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 .

The James Tyrrell Centre is a small charity that provides a social outlet for lonely or socially isolated older people in the local community. We are based at Mastrick Parish Church . We serve tea and toast on arrival around 10am, a three course lunch at midday and afternoon tea and cake around 2:30pm. Throughout the day we play cards, dominoes, have quizzes and play different physical games such as boccia (indoor bowling) quoits and others. We also enjoy a beetle drive and we can be very competitive!! We need people to help us with the activities and the general running of the centre. Your duties as a volunteer would be to assist with activities and chat with our members. They have lots of stories to tell and enjoy listening as well. Other duties would include setting up and clearing of tables for meal times and washing/drying dishes. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers including an initial induction and training in basic first aid and moving and handling. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference-all volunteer help is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Jane Wilson at tel: 01224 692004.

Founded in 1962 (and known as Community Service Volunteers until 2015), Volunteering Matters has been leading UK volunteering in policy and practice for more than 50 years. We know, through years of successful work, that investing in people through the power of volunteering makes a tangible difference to the volunteer, the beneficiary and society as a whole. Our volunteer programmes help to improve health and well-being; build stronger, more inclusive communities; and achieve lasting results. We believe that everyone can play a role in their community and should have the chance to participate; we build projects and programmes to reflect this. We focus on the needs of four distinct communities; young people, disabled people, families and older people. Our team of handypeople complete small and minor maintenance jobs in older peoples homes. The types of jobs we do are the small things that it can be difficult to get a tradesperson to complete, and that older people often struggle with. Tasks can be varied but include things like: changing washers, unblocking sinks, building flat packed furniture, changing curtains, fitting handrails and putting up shelves. We do not complete tasks that include decorating or gardening. Volunteers also look out for and give customers advice on obvious fall or fire hazards in their homes. Sometimes, volunteers will sit down for a chat and a cup of tea in order to offer a personal touch. As part of this role, volunteers are also asked to complete a "job report" to the office once they have completed a task, handing in donations to the office and to issue donation receipts to clients. For this role, we are looking for people that have the skills to complete DIY tasks, as well as good communication skills, an ability to work independently, be reliable, trustworthy, dedicated and have an interest in working with older people. The hours are flexible as they are based on our clients needs; however most volunteers do about an hour or two a week. You will have the opportunity to shadow a member of the team before beginning the role. You will also receive support from the Volunteer Coordinator, and have refresher training/get together's with the team on a quarterly basis.

This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers to gain experience of community work and gain an insight and understanding of peoples' needs in semi rural areas by driving and escorting the elderly to and from their homes to the Day Centre. This opportunity also offers work experience in support, care, team building and befriending.

*Dementia Café Volunteers* We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic and caring volunteers who can help us at the Living Well Cafés we have at Newhills Church, Bucksburn AB21 9SS, Oldmachar Church, Bridge of Don AB22 8PR, High Church Hilton, Aberdeen AB24 4NQ and Ferryhill Parish Church, Aberdeen AB11 6UD. You will receive ongoing training and support including Dementia Friends Sessions, working in partnership with Alzheimer's Scotland and NHS Grampian to help you understand what dementia is and how it may affect people. This is a great opportunity to help make a real difference and all assistance is greatly appreciated. For more information about volunteering with us please contact Jeanette Abel on 07512 141818 or Linda Rendall on 07927 541029 or email us at cafe@thelivingwellproject.org.uk

Volunteers will visit and befriend patients in acute hospital wards, and maintain contact with them during their inpatient stay (or in the case of mental health services the volunteer support could continue into the community). Volunteers will respect the patients personal belief’s and provide a basic level of emotional support.

Help us build up the pace in Scotland by sharing our badges and displaying posters across your local area; playing your part in the future of Scottish medical research and taking on heart disease. We can provide posters for you to display in your local shops, community centres, libraries, supermarkets, pharmacies and doctors surgeries to help us reach as many people as possible. Our Heart of Scotland Appeal is a fundraising campaign to raise and spend money in Scotland on vital medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. 41 people die every day in Scotland from cardiovascular disease and we know that the death rate form coronary heart disease is almost 50% higher than for the South East of England. This isn't fair and we want to change this. The Heart of Scotland Appeal is backed by internationally acclaimed Scottish fashion designer, Christopher Kane. Christopher has designed four unique badges to sell to friends, family and colleagues for donations, as well as asking local shops if they will have a box of badges on their counter (that we can send out to them). Join our network of volunteer Pace Makers and help us get everyone wearing a Heart of Scotland badge.

We are looking for a volunteer to provide befriending to a tenant. Ideally someone who is interested in providing companionship, a good listing ear and who can also take the tenant out and about locally. Volunteer ideally could give 2 hours of their time every week - that time can be flexible to suit them.

Becoming a volunteer walk leader with this group would require you to commit around an hour of your time each Wednesday morning, and to sometimes complete a small amount of preparation & paperwork for the walk. You would also have to attend a one day ‘Paths for All’ walk leader training course, if you have not done so already. Walk leader training courses are free, organised locally and equip attendees with all the skills necessary to be able to lead a health walk. This opportunity would be best suited to a ‘people person’, who has a passion for being active/ being outdoors and encouraging others to do the same. This is a well- established health walk group with varying abilities, so someone who is outgoing and chatty, as well patient and understanding, would be preferable for this role.

Befriender volunteers are required to meet with a beneficiary to help alleviate loneliness and isolation, listen to and engage with the beneficiary, promoting positive outlooks and raising self esteem. Regularly meet with a beneficiary, either in their home or at a mutually agreed location. Listen to and engage with the beneficiary, promoting positive outlooks and raised self-esteem. Research into local community groups and activities to find relevant interests for the beneficiary. Identify any additional areas of support and make referrals to the Area Welfare Manager if required. Keep a note of visits undertaken, with recommendations and actions.