Young Volunteers between the ages of 14 - 20 are trained as befrienders before joining them online with Harry (Youth Coordinator). The overall aim is to enhance the young people’s confidence and skills through volunteering, and reducing social isolation for older people as well as increasing usage of technologies, the conversation will be on group video call until face to face can return. The project will train, support and provide supervision for young voluteers to lead on delivering the sessions (with support and supervision from the Project Coordinator) for older people, with those invovled shaping the discussion and activity at each session. At this time the theme of the sessions are split into being very relaxed, organic and over a cuppa (Tuesdays) and a more structured quiz (Wednesdays) It is hoped that in addition to the positive impact the project will have on residents, the befriending will allow volunteers to build confidence and gain valuable social skills under the support and supervision of the project worker.

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.

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

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.

*Our award-winning charity is looking for Tech volunteers to support older and disabled people with their tech at home.* - Our Vision: Do you have a passion for the power of technology? Our vision is to create ….. “A world in which digital services are equally accessible to all” As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can help unleash the power of technology to ensure that older people and disabled people are not excluded from the digital world. “One of your advisors, Trevor, has been helping me with some very basic computer skills on a tablet that I have hardly touched since it was bought for me as a present from my wife. I suffer from Parkinson’s and it is very difficult for me to concentrate. Trevor has been extremely kind and patient and has opened up a world I hardly knew existed.” (AbilityNet client). - Overview: All across the country our 300 volunteers support older and/or disabled people at home to offer one-to-one support with their technology, whether that’s a computer, laptop, smartphone or tablet. Our volunteers: -Trouble shoot technical issues. -Offer impartial advice on technology. -Set up new tech and install hardware and software. -Show people how to use their tech at home e.g. shop online, send and receive emails and Skype with family and friends. -Make adaptations to support a disabled person’s specific technology needs. - What will I be doing? -Contacting clients to arrange a date/time to support (home visits or supporting them remotely). -Carrying out tech support for the clients you have accepted. -Feeding back on progress via our online ticketing system. -Supporting your local Coordinator with promoting the volunteer service in the local area. -Getting together with other tech volunteers at team meetings and wider company events. -Undergoing training on technology, particularly adaptive technology. -Supporting other volunteers through our online chat facility. - What skills do I need?: You don’t need to be a tech guru to help out. If you use a computer at home or work, and perhaps support family and friends with their tech issues, you are likely to have the skills we need: -A passion to help others. -Good IT and computer skills. -Knowledge of standard operating systems and software. -The ability to communicate well with people. -Patience and empathy. - What are the benefits to me?: As an AbilityNet Tech volunteer you can: -Change the lives of disabled and older people. -Benefit from technology and disability training. -Network with a nationwide team of other Tech volunteers. -Be flexible with your volunteering and plan it around your other work and home commitments. - How much time will I need to offer?: The service is client led and will depend on the demand in your local area. The work is flexible and you can arrange visits around your home and work commitments. On average a volunteer undertakes 4 hours of volunteering a month, this can be in or out of work hours, in the evenings or weekends. - What else do I need to know?: -We pay travel expenses at 45p per mile. -As you will be help vulnerable adults you’ll need an enhanced PVG (Scotland) –Protection of Vulnerable Groups check which will be renewed/checked every 2 years (at no cost to the volunteer). - What should I do next?: If you think you have what it takes to be an AbilityNet Tech volunteer please either apply online at https://abilitynet.org.uk/abilitynet-itcanhelp-volunteer-application or if you would like more information, or to chat further about the volunteer role contact the AbilityNet Free Services team on 0800 048 7642, or email volunteers@abilitynet.org.uk You will be contacted by a local volunteer Coordinator to arrange an informal interview.

Linking Lives UK has been working hard to respond effectively to the impact of Covid-19 particularly among those already affected by social isolation and loneliness on a daily basis. Aberdeen Two’s Company is a local telephone befriending service that connects volunteers with local people (‘Link Friends’) through telephone contact. The aim of our telephone befriending is to help reduce the impact that social isolation by making connections with others. This is especially important at this time of COVID-19 Crisis in the UK. To volunteer and help please complete the following form at https://forms.gle/5LbSKmH7o9Zh5J2n8 or email aberdeentwoscompany@gmail.com All help makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.

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.

*Do you enjoy meeting people? *Are you a good listener? *Advocacy offers a great opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our volunteers help people to take control over their lives and make their voices heard. All volunteers are fully trained in the skills needed to become an advocate. This is a great opportunity to help make a positive difference. If you think you might be interested please call or email and come in and have a chat to find out more. Please contact Joanne Grant at email joannegrant@advocacy.org.uk or tel 01224 332314 / 01224 332366.

Community Shopping Volunteers wanted to do a weekly shop for older and vulnerable people shielding in the Giffnock, Clarkston and Newton Mearns areas of East Renfrewshire. Commitment of one supermarket shop per week on a Monday or a Wednesday. Volunteers with their own car or bicycle required as deliveries are made direct to the customers home. COVID safe procedures in place

Volunteer drivers to lead the Trishaw [rickshaw] in and around Wick. This vehicles enables disabled or poor mobility people to get out and about for recreational purposes. The vehicle is pedal power and electric back up. volunteers receive full training and support.