The aim of our small charity is to improve the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of those who feel isolated and also to offer support to those living with dementia, as well as their carers. We offer a Befriending Service for older people as well as dementia cafés in local communities. We are looking for someone to develop a new website and to review and improve our IT and email set-up. You will need IT skills and experience of website development as well as practical experience and knowledge. We are a team of three who have limited technical expertise so we need someone with the necessary skills to liaise and communicate with us in simple English! We are very enthusiastic about what we do and try to find the fun in things, but IT issues are SO not fun for us and we need help! This is a great opportunity for someone to develop and showcase their IT skills. It could suit someone who finds themselves with spare time and who would like to offer our charity the benefit of their experience. For an informal chat to find out more information about what’s involved, please call Ruth on 07423 071448 or email us at admin@thelivingwellproject.org.uk

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. In response to the effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples wellbeing (physical, emotional, social and mental health), that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated, TLC have responded to this need and further developed our befriending service to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many in our city. Our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers not only provide a lifeline to people, in the form of friendship, but also a helping hand to reconnect to the community, bringing joy and passion back into people’s lives. If you would like to be a beacon of hope to someone in need, please do apply to join our fantastic team of volunteers. For further information please email us at recruitment@tlc.org.uk

The Partnership works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities and to break down barriers, overcome challenges and improve quality of life. The group comprises approximately 15 members of the public, working with five local councillors, and its vision is to: a) To bring about improvements to the lives of people in Aberdeen City who experience exclusion because of disability by promoting a rights-based approach to disability equality. b) To create a society where disabled people are valued, respected and included in the life of the City. c) To encourage and promote inclusion and equality. d) To create fair opportunity by identifying and removing the disabling barriers which disabled people face daily including prejudice, discrimination and negative attitudes. e) To provide a means of partnership, consultation and joint action with Aberdeen City Council Meetings are held at Aberdeen Town House (entrance from Queen Street, Aberdeen). There is also the option to join the meeting remotely if you choose to do so. The Disability Equity Partnership (DEP) has 6 meetings over the year. Examples of projects we have been working on include the City Centre Masterplan, Union Terrace Gardens, webpage and information accessibility to reduce barriers and improve access to information, goods and services. A fantastic opportunity to make a real difference and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Baldeep McGarry, Equalities Officer at email: BMcGarry@aberdeencity.gov.uk or tel.: 07767353006.

Fresh Community Wellness is a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future. Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants. All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk

Altens and Cove Community Association Centre is a local independent charity, run by volunteer Trustees and a small staff team from Altens Community Centre. Serving Altens and Cove, the centre offers a wide range of community activities, along with private hires of our meeting rooms, sports hall and community rooms, and a café. Our highly recommended Fishies Playgroup operates within Altens Community Centre on weekday mornings during term time. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, we are looking for new trustees to join our friendly group of staff and trustees. In particular, we are seeking a treasurer to manage the association’s accounts in conjunction with the centre manager and other members of the board of trustees. The Centre provides a vibrant atmosphere and essential support for the community of Cove and Altens, and we would be pleased to welcome additional volunteers to our team. For further information please contact Rob Sim, Chair of Board of Trustees at E Mail: altensccchair@gmail.com or tel.: 07801683011. Details about activities and volunteering at the Centre is also available at our Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/altencc/

Volunteering Matters, the UK’s largest volunteering charity, believe that everyone in the UK should have the opportunity to thrive. We bring people together to overcome some of society’s most complex issues through the power of volunteering. Our Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) encourages those aged 50+ to volunteer and be active in their communities. RSVP projects can take many forms, from school support, to driving schemes, all having an incredible impact both on the wider community, and our volunteers. In Aberdeen, we are looking for a passionate, friendly individual to re-establish RSVP knitting groups in the Aberdeen area as a Group Volunteer Organiser. As our RSVP Knitting Group Volunteer Organiser, you will engage other adults aged 50+ in the local community who enjoy knitting, bring them together as knitting volunteers, but also providing a social forum for the knitters to chat and spark friendships. Activity will also happen in between, with knitters completing items at home too. In addition to setting up groups and arranging for them to come together (if they would like to), the Organiser will collect items created, and ensure they are donated to local organisations that can benefit from them. Previously, this has included clothes for the local neonatal unit, trauma teddies, and others. This will involve networking in the Aberdeen area to establish relationships with organisations and agree how donations will work. You don’t have to be an avid knitter yourself, this role is more to organise knitting activity, and be the point of contact for knitters and partners in the local area. However, if you would like to be involved in the knitting activity, that would be most welcome. *Tasks involved: - Engaging with keen knitters in the local area to form groups, and on-going contact with knitters - Promoting knitting opportunities/encouraging wider involvement via local press, social media etc. - Working with organisations to create partnerships for the knitting to be donated to - Ensuring quality control of items - Applying for small grants/funding/some fundraising activity would be beneficial - Gathering items from knitters and arranging collection/delivery - Ensuring social opportunities for knitters to come together (if they wish to) - Inputting to the wider RSVP network as and when appropriate *You will be: - Honest, reliable, and friendly volunteer aged 50+ - Regular commitment - An interest in networking/building relationships - Good communication, organisational, and people skills - Ability to volunteer independently, taking initiative to grow the groups, with minimum support - Able to lift/move bags of knitting donations and transport them – being a driver would be useful *We will provide: - A fun, enjoyable and worthwhile voluntary experience - Sense of achievement - Relevant training and support - All travel expenses - Relevant insurance for activities - Opportunity to engage with the wider RSVP and Volunteering Matters Network A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and the community. For further details please contact Louise Orr, Delivery Leader at email: louise.orr@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or tel.: 07534 108 842.

