Blackwood Homes and Care was founded in 1972 by Dr Margaret Blackwood MBE, a campaigner for the rights and independence of disabled people. We deliver our vision of helping people live their life to the full in the pioneering spirit of Dr Blackwood by providing high quality housing, care and support for disabled people of all ages, with over 1500 homes across all 29 mainland local authorities in Scotland. -What will I be doing as a Digital Buddy?: Can you help our customers feel less isolated by supporting them to use technology to connect with the wider world? We are looking for people who are confident with basic IT skills and have the patience to share your skills with people who are new and uncertain when using technology. You also need to enjoy making casual conversation and building familiar relationships. Customers are perhaps unsure how to connect to the internet, charge their device, video call a friend or do shopping online. Helping someone make a video call for the first time to family they’ve not seen due to the pandemic really makes a difference to their quality of life along with their mood and mental wellbeing. At Blackwood we believe that using technology can significantly improve the lives of our customers. We provide care (in care homes), care at home services and tenancies to people with different support needs. Our customers have been offered a tablet which is set up with our innovative system CleverCogs. The role out of this is delivered by our Digital Skills Coaches but people continue to need support with basic IT issues to gain skills and confidence. Some customers don’t like to ask for more help, so knowing there is a wider network of buddies that can provide digital support will be very beneficial. This is where your time will be invaluable! Due to COVID-19 this role will start remotely, providing help over the phone or a video call. As restrictions ease, you will be able to visit customers in their home. Hopefully getting to meet some of the people you’ve helped remotely. -What will you get from volunteering?: • Supporting your local community to join the digital age and providing them with the autonomy to run their own lives online • The opportunity to be involved in key unforgettable digital-learning moments, such as their first video call with a much-missed family member • By providing a friendly face and conversation, you are helping to eradicate social isolation for many • Satisfaction that you’ve made a difference to the lives of Blackwood Customers. • Be involved in our innovative initiatives • Build on trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills • Awareness and knowledge of differing accessibility and communication needs, and how to meet those needs • Evidence of IT, communication and disability accessibility knowledge and skills for your CV • Induction to Blackwood • Training on the likely issues that you’ll help with to ensure you’re confident undertaking your role. • Support throughout your volunteering. Staff will be available should you need assistance and we’ll have a regular catch up. -What do I do next?: Please get in touch with the Volunteering Development Co-ordinator, Zoe MacGregor to find out more. Contact Zoe at email: volunteering@blackwoodgroup.org.uk or tel.: 07976 573745. Or look at the website https://www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk/volunteer for more opportunities and complete the on-line expression of interest form. You will be contacted to arrange an informal discussion to find out more and talk about what you would like to do. You can also follow Blackwood Homes and Care on social media to hear about what’s going on.

We are delighted to welcome back Volunteers and have opportunities across our services in Aberdeen. So, no matter where you live in the city, there could be an opportunity near you! In the first instance we are seeking Befrienders. Many of our Service Users have been shielding for over a year. We are looking for Volunteers to become befrienders, being a befriender means you could be supporting someone with an outside walk, build up confidence with support to a supermarket, help with laundry, just enjoy sitting having a chat over a cuppa, or maybe help with some light domestic duties or cooking. All Volunteers will go through pre recruitment checks that include, Interview, PVG and References. Volunteering is such a worthwhile act, not only can your support be lifechanging for an older person, but you can also gain, increased confidence, experience improve your own self-esteem, feel part of a team, and make new friends. For more details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: jsuttar@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 07901944728.

We are a Christian based charity and our mission is to help those most in need. Our area covers helping people in financial hardship and/or debt. We work with clients with a variety of issues and have various in house support and work closely with other organisations to get people the best help possible. The Debt Advice service has been running for many years now and we have an ever increasing demand for our services. We are looking for individuals who have a keen interest in the Salvation Army’s work and would be keen to join our team to help and support those going through financial difficulties. If you are reliable, have the ability to keep confidences, able to record information accurately, computer literate and have good listening skills and the ability to empathize with our clients and fully understand the situation they are in and how it affects them and passionate about helping others then we would love to hear from you. We offer full training in the form of I-learn portal or training day, Generalist Advice Training, Debt Advice Service Induction, Client Management System. Your tasks will include interviewing clients to gain a full understanding of their situation, record financial information, complete paperwork, sign post clients, undertake administrative tasks. This is a volunteer role and hours can be discussed and agreed and reasonable expenses will be paid. Due to the level of investment and training we give our volunteers we would ask for an initial commitment of 12 months.

Main duties: We would love to find some new people to help in our Crown Street charity shop which is open Monday to Saturday. We have teams of volunteers working each day: receiving, unpacking and pricing donations; helping on the shop floor; and serving customers. Ideally volunteers would be able to commit to a full day each week, but even half a day would be welcome.

We would also like to invite volunteers with an interest in seniors in the local community, to join our committee. We meet monthly for about 2 hours to discuss our ongoing service, and there are opportunities to become as involved in the charity as the individual would like.

This is a very rewarding role providing much-needed support for people who are accessing our service. The main element of the role is to deliver or collect wheelchairs to/from people’s homes supporting them to maintain their independence, or you could choose to support members of the public from varying locations around the hub area (e.g., often using partner supermarket car parks) to enable them to obtain a wheelchair or other mobility aids equipment. You could also be driving between hub and spoke locations to transfer stock. This is the ideal role for someone who enjoys meeting people, can show compassion and empathy and who likes driving. It will involve driving a Red Cross or hire vehicle. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact us at email wheelchairvolunteer@redcross.org.uk or tel.: 03000 040309.

