The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) works with NHS Forth Valley to develop volunteering in local hospitals. We are looking for older volunteers to carry out support roles in Forth Valley Royal Hospital, with the aim of making a visit to the hospital a better experience for patients and visitors. Volunteers provide support to patients and visitors in several different departments. Volunteers contribute to the well-being of patients and visitors by being a listening ear, a helpful and friendly face or even helping with a cup of tea. Our volunteers feel valued, make new friends and keep active in retirement.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) works with NHS Forth Valley to develop volunteering in local hospitals. We are looking for older volunteers to carry out support roles in Forth Valley Royal Hospital, with the aim of making a visit to the hospital a better experience for patients and visitors. Volunteers at the Welcome stand in the man foyer help direct people and also provide information on volunteering opportunities within NHS Forth Valley. Our volunteers feel valued, make new friends and keep active in retirement.

Marie Curie is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment for our patients and their families. We’re looking for a volunteer to help us ensure hospice gardens and grounds are kept tidy and look beautiful with attractive flowers, tree and shrubs. Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks: Potting up and planting, depending on the season. Sweeping, watering, weeding, pruning and remove dead heads. Lifting and clearing garden rubbish.

Clan’s Listening and Support volunteers are the key points of contact for clients accessing our range of free practical services and emotional support at our Wellbeing Centres across the North East, including Moray. Listening & Support Volunteers currently help a wide range of people affected by cancer, including those with a cancer diagnosis, carers, colleagues, family members and friends by offering an impartial, confidential listening ear. Support can be given either in person or on the telephone. Clan is in urgent need of volunteers in Elgin and the surrounding areas of Lossiemouth and Forres. If you are caring, compassionate, an effective listener and available to volunteer for 4 hours at a time (on week days) either weekly, fortnightly or monthly for a minimum of 12 months, we’d love to hear from you! Find out more about how you could make a difference to local people affected by cancer by visiting www.clancancersupport.org, or by calling 01224 647 000 and asking to speak with our Volunteer Manager.

Volunteer in our shops Our  shop volunteers  are  helping us beat cancer right now.   In 2019/20, 14,000 volunteers gave 3.1 million hours of their time and sold items totalling £15million. These funds are helping us start new clinical trials and research treatments as we speak.  If you  volunteer  at a Cancer Research UK shop,  you too could make a real difference to what we can achieve.  Nothing we do would be possible without  amazing volunteers  like you.  You’ll also  gain valuable skills to help develop your CV and experience.  And you’ll volunteer alongside a wonderful team of passionate, friendly people  who will support you  every step of the way.  Volunteering is open to everyone and no experience is required.  So,  if you’re looking for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from  you.  What do shop volunteers do?  Volunteering in our shops is varied, exciting and rewarding. No two days are the same and you have the chance to flex different skills regularly. There are always new opportunities to keep you engaged and help you grow and develop in your role.  While this list is not exhaustive, it gives you a flavour of some of the typical tasks in our charity shops:  Serving customers, taking  payments  and providing good all-round customer service  Sorting through donated items and pricing stock  Working on window and shop displays  Keeping the shop tidy, clean and well organised  Interacting with the general public  Following new health, safety and social distancing measures  You don’t need any experience to volunteer  You just need to be motivated, hardworking and enjoy being part of a team. There’ll be a full induction as well as ongoing training opportunities to make sure you’re fully confident and able to excel in your role.  Why should I volunteer? Volunteering brings a wealth of benefits, both personal and professional.   Every volunteer hour  you  donate means we can sell 6 items and make £20 of income. So, if you volunteer for a 7-hour day, this can generate £140. That means that every day you volunteer, you’ll be raising more funds to beat cancer.   You’ll gain important skills that are hugely valued in the workplace such as teamwork, communication and using your initiative.  You can boost your CV by working towards an NVQ in Retail with Derby College,  and  we'll provide you with a reference.  It will allow you to get involved in your local community and to meet new friends.  Our friendly  CRUK  team will be there to support you all the way – offering guidance and helping you build your confidence.  It’s fun – you’ll gain real satisfaction from volunteering alongside our warm, friendly shop volunteers who will make you feel right at home. The minimum age for volunteering in our shops is 18 . If  you’re aged  between 16 -18 you may still be able to volunteer in our  shops,  but you must be on a recognised scheme, for example, the Duke of Edinburgh. 

