This is a very rewarding role providing much-needed support for people who are accessing our service. The main element of the role is to deliver or collect wheelchairs to/from people’s homes supporting them to maintain their independence, or you could choose to support members of the public from varying locations around the hub area (e.g., often using partner supermarket car parks) to enable them to obtain a wheelchair or other mobility aids equipment. You could also be driving between hub and spoke locations to transfer stock. This is the ideal role for someone who enjoys meeting people, can show compassion and empathy and who likes driving. It will involve driving a Red Cross or hire vehicle. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact us at email wheelchairvolunteer@redcross.org.uk or tel.: 03000 040309.

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.

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.

We currently have around 40 shops/ community hubs across Scotland. Our shops and hubs help us raise funds so we can provide our services to the people who need us. Every one of our stores relies on a team of volunteers to help run it and support our staff. Quite simply, we cannot provide our services or raise funds without the amazing support of our volunteers. The time, support and the work they do is vital to us and the people we help. By helping out in one of our stores, you can make a difference to people and their families in Scotland who are isolated, scared or anxious about their condition. For more details about volunteering at our Aberdeen Cults Store please email: volunteering@chss.org.uk or tel.: 0131 225 6963. Information about volunteering with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is also available at: https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteer-with-chss/

The Red Cross run a Patient Transport Service which provides an essential lifeline for those who need to get to and from hospital treatment facilities. The service provides enhanced care for those needing additional medical support during the journey and this role includes clinical skills and would give volunteers good experience, especially for those wanting a career in ambulance work and the NHS. The role is based in Aberdeen and we are looking for people who can complete 15 days of training run via a combination of e-learning, Zoom training and face to face sessions. You would need to be able to commit to the dates from 20th-23rd April for training in Aberdeen. Once this is completed, we are looking for people to do 2 x 8 hour shifts per month, which can be weekend, evening or weekdays. The minimum age for the role is 21 and you need to have held a UK Driving licence for 2 years. The role will involve: • Collecting and taking patients to a hospital or other treatment centre for appointments or visits • Completing all tasks associated with service delivery, e.g. accurate records, cleaning to approved infection control schedules, equipment used in accordance with training and procedures. • Using communication equipment, if required, in accordance with the radio licence and British Red Cross guidelines, and keeping appropriate records of use • Applying the duty of candour requirements to communication with service users and representatives. • Additional support and guidance sought when required • Providing basic first aid as necessary, in line with the current scope of practice, regulatory standards, and British Red Cross policies, procedures and core values To apply please go to http://bit.ly/ASAberdeen or for more information email MBaxter@redcross.org.uk

Are you interested in contributing to the work of Health in Mind, a mental health and wellbeing charity based in Edinburgh, working across Scotland? Health in Mind is seeking to recruit suitably experienced and qualified people onto our Board Directors. Health in Mind Board Directors are responsible for the charity's governance and strategy, and for making sure that the charity is administered effectively. They have ultimate accountability for its activities and outcomes. In an increasingly challenging financial environment for the Health and Social Care sector, in the midst of a period of change, we are seeking to increase our working partnerships, improve our effectiveness, continue to develop creative approaches to meet need and increase our unrestricted income. In order to help us achieve this, we are seeking new volunteer Board Directors, particularly those with an appropriate level of the following knowledge, skills or experience: Human Resources Health and Social Care Finance / audit / accounting IT / systems Health in Mind Board meets six times a year, currently via video conferencing, usually in our city centre office in Edinburgh and is supported by a number of focussed committees, currently meeting quarterly by video conference. An application pack is available on our website. https://www.health-in-mind.org.uk/be_a_health_in_mind_hero/become_a_board_director/d109/ If you have difficulties accessing the pack, please contact Annmarie Mitchell, HR/Admin Assistant on 0131 225 8508 or email annmarie.mitchell@health-in-mind.org.uk If you would like any further information, you can contact Wendy Bates, Chief Executive, at wendy.bates@health-in-mind.org.uk, 0131 225 8508, or you can complete the Board Director application form directly. Closing date for applications is 22 April 2021 at noon. Interviews will take place, via video conference on 13 and 17 May 2021. If shortlisted, there will be an opportunity to meet informally with Health in Mind Chair and Chief Executive prior to an interview conducted by small panel of current Board Directors. Successful applicants will be expected to provide two references and be prepared to join the PVG scheme. Health in Mind promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. Registered charity no SC004128.

Community alarms support many older and more vulnerable people in Moray to continue living as independently as possible in their own homes. At the press of a button they can quickly raise an alert if they need assistance. There are a number of people in our communities who unfortunately have no family or friends living close by who are able to act as their alarm responder and go check on them when an alarm is activated to provide initial assistance. We are currently experiencing a greater demand for volunteer alarm responders across Moray, especially in the Forres, Elgin, Buckie and Dufftown areas for people who do not have close family, friends are neighbours for this type of support. This volunteer service is very much about remaining calm and providing reassurance. If you would like to know more about what is entailed please contact the Volunteer Development Team email volunteering.CC@moray.gov.uk.

We are looking for welcoming and enthusiastic volunteer(s) to lead short health walks in Moray -- currently these gentle walks are based in Forres, Elgin, Cullen, Buckie, Lossie and Keith. It's sociable, relaxed, fun and flexible -- and there is great support for our volunteers. Becoming a volunteer walk leader requires you to commit around an hour or so of your time weekly (but there is room for flexible dates!) and to sometimes complete a small amount of preparation & paper work for the walk. Health walks encourage people who have not exercised for a while, find walking boring, or lack confidence to join a walking group because they think they will not be able to keep up. Walks are free, short, low intensity, safe and social and are usually followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat! Over the next year we plan to build upon our network of gentle exercise activities across the Moray region. To help us achieve this we are looking for friendly and supportive volunteers who enjoy walking, meeting new folk sharing the wide ranging health and well- being benefits of gentle physical activity. We would love it if you could help us set up indoor and outdoor Strength and Balance sessions as well as new Health Walks to boost our provision in the area, helping the people that need it to access these opportunities. Volunteer walk leaders receive on-going support from the Health Walk co-ordinator, too. If you are a people person, like to walk and the outdoors please get in touch!

Help People at Difficult Times Listening volunteers are there for anyone who needs someone, and provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Every seven seconds someone contacts us. Every seven seconds we can help someone turn their life around. As a listening volunteer you get the chance to make a real difference to someone’s future. You can offer support on the phone, email or text. Volunteers typically volunteer a minimum of a 4 hour duty per week, as well as a 4 hour night duty at monthly intervals. There are no qualifications required and you’ll receive full training to prepare you for the kinds of conversations you’ll have. And when you start out, you’ll have a mentor with you, to give you confidence you’re doing the right thing. You can also apply to help with administration or other non-listening support. Let us know how you would like to help.

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. This year, in response to the crippling effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples physical, emotional and mental health, that the pandemic has only exacerbated, TLC are setting up a befriending service to combat loneliness and isolation in Aberdeen. Our aim is that our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers will 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. Due to Covid-19 government restrictions, the project will run differently than usual with the use of video conferencing or by phone, however, once restrictions are eased and it is safe to meet in person, befriending sessions will operate face-to-face in people’s homes or in the community. If you would like to be a beacon of hope for someone in need, please apply to become a TLC Befriender. For further information please contact Jonny Astill, Development Manager at EMail: jonny@tlc.org.uk