Are you keen to make a positive difference in people’s lives? Are you interested in equality, social justice and empowerment? We are looking for people to join our highly trained and enthusiastic volunteer Community Advocate team delivering independent advocacy to mental health service users or people with learning disabilities throughout Aberdeenshire. You will make such a difference in people’s lives, supporting them to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, helping them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and assisting them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support. Don’t worry no previous experience is required as full training and mentoring is provided to enable you to help others to have a voice. So if you are wondering what to do with your spare time and have around two hours free a week to volunteer please contact admin@advocacyne.org.uk or phone 01467 651604. Our Training and Volunteer Coordinator would love to hear from you and will be happy to give you more information on this volunteering opportunity.

As a volunteer advisor you will undertake full training and be supported gradually to become an adviser. This will involve interviewing clients and using the CAB information system give clients up to date and accurate information. You will explore options with clients and talk about the different ways their problems might be tackled, or offer practical help such as filling in a form, writing a letter, doing a benefit calculation, or making a phone call. The CAB has people from all walks of life and provides a vital service to the islands, this is a great opportunity to be part of something special. We have a small but committed and friendly staff team and are always looking for people who would like to get involved. If you have an interest but also some questions, the best thing you can do is have them answered. Come in and see the training officer or manager on Westview Terrace and discuss if this is the right opportunity for you. It really is a great opportunity.

Develop your skills and lead a team of up to 5 volunteers at a time in the daily running of an established charity shop in Hawick. Supervisory experience is a boost on any CV. Here at Oxfam we're dedicated to fighting poverty and inequality. Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn't inevitable. We respond fast in emergencies, work on long-term projects with communities and campaign for genuine, lasting change. Our volunteers, staff, and those we aim to influence are all guided by our values of empowerment, accountability, and inclusiveness. We've developed a comprehensive training programme to give you all the skills and support you need to lead a team of up to 5 volunteers at a time. No experience is necessary, our only requirement is you are over 18 due to the nature of this opportunity. We value inclusiveness so have other exciting opportunities are available for those who are not yet 18. If you have a couple of hours to give to Oxfam, then we'd like to hear from you. Supervisory training and experience can really improve your CV and career prospects. You’ll learn all about: • Opening & closing the shop • Daily admin & accountancy tasks • Monitoring performance & training the team • Understanding sales figures &targets About you: • Honesty, reliability, and commitment • Hard working and a willingness to learn • Able to work well in a team What this role can offer the volunteer: • Significant supervisory experience and training to improve your CV • You'll make a real difference within the shop • Be part of a diverse. fun and energetic team *Boost your confidence, skills, and CV by volunteering*

Whether you are passionate about clothing, music or books, love to organise, know your bric-a-brac or even want to get creative with our displays, your time, and skills with be appreciated. Here at Oxfam we're dedicated to fighting poverty and inequality. Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn't inevitable. We respond fast in emergencies, work on long-term projects with communities and campaign for genuine, lasting change. Our volunteers, staff, and those we aim to influence are all guided by our values of empowerment, accountability, and inclusiveness. There are several different areas in our shops that could use your expertise. Whether you are passionate about clothing, love to organise, know your bric-a-brac or even want to get creative with our displays, your time, and skills with be appreciated. If you have a couple of hours to give to Oxfam, then we'd like to hear from you. We want to hear from you if you are: • Reliable and honest • Willing to learn new skills • Interested in working with a team The role involves: • It's up to you! You can help behind the scenes or on the shop floor and you can branch out into different areas and do extra training. For example, team leader, online retail, social media, admin & accountancy roles, community outreach, and events organising.

As a volunteer advisor you will undertake full training and be supported gradually to become an adviser. This will involve interviewing clients and using the CAB information system give clients up to date and accurate information. You will explore options with clients and talk about the different ways their problems might be tackled, or offer practical help such as filling in a form, writing a letter, doing a benefit calculation, or making a phone call. The CAB has people from all walks of life and provides a vital service to the islands, this is a great opportunity to be part of something special. We have a small but committed and friendly staff team and are always looking for people who would like to get involved. If you have an interest but also some questions, the best thing you can do is have them answered. Come in and see the training officer or manager on Westview Terrace and discuss if this is the right opportunity for you. It really is a great opportunity.

