Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you. Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around Aberdeen who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young person and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face If you are interested in this opportunity please email: asia.wieloch@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (now part of the Volunteering Matters Family of Brands) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

Fledgling Arts Collective Central provide a platform both online and offline for those who struggle with mental health, addiction or who feel like they don't quite 'fit',or feel estranged to this world : to express themselves through art as catharsis. We encourage being CathARTic! We are currently recruiting new volunteers to a range of exciting roles to help us in our vital work. Volunteering opportunities include: *Fledgling Wings Moderator *General Senior Manager *Online Co-manager of Outreach *Outreach Manager *Outreach online volunteer position *Treasurer *Volunteer social media promoter *Volunteer website designer. These are fantastic opportunities to help volunteering-all help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact: Jewels Johnson at email: jewels-founder-fledgling@outlook.com

The Board of Trustees of Four Pillars are looking to recruit new trustees to ensure the Charity can continue to grow and support the LGBT+ community in Grampian. Four pillars currently run a community hub, support and social groups, 1 to 1 support, provide volunteering opportunities and facilitate Grampian Pride. There are lots of ideas in the pipeline for the future. In order to achieve these we are particularly looking for people with previous experience of serving on a charity board and/or with skills and knowledge in one or more of the following: -An understanding of the needs of the LGBT+ community in Grampian -PR social media -Legal knowledge -Fundraising/ event planning We would also like to hear from people currently underrepresented on our board: -People with a disability -People from an ethnic minority For more information or to apply please go to our website www.fourpillarsuk.org/volunteer

Become an inspection volunteer Our work is improved by involving people who use services and their carers. We have many innovative ways that people can get involved with us and can influence our work.  Our Involvement and equalities charter outlines how we involve people who use care services and informal carers in our work. If you have personal experience of using a service or you have cared for someone close who has used a service there are many ways you can get involved with us. You do not have to have any qualifications. Your personal experience gives you a unique insight. If you would like to find out more or if you would like us to post you an application form - please email us at get.involved@careinspectorate.gov.scot

Would you like to help people with learning disabilities to socialise in their local community and make friends? Dates-n-Mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities. We run lots of social events and activities, helping people to meet others and to build friendships and relationships. As an Events Volunteer, your role is to help our members enjoy socialising in safe and friendly environments. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. The events are sociable, great fun and your role is very rewarding. You will initially shadow a volunteer or member of staff to help you get to know everyone and see what is involved. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 1 event per month. Dates-n-Mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers. We require our volunteers to join the PVG scheme but there is no cost to yourself. All expenses including travel will also be covered. For further information or to apply please contact Raynor McCulloch, Volunteer Co-ordinator at E Mail: volunteering@c-change.org.uk or tel. 07720 591229. Organisation aims and objectives Our work is underpinned by a human rights-based approach. We believe it is people’s right to live life free of discrimination and to develop friendships and relationships of their choosing, to love and be loved. Dates-n-Mates empower our members to live their life to its fullest potential whilst being active citizens within their community.

Would you like to help people with learning disabilities to socialise in their local community and make friends? Dates-n-Mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities. We run lots of social events and activities, helping people to meet others and to build friendships and relationships. As an Events Volunteer, your role is to help our members enjoy socialising in safe and friendly environments. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. The events are sociable, great fun and your role is very rewarding. You will initially shadow a volunteer or member of staff to help you get to know everyone and see what is involved. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. We ask our volunteers to commit to a minimum of 1 event per month. Dates-n-Mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers. We require our volunteers to join the PVG scheme but there is no cost to yourself. All expenses including travel will also be covered. For further information or to apply please contact Raynor McCulloch, Volunteer Co-ordinator at E Mail: volunteering@c-change.org.uk or tel. 07720 591229. Organisation aims and objectives Our work is underpinned by a human rights-based approach. We believe it is people’s right to live life free of discrimination and to develop friendships and relationships of their choosing, to love and be loved. Dates-n-Mates empower our members to live their life to its fullest potential whilst being active citizens within their community.

