Some of ReEngage's tea party groups for older people across the country are starting to meet up again. Unfortunately the 2 groups in Buckie and the 2 groups in Elgin no longer have a group co-ordinator so are unable to restart until they have some volunteers to help. Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Tea party group coordinators are a vital part of the Re-engage team. Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Over time, the members of the group will get to know each other well and together you will spend many hours full of fun, laughter, and stories. As a tea party group coordinator, you will ensure older guests know when and where the next tea party will be held and who will be collecting them each month. Some of ReEngage's tea party groups for older people across the country are now starting to meet up again. The 2 groups in Buckie and the 2 groups in Elgin no longer have a group co-ordinator so are unable to restart until they have volunteers to help. Could you help? This is an administrative role that requires planning and scheduling, you must be comfortable organising monthly events, socialising, communicating with people and resolving issues that might arise. The co-ordinator is supported by Re-engage staff, to match folk together and will spend a few hours each month talking with companions and older people, making sure everything is okay. Volunteers receive training too. As one of our valued volunteer leaders, you will receive training, online support, and regular communications from the charity. This is a fulfilling and enjoyable role which will enable you to develop your leadership skills, gain valuable experience with a national charity and, most importantly, connect with lonely older people and make a real and lasting difference to their lives. Can you help? For more information and for applying, please visit https://www.reengage.org.uk/volunteer/new-volunteers/become-a-tea-party-volunteer/become-a-tea-party-group-coordinator/

ProjectScotland supports young people to reach their potential through tailored support, the opportunity to experience the benefits of a volunteering placement themselves and the support of volunteer mentors. This is a national programme which we have recently secured funding to deliver in the Aberdeen area. As a guide -6-month commitment – 1 hour weekly although this will be flexible and may fluctuate to meet mentor and mentee availability, this meeting would ideally be face to face however given the COVID situation many matches are virtual using email/telephone/video chat/WhatsApp. In the role you may be assisting a young person to identify personal goals and aims and support them to work towards these in a planned and thought through way. e.g building self-esteem, feeling more confident in social situations, expressing themselves effectively, recognising personal strengths. In other matches you might be working on softer outcomes such as helping them to develop life skills, routine, planning for the day, managing their time effectively and in many cases just checking in to make sure all is well and they are doing alright. For further information please contact Emma Hanlon, Mentor Manager at email: emma.hanlon@volunteeringmatters.org.uk or tel.: 07746938237.

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.

Aberdeen Women's Alliance are a small, local, charity that was set up in 2004. Our aim is to enable Aberdeen womens' voices to be better heard by decision-makers. Since 2013 we have also run a successful local women's history project. Most recently during the pandemic, we have worked with our partners to make sure some disadvantaged women are having their basic needs met. We are keen to recruit some women to become new members of the Lead Group. Our Lead Group oversees our governance much like a Board or Management Committee. If you're interested in finding out more, please in the first instance email awainfo@btinternet.com

FRESH Community Wellness is a registered charity (OSCR-Office of Scottish Charity Regulator charity number SCO51346). We are currently working to help engage the community and we are seeking more friendly volunteers to reach residents who may be looking for safe, free options. Anyone of any ability can volunteer with us in some way. We are working in several partnerships which include Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Paths for All, Aberdeen City Council and many more. Are you interested in health, wellness, caring for others, community gardening, food growing, nature, the environment, children’s activities, event planning, fundraising or sports and up for helping to regenerate an entire community? In addition to our community based activities, we also have multiple home-based volunteering options for graphic design, admin, website and social media editing. If you have a couple of hours free to spare each week and are enthusiastic about the idea of uniting communities and making the local area safe, tidy, and beautiful – then please do help us out. Ways you can join and assist us as one of our great volunteers include: *Practical, Wellness Volunteer roles: Practical roles include helping gardening, painting, building, labouring, groundworks, walk leaders, wellness coaches, health and fitness coaches, tree planting – with both skilled, semi-skilled, or unskilled positions available for all. *Project Leader roles: Project leaders for Fresh trails (walking/ Lifestyle), Fresh SLING (Seaton Linksfield Inclusive Neighbourhood Gardens), Fresh SNUG (Seaton Neighbourhoods United Garden), NEST (Neighbourhood Environmental Safety Team), FRESHEN (Fresh Events, News), FreshCOM (Fresh Communications (radio, film, written, digital & photography) with more to follow! *Outreach & Welfare Volunteer roles: Outreach & Welfare opportunities are local residents’ welfare checks, street welfare checks, food growing/poverty outreach, gardening outreach, environmental safety outreach. Volunteer Team Leader positions are also available. *Professional/Skilled Volunteer roles: Include assisting with charity governance, health and safety, first aid and trainers, surveyor/architect, environmental/greenspace management, digitisation, carers/counsellors, mental health first aiders, trustees/committee members, and more! With optional roles as assistants/trainees too. *Volunteer Admin Opportunities: Helping with a range of admin related tasks which can include as fundraisers, event planners, donation acquisitions, community engagement, PR and flyer distribution, food/hospitality, media group, local/national business liaison, safeguarding, health and wellbeing, youth groups, 55+ groups, equality and diversity, digitisation and trustee board assistants. We offer induction, training courses, as well as free PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) applications for our safeguarding process. We have the ability for immediate starts following application/references, to start the volunteer’s pathway. This is an excellent opportunity to give back. Also, if you wish it is a great way to boost your CV, prospects, gain experience and skills. Most of all you will be making a real positive difference for people and the community, which will be greatly appreciated by all. As a registered Scottish charity, we are happy to issue references for your volunteering with ourselves. For further details about helping volunteering with us please contact Sam Raion, Chair/Co-Ordinator at E Mail: samraion84@gmail.com or tel.: 07562689691.

