Do you want to help support children and young people aged 5-18 years with additional support needs living in Angus? Angus Special Playscheme provides holiday playschemes for children and young people aged 5-18 years with additional support needs living in Angus. Our volunteers play a valued role in the work of the organisation. Our main opportunity is as a Playscheme Volunteer which can be summed up as "supporting the children who attend our schemes to ensure they are safe and enjoy their time there", Duties are varied but may include: • To ensure the children you are matched with are safe. • To complete at the end of the day a ‘my day sheet’ with the guidance of the Playleader as necessary for each child you were matched with that day. • To report to the Playleader/Depute Playleader any issues with the children or any negative behaviours. • To ensure first aid treatment is sought as needed for the children you are matched with. • To work in accordance with the National Care Standards, Early Education and Childcare up to the age of 16 • Encourage and support individual children to participate in the planned programme of activities • Assist the Playleader in being responsible for and ensuring that adequate precautions are taken to safeguard children and minimise risks • Develop a stable friendly and trusting relationship with the children • Ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintained by yourself and the children at all times • Ensure all aspects of play promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices • Work as part of a team The Playschemes run during the Easter, Summer and Autumn holidays but there may be opportunities to volunteer outside of these times and within different roles.

The Royal Scottish Forestry Society, formed in 1854, is an educational charity focussing on promoting the understanding of trees, woods and forestry. Every year RSFS puts on what we believe to be the most extensive programme of practical forestry events across Scotland. This activity is being expanded into practical training events. The Society has published a semi-academic journal, Scottish Forestry, since 1858 promoting all aspects of good practice in forestry. All back issues are available to Members via our website. The Society has a mix of individual and organisational Members. Our membership includes professional foresters and managers, woodlands owners and many others with an interest in trees and woods. RSFS is also the parent entity of Cashel Forest Trust, a charity based near Balmaha, in East Loch Lomond. Cashel Forest Trust owns a 1,300-hectare estate comprising a visitor centre, 5 km of recreational paths, a hydro-electric scheme, 300 Ha of native woodland, 500 Ha of peatland under restoration and 500 Ha of montane and open hillside. Cashel welcomes more than 10,000 visitors a year with an interest in natural ecosystems, native woodland and citizen science. We would like applicants to: • Empathise with our vision, mission and aims; • Demonstrate a willingness and ability to devote the necessary time and effort; • Experience of exercising sound and independent judgement; • Think and apply knowledge creatively and strategically; • Keep themselves and the charity mission-focused; • Analyse and evaluate information and other evidence in the execution of their duties. Email recruitment@rsfs.org.uk for a trustee pack to find out more about us.

Forfar Open Gardens are looking for Volunteer Gardeners to provide general help within the garden whether that be pottering in the outdoor or indoor planting areas, clearing and pruning in the large woodland space or any of the many jobs in between. The garden is an open space for people young and old to come along and enjoy so you have a keen interest in gardening or would like to learn then they would love to hear from you. Youth opportunities are available on Friday afternoons. Interested? Want to know more? Get in touch.

Patient Partners are members of the public who assist in the practice and learning sessions by being available to speak to and be examined by our students. There is no prior training or experiences necessary to be selected to join the Programme, all we ask is that a Patient Partner be willing to help, reliable and most importantly have a good sense of humour! Patient Partners may role play a health problem from a scenario (short description of symptoms and how they have been affecting you, as well as a social and medical history) so that medical and dental students can practise interviewing patients away from the hussle and bussle of a busy hospital ward. Patient Partners may also be used for non-invasive procedures/examinations (for example, the taking of a blood pressure, listening to a patient’s lungs or having joints examined/put through normal movements). There is no prior training or experiences necessary, all we ask is that you are willing to help, reliable and most importantly have a good sense of humour! Good support is provided to all volunteers and all help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact us at Email: patientpp@abdn.ac.uk or Tel 01224 437887. Further information about volunteering with us is also available at: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/suttie-centre/clinical-skills/patient-partner-programme.php

- Willing to participate in activities and learn about new cultures? - Ready to create social change and improve peoples lives? No matter where you are in Scotland, you have access to training and learning opportunities abroad that can help you gain skills, boost confidence, and earn qualifications. Our organisation offers multiple trips throughout the year, with mentors available to provide support. We partner with other organizations to offer placements in Ghana, Romania, and potentially Eastern European countries, each with a unique set of activities and tasks that focus on developing various skills. We offer shorter 3 to 4 day trips for young people, aged 16-30, as well as longer trips of 2 to 3 weeks for anyone over 16. An exciting and great opportunity to help and make a difference. For more information please contact Megan Beattie, Project Delivery Lead at email: start@standinternational.org or telephone: 0131 659 9943. Further information is also available at: https://www.standinternational.org/

