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 recruitment@tlc.org.uk

NEEDS - North East Eating Disorder Support (Scotland) is looking for volunteer facilitators, 1 evening per month, for our monthly support group meeting for those who are suffering from an eating disorder, as well as for our carers who are supporting someone with an eating disorder, either in person or from a distance (e.g., a family member at university or living elsewhere). Have you suffered from an eating disorder and been fully recovered for at least 2 years, or have you had experience of caring for a family member or friend who has suffered from an eating disorder and who is now fully recovered or who is still suffering from an eating disorder having had it for several years? If the answer is yes, are you someone who can and is willing to support others in this journey, who can always observe confidentiality, be empathetic, kind, and non-judgemental, be a good listener, be sensitive to those who are not yet able to share, and who can demonstrate the value of self-care. Volunteers should be aware that their social media profiles may be examined to ensure that these are compatible with the aims of our charity. Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month 7.30-9.00pm at The Macrobin Centre, Royal Cornhill, Hospital. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Irene Kerr, Charity Administrator at email: gram.needsadmin@nhs.scot or telephone: 07789888345.

Can you be a good listener? Could you help someone explore what they are going through? The Community Listening Service helps people (re)discover hope and inner strength in times of “illness, change and loss”. Community Listening Service Listeners do not offer counselling, but they offer the person a space to talk, to tell their story in their own time, for their own wellbeing, with the knowledge that the listener is there to listen. Volunteers can play a vital role supporting the work of the Department of Spiritual Care within NHS Grampian/CLS. Listening to people’s concerns can help them feel less isolated and anxious while helping them feel more hopeful and valued in a confidential and non-judgemental way. There is no requirement for volunteers or service users to be a member of a faith or belief group, just be able to provide a service that has patients at the heart, where they can feel safe, seen and heard, allowing them the space to reflect on their own personal situations. A fantastic opportunity help. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact us at email gram.listening@nhs.scot or telephone: 07584 217 192 or 01224 553316.

We have opportunities to join our brilliant team of volunteers to help us at our offices at 33-35 Carnie Drive, Aberdeen, AB25 3AN (has free parking/good public transport access). We have opportunities for you to assist in any tasks you can ranging from assisting with reception duties, person our phone in the office, support initial and general enquiries and be a friendly, supportive voice and face to those who call and attend at our office. Whatever amount of time you can provide is massively welcomed. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers and all help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. If you think this may suit you, please get in touch, give us a call on 01224 277900 or email claire.crichton@a-nd.org.uk

Would you like to support people with learning disabilities to socialise and make friends? dates-n-mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities. We are looking for Event Volunteers to attend organised social events to help our members to interact while they're together. As an Events Volunteer, your role is to help our members enjoy socialising in safe and friendly environments. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. The events are sociable, great fun and your role is very rewarding. A large number of people with learning disabilities feel lonely and socially isolated. Your support will help to change this. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 1 event per month. dates-n-mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers. We require our volunteers to be a member of the PVG scheme but there is no cost to yourself. Access to additional training is available. For further information or to apply please contact Raynor McCulloch, Volunteer Co-ordinator at E Mail: volunteering@c-change.org.uk or Tel. 07720 591229.

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for. We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enroll some new volunteers to set up a group in Aberdeen. Typically, our groups meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. Presently many groups are meeting virtually via Zoom but when regulations allow, they will return to Face to Face. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others. Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3: the group leader and two group volunteers, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers. There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from week to week but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Many groups also offer a small resource library and can share information about local sources of support. For further details please contact Phill Abbiss, Volunteer Coordinator (North) at E Mail: phill.abbiss@uksobs.org or tel.: 07535 854 860.

Inchgarth Community Centre provide a fantastic programme of activities for the community with the tremendous help of volunteers. Inchgarth has over 170 sessions of activity per week-serving every age group and section of the community. As a big and vibrant community centre, we offer a large range of activities for all ages and welcome a range of charities at the community centre. We have a great opportunity for people to help as Pool and Snooker Club Volunteer Helpers. We are looking for motivated people to join our Pool and Snooker Club. It is running on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 3pm and volunteers can assist at any or all of these times. In this role, you will play games of pool/snooker with our members, organise games and wee tournaments. You will also engage with the members talking, helping people to get teas and coffees and have fun! All volunteers are greatly appreciated and provided with excellent support. Please contact us to find out more, join our amazing team of volunteers and make a real difference in the community: please email: volunteerinchgarth@gmail.com / Tel: 01224 325191 / Website: https://www.inchgarth.co.uk/volunteer.html

Leading north east cancer charity Clan Cancer Support is appealing for 100 new volunteers across the north-east as it aims to reach more local people affected by cancer ahead of its 40th anniversary next year. Clan is looking for people to take on a range of roles involving listening and support services, event support, retail support, driving clients to medical appointments and gardening to help maintain the grounds at Clan’s support centres. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to take part in Clan’s sculpture trail, The Big Hop Trail, which is due to take the public on a cultural tour of the north-east and the islands from July to September in 2023. The event, which coincides with Clan’s 40th anniversary next year, will see 40 striking hare sculptures located throughout Clan’s geography celebrating the charity’s commitment to supporting people affected by cancer, their family, carers and friends.    Claire Mechie, Clan’s volunteer coordinator, said: “Volunteers are the lifeblood of Clan and we are indebted to them for the amazing role they play in ensuring we can provide first class support services to people affected by cancer across the north-east. “Lockdown completely disrupted our operations and our volunteering programme, but we’re now back with face-to-face events and client services, meaning we are looking for motivated and positive people who are keen to invest their time with us. “Whether it’s listening and providing support, helping at one of our events or supporting our shops or driving our clients to appointments, our volunteers have the power to help people affected by cancer in their local area.” To find out more and to enquire about volunteering at Clan please email volunteering@clancancersupport.org or call 01224 647000.

Volunteers required to drive a 17-seater minibus for an over 50s walking group based at Kaimhill Learning Centre, Pitmedden Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 7HR. Drivers should be over 25 and under 70 and have category D1 on their driving licence. We are a friendly group who walk on Thursdays leaving the centre at 9.30am and usually return around mid afternoon. We normally walk between 5 and 7 miles and most drivers in the past have been happy to walk with the group but this is not a requirement! Prospective volunteers will be given support to familiarise themselves with the vehicle and are welcome to come along on a walk to see what is involved. A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Doris Strachan, Secretary at email: dorismstrachan@googlemail.com or telephone 07766752284.

Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person 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 person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around Aberdeen who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. 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 recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, 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 person 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 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 If you are interested in this opportunity please email: asia.wieloch@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (now part of the Volunteering Matters Family of Brands) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around 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.