It starts with Hello and it's often surprising who is affected by loneliness. Together we want to reach out reconnecting thousands of lonely people with their communities, tackling what is shortening lives and eroding wellbeing. Community Connectors support people affected by social isolation and loneliness to help them gain confidence and to reconnect to their community in partnership with existing and new partner organisations. This involves: being aware of and keeping up to date with local community services appropriate to service users with support from manager; supporting lonely and socially isolated service users to build confidence, self-esteem and to regain independence; carry out tasks independently and as an effective team member; listening to people's needs, aspirations and concerns, and co-creating a step plan to ensure the person meets their aims - this may involve providing advice on regular, healthy nutrition and hydration and managing hygiene; and supporting people to attend local community services suitable to their needs, helping them identify other activities in the area and going with them as necessary - this may involve travelling with service users or transporting them using your own vehicle where appropriate. “I’m showing compassion, empowering people, letting them know what help is out there, and helping them move forward.” Lisa, Independent Living Volunteer Location: Glenrothes Office Commitment: The service operates from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10:00am – 17:00pm. Minimum commitment of 6 months, volunteers must be available 3 - 4 hours per week on weekdays

During the COVID19 pandemic, the role of Volunteers within our community has never been more important. These opportunities include helping with shopping, driving, check-in calls and collecting prescriptions for those in isolation/shielding. There are many activities you can get involved in to help make a difference in your local community. Perhaps you could help to coordinate volunteers as they assist with shopping and prescriptions, light gardening, friendly phone calls and other community needs that are identified. Please contact us if you feel you have the skills to coordinate local volunteer activity in Bishopbriggs, Auchinairn and Torrance.

One to One Counselling are looking for some local Aboyne/Banchory area volunteers to join a local sub-committee to support the One to One Manager

Volunteers Supporting Families was initially set up in response to the death of Victoria Climbie and the Lord Laming enquiry that followed. The project offers a pioneering approach, recruiting volunteers from the local community to provide support to families whose children are subject to a child protection or safeguarding plan, or have additional needs. We match trained volunteers with families where children are at risk of significant harm or neglect, or need additional help. Volunteers support the family at least once a week within the city of Edinburgh, at a time that suits everyone. The aim is to build a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect, with volunteers acting as a positive role model who listens and offers practical or emotional help. So far, thousands of families across the UK have benefitted from our service. We have a proven track record of reducing the number of children on child protection plans and reducing the level of risk. The project delivers positive outcomes for families, enabling parents to overcome challenges, engage with universal services, access health checks and improve their children's school attendance. Please email james.donnelly@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or call 07823 413 260 to apply.

We are looking for welcoming and enthusiastic volunteer(s) to lead short health walks in Moray -- currently these gentle walks are based in Forres, Elgin, Cullen, Buckie and Keith. It's sociable, relaxed, fun and flexible -- and there is great support for our volunteers. Becoming a volunteer walk leader requires you to commit around an hour or so of your time weekly (but there is room for flexible dates!) and to sometimes complete a small amount of preparation & paper work for the walk. Health walks encourage people who have not exercised for a while, find walking boring, or lack confidence to join a walking group because they think they will not be able to keep up. Walks are free, short, low intensity, safe and social and are usually followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat! Over the next year we plan to build upon our network of gentle exercise activities across the Moray region. To help us achieve this we are looking for friendly and supportive volunteers who enjoy walking, meeting new folk sharing the wide ranging health and well- being benefits of gentle physical activity. We would love it if you could help us set up indoor and outdoor Strength and Balance sessions as well as new Health Walks to boost our provision in the area, helping the people that need it to access these opportunities. Volunteer walk leaders receive on-going support from the Health Walk co-ordinator, too. If you are a people person, like to walk and the outdoors please get in touch!

