on issues such as benefits, money advice, housing, employment, energy. Full training will be given.

A volunteer bookkeeper is currently being sought by GRACE. We run a number of fundraising events throughout the year as well as funding which comes from a variety of sources. A bookkeeper is required to keep track of the funds and ensure that restricted and unrestricted funds are allocated accordingly. Experience of SAGE would be essential

Do you own a friendly, outgoing, though not too boisterous dog who loves to have a fuss made of them? Then perhaps, you might like to thank about registering them in our THERAPET visiting service. You heard of it? Let me tell you about it. For some years now it has been recognised, more nd more, that pets are good for us! Indeed it has been scientifically proved that the mere action of stroking a dog, cat, slows down the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, and makes someone who has already suffered a heart attack much less likely to have another. Through no fault of their own, many people find themselves deprived of the companionship of a much loved dog. It may be they have had to go into sheltered housing, residential care, a long stay hospital etc. The same applies to children and adults who have an additional support need and those suffering from a terminal illness. THERAPETS come in all breeds, cross-breeds, or 57 variety mongrels! They can be small, medium or large. The only vital statistic is a steady and happy temperament. The dogs are approved for temperament and general stability being accepted and are not considered until at least one year old. Volunteer owners must become actual members of CANINE CONCERN SCOTLAND TRUST - mainly so that we can be sure of insurance cover - although happily so far we only know of one, very minor accident, a happy day's tail sweeping a vase from a low table. Volunteers must be willing to make a regular commitment to visit, it need not be very often, once a fortnight, once a month or whenever, but the visits must be regular because the residents and patients look forward to them so much and are disappointed if they suddenly cease. Sometimes small miracles occur - people who have never spoken, turned their faces to the wall in fact - magically come to life at the first appearance of a dog in a ward! This to the surprise and delight of the nursing staff, in many cases the dogs and owners provide some light relief for them too. Sadly, it has to be said that some of the residents or patients the THERAPETS are their only visitors. We like to encourage them to regard the doggy visitors as their very own. There is no charge for this service which is organised and carried out entirely by volunteers. We fund raise in various ways to keep it going. More than anything else, we need MORE VOLUNTEERS! The service has proved so popular that they demand has overtaken the supply. So, if you think this might be for you, or once importantly, for your dog, please do contact us for more detail and perhaps an application form to register your dog.