There are many ways in which volunteers can help to reduce social isolation in the older population. This may be by accompanying someone to attend a local community group, assisting with shopping or supporting them with activities, in their own home. Other suitable activities may include demonstrating to and supporting clients to do exercise to improve strength and balance, assistance with food preparation, assistance with craft activities and support with digital skills. A little human contact and support makes the world of difference to an isolated person. Volunteers can provide practical support to enable a person to feel less isolated and part of their wider community.

Young Volunteers between the ages of 14 - 20 are trained as befrienders, before attending a local sheltered housing complex in groups of around 5. These groups will engage in a range of activities with the residents such as reminiscing, arts & crafts, games and are encouraged to come up with new forms of engagement. It is hoped that in addition to the positive impact the project will have on residents, the befriending will allow volunteers to build confidence and gain valuable social skills under the support and supervision of the project worker.

Volunteers would help organise on the day, welcoming members but also helping to find entertainment and speakers, in addition to a bit of fundraising. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is postive, welcoming and organised.

There are two options with this volunteering opportunity, a purely volunteering role or an intial period as a volunteer while training is delivered resulting in qualification as a self employed Roar Footcare Technician. In response to changes in NHS eligibility for toenail cutting Roar Connections for Life has added Roar do Feet to the menu of services available to older people. We organise toenail cutting clinics in five venues across Renfrewshire. Volunteers will be provided with comprehensive training and support covering theory and practice, once they have completed the programme they will qualify as Roar Foot Technicians on a self employed basis, paid at an hourly rate of £8.50 per hour .Volunteers will be required to:- • Set up foot care clinic station • Adhere to all guidance and instruction and the Roar assessment process • Deliver personal footcare ensuring adherence to hygiene procedures • Use appointment system • Charge and record appropriately • Clear up station and area • Replenish stock bags • Any other relevant task

The Friendship Club provide respite care for people with memory impairment due to Dementia. They have a club which runs each Thursday from 12pm to 4:15pm based in Alloa. During this club, members are provided with lunch/afternoon tea and have access to stimulating activities which vary from dominoes, to dancing - there always tends to be a music based activity available. As a volunteer driver for The Friendship Club, your role will be to collect and return the club members. If you have more than one member in your car you will also have an escort with you. If you are interested in staying to help out with the club you are welcome to do so and this would involve helping serve the lunch, washing up and getting involved in the activities. All volunteers will need to go through a PVG check and are expected to keep confidentiality about what happens/is said during the club.

This volunteering opportunity is about providing assistance to vulnerable people in Moray through a ‘Help at Home’ service. This service is for people coming out of hospital, feeling unwell, recovering from illness or just generally needing help on a short term basis. The service needs are driven by the client; jobs could include for example: animal care (including dog walking), laundry, changing beds, shopping, etc. There is usually opportunity to chat with the client to determine if they are well, need support in any other areas. This befriending provides the added value that sets the MHPS apart from a paid professional doing the work.

Volunteer Handypersons carry out small jobs of a practical nature such as replacing light bulbs, fitting door chains/security/safety devices, putting up shelving/pictures/curtain tracks/poles etc. We do this for older or vulnerable people. Ho we Work: The MHPS staff receive requests from clients and collect relevant details, usually over the phone. They then find a volunteer who has the skills, is nearby and is available. If the volunteer accepts the job, MHPS send the volunteer all the details they need to do the job. Most jobs require the volunteer to visit the client in the client’s own home. The volunteer first makes a brief assessment to ensure the job is as described and it is safe for them to proceed. Once the job has been carried out, there is usually opportunity to chat with the client to determine if they are well, need support in any other areas. This befriending provides the added value that sets the MHPS apart from a paid professional doing the work. Completion paperwork (easy and quick to do) is returned to the MHPS office.

To help older people stay independent in their home for as long as possible we need people with basic DIY and gardening skills to act as a handyperosn for odd jobs as and when required .

ReConnect supports lonely and isolated older adults across rural Clydesdale with a variety of interventions - including telephone befriending calls, home visits and 1:1 support to get out and about. All our work is aimed at increasing confidence, self-esteem and social networks. This is an ideal volunteering opportunity if you want to make a positive difference to the lives of older people in your local community, make new friends and develop your skills. Responsibilities will be: - To complete necessary training as required - To deliver required intervention - phone call, home visit or outing for your older person - To complete a record of your call, visit or outing for submission to the project worker on a regular basis to monitor progress and highlight any concerns or areas of development - Record and report any concerns, accidents and incidents immediately to the Project Worker - To attend ReConnect volunteer and review meetings - To abide by the General Volunteer Agreement and adhere to Healthy Valleys policies

Food Train provides a low cost home delivery service of grocery shopping to elderly people who aren't able to get out and shop for themselves. Our volunteer shoppers shop from orders that customers have written. Effective checking of the order whilst shopping makes sure that our customers get what they want. Shoppers start at 9.30am in Morrisons, Stranraer and shop until the orders are finished - it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Volunteer shoppers generally shop weekly or fortnightly.