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

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. In response to the effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples wellbeing (physical, emotional, social and mental health), that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated, TLC have responded to this need and further developed our befriending service to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by many in our city. Our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers not only provide a lifeline to people, in the form of friendship, but also a helping hand to reconnect to the community, bringing joy and passion back into people’s lives. If you would like to be a beacon of hope to someone in need, please do apply to join our fantastic team of volunteers. For further information please email us at recruitment@tlc.org.uk

The aim of our small charity is to improve the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of those who feel isolated and also to offer support to those living with dementia, as well as their carers. We offer a Befriending Service for older people as well as dementia cafés in local communities. We are looking for someone to develop a new website and to review and improve our IT and email set-up. You will need IT skills and experience of website development as well as practical experience and knowledge. We are a team of three who have limited technical expertise so we need someone with the necessary skills to liaise and communicate with us in simple English! We are very enthusiastic about what we do and try to find the fun in things, but IT issues are SO not fun for us and we need help! This is a great opportunity for someone to develop and showcase their IT skills. It could suit someone who finds themselves with spare time and who would like to offer our charity the benefit of their experience. For an informal chat to find out more information about what’s involved, please call Ruth on 07423 071448 or email us at admin@thelivingwellproject.org.uk

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.

This is an opportunity to directly inform and collaborate with agencies working to reduce suicide in Aberdeen. Community Planning Aberdeen* is working to improve mental wellbeing and has a project focused on raising awareness of how we can all make a difference to reducing suicide. Improving mental wellbeing is a priority within the North, South and Central Locality plans and our communities through their Plans have identified ideas that could help reduce suicide and improve mental wellbeing. We now need COMMUNITY CONNECTORS to help make sure the development of this project and the ideas for improvement continue to be informed by and are linked back to our communities. As a Community Connector you will be the “connection” between the reducing suicide project and your community. You will be supported to provide updates to your Locality Engagement Group (LEG) or Priority Neighbourhood Partnership (PNP) meeting. For more information about the role of a Community Connector and the support that we will offer, please visit https://communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Community-Connector.pdf We anticipate that a Community Connector will commit around 3 hours per month at times flexible to suit each Community Connector. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. Includes: •An induction from your aligned Locality Lead, Communities Team, or associated organisation •Training opportunities to support you in this role • Support from your aligned Locality Lead, Communities Team, or associated Organisation as identified at induction • Support from a Project Team (made up of partners from across the Community Planning Partnership) A fantastic opportunity to help and make a difference for the community. All help is greatly appreciated. For further details please email: LocalityPlanning@aberdeencity.gov.uk *(Community Planning Aberdeen is the name for your local partnership of public, private and third sector organisations and communities all working together to improve people’s lives across Aberdeen City. We are delivering an ambitious local outcome improvement plan to deliver our vision for Aberdeen - A place where all people can prosper).

Fresh Community Wellness is a growing grassroots charity, registered Scottish Charity Number, SC051346. We operate out of Aberdeen city, working within a (S.I.M.D) high neighbourhood to create lasting change and build a legacy for the future. Predominantly in Seaton neighbourhoods and outdoors, we work with volunteers/residents, with a salutogenic approach to community wellness. To help with this we have great opportunities and need people to help out as volunteers for a range of roles including: *Food growing, gardeners, greenspace management, tidy ups volunteers. *Mentors, community engagement, events, entertainers (kids, adults, 55+). *Outdoors games & sports volunteers, building outdoor areas for residents (sheltered housing seating), health. *Artists/ Sculptors to begin on our Street Art & Design projects, and sculptures. *Admin, coordinators, team lead volunteers, advisors & support volunteers. *Drop-in café helpers, advisors, cooking assistants. All are fantastic opportunities to make a real difference for people and communities in Aberdeen. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers. For more details about these volunteer roles or other ways you can help support the important work and volunteering at Fresh Community Wellness SCIO, please contact our website www.freshcom.org.uk or email us at chair@freshcom.org.uk or secretary@freshcom.org.uk

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for. We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enroll some new volunteers to set up a group in Aberdeen. Typically, our groups meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. Presently many groups are meeting virtually via Zoom but when regulations allow, they will return to Face to Face. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others. Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3: the group leader and two group volunteers, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers. There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from week to week but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit, questions about coroners and discussions about common challenges such as flashbacks, supporting children or facing neighbours. Many groups also offer a small resource library and can share information about local sources of support. For further details please contact Phill Abbiss, Volunteer Coordinator (North) at E Mail: phill.abbiss@uksobs.org or tel.: 07535 854 860.

Talkable offers a talkline to anyone affected by panic or anxiety. We currently have a range of ways that you can help as a volunteer as we continue to grow and provide ever more vital support to people. Opportunities to join our team of volunteers include: *Phoneline Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief over the phone to our service users. *Phoneline Team Leader – you will be required to manage the phoneline volunteers as well as be available on the phone. *Message Line Volunteers – you will be required to provide anxiety relief to our service users over our Facebook page, full training will be given. *Promotion Volunteers – you will be required to create social media posts and reach out to companies to make our services known more. *Funding Volunteers – you will be required to help come up with funding ideas to support our vital services. *Policy Assistance Volunteers - we are also looking for a volunteer(s) who can help us with policy work. Excellent support and any relevant training is provided to all volunteers. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information about any of these volunteer roles or any other ways you wish to help us as a volunteer please contact Chelsea Birkett at E Mail: recruitment@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.

The Miscarriage Inormation support Service (MISS) is offering a rewarding and exciting opportunity for a Personal Assistant to the Board which will play a key role within the MISS charity and make a meaningful difference to people who have had a miscarriage, helping to achieve their goal of supporting women and men after an early pregnancy loss and onto their next pregnancy. As a Personal Assistant to the Board, your role is to provide assistance and support to the Chairperson and Board of Trustees within the charity. This includes the Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Key tasks: · To liaise with the Chair and Board of Trustees to plan, arrange and produce agendas, supporting papers and minute for management meetings and AGMs · To work alongside the charity Secretary and ensure that charity law, and regulatory requirements of reporting and public accountability are complied with · To ensure that all meetings comply with the requirements of the governing document · Support the Board and Committee for any administration tasks · Assist with communications within the team · Organising trustee induction and any ongoing training What we can Offer you? When you join the MISS charity, you are gaining a unique opportunity to make a difference in your community and raise awareness. You will be working with a team of passionate people who really care about the mental health and wellbeing of our members, and who want to make a positive and lasting difference for local families. Being part of such a small (but growing!) team offers the opportunity for real variety in your day-to-day work and the development of your role. For more information please contact Abi Clarke , Chairperson/Founder of MISS at email: info@miss-support.org.uk Further information and details are also available at our website at: https://miss-support.org.uk/

Talkable offers a talkline to anyone affected by panic or anxiety. Talkable are looking for committee members to help run the organisation as we continue to grow and provide ever more vital support to people. Talkable is a not for profit that is hoping to delve into the charity sector so any charity knowledge would be an advantage. We are in the mental health sector so any mental health knowledge would also be an advantage. We meet every fortnight over Microsoft Teams and the meeting usually lasts an hour. We are looking for standard Committee Members, a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Excellent support and any relevant training is provided to all volunteers. All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information about any of these volunteer roles or any other ways you wish to help us as a volunteer please contact Chelsea Birkett at E Mail: recruitment@talkable.online or tel: 07999 453655.