We work with males over the age of 26 years who have had a drug or alcohol problem. Our aim is to give people back their self esteem and a purpose in life away from addiction. We do this through a variety of ways such as having monthly outings e.g.: fishing gorge walking, bowling. We also do a community garden. This helps people give something back to their communities and helps break down stigma. We meet on a Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. We also do a Thursday from 10am-12.30pm which is a drop-in with activities such as board games and arts and crafts. We have opportunities for people to volunteer to help out at the groups. It is very enjoyable, rewarding and you would gain good experience and make a very positive difference. All help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference to people and the community. For further details please contact: Aileen Goymer-Davidson on: aileengoymer@hotmail.co.uk

Exciting new opportunities have arisen with our CARDS (Community Alcohol Related Damage Service) project. We are a unique volunteer-led support service, working with people living in Edinburgh whose lives have been affected by alcohol. CARDS recognise the current gap in services for those who continue to drink and provide a service for all who have, or are at risk of ARBD. We are recruiting volunteers now, and run an open application process throughout the year.

Our volunteers perform a variety of roles in order to help us provide for survivors and vulnerable people. We currently have a 'Volunteer- Support Worker' opportunity available. This opportunity would help women with life controlling issues and those who have been a victim of human trafficking and modern slavery. City Hearts is passionate about pursuing freedom and restoring lives. One of the main aspects our volunteer support workers do is to help at shifts at our safe house to guide our clients with life skills like cooking and cleaning and to be assisting them. This can include: - Assisting with the running of the house (ensuring rotas are followed, cleaning, checking up on Clients e.g.: sleeping/meds/eating/social/mood) - Assisting case workers with admin. - Take women to appointments. - Help women learn life skills in a practical way. - Encourage independence and use of progression plans. - Encourage participation in activities. - Run informal activities. - Help clients get to Junction (our office base at Bon Accord Terrace). - Sleep shifts. - Be friendly with the women but keep boundaries. - Document all events and handover. - Stand by. Within the team, support workers report to the operations coordinator and the manager. They may also work closely with the case workers. This role requires 5-15 hours a week. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Heidi Ogboke, Project Manager at email heidi.ogboke@cityhearts.co.uk or tel.: 01224 587496.

Aberdeen in Recovery (AiR) was granted Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) charitable status in March this year. We are now looking to find talented, passionate and skilled people to fill some vacant seats on our Board of Trustees to help us grow and develop our innovative and solution focused new charity. This is a unique opportunity to help lay the foundations to ensure AiR has a long-term future as a charity with solid processes in place to ensure it meets its mission of: “To be a bridge from ‘dependence’ to ‘independence’ for the individual seeking to recover from problematic substance use and addictive behaviours”. This is such an exciting and invigorating prospect for individuals to get involved and be participant in the tsunami of change which is now gaining momentum and being driven by “Experts by Experience” and the vibrant Lived Experienced Communities which are blossoming, not only locally but are now established as a national phenomena. Since its conception, AiR and its members have worked tirelessly to establish and build collaborative relationships with professional services and third sector support agencies. We have consistently driven the message that individuals who have personal lived/living experience of active substance use, including Family members who have been affected by the addictive behaviours of a loved one, and the Recovery Communities they represent have something valid, essential and extremely beneficial to bring to described Recovery Orientated Systems of Care (ROSC). We can provide existing services and clinical structural systems with resources, skills and capabilities that they, no matter how much effort, time and money they invest, will never be able to offer or provide. So, it gives the greatest of pleasure to see this is now recognised on the highest levels that “Recoverists” can productively contribute to the design, development and delivery of truly person-centred ROSC. This being evidenced by the vision, philosophy and content of the Scottish Governments “Rights, Respect and Recovery” Drug and Alcohol Strategy. We also believe it is reaffirmed by the recent success in being granted funding from the Government’s National Development Fund, with our principle partner Alcohol and Drugs Action (ADA), for our ‘Recovery Peer Pathway’ joint two-year project. This collaborative venture will build on three years of pilot work to further establish and build proactive and productive Developmental Pathways within ADA and their Volunteer network while in synergy with AiR membership for individuals who desire to initiate change in their behaviours and outlook as they progress on their recovery journeys within, and imperatively out-with, statutory and formal support services. We believe that the blue sky thinking behind this project categorically and emphatically fits with the expectations, outcomes and concepts of the above Government policy. So, if you have lived experience, or a stakeholder interest, and a passion for recovery and are willing to give of yourself that another may learn, you will not find a better opportunity to indulge your appetite than from within Aberdeen in Recovery. For more information please contact Dermot Craig, Recovery Community Development Manager at E Mail: dermot@aberdeeninrecovery.org or tel.: 01224 638342 / Mobile: 07751 213108.

We require a person(s) to assist our programme tutor to drive our minibus to various locations throughout the city and ‘shire. Our clients enjoy participating in our gardening project, yoga, walking trips and various outdoor activities. These activities are aimed at promoting good mental health and wellbeing, confidence and self-management. Our programme runs Wed – Fri, 10am - 3pm. If you like working with people, are available for for all days or even just one, enjoy the outdoors and love driving, please give us a call. Momentum Scotland is a not for profit, charity delivering vocational rehabilitation and employment services to adults with additional needs to employment including mental health and acquired brain injuries. All help is greatly appreciated. To volunteer or for further details please contact Allison Clark, Service co-ordinator at E Mail: allison.clark@momentumscotland.org or tel.: 01224 625580.

