There’s volunteering, and then there’s Full-Time Volunteering (FTV). It’s an incredible opportunity for people aged between 18 and 35 to undertake a life-changing challenge, living away from home for up to 12 months while supporting some of the most vulnerable or marginalised people and communities across the UK. It’s your chance to unearth hidden talents, boost self-confidence, meet new people and change lives. So whether you’re looking to leave your mark on the world, develop your skills base or devote a gap year to a cause you really care about, FTV is for you. No one volunteering placement is the same. You could be supporting older people, homeless people, families, children or young people. You might be working within an environmental setting, or a residential one, or you could be undertaking sporting activities – we take care to match you to the opportunity that’s right for you. This could mean: Befriending and supporting someone in their home, or groups of beneficiaries in a single project (like a homeless shelter), making a real difference to their wellbeing Acting as a mentor or role model to young people or people with disabilities, perhaps helping them to plan for their futures at key transition points in their lives Enabling access to social and leisure activities, at home, locally or at University, giving people connections to their communities they couldn’t otherwise enjoy. Full-time volunteering is also an excellent route to recognised work experience in a variety of sectors, including social work, social care, nursing, medicine, teaching, youth work and psychology. For any further information, or an informal chat, please contact volunteer@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or telephone 0121 678 8821 .

The Clackmannanshire Befriending Project recruit and train volunteers to befriend isolated, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people (aged 8-18) in the local area. Volunteers are matched one to one with a young person, meet them on a regular basis and participate in activities in the community. This could be after school, in the evening or at weekends, depending on volunteer availability. Befrienders are to be reliable, trusting and a positive role model. Activities are “timeout” for young people who often live in difficult circumstances. These young people often benefit from an adult befriender who they can talk to and trust, as well as providing them with a reason to get out of the house. The project helps young people with their social skills, self-esteem, school attendance/ performance, resilience, personal safety/ health and relationships. Young people are referred from local schools, social work or other partners. Befrienders are aged 18 years or over, have spare time on a regular basis and are committed to befriending for a minimum period of 12 months. If you are interested, contact us today for an informal chat.

The North Lanarkshire Befriending Project are to help support vulnerable young people aged 8-18 in the local area through one to one outings. With social isolation, inequality and child poverty on the rise, the need for befrienders to help offer support to a child is higher than ever. Volunteers give a young person a positive role model in their life by passing on their skills and experience, enabling them to try new things and simply providing them with a few hours of fun. Your young person may have experienced social isolation, bullying, domestic abuse or neglect, parental drug and alcohol abuse, may have learning difficulties, may be a young offender, or any combination of these. By giving up just a couple of hours every fortnight, you could make a real difference where it is needed most. Volunteers are recruited, trained and matched 1-1 with a young person, meeting them on a regular basis and participating in fun activities within the local community. Victims of circumstance, vulnerable young people often benefit from an adult befriender who they can talk to and trust. Our project has helped many young people in the past with their social skills, self-esteem, school attendance/performance, resilience, personal safety/health and relationships. As a volunteer, you would have the satisfaction of helping a young person in need, increasing your own confidence, enhancing your skills and experience – all the while having fun as you do so! Please email sue.vanhoren@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or call 07746938237 to apply.

What will I be doing? Aberlour Options residential service offers a safe and loving home for young people with complex needs and disabilities. Volunteer Befrienders play an important role in providing social interaction with young people, engaging in activities and encouraging young people to try new things. Volunteer Befrienders spend regular 1:1 time with a young person, helping them to take part in hobbies and pursue new interests. Young people build a trusting relationship with volunteers, who can be consistent figures in their life to support them through life transitions. The impact you can make Young people with disabilities can hugely benefit from having a Befriender. Spending time with someone on a 1:1 basis can increase confidence and develop communication skills by giving them someone to talk to. Having a Befriender can also give young people the confidence to take part in group activities, allowing them to meet new people and form new friendships. The benefits to you By volunteering as a Befriender in this residential service, you can gain valuable experience of working with young people with disabilities and developing an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping a young person to develop social skills and achieve their potential. As one volunteer in the Options residential service describes, Befriending is enjoyable for both the young person and the volunteer: ‘I think what I enjoy most about volunteering is being able to build a relationship with him and seeing it develop over a period of time. We now both look forward to our visits and never leave without having laughed. Volunteering is definitely a worthwhile experience in which you will gain just as much from volunteering as the person you are working with’. Volunteer Befrienders typically spent time with a young person once a month. If you are interested in this role, please enquire or apply now.

What will I be doing? Aberlour Sycamore Services offer a safe and loving place to live for children who have experienced abuse or trauma. As an Activity Buddy, you can play an active role in encouraging children to take part in activities, develop confidence and experience new opportunities. This can include in-house activities, day-trips and outings organised by staff. Activity Buddy Volunteers can bring a range of interests and a sense of fun to the service. The impact you can make Activity Buddy Volunteers can have a positive impact on children in the Sycamore Residential Services, by encouraging children to take part in activities and giving them opportunities to try something new. Taking part in an activity together can help a child to develop confidence, self-esteem and to form trusting relationships. Activity Buddy Volunteers can be a positive role model in the lives of children and young people. The benefits to you By volunteering as an Activity Buddy in our Sycamore Residential Services, you can gain valuable experience of working with children, learn more about supporting children in a group, and develop an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of Sycamore Residential teams. Activity Buddy Volunteers typically support either in-house activities, day-trips or outings once a fortnight. If you are interested in this role, please enquire or apply now.

What will I be doing? Aberlour Sycamore Services offer a safe and loving place to live for children who have experienced abuse or trauma. As a volunteer Befriender, you can play an active role in supporting a child emotionally, socially and helping them to enjoy a range of opportunities and activities. Volunteer Befrienders spend regular 1:1 time with a child to build up a trusting relationship, to develop interests and hobbies, and to be a consistent figure in a child’s life to support them through life transitions. The impact you can make Children living in our Sycamore Residential Services can benefit hugely from having a Befriender. Spending time on a 1:1 basis allows children to develop their communication skills and build their confidence and self-esteem through sharing in a fun activity. The benefits to you By volunteering as a Befriender in our Sycamore Residential Services, you can gain valuable experience of working with children and young people and developing an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of Sycamore Residential teams. Volunteer Befrienders typically spent time with a child once a month, during evenings and weekends.

What will I be doing? Aberlour Sycamore Services offer a safe and loving place to live for children who have experienced abuse or trauma. As a volunteer Befriender, you can play an active role in supporting a child emotionally, socially and helping them to enjoy a range of opportunities and activities. Volunteer Befrienders spend regular 1:1 time with a child to build up a trusting relationship, to develop interests and hobbies, and to be a consistent figure in a child’s life to support them through life transitions. The impact you can make Children living in our Sycamore Residential Services can benefit hugely from having a Befriender. Spending time on a 1:1 basis allows children to develop their communication skills and build their confidence and self-esteem through sharing in a fun activity. The benefits to you By volunteering as a Befriender in our Sycamore Residential Services, you can gain valuable experience of working with children and young people and developing an awareness of the issues affecting them. Volunteers can gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping others to develop new skills and achieve their potential, while developing their own confidence and having fun. Volunteers are valued members of Sycamore Residential teams. Volunteer Befrienders typically spent time with a child once a month, during evenings and weekends.