We are a residential Community supporting adults with learning difficulties to work and live together. Working under the direction of our head gardener you will help maintain and develop the shared areas (of which there are many) of herbaceous borders, planting around the houses, orchards and areas of woodland around the estate. Task orientated skills that we need help with include: • General gardening chores • Fencing repairs • Hedge trimming • Staking • Weeding • Mulching, Composting • Pruning • Developing a new Sensory Trail • Garden furniture restoration

Community Lifestyles supports adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health problems. We recognise the importance of enabling service users to develop friendships and community support networks. You could become part of this! Lifestyles has set up various groups across Glasgow covering a wide range of activities including, arts & crafts, drumming, baking, singing, tea dances, Ceilidh dancing, cycling, karaoke, football, lunch clubs and walking. We are looking for volunteer involvement in all of these groups – so if you have an interest in any of these activities or would just like to invest some time working with people in the community we would like to hear from you. No previous experience required, just a genuine interest in working with adults with various disabilities.

Our Youth Project and ZAP Youth Club simply could not operate without the wonderful volunteers who selflessly donate their time. Volunteers make the experience more enjoyable for young people and we ensure that our volunteers are supported into training opportunities as well as receiving regular support within the organisation. Volunteering with ZAP is a hugely rewarding experience and brilliant fun. It is also a great opportunity for anyone thinking of working with children or adults with additional support needs to have a ‘taster’ that working environment. Volunteer expenses are paid for travel, up to £5 per session.

This is a chance to make an enormous impact on the quality of life of one or more people with learning disabilities by entering into a 1:1 befriending relationship or being a member of a befriending group. The satisfaction to be had from befriending, and the difference it makes to people with learning disabilities, is immense. In a recent survey, every one of our volunteers said they would recommend volunteering with us to their friends. The role is great work experience and a source of references if you are thinking about applying for courses or paid jobs in Care. 1:1 links: You would be introduced to a child, young person or adult with learning disabilities who lives reasonably near you and shares your interests. They would probably be of a similar age to you, although we do link some adult volunteers with children and young people. You would meet up with them regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) to do whatever activities you both chose. After a trial period, the relationship would last for at least 6 months. Befriending Groups: The groups are generally staff-supervised and have equal numbers of volunteers and people with learning disabilities. Members choose the activities, which have often included art & crafts, drama and outdoor projects. Membership of the children’s (8-16yrs) and young people’s (16-25yrs) groups is usually for a minimum of a year. For adult groups we would look for at least 6 months commitment. See the information about the Branch below for more details of the groups operating in your area.

Flexicare provide social and leisure opportunities for young people and adults with a learning disability or autism. The services include groups, befriending and small Going Places groups and take place across Renfrewshire. Our volunteers help by supporting at one of our groups or by being a volunteer befriender.

AbilityNet is a UK wide registered charity that helps disabled and older people to use computers and the internet at home, at work and in education. We provide a number of free IT services for disabled and older people at home to help them get the most from their computers, laptops, tablets, ipads and smart phones. One such service is our ITCanHelp service. ITCanHelp is a network of volunteers with IT knowledge and experience who are able to visit people in their own homes to help with their computer needs. Volunteers may be asked to help set up a new computer system for someone, install software or hardware, troubleshoot problems or even help to change to a printer cartridge or give some basic training on how to use systems.

We require someone to assist with our swimming sessions, our clients enjoy swimming and may need some support getting access to the swimming pool and possibly a level of support whilst they are in the pool. Ideally we require someone who is a strong swimmer and will be able to support our clients whilst they are participating in activities within the pool. This role should not require assisting people to get dressed.

We are looking for someone who can engage our clients to participate in our dance sessions and reach their full potential, the role requires someone to assist with the classes and support the work of our tutors whilst supporting our clients as they participate in the session. Our clients may need a little encouragement to participate but we hope that once they try the sessions they will be keen to continue.

We’re looking for a female volunteer to assist our Support Worker accompany an older woman, who has multiple support needs, with her much loved weekly swimming session. The role will suit someone who has a calm/friendly/reassuring manner and is comfortable in the pool. The woman supported wears a swimming aid at all times and uses a swimming noodle. The role does not include responsibility for the woman’s safety/personal care nor does it require any life-saving skills

St Colms has a large polytunnel and garden area with cold frames where they grow and sell plants. We are looking for volunteers to assist adults with learning disabilities with horticulture activities. This could be in the polytunnel or outdoors. Tasks include sowing seeds, planting out seedlings, weeding and watering. This would suit someone with an interest in gardening but experience is not necessary as training will be given. Tasks will be arranged to suit ability and preference.