At Community Food Initiatives North East we are currently looking for volunteers who can take on some key roles within our charity, focusing on developing our current structures to meet the changing needs of our disadvantaged and vulnerable beneficiaries. This includes the opportunity to join our great volunteer team as a Fundraising Committee Member. Fundraising is key to our work; we aim to continually innovate and expand our offering to ensure our disadvantaged communities are never left behind. We would like someone to assist on our fundraising committee to identify new ideas and opportunities to maximise local fundraising efforts, help to plan and coordinate group fundraising activities, promote fundraising events and initiatives in the local community and will commit to our vision of a UK without food insecurity and poverty. A fantastic opportunity to volunteer at an award winning charity and social enterprise. All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information and to discuss further please contact Kevin Mathew, FareShare Sustainability Development on email KMathew@cfine.org

Are you free at 5pm on a Tuesday and Wednesday evening to drive to pick up food items from the Camelon area, that will then be distributed in the local community? TCV collect the unsold food from Greggs for the kids groups we run in Camelon. The driver will arrive at shop with a cool bag that TCV supply. Greggs will have a few trays of pastries and a tray of cakes to give. You will pack the sandwiches and baguettes into the cool bag. The food will be stored in your car and a TCV project officer will come to collect the food from you at 6.30pm.

Volunteers will be required to collect and unpack food from the local supermarket. They will offer a warm welcome and ask customers for details for Track & Trace. Face coverings will need to be worn. This opportunity is perfect for a person who is compassionate, firm and non judgemental. The Salvation Army is a Christian Church and charity. Volunteers would be required to be in sympathy with the Christian faith & willing to work in an environment free from alcohol, gambling and smoking.

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.

There’s volunteering, and then there’s Full-Time Volunteering (FTV). It’s an incredible opportunity for people aged between 18 and 35 to undertake a life-changing challenge, living away from home for up to 12 months while supporting some of the most vulnerable or marginalised people and communities across the UK. It’s your chance to unearth hidden talents, boost self-confidence, meet new people and change lives. So whether you’re looking to leave your mark on the world, develop your skills base or devote a gap year to a cause you really care about, FTV is for you. No one volunteering placement is the same. You could be supporting older people, homeless people, families, children or young people. You might be working within an environmental setting, or a residential one, or you could be undertaking sporting activities – we take care to match you to the opportunity that’s right for you. This could mean: Befriending and supporting someone in their home, or groups of beneficiaries in a single project (like a homeless shelter), making a real difference to their wellbeing Acting as a mentor or role model to young people or people with disabilities, perhaps helping them to plan for their futures at key transition points in their lives Enabling access to social and leisure activities, at home, locally or at University, giving people connections to their communities they couldn’t otherwise enjoy. Full-time volunteering is also an excellent route to recognised work experience in a variety of sectors, including social work, social care, nursing, medicine, teaching, youth work and psychology. For any further information, or an informal chat, please contact volunteer@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or telephone 0121 678 8821 .