Breast Buddies Angus is a project aiming to reduce the breastfeeding drop off rates at 6-8 weeks and also increase the overall breastfeeding rates in Angus. Breast Buddies Angus trains peer volunteers to support mothers to reach their individual breastfeeding goals. The roles available within the project are/will be: - Online Breastfeeding Support via the Breast Buddies Angus Facebook Group. - Community Groups running throughout Angus - Text Messaging Support - Home Visits for new parents and babies. - Newborn Breastfeeding Support at Arbroath Maternity Unit People interested in becoming breastfeeding volunteers with Breast Buddies Angus will be invited for an informal talk with the Breast Buddies Coordinator and will be invited to join the closed Volunteer Facebook Group. They will be given an application form, which includes the request for two references. The Breast Buddies Coordinator can be contacted on Kimberley@voluntaryactionangus.org.uk or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breastbuddiesangus/

Why we need you The charity has around 100 branches, all run by volunteers, who provide local support to people affected by autism. Every branch is different and so are the activities they provide – they may run parent support groups, adult social groups, children’s activities, conferences or focus on providing information or campaigning. However, no matter how big or small, all branches are hugely valued by the people in their local area. What you would be doing What is a newsletter? The aim of a newsletter is to advertise the Branch and to advertise its activities. It could contain: A letter from the Branch Chair telling people what the Branch has been doing, and highlighting any important information or events coming up. Reports or reviews of recent Branch activities and events. Details of Branch events and activities taking place in the future including dates, times, location and contact details. Information about other relevant and interesting events – local and national – including dates, times, location and contact details. Autism-related news and research. Articles written by Branch members about their interests or thoughts. Contact details for the Branch. A rough format for a short newsletter could be: Page 1 – Letter from the Branch Chair and Branch contact details Page 2 – Activities and events coming up Page 3 – Review of activities and events that have taken place Page 4 – Autism related news What are the main tasks involved? You might decide to produce a small newsletter regularly (such as six times a year), or a longer newsletter only several times (two or three times a year). The newsletter needs to be: Written and posted or emailed to members enough time in advance for them to be able to attend the events and activities described. This is usually between two and four weeks before the first activity or event will take place. Clearly written and accessible – don’t make it too long. Six or eight pages on A4 size paper is about right. The size of the font should be minimum size 12 to make it easy to read. It is nice to have pictures and photographs, but these can take up a lot of memory space when you send it by email. Available electronically or in paper copy. You can save money by emailing it to as many members as possible, but you should still offer to provide a paper copy if a member would prefer this. How long will the tasks take? (The times given are rough estimates) The time it takes to write the newsletter will depend on how long it is. Collecting information about news, events and activities = 5 hours over one or two weeks Typing up the information into a clear newsletter = 5 hours Although this sounds like a lot of hours, you would only need to do this when you are producing a newsletter, which might be three or four times a year. Skills qualities and experience needed Can use a computer and write clearly. Confident in communicating with committee members and organisations or individuals outside of the Branch to gather information. Able to manage to work to deadlines and within certain time frames. When and where Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role depending on the times when the newsletter is to be produced Home based (plus travel to branch activities) Support Branch officer and committee members to support the Fundraising officer where needed. Designated NAS Branch Support Officer to answer any queries and support you with the day to day running of the branch. Written guidance on a range of branch activities Various training courses relevant to running a branch Insurance cover for all branch activities Expenses covered for attendance at any event organised by the branch support team. What you could get out of it Improve support to families affected by autism in your local area Access free training and learn new skills Meet new people We seek applications from anyone interested in the role, but particularly welcome applications from those on the autism spectrum. You will be asked to attend some branch meetings and also have knowledge of the local area so we ask that you live locally to be able to do this role.

Why we need you The charity has around 100 branches, all run by volunteers, who provide local support to people affected by autism. Every branch is different and so are the activities they provide – they may run parent support groups, adult social groups, children’s activities, conferences or focus on providing information or campaigning. However, no matter how big or small, all branches are hugely valued by the people in their local area. The Fundraising officer role is important to the running of the branch as they help organise fundraising events for the branch. Without these roles, we would not have as many branches as we do. What you will be doing Putting collection tins in local shops or community areas. Holding a ‘tin shake’ in a local town – this is where Branch members stand outside shops with collection tins and get donations Holding a sponsored event such as a swim or walk. People will sponsor Branch Members' money to complete certain tasks. Holding an event for local people to attend – quiz night, auction, raffle, talk, coffee and cake morning – people will give donations when they come. Having a section on the Branch website that people can click on if they want to give money. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a Branch. Talking to NAS Regional Fundraising Team and ensuring the Branch complies with the NAS rules on fundraising. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a Branch. Publicising events, distributing information or fundraising forms, Support people who are fundraising on behalf of the branch Working with the Treasurer to ensure that the money is collected safely and banked accurately Skills qualities and experience needed Confident in working with and communicating with other committee members, and individuals and organisations outside of the branch. This communication will need to be face to face, by telephone and/or email. Confident and comfortable speaking publicly Able to explain ideas work together Able to motivate people and help people Able to tackle difficult issues and problems and situations and involve other people where necessary Very organised and able to plan activities and events Aware of importance of managing and handling money safely and accurately. When and where Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. The majority of branch officers give around 4 hours a week but it depends how active the branch is. Home based (plus travel to branch activities) Support Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. The majority of branch officers give around 4 hours a week but it depends how active the branch is. Home based (plus travel to branch activities) What you could get out of it Improve support to families affected by autism in your local area Access free training and learn new skills Meet new people We seek applications from anyone interested in the role, but particularly welcome applications from those on the autism spectrum. You will be asked to attend some branch meetings and also have knowledge of the local area so we ask that you live locally to be able to do this role.