Moray Handyperson Services are looking for new DIY-ers to join their team, especially in the Elgin area. Volunteers complete small/minor maintenance jobs that some older or vulnerable people cannot do by themselves in their own homes. Each year, this local charity helps hundreds of people stay safe and independent in their own home. Small jobs can range from changing a light bulb, to fitting curtain rails, from assembling flat-packs, to even doing a bit of decluttering. These jobs usually take less than an hour and you can choose to do a job at a time that is convenient for you. Volunteers are usually matched to a job in their local area, and if you can't help out, that isn't a problem either, as you can say no or yes to a job. Now that's flexible volunteering! Contact them if you think you could part of their volunteer team. How It Works: 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. Completion paperwork (easy and quick to do) is returned to the MHPS office.

Being a Community Facilitator is all about delivering a variety of lifesaving first aid skills in community engagement workshops and projects, within local communities, and primary and secondary schools. A lot of these projects involve talking about and demonstrating the basics of first aid to community groups that can include children, young people, and vulnerable adults. An example of events you could be delivering a first aid talk and demo to, are primary and secondary schools, small university groups, local community groups, charities, summer fairs, shopping centres. Some of the skills you could be teaching include how to provide CPR and apply a defib, different bandages and how to use them, and basic information on various health conditions. Not only that but all the training needed, is provided by us at no cost to you! A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated.

The spectacular Aberdeen Race for Life takes place on Sunday 2nd July 2023 at Kings Links, Beach Esplanade, Aberdeen. Our Race for Life events couldn't happen without volunteers. Whatever time and skills you have to share, we've got a great role for you. Just bring your energy, smiles and passion to the party and let's help beat cancer together. Roles that you can help volunteering in at the event include: *Course Marshal Volunteer Cheer on our participants as they take part and lift some spirits along the way. You also ensure their safety and that they're going in the right direction through the course. Your support will spur them on! *Enquiries Volunteer With the excitement of race day there’s bound to be questions! You can help by supporting our participants and spectators with their queries. *Finish Line Volunteer You might be asked to help out at our buzzing finish line, where you will hand out water and medals and welcome our participants back with a smile. *Lead Bike Lead our fastest runners around the course, showing them the way to a personal best. (Own bike required). *Water Station Fuel our runners and walkers at their mid-way point on the course. A fantastic opportunity be part of a major event to help to beat cancer. For further details please contact Lauren Robertson, Senior Area Events Manager at email: lauren.robertson@cancer.org.uk or telephone: 07768857661. More information is available/you can also apply to volunteer at https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/volunteer/event-volunteer-aberdeen-race-for-life-2nd-july-2023

Community Support Volunteers support people who have had one of our conditions to develop autonomy and confidence in self-management, enabling them to fully engage with their community and activities of their choosing. The service follows a pathway from hospital to community and can be delivered in a one-to-one and/or a group setting. The service can be delivered to provide specified person-centred communication support for those with a communication difficulty and/or to support a specific physical or everyday task. To undertake your role you will be required to undertake membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) schemes in Scotland (PVG).

Community Support Volunteers support people who have had one of our conditions to develop autonomy and confidence in self-management, enabling them to fully engage with their community and activities of their choosing. The service follows a pathway from hospital to community and can be delivered in a one-to-one and/or a group setting. The service can be delivered to provide specified person-centred communication support for those with a communication difficulty and/or to support a specific physical or everyday task. To undertake your role you will be required to undertake membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) schemes in Scotland (PVG).