Our Save the Children Charity Shop in Haddington has been a much loved part of the local community for years and continues to be hugely popular with customers and supporters, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the wonderful Volunteer Team. If you would like to volunteer with us all you will need is some enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. Volunteer tasks include: *customer service *sorting donations *steaming clothes *visual merchandising You can choose how much time you dedicate, and we’ll give you training and support along the way. No special skills are needed, and we welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds.

Why we need you The National Autistic Society (NAS) has around 100 branches, all run by volunteers, who provide local support to autistic people and their families. Every branch is different and so are the activities they provide – they may run parent support groups, adult social groups, children’s activities, conferences or focus on providing information or campaigning. However, no matter how big or small, all branches are hugely valued by the people in their local area. The branch chairperson role is vital to the running of the North Ayrshire branch as they act as a leader and a coordinator for the branch and its volunteers. What you will be doing Lead (and chair) committee meetings and public meetings. This also involves setting out what needs to be discussed at meetings, ensuring that each issue is covered and that other people have a chance to speak. Represent the branch at external meetings e.g. with local services for people with autism Allocate tasks to other people involved in your branch Raise the profile of the NAS within your branch and local community Ensure your branch complies with NAS policies including risk assessments, data protection and safeguarding Monitor branch income and expenditure in partnership with the branch treasurer Countersign and authorise all branch bank payments Co-ordinate and promote local campaigns and bring others on board to help you Support fundraising in your branch Act as a key contact for the NAS, keeping the Senior Branch Engagement Officer up to date on branch activities Skills qualities and experience useful for the role (but not essential) Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. The majority of branch chairs give around 5 hours a week but it depends how active the branch is. Home based (plus travel to branch activities) Ideally you will live in the North Ayrshire area. Support Designated Senior Branch Engagement Officer to answer any queries and support you with the day to day running of the branch. Written guidance on a range of branch activities Various training courses relevant to running a branch Insurance cover for all branch activities Agreed expenses reimbursed for attendance at any event organised by the National Autistic Society branch support team. What you could get out of it Improve support to autistic individuals and their families in your local area You could build up knowledge and hands on experience of autistic people. Access free training and learn new skills Meet new people A worthwhile achievement to add to your CV. Having fun whilst carrying out a valuable role. This is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity and will allow you to make a difference to those you are supporting and their families. Volunteering can keep you mentally stimulated and provide you with a sense of purpose. We seek applications from anyone interested in the role, but particularly welcome applications from those on the autism spectrum. You will be asked to attend some branch meetings and also have knowledge of the local area so we ask that you live locally to be able to do this role. We process applications as we receive them, we will close the role when we find a suitable volunteer for the role. Consequently, the role may close before the advertised closing date.

**ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED** Volunteers form a team that assists and enhances the benefits of riding and equine assisted sessions to children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and the volunteer will decide which role in the team that they feel most comfortable, as an assistant or leader. Volunteers can offer their time on days or evenings which are most convenient to them. there are normally 2-3 sessions that ordinarily run per morning or evening. Morning sessions occur on Monday – Saturday, and evening sessions are available Mondays and Thursdays. There is also the opportunity to help care for the horses and ponies and participate in pony welfare activities. There are also placements available with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Trust. **ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED**

**ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED** Volunteers will help in the general maintenance of fields, fencing painting, grass cutting and gardening with work takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings. Knowledge and experience of DIY is an advantage but not essential as volunteers can expect training will be given for specific tasks to be carried out. Minimum age is 16, (and no max upper limit) so long as they are fit for the outdoor tasks and weather. Note that no out of pocket expenses will be paid. Own transport is essential. Public transport limited. No travel expenses paid. Applications to join our group via our website. Contact the Volunteerenquiries@shiresmill.org or by telephoning 01383 882700 or 0845 241 4369. Taster sessions are available when centre reopens. Phone to arrange a time and date to have a tour of the centre to discuss opportunities available. **ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED**

