A young carer is someone up to the age of 18 who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who due to illness or disability cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. It may involve practical support like cooking, housework, or emotional support. A group volunteer with Aberdeen Young Carers will assist staff members in delivering any planned activities e.g. arts and crafts, baking etc. They will actively participate with the activity, encourage young people to join in and have fun and build up positive relationships with the children and young people by being friendly and non-judgemental. They will also have the opportunity to lead groups if they wish to. At this time we are predominantly looking for volunteers to help at our School Holiday groups in the Summer Holidays in 2023. We are working on a schedule of groups which we would need volunteers for but these groups will have a range of activities! There will also be the opportunity for volunteers to help with our monthly groups, on an ad-hoc basis or at events. Events typically include summer outings, Christmas parties and Young Carers’ festivals. Further opportunities are available to assist in promoting our events e.g. putting up posters and spreading the word, in helping us at groups. Excellent support and relevant training is provided and our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including; experience of working with children, young people and families; experience for your CV; supporting your local community; meeting new people; increasing self-confidence; feeling like you are making a difference; improving your health and wellbeing; and a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity. To apply for this role – please visit: https://volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities/16049-children-s-activity-support-group-helper-aberdeen-young-carers-2020-11-24 or contact Jacqui Hall, Volunteer Coordinator at email jacqui.hall@barnardos.org.uk / telephone: 07783 848410 for any more details.

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time. Help us raise vital funds by representing SSAFA at local fundraising events, providing a friendly and approachable service to potential donors. What is a Fundraising volunteer? As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc. Why do we need you? SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help. Key role responsibilities Being part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc. Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g. handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc. Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc. Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc. Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.) When would you be needed and where would you be based? This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you. What can you gain from this volunteering role? Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews What are we looking for? Friendly and approachable people Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face Reliable attitude, keeping in touch the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely Access to public transport or a car to get to events Able to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives) Referees We have a few restrictions on who can act as a referee for you and your application: The referee must have know you for at least two years - and you must still be in contact now. The referee cannot be a member of your family. The referee cannot live at the same address as you. Equality, diversity and inclusion We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support disabled volunteers, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as non-disabled volunteers.

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people, some basic I.T skills and good written and spoken English. If you already have some fundraising experience that would be great too but it’s not essential. As a Fundraising Coordinator, you would work with your local SSAFA branch to develop a Fundraising Plan. You would be central to delivering this local plan to raise funds through a range of local sources including grants, trusts, appeals, collections. As Fundraising Coordinator, you would work with your local SSAFA branch to develop a Fundraising Plan. You would be central to delivering this local plan to raise funds through a range of local sources including grants, trusts, appeals, collections and events Why do we need you? SSAFA branches rely on a regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity and grants for clients in urgent needs. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community. We’d love to hear from you if you could help by coordinating this vital aspect of your local SSAFA branch. What can you gain from this volunteering role? Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support client Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews. What are we looking for? Friendly and approachable people with good communication skills including written and spoken English Confident to deal with the public, potential clients, volunteers, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues – face-to-face, by phone, email or via social media Experience of running events and or submitting funding applications would be welcome but not essential Ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address Ability to make enquires about fundraising opportunities by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely Access to public transport or a car to get to meetings and events Able to provide two referees: former employers or other people that know you well (other than relatives) Referees We have a few restrictions on who can act as a referee for you and your application: The referee must have know you for at least two years - and you must still be in contact now. The referee cannot be a member of your family. The referee cannot live at the same address as you. Equality, diversity and inclusion We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support disabled volunteers, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as non-disabled volunteers.

The SSAFA Mentoring service provides long-term, one-to-one, face-to-face support during transition and for up to two years post discharge to all members of our armed forces. By supporting, guiding and signposting individuals we can ensure a successful transition is achieved. Our volunteer mentors are an integral part of the team supporting the service user into civilian life often helping them to understand and navigate their new environment. A SSAFA Mentor is an individual who commits the time to build a professional relationship with a service leaver or their family through a challenging period of time. Providing support and guidance along the way. Mentoring is natural skill that we all have, the ability to listen and empathise as well as question and challenge in an environment that sees rewards at different levels. Leaving the Armed Forces can a difficult and stressful time for serving personnel: to ensure the SSAFA mentoring team can continue to offer face to face mentors to those in transition it is important to encourage and recruit new mentors to the team. Mentors provide weekly meetings within a 50 mile radius of their home address and will: Assist the client to establish realistic goals and work towards achieving them. Act as a sounding board when the client wants to discuss decisions and ideas. Challenge opportunities, problems, personal strengths and weaknesses. Signpost to other organisations and sources of knowledge. Seek opportunities to help the client practice and develop key skills for the future. Pass on know-how and essential thinking patterns and attitudes. Generate workable solutions together in a mutually respectful way. Motivate, advise and support whilst empowering the service leaver to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their own actions and development. Maintain regular contact with your Regional Mentoring Coordinator and provide accurate meeting records after every meeting via a secure email system. What can you gain from this volunteering role? Support people in your community with a military background using your patience, time and life experience Support and friendship from the Mentoring team and fellow mentors Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression! Key role responsibilities Meet with their client for an hour each week for a period of up to but not limited to12 months. Support the client and SSAFA ensure they receive any necessary support from SSAFA or external organisations. Complete (mandatory) accurate records of all contact made with the client, by using the SSAFA Email system Maintain regular contact with their Regional Mentoring Coordinator Agree to any supervision deemed necessary. Attend mandatory Network/Refresher training every three years Uphold the aims and values of SSAFA and comply with all current policies; confidentiality, impartiality and equal opportunities. To be reliable and fulfil any time commitment made to a client DBS Check will be required. IT literacy.