Four Pillars is a Grampian only based LGBT+ Charity that looks after the community in relation to their mental, emotional, physical and sexual health. As a volunteer you will be at the heart of this unique service that looks to work with individuals on reducing risky sexual behaviour and STI/HIV transmissions whilst protecting the whole person. There are many different roles within Four Pillars and what kind of role you play is entirely up to you and your skills. For more information please contact Deejay Bullock at E Mail: deejay@fourpillarsuk.org or tel.: 01224 211963.

Join the Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm to shape action to reduce gambling harms in Scotland. The ALLIANCE Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm programme are recruiting people with lived experience to help shape action to reduce gambling harms in Scotland by sharing their expertise and priorities. Gambling-related harms are the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities, and society. This includes financial, employment, and relationship issues, physical and mental health problems, criminal activity, and in the most severe cases suicide as a direct result of gambling harm. People can experience gambling harms to different degrees, and the Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm programme are interested in speaking to anyone who feels they have experienced harm as result of their own, or a loved one’s gambling. Working with people with lived experience, the programme helps to identify key areas of importance in reducing gambling harms in Scotland. These key areas help shape the focus for the Scottish Implementation Group of the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms and put the voice of people affected by gambling harms at the heart of action to reduce those harms. The programme also provides people with lived experience with new perspectives, advice and information on other matters related to gambling harm. For example, shaping awareness raising campaigns and helping inform the focus of future research on gambling harm. How can you get involved? You can: • Become a Forum Member We support a forum of people with lived experience of gambling harms to come together on a regular basis with policy and decisions makers in Scotland. Forum Members commit to attending regular, evening meetings roughly every six weeks for one and a half hours. • Contribute on an individual basis For people who are unable to commit to the regularity of the Forum, we are able to speak to people on a more ad hoc basis as topics or opportunities they are passionate about arise. We are keen to hear from people with experience of gambling harms or people who have a loved one(s) with experience of gambling harms. Sometimes, we call these people “affected others” and they might be a partner, parent or guardian, child, or sibling of a person with lived experience of gambling harms. Having views from a diverse range of people is important to us. We particularly welcome speaking to: • Older People • Younger People • Women • People from a range of cultural backgrounds • People from a range of religious backgrounds • People from a range of ethnic and racial communities • Anyone who views themselves as a member of a minoritised community What are the benefits of being involved? • Networking opportunities and building relationships with others affected by gambling harm as well as people who work within health and social care. • Developing new skills via training or attending events and conferences. • Contribute positively to society. • Contribute to influencing gambling policy. • Positive mental health benefits from volunteering, including increased confidence and feelings of self-worth. • For many of those with lived experience, contributing to systems change is an important part of their life and contributes to their recovery. • Work experience which can be included in CVs. If you are interested in getting involved, or would like to hear more about our work please get in touch via email at: gamblingharm@alliance-scotland.org.uk or on Twitter: @ScotRGH.

Would you like to support people with learning disabilities to socialise and make friends? We are looking for Volunteer Event Supporters to help at and lead social events. Dates-n-mates is a friendship and dating agency for adults with learning disabilities offering social events to enable people to socialise, make friends and form meaningful relationships. Our work is underpinned by a human rights-based approach. We believe it is people’s right to live life free of discrimination and to develop friendships and relationships of their choosing, to love and be loved. Our events include going to restaurants, pubs, cinema, tenpin bowling, day trips and walks. Events take place afternoons and evenings and usually last 2 hours. As an Events Supporter, you will attend the event and help the members to interact while they’re together. It’s all about helping them to have a safe, enjoyable and friendly time. It’s sociable, great fun and very rewarding! A large number of people with learning disabilities feel lonely and socially isolated. Your support will help to change this. We ask for a minimum of 1 event per month. Dates-n-Mates offer a variety of training and support to our volunteers.

Peer Perspectives Youth Mental Health Champions will undertake mental health training, then be supported to develop workshops they can deliver to their peers, or to create content for our social media channel. Bespoke opportunities available for young people aged 16-25 with ongoing supervision.