Volunteering Matters is a volunteering and social change charity. They recognise the potential young people across Clackmannanshire possess. Young people have aspirations and goals like us all – but may not currently have the tools or guidance needed to turn these into a reality. The effects of COVID-19 have seen many young people across Clackmannanshire experiencing social isolation, loneliness, poor mental and physical health and without a ‘Positive Destination’. Equip Mentoring uses the power of volunteers to support young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) or who need additional guidance and support to enter the employment market, further education or training. The Volunteer Mentors will support the young people practically (such as CV writing and interview skills) as well as emotionally (building confidence, resilience, and independence) whilst reducing social isolation and loneliness. The young person and mentor will meet regularly and will set goals and ambitions to develop new skills, knowledge and experienced to pursue the young persons chosen pathway. Volunteer Matters asks volunteers to spend 1-2 hours a week with their match. The time period that Mentors support young people will vary depending on the needs and goals of each match, up to 12 months. Volunteer Matters recognise that every young persons journey & needs are different and so the length of match will depend on their needs and ambitions. The organisation's Engagement Manager offers full support and encouragement to mentors and young people, keeping in touch on a regular basis.

At Save the Children, we believe in changing children’s future, we operate in the UK and around the world to ensure children are safe and healthy. We support them to learn, grow and become who they want to be. Our shops help raise vital funds, and our volunteers are the leading force in making this possible. Our Save the Children Shop in Perth has been a much loved part of the local community for years and continues to be hugely popular with customers and supporters, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the wonderful volunteer team. If you would like to volunteer with us all you will need is some enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. The role is diverse, taking place on the shop floor and behind the scenes. Volunteer tasks include anything from sorting donations, steaming clothes, pricing products, managing the till, and helping with the window displays. You can choose how much time you dedicate, and we’ll give you training and support along the way. No special skills are needed, and we welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds. Your donation of time, creativity and kindness can help us change the future for children all over the world!

We are currently seeking passionate individuals to join our Board of Trustees. In particular, we are looking for new Directors with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: Education, Social Work, Marketing / Fundraising and Communications and IT. The new roles will join a small dedicated team of Trustees already in place and will help to strengthen the Board and lead the organisation into the future. This is a great opportunity for someone who has an understanding of charity or similar corporate governance. The role will be to support the leadership of the charity and drive forward the organisational strategy. The full Board meets quarterly for 2-3 hours on a Monday evening. Smaller committees may meet staff more regularly in relation to specific areas of work. The role is a voluntary one, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed with training provided at no cost. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Sarah Misra, CEO, Befriend a Child, sarah@befriendachild.org.uk, 01224 210060 for more information and an application pack.

Our facilities provide key support for many children and young people. Like all environments, after a while they require a little refresh, re-painting & good clear out. In preparation for our summer holidays, we are hoping to give our playscheme and our offices at Carnie Drive a good clear out, paint & refresh. If you’re an excellent painter and decorator, have a little time and energy to spare for us, we’d love to hear from you! Whatever amount of time you can provide is massively welcomed. For further details please contact Megan Linklater, Engagement Officer at E Mail: engagement@grampianautisticsociety.org.uk or tel.: 01224 277900.

Whatever role they choose and however many hours they give, Charlie House volunteers are helping to support local babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions as well as getting the charity closer to its dream of building a specialist support centre in the North East. Following on the success of the Aberdeen Indoor Christmas Market, Charlie House is very excited to be bringing the Curated Aberdeen Market to the city. The market features a wide range of stall holders and is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Curated Aberdeen Market offers a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for and awareness of Charlie House. Volunteers are key to the success of this, helping to give customers a welcoming and positive curated shopping experience. Supporting the Market Manager, the volunteer role includes meeting and greeting customers, highlighting any Covid-safe measures, manning the Charlie House stall selling merchandise and raffle tickets, restocking merchandise and being an ambassador for the charity. A fantastic opportunity to help, which makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Joan Cowie, Volunteer & Information Coordinator at E Mail: joan@charliehouse.org.uk or tel.: 01224 313333.

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.