Community Pantries are designed to give dignified and affordable access to a selection of chilled and ambient foods and fresh fruit and vegetables. Pantries aim to offer dignity and choice in exchange for a small subscription fee. Pantries provide support to people on a low income, or recovering from crisis. Members and volunteers will lead on each Pantry, and as such will be at the heart of Pantry development, empowering themselves and the local communities • Lead in the setting up of the Pantry • Taking delivery of products • Setting up products in a safe and appropriate manner • Ensuring that food is handled safely • Taking payment from members • Assisting members where necessary

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.” We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the country. This role involves supporting the food bank team in managing their food donations. Food donations are sorted, weighed and packed ready for distribution. • Ensure that all Trussell Trust warehousing procedures and processes are followed as per the foodbank operating manual • Receive food donations from members of the public and thank them • Ensure that incoming stock is checked, weighed, and recorded • Sort food by date and type, removing any items that are damaged or out-of-date and weighing these out separately • Keep warehouse area clean and tidy at all times, checking for evidence of pests and notifying the project manager if there are any concerns • Prepare stock orders for the foodbank centre and/or emergency food boxes, as appropriate • Assist in undertaking an annual stock take as detailed in the foodbank operating manual • Report any health & safety or safeguarding concerns to the project manager All volunteer help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Jessica Mustoe, Foodbank Co-ordinator at email: info@aberdeennorth.foodbank.org.uk or tel.: 01224 518936.

Have you ever wanted to volunteer all to do within the concept of Football? Well look no further! Street Soccer Scotland is currently looking for volunteers to join their team. No two days the same, working alongside our players developing them personally and mentally. The role includes working with coaches and players pitch side, monitoring games, inputting data, building relationships with partner organisations. We work with all ages from 10 years old all the way to past retirement . We currently run in Aberdeen: Walking Football, Kids 10-13 Year olds, Street 45 (Women's Programme) and Adult Sessions. Opportunities are available Monday to Friday - Please get in touch with Peter Wood, Programme Co-ordinator at email: peter@streetsoccerscotland.org or telephone: 07487603708, if you would like to know more.

Give the gift of your time and become a volunteer mentor for young people. It could be life changing for you both! Would you like to support a young person on their journey to gaining new skills and experience, becoming more self-confident and achieving their goals? If the answer is yes, we would love to hear from you. Why mentoring? Mentoring is at the heart of what we do here at ProjectScotland and we offer every young person we support, the opportunity to be matched with a volunteer mentor. We are searching for people in and around Aberdeen who are able to offer one hour of their time once a week or fortnight for up to 12 months to help transform the life of someone else. The young people we work with all face different challenges in their lives such as; mental ill health, long term unemployment, low confidence and self esteem, care experienced, limited English communication skills due to being new to this country or disabilities. As a volunteer mentor, you could support your mentee with whatever is important to them. This could be: goal setting; identifying interests and strengths; confidence building; helping to establish a routine; support to explore job, training and further education opportunities; social connections; or just someone consistent to talk to and check in with to see how they are. The support you can offer is invaluable and can be life changing. How does it work? • Following recruitment, we provide training, support to join the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme, ongoing support, access to lots of resources and a wonderful community of mentors across the country to connect with, learn from and build friendships with. • you are matched to one young person and meet with them once a week or fortnight for around one hour • meetings can be face to face or virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. There is also an opportunity to do a mixture of the two which offers a flexible and accessible approach to this volunteering role in addition to the match itself. •matches can last from 3-12 months depending upon the relationship and the needs of the mentee What’s in it for you? • Help transform your mentee’s life • Develop communication and interpersonal skills e.g. coaching, motivating others, adaptability • Gain transferable skills and experience volunteering with disadvantaged people • Participate in regular support and training • Meet new people, connect and have fun! • Learn about yourself and gain a sense of achievement supporting others • Learn more about your community and the challenges that people can face If you are interested in this opportunity please email: asia.wieloch@volunteeringmatters.org.uk We would love to hear from you! More info about ProjectScotland: ProjectScotland (part of the Volunteering Matters Family) works with people (predominantly young people) across the country who are struggling to overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health issues, low confidence and general uncertainty about their futures. By providing wrap around support and the chance to complete a voluntary placement with a local charity; not only can this enhance confidence and self-belief, but it gives that individual the opportunity to build on their skills and experience and potentially move on to a job, further education or training. Everyone we work with is also offered a volunteer mentor.