The Comradeship Circles service aims to reduce loneliness by offering older members of the ex-service community the opportunity to enjoy regular group camaraderie by telephone. A Comradeship Circle will host typically six people on the same day and time each week to chat about a range of topics and interests over the phone. A Technical Support Volunteer or Supervisor will be on hand to connect everyone and ensure the call runs smoothly. We are looking for facilitator volunteers who will join the group phone calls, which last up to an hour, helping to facilitate discussion, developing resources to enrich Circles in response to member's interests. Currently this role is home-based and access to either a landline or mobile is required. • Main tasks include - Welcoming members to the circle and to facilitate group discussions and ensuring all members have a chance to participate. Creating and developing engaging resources in response to circle participant’s interests. • Reporting any concerns or issues with the circles to Supervisor. 1-2 hours per week at the same time each week (with some flexibility for cover) over a 6 month minimum period. For more information please contact Caroline McDonald, Comradeship Circles Coordinator at email: caroline.mcdonald@agescotland.org.uk or tel.: 0131 378 7206.

The Comradeship Circles service aims to reduce loneliness by offering older members of the ex-service community the opportunity to enjoy regular group camaraderie by telephone. A Comradeship Circle will host typically six people on the same day and time each week to chat about a range of topics and interests over the phone. A Volunteer Facilitator or Supervisor will be on every call to encourage discussion and ensure the conversation flows. We are looking for Technical Support Volunteers who will ensure the smooth running of the Comradeship Circle by connecting veterans to the call, monitoring connection throughout the hour, and updating the contact management database. This role is home based and requires access to a laptop, headphones and the internet. Main tasks include dialling in the veterans and connecting them to the circle an updating the charity database. 1-2 hours per week at the same time each week (with some flexibility for cover) over a 6 month minimum period. For more information please contact Caroline McDonald, Comradeship Circles Coordinator at email: caroline.mcdonald@agescotland.org.uk or tel.: 0131 378 7206.

Can you spare a few hours a week to brighten someone’s day? This is a great opportunity to provide crucial social interaction for a veteran, who can’t reach our centres, and can feel isolated or lonely. By popping by once a week or fortnight, a Home Visitor / Buddy is a friendly face that can make all the difference to our veterans. A visit could be a simple chat and a cup of tea, getting involved in shared interests for example playing dominos, or a game, listening to music, watching TV or discussing audio books. You will never be asked to do any personal care. Although you will be working in the community independently, your manager is only a phone call away and there is a network of other volunteers for you to link in with too. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and understand the importance of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. The role can be flexible around your other commitments, but we ask that you are reliable and punctual for our veterans. You will be fully trained and supported so you feel comfortable and confident in your volunteering. For more information please contact Gary Flew, Volunteer Coordinator at email: gary.flew@blindveterans.org.uk or tel.: 0751 493 1950.

For people leaving hospital, adjusting to life at home can be a difficult time. Helping someone get their essential shopping, pick up their prescription or get the heating turned on can make all the difference for them to feel safe at home. This service is available in Aberdeen 7 days a week 9.00am - 8.00pm depending on needs. We would like you to : • volunteer at least 4 hours a week within the above times • to drive and have use of a car if possible, though this is not essential *Why we want you If you are compassionate and like helping and meeting people, then this could be the role for you. Volunteers like you support people who are leaving hospital, helping to build their confidence so that they can continue to live independently in their own home. *What you will be doing • Visit people in hospital as they are getting ready to go home. • Bring people home from hospital. • Help someone settle in when they first arrive home. • Support with shopping and collecting prescriptions. • Help people find further support if they need it. • Keep records of tasks. *The skills you need • Warm and friendly with empathy for others. • Good communication skills. • Encouraging and supportive. • Enjoy meeting and spending time with new people. • Can work independently and as a part of a team. • Able to commit to a regular shift. *What's in it for you • Meet new people and be part of a dynamic and inclusive team. • A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. • All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). • Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training. • An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For full details and to apply please visit: https://volunteer.redcross.org.uk/opportunities/21249-independent-living-service-volunteer-grampian-2021-10-13