Everyone can feel lonely and isolated at times, especially if experiencing hardship. This year, in response to the crippling effects of loneliness and isolation on peoples physical, emotional and mental health, that the pandemic has only exacerbated, TLC are setting up a befriending service to combat loneliness and isolation in Aberdeen. Our aim is that our expertly trained and compassionate volunteers will 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. Due to Covid-19 government restrictions, the project will run differently than usual with the use of video conferencing or by phone, however, once restrictions are eased and it is safe to meet in person, befriending sessions will operate face-to-face in people’s homes or in the community. If you would like to be a beacon of hope for someone in need, please apply to become a TLC Befriender. For further information please contact Jonny Astill, Development Manager at EMail: jonny@tlc.org.uk

*Balnagask House Residential Care Home Opportunities: Administrative / Office Work; Befriending / Mentoring; Care / Support worker; Practical /DIY; Supporting with activities such as crafts/baking and gentle walks and exercise: Bon Accord Care recognises the invaluable contribution that the general public: friends and relatives can provide to the care and well-being of the people we support. We will encourage the involvement of individuals who wish to volunteer in a service in a voluntary capacity, whilst ensuring that the health, safety and well-being of volunteers, the people we support, staff members and visitors is maintained at all times. We are looking for kind, caring individuals to support our front-line staff and services, making a positive difference to the day to day life experience of our service users. Current opportunities include, Befriending where we will link you with a service user, to chat to over a cuppa, reminisce about old Aberdeen, read a paper with, chat about your favourite TV soap, go for a local walk etc. Supporting with mealtimes and serving Teas & Coffees, helping in our busy laundry, supporting group activities such as crafts and light exercise. In addition, there is an opportunity to support the reception area, and meet and greet visitors and finally someone with some practical DIY experience to help keep our small patio area and car park clean and tidy. Get involved with Bon Accord Care. A chance to make a difference, help others, make new friends, gain work experience and more! Excellent support and relevant training are provided to all volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to help make a real difference-all volunteers are greatly appreciated. *About Bon Accord Care: Bon Accord Care is at the forefront of the continuing development of services to enable independence and reduce hospital admissions, as well as promote active ageing and well-being. Working together with our key partners, we are aligned with the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver services. Bon Accord Care work together with service users, partners, employees and volunteers to support our communities and create meaningful relationships with those around us. We deliver a range of services that are aimed at prevention, maximising independence, and enhancing wellbeing. Our focus from the outset is to get to know individual preferences, wants, history and lifestyle to ensure that each person receives a service that is unique to them. Our range of services cover: care at home, housing support, residential care homes, rehabilitation, re-ablement, occupational therapy, SVQs through learning and development, community equipment, telecare, day care, responder, respite and community meals. For further details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: BACVolunteering@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 01224 570400.

*None Residential Services SOUTH: Opportunities: Befriending / Mentoring; Care / Support Volunteers; Practical /DIY; Supporting with activities such as crafts/baking and gentle walks and exercise: Bon Accord Care recognises the invaluable contribution that the general public: friends and relatives can provide to the care and well-being of the people we support. We will encourage the involvement of individuals who wish to volunteer in a service in a voluntary capacity, whilst ensuring that the health, safety and well-being of volunteers, the people we support, staff members and visitors is maintained at all times. We are looking for kind, caring individuals to support our front-line staff and services, making a positive difference to the day to day life experience of our service users. Current opportunities include, Befriending where we will link you with a service user, to chat to over a cuppa, reminisce about old Aberdeen, read a paper with, chat about your favourite TV soap, go for a local walk etc. Supporting with mealtimes and serving Teas & Coffees, helping in our Service User with laundry, and shopping, supporting group activities such as crafts and light exercise. In addition, we are seeking volunteers with some practical DIY experience to help keep our outdoor communal areas and car parks clean and tidy. Get involved with Bon Accord Care. A chance to make a difference, help others, make new friends, gain work experience and more! Excellent support and relevant training are provided to all volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to help make a real difference-all volunteers are greatly appreciated. *About Bon Accord Care: Bon Accord Care is at the forefront of the continuing development of services to enable independence and reduce hospital admissions, as well as promote active ageing and well-being. Working together with our key partners, we are aligned with the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver services. Bon Accord Care work together with service users, partners, employees and volunteers to support our communities and create meaningful relationships with those around us. We deliver a range of services that are aimed at prevention, maximising independence, and enhancing wellbeing. Our focus from the outset is to get to know individual preferences, wants, history and lifestyle to ensure that each person receives a service that is unique to them. Our range of services cover: care at home, housing support, residential care homes, rehabilitation, re-ablement, occupational therapy, SVQs through learning and development, community equipment, telecare, day care, responder, respite and community meals. For further details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: BACVolunteering@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 01224 570400.

We are looking for Volunteers who feel able to support a lady to maintain her cooking skills, and support with some batch cooking. If you maybe have a background in catering, or just enjoy cooking this is a great opportunity to support an individual to keep on cooking with confidence. The lady is a keen cook and enjoys and values home cooked food but can often forget the process. She would value a Volunteer working alongside her to help her follow a recipe and potentially prepare some batch cooking, for when the lady is alone. Get involved with Bon Accord Care. A chance to make a difference, help others, make new friends, gain work experience and more! Excellent support and relevant training are provided to all volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to help make a real difference-all volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Julie Suttar, Engagement & Liaison Lead at E-Mail: BACVolunteering@bonaccordcare.org or tel.: 01224 570400.