Inchgarth Community Centre provide a fantastic programme of activities for the community with the help of tremendous volunteers. Right now, we have opportunities for people to volunteer as helpers at the Phoenix Club and Pensioners Club (including volunteer drivers to help in driving our minibus for club members on a rota basis). We are also looking for people with DIY skills for some small, odd jobs around the centre. All volunteers are greatly appreciated and are provided with good support. Please contact us to find out how you can help, join our great team of volunteers and make a real difference in the community: Email: volunteerinchgarth@gmail.com / Tel: 01224 325191 / Website: http://www.inchgarth.org/

At Duthie Park you will have the opportunity to work at one of best purposely designed gardens in Scotland. You will be given the opportunity to help out with the day to day maintenance of the community gardens, planting and there will also be an opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of the Park. An ideal opportunity for those who are interested in a change in career, want to learn more about gardening or those who enjoy the outdoors, gardening or want to be a bit more active. You will be made to feel very welcome as we are a very friendly, dynamic group and greatly appreciate help that volunteers give. This is a great, enjoyable opportunity to help in the local community and be involved in assisting in the exciting development of one of the best gardens in Scotland. For more information please contact: Arthur Gill (Outreach & Training Officer) at E Mail: argill@aberdeencity.gov.uk or Tel.: 01224 585310.

Altens and Cove Community Association Centre is a local independent charity, run by volunteer Trustees and a small staff team from Altens Community Centre. Serving Altens and Cove, the centre offers a wide range of community activities, along with private hires of our meeting rooms, sports hall and community rooms, and a café. Our highly recommended Fishies Playgroup operates within Altens Community Centre on weekday mornings during term time. As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, we are looking for new trustees to join our friendly group of staff and trustees. In particular, we are seeking a treasurer to manage the association’s accounts in conjunction with the centre manager and other members of the board of trustees. The Centre provides a vibrant atmosphere and essential support for the community of Cove and Altens, and we would be pleased to welcome additional volunteers to our team. For further information please contact Rob Sim, Chair of Board of Trustees at E Mail: altensccchair@gmail.com or tel.: 07801683011. Details about activities and volunteering at the Centre is also available at our Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/altencc/

Cultivate your Community! Cultivate Aberdeen has a clear vision to create kind, confident, and connected communities through the power of food growing. How that vision manifests means different things to many people, it belongs to our community and it belongs to you; come and join the conversation and food revolution. For more information and details of how you can get involved as a volunteer with Cultivate Aberdeen please visit https://www.cultivateaberdeen.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/ or email recruitment@cultivateaberdeen.co.uk

We currently have around 40 shops/ community hubs across Scotland. Our shops and hubs help us raise funds so we can provide our services to the people who need us. Every one of our stores relies on a team of volunteers to help run it and support our staff. Quite simply, we cannot provide our services or raise funds without the amazing support of our volunteers. The time, support and the work they do is vital to us and the people we help. By helping out in one of our stores, you can make a difference to people and their families in Scotland who are isolated, scared or anxious about their condition.