We work with males over the age of 26 years who have had a drug or alcohol problem. Our aim is to give people back their self esteem and a purpose in life away from addiction. We do this through a variety of ways such as having monthly outings e.g.: fishing gorge walking, bowling. We also do a community garden. This helps people give something back to their communities and helps break down stigma. We meet on a Tuesday from 12-2.30pm. We also do a Thursday from 10am-12.30pm which is a drop-in with activities such as board games and arts and crafts. We have opportunities for people to volunteer to help out at the groups. It is very enjoyable, rewarding and you would gain good experience and make a very positive difference. All help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference to people and the community. For further details please contact: Aileen Goymer-Davidson on: aileengoymer@hotmail.co.uk

We provide short term volunteering opportunities abroad for people who have experienced being socially or economically disadvantaged in Scotland, to travel overseas to in 2020. Enabling volunteers to become involved in a supported group of people, varying in size from 8 to 15 people and travelling from Scotland to a different country. Whilst abroad volunteers are supported to assist in various opportunities from renovation and construction work, children's camps, camps for kids and adults with disabilities or working with animals and environmental work. The majority of the costs to take part are covered by our funders, however volunteers are expected to do some fundraising towards the trip. As well as full pre departure training, volunteers may also receive 3 months support upon returning to Scotland to ensure they can harness their new found learning into either further training, employment or volunteering opportunities in Scotland. As well as short-term volunteer opportunities we have places available for mentors. Mentors provide support and assistance to volunteers while they take on the challenge of volunteering abroad as well as additional support for 3 months upon return to Scotland enabling volunteers to best utilise the experience gained. Mentor costs are covered although there is some expectation of securing some matched funding. There is an option for those who perhaps did not feel that they had the skills or experience to become mentors to join the team as aa trainee mentor. This year we have opened non-funded places to volunteers who do not meet the funding requirements. This will enable volunteers who do not meet the funding criteria to take part in a trip to Belarus by funding their place. The changes regarding non-funded places have been in response to a number of enquiries and subsequent discussions with individuals and referring agencies that like STAND International wish to ensure that access to the opportunity to assist others in the wider global village is open to any person who wishes to take part. We have 6 trips planned for 2020, 2 trips to Belarus and 4 to Romania. The age range of volunteers for Belarus is from 16 - 28 years and Romania is from 16 - 65 years old allowing for a greater number of people to participate. ROMANIA trips - March, May, August and October 2020 BELARUS trips - July and September 2020

Many of our clients who engage with the CARDS Service become curious about or wish to engage in recovery or with dedicated recovery services. In response to feedback from clients and volunteers we now have dedicated Peer Volunteers who themselves are in recovery and have lived experience of that journey and can provide our clients with hope and belief that they can make a positive change.

DRiNKLiNK is a local charity who provides support to those affected by someone else’s drinking. Whether people are affected by the drinking of a family member, friend or work colleague, our aim is to link people to information, services and community groups that will help people in their recovery. We are a volunteer led charity and greatly appreciate the help of volunteers. DRiNKLiNK is also a recipient of the Volunteer Friendly Award national quality standard in recognition of our commitment to volunteers and excellence in volunteer involvement. Currently we have volunteer opportunities to assist in the following roles: *The people people: >Partner Relations. >Volunteer Coordinator. >.HR Advisor. *The money makers: >Fundraiser. *The support team: >Legal Assistant. >Minutes Secretary. *The marketing suite: >PR Advisor. >Proofreader. >SEO Specialist. >Social Media Manager. >Campaign Manager.>Graphic Designer. >Content Creator. >Community Manager. We can also work with you to create a bespoke opportunity that makes the most of your skill set and experience. Email info@drinklink.org to find out more.

There’s volunteering, and then there’s Full-Time Volunteering (FTV). It’s an incredible opportunity for people aged between 18 and 35 to undertake a life-changing challenge, living away from home for up to 12 months while supporting some of the most vulnerable or marginalised people and communities across the UK. It’s your chance to unearth hidden talents, boost self-confidence, meet new people and change lives. So whether you’re looking to leave your mark on the world, develop your skills base or devote a gap year to a cause you really care about, FTV is for you. No one volunteering placement is the same. You could be supporting older people, homeless people, families, children or young people. You might be working within an environmental setting, or a residential one, or you could be undertaking sporting activities – we take care to match you to the opportunity that’s right for you. This could mean: Befriending and supporting someone in their home, or groups of beneficiaries in a single project (like a homeless shelter), making a real difference to their wellbeing Acting as a mentor or role model to young people or people with disabilities, perhaps helping them to plan for their futures at key transition points in their lives Enabling access to social and leisure activities, at home, locally or at University, giving people connections to their communities they couldn’t otherwise enjoy. Full-time volunteering is also an excellent route to recognised work experience in a variety of sectors, including social work, social care, nursing, medicine, teaching, youth work and psychology. For any further information, or an informal chat, please contact volunteer@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or telephone 0121 678 8821 .