We are a registered charity offering an accessible, flexible, child-friendly and needs-led therapeutic service to children and families in the Lothians. We aim to recruit two new Board members to strengthen and broaden the skills of our existing Board of Trustees. New members would act as consultants/advisors, offering specific knowledge and experience in the following areas: • Human Resources – policy and practice • Finance –support of voluntary agencies in establishing good practice in line with legislation, and of developing self-sustaining business practices • Early Years – policy and practice (experience in one or more of the fields of health, social work, education, therapeutic support services, or voluntary sector supporting children and families) • Strategic Planning • IT- technical support and/or client database systems • Voluntary sector – as practitioner or board member • Children’s mental health - as practitioner or policy maker • Fundraising The Board meets every 8-10 weeks for around 1 ½ hours at our premises in Eskbank. Meetings take place on a Monday morning.

The Gate Charity was founded in 2011 to provide practical help for positive change by operating various projects such as a Soup Pot, Foodbank, Home Starter Pack Project, School Uniform Bank, Community Café, and small peer led social groups. Our services support a variety of people, for example those affected by homelessness, addiction, mental health conditions, social isolation and poverty. A marketing / social media volunteer will be responsible for updating our company website, our internal media folder and our Facebook page on a weekly basis. It would also be useful if the volunteer would be happy to market our services throughout Clackmannanshire to promote our projects which supports people affected by addiction, poverty, mental health, social isolation and domestic abuse. The volunteer will work very closely with our Centre Manager who will also provide any support and training required to support the role within the organisation. Volunteer’s expenses and full training will be provided. Computing skills is essential to update our social media and website. It would be useful if the volunteer has some marketing experience to promote our projects throughout Clackmannanshire. It would be useful but not essential if the volunteer has some marketing experience.

Opportunity to assist with helping others within a kitchen setting, life skills, preparing food, cooking food and serving of cooked food. Cooking together will help to bring together homeless people, unemployed, addiction, mental health, loan parents, ex-offenders, complex living and people setting up home for the first time. Giving participants a warm no-judgmental space to come together and develop cooking skills, cooking on a budget, source affordable food, cooking skills, obtain new life skills, companionship, a warm place to meet and feel part of a team, volunteering opportunities and feel part of their community. Participants may also create their own recipe books or menu cards and some recipes may not even need cooking but simply putting the ingredients together. Great confidence building, reduce social isolation, cooking healthy meals for £1 and learning how to obtain healthy affordable foods. Participants would assist in the setting up of tables and setting for lunch, assisting within the preparation and cooking of lunch and general kitchen duties.

Food and Fun was introduced by the Council as a pilot to deliver free meals and activities to children in key areas of Aberdeen during school holiday periods and has been rolled out on a permanent basis. Over Christmas, as an extension of the project, special events were hosted for young people to enjoy the festivities – from ice skating and crafts to a disco and visit to Santa. For everyone involved in Food and Fun there’s a busy period ahead. The main aim is to ensure children continue to be fed, recognising the importance of school meals during term time for a large number of families, and also to provide the opportunity to take part in physical activity in a nurturing environment. The initiative has been recognised with awards – but the reward and motivation for the many people who have put their heart and soul into developing the programme is in the positive impact there is on children, families and communities. When we talk about our purpose – about caring for our city and our people – we think Food and Fun is a shining example that we can all be incredibly proud of. Many participants obtain great life skills which has assisted them in securing other opportunities as well as the personal development and satisfaction that this also brings. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. To volunteer / for more information please contact Martin Smith, Locality Inclusion Manager at E Mail: martinsmith@aberdeencity.gov.uk or Tel.: 01224 788538.

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.

Responsible for dealing with incoming and outgoing calls. Recording invoices and receipts. Dealing with any filing required. Keeping a record of stock that comes into the centre.

Citizen's Advice understand that everyone can, at some point in their life, face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Denny CAB we believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice. That’s why we’re here: to give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem. As such we require people willing to volunteer their time to help us provide this service. The role of a CAB admin is wide and varied, so we understand that this in return requires a wide and varied range of skills to tackle and in most cases the opportunity can be tailored to suit your strengths and time constraints. Some of the things CAB admins do include: - Scanning of documents and case work to ensure information is held to GDPR standards. - Filing and management of the Bureau's paperwork - Shredding sensitive documents - Microsoft Office/IT Suite use (Please note that this opportunity can be heavily tailored to your preferences and availability)

The Clackmannanshire Befriending Project recruit, train and support volunteers who befriend isolated, vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people (aged 8-18) in the local area. Volunteers are paired with a young person, meet them on a regular basis (usually fortnightly) and take part in fun activities in the community. This could include going swimming, bowling, ice skating etc. This usually happens after school, in the evening or at weekends, depending on when the volunteer is available. Befrienders are reliable, trusting and a positive role models for these young people who often find themselves in a challenging situation at home or school. 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.

Moray School Bank is passionate about our mission of providing new school clothes and warm winter clothing to children across Moray, who are living in financial hardship. We are a volunteer-led charity, and are very fortunate to have volunteers who give so much positive energy to our service. We are now seeking a volunteer or two, to help us co-ordinate things in our office and clothing store. This role will primarily involve organising volunteer rotas, welcoming new volunteers to the School Bank and ensuring tasks make best use of our volunteers’ talent! We are flexible on days, but for this role, we ask for a regular commitment of 2-3 hours per week. If you a people person, like organising and believe in what we want to do, please get in touch. Volunteer expenses provided. This role is based in Craigellachie.

We know that the benefit application process is complex. No two cases are the same. That is where we need you. You will support Turn2US Digital Buddies by helping them to answer complex questions they get from people who have asked for extra support in applying for benefits. You will feel great knowing you are making an impact, supporting people through challenging times with your expert knowledge and experience of the benefits system.. Your role is not to provide any form of advice. You will be giving practical support and information all from your smartphone. You will tell them when someone needs to be referred to an advisor, or signposting Digital Buddies to helpful services and information.