Why we need you The charity has around 100 branches, all run by volunteers, who provide local support to people affected by autism. Every branch is different and so are the activities they provide – they may run parent support groups, adult social groups, children’s activities, conferences or focus on providing information or campaigning. However, no matter how big or small, all branches are hugely valued by the people in their local area. The Funding officer role is important to the running of the branch as they help procure funding opportunities for the branch. Without these roles, we would not have as many branches as we do. What you will be doing Sourcing funding opportunities for the branch Completing application forms for funding sources on behalf of the branch Talking to committee members about different funding sources and deciding which to apply for as a Branch. Working with the Treasurer to ensure that the money is collected safely and banked accurately Skills Qualities and Experience needed Confident in working with and communicating with other committee members, and individuals and organisations outside of the branch. This communication will need to be by telephone and/or email. Able to explain ideas and collate information Aware of importance of managing money safely and accurately. When and where Flexibility on days and the amount of time committed to the role. The majority of branch volunteers give around 2 hours a week but it depends how active the branch is. Home based Support Branch committee members to support the Funding officer where needed. Designated NAS Senior Branch Engament Officer to answer any queries and support you applications Written guidance on a range of branch activities Various training courses relevant to running a branch What you could get out of it Improve support to families affected by autism in your local area Access free training and learn new skills Meet new people We seek applications from anyone interested in the role, but particularly welcome applications from those on the autism spectrum. You will be asked to attend some branch meetings and also have knowledge of the local area so we ask that you live locally to be able to do this role.

Why we need you The charity has around 100 branches, all run by volunteers, who provide local support to people affected by autism. Every branch is different and so are the activities they provide – they may run parent support groups, adult social groups, children’s activities, conferences or focus on providing information or campaigning. However, no matter how big or small, all branches are hugely valued by the people in their local area. The Fundraising officer role is important to the running of the branch as they help organise fundraising events for the branch. Without these roles, we would not have as many branches as we do. What you will be doing Putting collection tins in local shops or community areas. Holding a ‘tin shake’ in a local town – this is where Branch members stand outside shops with collection tins and get donations Holding a sponsored event such as a swim or walk. People will sponsor Branch Members' money to complete certain tasks. Holding an event for local people to attend – quiz night, auction, raffle, talk, coffee and cake morning – people will give donations when they come. Having a section on the Branch website that people can click on if they want to give money. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a Branch. Talking to NAS Regional Fundraising Team and ensuring the Branch complies with the NAS rules on fundraising. Talking to committee members about different ways to fundraise and deciding what to do as a Branch. Publicising events, distributing information or fundraising forms, Support people who are fundraising on behalf of the branch Liaising with the Treasurer to ensure that the money is collected safely and banked accurately Skills Experience and Qualities needed Confident in liaising with and communicating with other committee members, and individuals and organisations outside of the branch. This communication will need to be face to face, by telephone and/or email. Confident and comfortable speaking publicly Able to explain ideas work together Able to motivate people and help people Able to tackle difficult issues and problems and situations and involve other people where necessary Very organised and able to plan activities and events Aware of importance of managing and handling money safely and accurately. When and where Branch officer and committee members to support the Fundraising officer where needed. Designated NAS Branch Support Officer to answer any queries and support you with the day to day running of the branch. Written guidance on a range of branch activities Various training courses relevant to running a branch Insurance cover for all branch activities Expenses covered for attendance at any event organised by the branch support team. Support Improve support to families affected by autism in your local area Access free training and learn new skills Meet new people We seek applications from anyone interested in the role, but particularly welcome applications from those on the autism spectrum. You will be asked to attend some branch meetings and also have knowledge of the local area so we ask that you live locally to be able to do this role.