Early Intervention is a neurodivergent safe space for neuro divergent children and their families. A non-judgmental environment where you can be your true authentic self. Managed by volunteers we offer specialist support - Speech and Language therapy, Music Therapy, Pet therapy, and opportunities for children up to 9 years old to socialise with their neurokin whilst empowering them to embrace their identity, we also offer opportunities for semi structured play, arts and crafts and sensory messy play. Early Intervention is a volunteer-led organisation which has been providing services to neurodivergent children and their families since February 2022. This is an exciting time to get involved with us as we are seeking to develop the services we offer and to look at making the transition to becoming a Scottish Charity. Looking for people to help us take Early Intervention to the next stage. People who can help us to sharpen the governance of the organisation to make us into the kind of organisation we aspire to be. This opportunity would be attractive to someone with experience of committee work, or people, who want to gain experience in managing and developing an organisation. Over the next year we intend to make an application to become a Scottish Charity and this will be a good opportunity to become familiar with this process. Early Intervention offers the opportunity to get involved with an organisation with plans to do great things to support neurodivergent children and their families. There is a great reward in being involved in this. Although experience of committee work is desirable, full training will be offered to interested suitable candidates. We look forward to you getting in touch for an initial chat. For more details please contact Linda Lumsden, Early Intervention Founder/Volunteer at email: info@earlyintervention.org.uk or telephone: 07867 524150.

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact us at email: aberdeen@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeen City) or email: aberdeenshire@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeenshire). Or telephone us on 07709249661.

WaterAid Speakers are trained volunteers that deliver inspiring talks and workshops, to raise awareness about the importance of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, to transform peoples’ lives for good. Our Speaker volunteers engage audiences about the important work of WaterAid, inspiring them to take action, as they speak with schools, universities, businesses, youth groups, religious places of worship, service organisations, and many more. WaterAid Speakers: •Deliver a minimum of four talks or workshops per year, either online and/or face to face. •Deliver talks or workshops on key days such as: World Water Day on 22 March, World Toilet Day on 19 November, Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May and Global Handwashing Day on 15 October. •Contact new audiences to organise and deliver talk and workshop opportunities. •Complete online Speaker Network training and adhere to volunteer guidance and best practise. •Make use of our public speaking resources (such as PowerPoint presentations) included in our Speaker e-newsletter, emails, and online resource library. •Keep up to date with our key messages, appeals, campaigns, fundraising and volunteering. •Regularly liaise with the Speaker Network team about talks and workshops. •Provide feedback on talks or workshops by completing the online evaluations. •Provide support to new Speakers around their public speaking development. •Demonstrate the WaterAid values including being considerate when representing WaterAid and always leaving others with a positive view of our organisation and the work that we do. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. To become a WaterAid Volunteer or for more information please email speakers@wateraid.org

Have you ever wanted to volunteer all to do within the concept of Football? Well look no further! Street Soccer Scotland is currently looking for volunteers to join their team. No two days the same, working alongside our players developing them personally and mentally. The role includes working with coaches and players pitch side, monitoring games, inputting data, building relationships with partner organisations. We work with all ages from 10 years old all the way to past retirement . We currently run in Aberdeen: Walking Football, Kids 10-13 Year olds, Street 45 (Women's Programme) and Adult Sessions. Opportunities are available Monday to Friday - Please get in touch with Peter Wood, Programme Co-ordinator at email: peter@streetsoccerscotland.org or telephone: 07487603708, if you would like to know more.

Early Intervention is a neurodivergent safe space for neuro divergent children and their families. A non-judgmental environment where you can be your true authentic self. Managed by volunteers we offer specialist support - Speech and Language therapy, Music Therapy, Pet therapy, and opportunities for children up to 9 years old to socialise with their neurokin whilst empowering them to embrace their identity, we also offer opportunities for semi structured play, arts and crafts and sensory messy play. Looking for friendly volunteers to help us support families at sessions, no experience necessary but would especially love to hear from those with lived experience - neurodivergent adults and or people with a close connection to neurodiversity or ASN for example an autistic family member. Although no experience is necessary, we would love to hear from any practicing/retired or student Speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, play therapists, teachers, or those with experience in social care and early years childcare. Early Intervention is a volunteer-led organisation which has been providing services to neurodivergent children and their families since February 2022. This is an exciting time to get involved with us as we are seeking to develop the services we offer and to look at making the transition to becoming a Scottish Charity. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Linda Lumsden, Early Intervention Founder/Volunteer at email: info@earlyintervention.org.uk or telephone: 07867 524150.