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.

Sported supports over 3,000 amazing community groups that use the power of sport to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people. We support sporting groups in and around Aberdeen City. Our volunteers are carefully matched with a Sported member clubs within their locality, who they then support on a one-to-one basis to help them with the business side of their affairs. We support groups who are utilising sport to bring about real social difference throughout the UK so you’ll be paired with a group that are doing really inspiring work. These groups are doing incredible work but require some guidance around the business side of their organisation in order to survive and thrive. If you’ve got over 5 years in a range of business areas including the following then we’d love to hear from you: *Fundraising *Marketing *Business Planning *Impact & Evaluation *Governance *Finance *Strategic Planning This is a great opportunity to make a lasting impact on a community group in your area. If you enjoy working with people and have a desire to make a difference then please does get in touch. Good support is provided to all volunteers. Sported volunteers are given full induction training prior to starting volunteering and will be supported by a Volunteer Services team to assist them in their role. For more information please contact Dee Pearson , Development Officer – Scotland at email: d.pearson@sported.org.uk or tel.: 07825 819333.

There are many and varied reasons that volunteers are an asset to the aquatics programme and we aim to make it as inclusive as possible. Many children with additional support needs can cope with mainstream swimming lessons with additional support, either in-water or on poolside Disability swim classes benefit from extra support and a volunteer can make a great difference to the progress these children can make. Some children, particularly pre-school children, have never been in a swimming pool and volunteers can make a huge difference by helping alleviate their fears.

There are a wide variety of different volunteering opportunities within the Health and Well-being team. Fitness sessions, Health walks, Dance, Gentle movement, Outdoor play, Sports activities, Gardening, Early year play activities, Family fun activities, Administration and Events.

As part of the Aquatics team your role will be teaching swimming within a session for women with modesty issues, many of whom are members of the BME community. The customers will have a variety of needs from non-swimmers to improving stroke technique or learning a new stroke. The swim teacher will work with individuals within the session, working to the individual needs of the customer. A positive experience in a comfortable setting can improve the health and wellbeing of customers as well as building their confidence as they learn a new skill. Translator/interpreter skills would be advantageous.

As a volunteer working within Gymnastics/Trampoline clubs/classes operating within local community venues and sport centres in Dundee, you will have the opportunity to: Work alongside fully qualified coaching staff who will help you to understand the basic fundamentals of the sport, enabling you to deliver and coach sessions with confidence; Access coach education that you think would be of value to you as a volunteer; All education would be financially supported through the organisation or through identified funding that is available for the development of volunteers; Be a valued member of the coaching team and will have the opportunity to be a part of the progressive development of the clubs/classes that you are actively volunteering with.

Boatmen/women will be trained to handle boats safely to cover open water swims. Swimming coaches if not already trained will be put through different courses to become a qualified coach. Lifesavers will be given guidance on how to rescue someone that may be in difficulty. Lifeguards will be given training to become qualified lifeguards.

Walk Leaders promote positive physical and mental health and wellbeing by leading and supporting people to participate in short health walks within their local community. You will be responsible for risk assessing all walks, welcoming new members to group and supporting existing members to take part. You will take weekly attendance records, check numbers on return and help Community Health Team staff make decisions to continue/cancel walks in poor weather. Full training will be provided and Walk Leaders will have the opportunity to attend volunteer meetings to share experience and help improve the short health walks programme across the city.

Shinty Referees are required to officiate at matches in St Andrews, Dundee, Perth, Aberdour and Edinburgh. Additional opportunities exist for matches in West Highlands and Argyll and Bute. The role of the referee requires a good level of fitness to a standard of that expected in a 'fun-run' or a bike-a-thon'. Training and support are on hand to initiate you onto the rules.

The east Caithness active schools coordinator is looking for new volunteers to assist/coach various outside activities in the primary school grounds throughout the area. Are you available either, 12.15-13.30-or 3.15-4.30pm or 4-7pm in the following locations Wick, Lybster, Dunbeath, Canisbay, Keiss, Watten or Thrumster area? Free PVG checks and training will be provided to volunteers. A great opportunity to help with the health and wellbeing of children.