You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

Can you spare a few hours a week to brighten someone’s day? This is a great opportunity to provide crucial social interaction for a veteran, who can’t reach our centres, and can feel isolated or lonely. By popping by once a week or fortnight, a Home Visitor / Buddy is a friendly face that can make all the difference to our veterans. A visit could be a simple chat and a cup of tea, getting involved in shared interests for example playing dominos, or a game, listening to music, watching TV or discussing audio books. You will never be asked to do any personal care. Although you will be working in the community independently, your manager is only a phone call away and there is a network of other volunteers for you to link in with too. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years and understand the importance of confidentiality and relationship boundaries. The role can be flexible around your other commitments, but we ask that you are reliable and punctual for our veterans. You will be fully trained and supported so you feel comfortable and confident in your volunteering. For more information please contact Gary Flew, Volunteer Coordinator at email: gary.flew@blindveterans.org.uk or tel.: 0751 493 1950.

It’s good to talk! If you love a relaxed, friendly chat on the phone and if the idea of doing this whilst also making a genuine impact as a volunteer sounds too good to be true … read on. Our members tell us that their regular check-ins and chats with someone at Sight Scotland Veterans are something they look forward to. Sometimes they can even be a lifeline. Just a simple phone call once a week can make the difference that helps one of our members overcome the effects of isolation and loneliness. We need a friendly and naturally chatty home-based volunteer who can check in regularly with our members by phone, take some time to make sure they are doing OK, and fill them in with all the latest gossip at Sight Scotland Veterans. You will never be cold calling, there’s no pressure and nothing to sell. We will only ask you to call signed-up Sight Scotland Veterans members who we know will be only too happy to hear from you. As a volunteer, you will get to know inspiring people, gain valuable experiences, and help us to change the lives of those who have served their country. For more information please contact James Whyte, Volunteer Development Manager at email james.whyte@sightscotland.org.uk or tel.: 0131 446 3154.

As a Voluntary Workshop Assistant you will become part of a team within our farm and gardens, set in beautiful surroundings 5miles outside of Aberdeen city centre and close to the Deeside Railway line. The opportunity does not require you to have previous experience, we just ask that you are caring, patient and willing to help our pupils, have an interest in people and different ways of communications. Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the various workshops (woodwork, metal, weavery, felt, candle, pottery, bike and Fruver- our food workshop)as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks. Training provided in induction and support given throughout the volunteering time within Camphill School Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help with all assistance making a real difference and greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Naomi Paton, Recruitment Administrator at E Mail: n.paton@crss.org.uk or tel.: 01224 866162.

As a Voluntary Co-worker you will become part of a team within one of our 10 residential Care homes, set in beautiful surroundings 5 miles outside of Aberdeen City centre and close to the Deeside Railway line. The opportunity does not require you to have previous experience, we just ask that you are caring, patient and willing to help our pupils, have an interest in people and different ways of communications. Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the school, farm and gardens, workshops or even riding stables as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks throughout the day. Training provided in induction and support given throughout the volunteering time within Camphill School Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help with all assistance making a real difference and greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Naomi Paton, Recruitment Administrator at E Mail: n.paton@crss.org.uk or tel.: 01224 866162.

We are on the look-out for budding gardeners to help transform our Sensory Garden and outdoor space at the Aberdeen Science Centre. An ideal opportunity for those who are interested in gardening; those who enjoy the outdoors; or want to be a bit more active, helping in the local community and supporting a local charity create an inspiring outdoor space and sensory garden for visitors. We are flexible with times and working days, as long as you are keen to get stuck-in, we want to hear from you! Please contact us at email: volunteer@asc.scot for more details. Further information is also available on our website at https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/garden-volunteer/

As a Voluntary Farm and Gardens Volunteer you will become part of a team within our farm and gardens, set in beautiful surroundings 5miles outside of Aberdeen city centre and close to the Deeside Railway line. The opportunity does not require you to have previous experience, we just ask that you are caring, patient and willing to help our pupils, have an interest in people and different ways of communications. Please note- our farm cares for cows, pigs, goats, hens and alpacas. Our pupils age from 12-25 years old and as part of your position, you will be with them when they attend the farm and gardens as part of their personalised daily routines and assist them with their tasks. Training provided in induction and support given throughout the volunteering time within Camphill School Aberdeen. A fantastic opportunity to help with all assistance making a real difference and greatly appreciated. For more details please contact Naomi Paton, Recruitment Administrator at E Mail: n.paton@crss.org.uk or tel.: 01224 866162.

*Volunteer with Charlie House and give the gift of time* Thousands of volunteers across the North-east of Scotland make an amazing contribution to the third sector and provide vital hours of support to charities and the families which they support. Our volunteers are an integral and invaluable part of Team Charlie House. Every single hour they contribute makes a difference to the babies, children, young people and families we support. As we develop our range of services to support even more families across the region, we are looking to expand our team of Charlie House volunteers. Some of our volunteers gift an occasional hour or two, some a whole day, and some make a regular commitment every week or month. We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available for each and every individual, based on their available time. To find out more about volunteering with Charlie House and the full range of current ways you can help and make a real difference through volunteering please visit: https://www.charliehouse.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-with-us/ or contact us at E Mail: volunteer@charliehouse.org.uk

As you may have heard, we have been working on a very exciting project, creating the first double decker sensory bus in Scotland – enabling us to take our services on the road throughout Grampian. But to make this work we need your help! We are looking for individuals with experience driving buses and/or HGV vehicles to help us transport the bus throughout Grampian taking our specialist autism services to those in need. For further details please contact Megan Linklater, Engagement, Events & Volunteer Officer at E Mail: megan.linklater@grampianautisticsociety.org.uk or tel.: 01224 277900.

*Sight Scotland Veterans: Volunteer Befrienders Needed Throughout Aberdeen City and Shire!* Good at striking up conversations with others? Enjoy organising social events? Sight Scotland Veterans is seeking friendly volunteers with good people skills to help us run various activities for service veterans with visual impairment. As a volunteer you’ll play a vital role in overcoming isolation and helping allow our members to live life to the fullest. The main part of your role will be to assist in planning and running activities, whilst providing a warm and welcoming environment for our members. It would be helpful if you can drive and have your own car, although this is not essential for the role. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers including: •Structured induction and training. •Ongoing support and supervision from Volunteer Development Manager your volunteer supervisor. •Access to further training. •Travel expenses. For more information please contact James Whyte, Volunteer Development Manager at email james.whyte@sightscotland.org.uk or Tel.: 0131 446 3154.