WaterAid Speakers are trained volunteers that deliver inspiring talks and workshops, to raise awareness about the importance of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, to transform peoples’ lives for good. Our Speaker volunteers engage audiences about the important work of WaterAid, inspiring them to take action, as they speak with schools, universities, businesses, youth groups, religious places of worship, service organisations, and many more. WaterAid Speakers: •Deliver a minimum of four talks or workshops per year, either online and/or face to face. •Deliver talks or workshops on key days such as: World Water Day on 22 March, World Toilet Day on 19 November, Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May and Global Handwashing Day on 15 October. •Contact new audiences to organise and deliver talk and workshop opportunities. •Complete online Speaker Network training and adhere to volunteer guidance and best practise. •Make use of our public speaking resources (such as PowerPoint presentations) included in our Speaker e-newsletter, emails, and online resource library. •Keep up to date with our key messages, appeals, campaigns, fundraising and volunteering. •Regularly liaise with the Speaker Network team about talks and workshops. •Provide feedback on talks or workshops by completing the online evaluations. •Provide support to new Speakers around their public speaking development. •Demonstrate the WaterAid values including being considerate when representing WaterAid and always leaving others with a positive view of our organisation and the work that we do. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. To become a WaterAid Volunteer or for more information please email speakers@wateraid.org

Searchlight Scotland runs a restoration programme and supported accommodation for women whose lives have been affected by human trafficking, addiction, abuse and other life controlling issues We are recruiting volunteers to help us in our mission. In particular we would like to reach out to students who are currently studying psychology, social work or health care. However, anyone who is enthusiastic, caring and passionate about helping make a difference in people’s lives is what we are looking for the most. Our volunteers will mainly be based in our safe house assisting with aspects such as: • Assisting with the running of the safe house • Take women to appointments • Help women learn life skills in a practical way • Encourage independence • Encourage participation in activities • Help run informal activities • Document all events and handover Our amazing volunteers provide us with their time, passion and energy, helping us to continue supporting the vulnerable people we serve in our community. In return, our volunteers have been able to: · gain new skills and confidence · enhance their CV and employability · meet new people · get training and support · make a difference If you wish to volunteer or for any further details please contact Eva D’ Amico, Volunteer Coordinator at email: eva.d'amico@searchlightscotland.org or telephone.: 07927371717. More details are also available at our website: https://www.searchlightscotland.org/volunteer

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.

Somebody Cares is a local charity who furnish homes, provide clothing, baby equipment, toys and food parcels to those in need within our city and shire. Through referral from many local support services, charities, social workers and the local councils, clients are able to access our services completely free of charge. By demonstrating empathy and support, our aim is to provide a helping hand to those who are facing challenging times, by offering hope and providing then with essential and practicable items which they otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase. Our greatest wish is that after receiving our support our clients can gain confidence, flourish and begin to escape the poverty trap. We work with men, woman and children from many different backgrounds, and our services are accessed by many support services including Aberdeen City Council, Cornhill Hospital, Grampians Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Children’s 1st, Turning Point Scotland, Langstane Housing, Shmu, Children and Family Services, Social Bite, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and many medical professionals. We fund our charitable work by selling some of our donated items at our very busy retail megastore at Hazeldene Road, Aberdeen. (Old Dobbie’s building). The Megastore has many gems and bargains and has a strong local clientele who visit the store on a regular basis. We are looking for volunteers to help us sort through many of the donated items ready for sale. We are flexible with hours and days and are looking for enthusiastic people with a heart for making a difference to join our friendly team. A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Alison Topley, Chief Operating Officer at email: volunteer@somebodycaresscotland.org or telephone: 01224 460700.

Aberdeen Civic Forum represents the views of communities in Aberdeen on the Community Planning Partnership. We have an opportunity for someone with administrative skills to assist the Office Bearers in ensuring that the Civic Forum reflects and advocates the views of communities in Aberdeen as effectively as possible and is able to contribute effectively to Community Planning in Aberdeen. We would hope this person could minute the meetings of the Civic Forum. Training will be provided if necessary. You will be helping to make sure that all the communities of Aberdeen have their say when plans are made for the future of the City of Aberdeen. This opportunity is in a friendly working environment based throughout the city, with meetings most often taking place in the city centre. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information please contact Jonathan Smith, Chairperson at E Mail: civicforumaberdeen@gmail.com