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.

Aberdeen Multicultural Centre (AMC) is an outcome driven, user led charity, committed to making a positive impact on the lives of wider communities in Aberdeen. AMC encourages co-operation and integration amongst diverse community groups. AMC’s vibrant aims are to support communities from social, economic, welfare & environmental perspectives. AMC has run Climate Change projects for the last five years aimed at awareness raising and changing behaviours in relation to home energy efficiency, active travel, food waste, recycling and home gardening amongst diverse communities in Aberdeen. AMC has become cultural hub of communities in Aberdeen. AMC has been organising different cultural events such as International Mother Language Day, Aberdeen Mela- One World Day, Multicultural Burns Night etc. AMC also involved in different sports & physical activities such as Multicultural Football Festival, Multicultural Bike Rally, Wellbeing & Mindfulness Meditation Sessions, Relaxation & Chair base exercises for BAME older people etc. Post Covid-19 recovery stage we are looking to go back to our normal operations and activities. Planning ahead we need a grant proposal writing volunteer’s support to our team. A fantastic and exciting opportunity to assist in the continued successful development of Aberdeen Multicultural Centre and make a real difference for people and communities. All help is greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Ahashan Habib, Centre Manager at E Mail: a.habib@abmc.org.uk or tel. 01224 561992.

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.

Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. For over 65 years our doctors, nurses and carers have given people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can. To help in this vital work we have a number of exciting upcoming events where we are seeking volunteers to support us. For more information about any of these opportunities and other ways you can help Sue Ryder please contact Ciara Twiggins, Philanthropy and Events Executive on Email: ciara.twiggins@suerydercare.org or tel.: 07976 422792.

Whether you have green fingers or you’re a complete novice, we have some great areas in need of some attention so the people we support can enjoy them. The role will involve general gardening including planting, weeding and general maintenance.

NHS Western Isles is looking for volunteers to be the welcoming face at our reception sites in Western Isles hospital. We are looking for people who will welcome patients, visitors and staff into our hospital. Meet and Greet volunteers have become an important role in our continuing response to Covid-19. You will help guide people around the hospital site, supply essential PPE and hand gel for those entering the hospital and help make patients hospital stays more comfortable by delivering their belongings to them, which are dropped at reception by relatives while hospital access is restricted. You can volunteer if: • nobody in your household has coronavirus symptoms, for example, a cough or high temperature • you're aged over 18 and under 70 years old and fit and well with no symptoms • you’re not pregnant • you do not have any long-term health conditions that make you vulnerable to coronavirus • Government Coronavirus Covid-19 guidelines • Volunteers will be risk assessed in accordance to COVID-19 volunteering guidance to NHS boards. e mail info@volunteercentrewi.org

Help others to become healthier and happier by leading our health walks. The walks are free, short and gentle, making it easier for people to become more active. Apart from taking people on a walk, walk leaders will welcome new walkers, give route information (where, how long/ how far, hazards), encourage some social activity and deal with a bit of paperwork. Optional activities are assisting with promoting the walks and planning and risk assessing new routes. It is up to individual volunteers to decide how much they want to commit, but to ensure some continuity we would ask that you consider your availability for leading walks before doing the health walk leader training day.

Ward Volunteers take responsibility for the Tea trolley and ensure that patients on the ward are offered and receive a drink of their choice. Activities include: • Moving the trolley from room to room. • Providing patients with a drink of their choice. • Chatting to patients and taking an interest in them. • Passing on any useful information to medical staff.

Ward Volunteers take responsibility for the Tea trolley and ensure that patients on the ward are offered and receive a drink of their choice. Activities include: • Moving the trolley from room to room. • Providing patients with a drink of their choice. • Chatting to patients and taking an interest in them. • Passing on any useful information to medical staff.