What is a Branch Secretary? There are 19 SSAFA branches across Scotland. Each branch has a secretary to organise day-to-day activities. This is a key role involving administration and coordinating people. As the first point of contact for SSAFA in the area you will play a crucial part in promoting SSAFA locally, organising local events and ensuring the smooth running of SSAFA across the branch. What would you be doing? Managing the branch office (if applicable) and providing support to all volunteers, especially new ones Work with the branch Chair, treasurer and others to ensure smooth running of the branch Accepting referrals and coordinating SSAFA caseworkers, visitors and helpers accordingly Oversee all SSAFA casework across the branch ensuring clients get support that is effective and timely Monitor volunteer numbers against the demand for support and recruit new volunteers as needed Working with the local training officer to ensure all volunteers are kept up to date with the training and information they need Build relationships with regional and central office staff to ensure an effective flow of information Maintaining accurate records of volunteers and cases, submit accurate data to Central Office Providing administration for an annual programme of meetings including an AGM, recording and implementing decisions Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of help they need. Next, they find the right sources of support and arrange for clients to access it. This might be funds for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc. The essential part of the role is interacting with clients, so you may be visiting clients or doing this virtually. As part of your local branch you might have access to an office, but many volunteers are based at home. What does this role involve? • Contacting clients and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time either face-to-face or remotely • Liaising with clients and completing a form to assess their circumstances • Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice • Applying on the client’s behalf to military and non-military sources of charitable funding • Arranging for the purchase of goods and services • Keeping in touch with the client so they know how their case is progressing • Keeping in touch with your branch so they know your availability • Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients • Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer or fundraiser • Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.) What can you gain from this volunteering role? • Support people in your community with a military background • Use your skills, knowledge and life experience to benefit others • Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community • Experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews • Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression! Minimum Age: 18 Is a criminal record check required? Yes

We are looking for a volunteer who would like to become our minute secretary. This involves attending once monthly meetings for about 2hrs (7-9pm) usually the third Thursday in Forfar to take minutes for the meeting, typing these up and distributing to the members. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in your local community and might suit a volunteer hoping to further develop IT and admin skills.

We meet usually once a month for about 2 hrs (7pm- 9pm) usually the 3rd Thursday of the month. We can offer a small payment to cover expenses. Some examples of our involvement are monthly meetings involving locally elected councillors, police and guest speakers. We regularly review local planning applications, local news/ concerns and organise community events such as beach cleans, seasonal town decorations/ events such as the summer bunting and Christmas Lights display/ switch on. We also support to facilitate local projects and collaborating with organisations to distribute community funds. There is opportunity to become involved in such a wide variety of projects/ groups dependant on your availability of time.

The RAF Association is a member-led, welfare charity that exists to ensure that all members of the RAF community are supported, when they require it. Our Connections for Life service entails friendship telephone calls from volunteers to beneficiaries within the RAF community who maybe experiencing loneliness, adapting to life after service or just looking for a general chat. We will provide you with all the necessary training so you can rest assured that you will have all the skills you need. As a Connections Volunteer, you will have the support of a dedicated coordinator as your point of contact. A RAF or forces background is not essential, and we welcome applications from all areas of the community. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All help is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Craig Anderson, RAF Association Connections Administrator at email: volunteers@rafa.org.uk or telephone: 0800 018 2361.

Music 4 U is a registered charity and inclusive provider of performing arts classes in Aberdeen. We currently have fantastic opportunities for people to assist us through helping at our fundraising events - setting up, selling raffles, overall help for the events. A tremendous opportunity to assist with a great charity and be part of exciting events. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Natalie Burness, Fundraising & Events Co-ordinator at email: fundraising@m4u.org.uk