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.

Somebody Cares is a local charity who furnish homes, provide clothing, baby equipment, toys and food parcels to those in need within our city and shire. Through referral from many local support services, charities, social workers and the local councils, clients are able to access our services completely free of charge. By demonstrating empathy and support, our aim is to provide a helping hand to those who are facing challenging times, by offering hope and providing then with essential and practicable items which they otherwise couldn’t afford to purchase. Our greatest wish is that after receiving our support our clients can gain confidence, flourish and begin to escape the poverty trap. We work with men, woman and children from many different backgrounds, and our services are accessed by many support services including Aberdeen City Council, Cornhill Hospital, Grampians Women’s Aid, Barnardo’s, Children’s 1st, Turning Point Scotland, Langstane Housing, Shmu, Children and Family Services, Social Bite, Drugs and Alcohol Awareness and many medical professionals. We fund our charitable work by selling some of our donated items at our very busy retail megastore at Hazeldene Road, Aberdeen. (Old Dobbie’s building). The Megastore has many gems and bargains and has a strong local clientele who visit the store on a regular basis. We are looking for volunteers to help us sort through many of the donated items ready for sale. We are flexible with hours and days and are looking for enthusiastic people with a heart for making a difference to join our friendly team. A fantastic opportunity to help. All volunteers make a real difference and are greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Alison Topley, Chief Operating Officer at email: volunteer@somebodycaresscotland.org or telephone: 01224 460700.

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

Young Scot is looking for young people aged 11-25 to join our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Champions Panel. Project Information: 🎂 11 to 25-years-old (inclusive) 📅 From April 2024 to March 2025 👥 Meeting every 3 months (a mix of online and in-person sessions) 🗺️ Anywhere in Scotland 🎟 Travel costs covered About the DEI Champions Panel At Young Scot we’re working hard to make sure we achieve diversity, equity and inclusion in everything we do – from our working culture to the opportunities we provide to young people. We’re also dedicated to being an explicitly anti-racist organisation. The DEI Champions Panel will lead, support and challenge us on this journey. This could include: - Creating social media content on topics important to you - Sharing your thoughts on new Young Scot work - Helping to develop a new DEI Strategy for Young Scot You don’t need any experience to apply, but it would be great if you had an interest in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion and making sure the voices of all young people are heard. We would love to hear from anyone interested in getting involved, but are particularly keen to hear from young people that feel confident in representing any of the communities below, including, but not limited to: LGBTQI+ Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Young Carer Gypsy/Traveller Care Experience Disability Refugee or Asylum Seeker Living in a Rural Area Volunteering with Young Scot Volunteering with us helps you: – Develop your skills – Take part in training and opportunities – Make new friends and meet new people – Explore new places, topics and experiences – Influence change on topics that are important to you Equal access to opportunities and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do at Young Scot. We will always continue to work closely with you and make reasonable adjustments based on your needs to ensure you can participate. We do not accept any form of discrimination or prejudice to anyone on our volunteering projects based on your life experience, background, culture, or identity. This includes age, disability, gender identity, parenting and caring responsibilities, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Your Community Needs You! Help save lives in your community by volunteering to become a Community First Aider. Our Group gets asked to cover community events delivering first aid cover. We are also out and about delivering First Aid where required on Saturday nights in Ayr and Prestwick; covering first aid for all pubs and night clubs along side street pastors, Police Scotland and taxi marshals with CCTV cover and in radio contact with all. First aid training will be delivered by an outside trainer. This is a great volunteer experience; worthwhile and rewarding. https://www.scottishambulance.com/your-community/volunteering-with-us/

St John Scotland promotes and supports the placing of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) in communities across Scotland. St John Scotland helps local community groups by donating towards the cost of the equipment and offering free Bystander CPR and defibrillator awareness sessions.