**ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED** Volunteers form a team that assists and enhances the benefits of riding and equine assisted sessions to children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. No experience is necessary as full training will be given and the volunteer will decide which role in the team that they feel most comfortable, as an assistant or leader. Volunteers can offer their time on days or evenings which are most convenient to them. there are normally 2-3 sessions that ordinarily run per morning or evening. Morning sessions occur on Monday – Saturday, and evening sessions are available Mondays and Thursdays. There is also the opportunity to help care for the horses and ponies and participate in pony welfare activities. There are also placements available with the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Trust. **ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED**

**ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED** Volunteers will help in the general maintenance of fields, fencing painting, grass cutting and gardening with work takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings. Knowledge and experience of DIY is an advantage but not essential as volunteers can expect training will be given for specific tasks to be carried out. Minimum age is 16, (and no max upper limit) so long as they are fit for the outdoor tasks and weather. Note that no out of pocket expenses will be paid. Own transport is essential. Public transport limited. No travel expenses paid. Applications to join our group via our website. Contact the Volunteerenquiries@shiresmill.org or by telephoning 01383 882700 or 0845 241 4369. Taster sessions are available when centre reopens. Phone to arrange a time and date to have a tour of the centre to discuss opportunities available. **ADVERTISED OPPORTUNITIES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN LIFTED**

Volunteering Matters is a volunteering and social change charity. They recognise the potential young people across Clackmannanshire possess. Young people have aspirations and goals like us all – but may not currently have the tools or guidance needed to turn these into a reality. The effects of COVID-19 have seen many young people across Clackmannanshire experiencing social isolation, loneliness, poor mental and physical health and without a ‘Positive Destination’. Equip Mentoring uses the power of volunteers to support young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) or who need additional guidance and support to enter the employment market, further education or training. The Volunteer Mentors will support the young people practically (such as CV writing and interview skills) as well as emotionally (building confidence, resilience, and independence) whilst reducing social isolation and loneliness. The young person and mentor will meet regularly and will set goals and ambitions to develop new skills, knowledge and experienced to pursue the young persons chosen pathway. Volunteer Matters asks volunteers to spend 1-2 hours a week with their match. The time period that Mentors support young people will vary depending on the needs and goals of each match, up to 12 months. Volunteer Matters recognise that every young persons journey & needs are different and so the length of match will depend on their needs and ambitions. The organisation's Engagement Manager offers full support and encouragement to mentors and young people, keeping in touch on a regular basis.

Our facilities provide key support for many children and young people. Like all environments, after a while they require a little refresh, re-painting & good clear out. In preparation for our summer holidays, we are hoping to give our playscheme and our offices at Carnie Drive a good clear out, paint & refresh. If you’re an excellent painter and decorator, have a little time and energy to spare for us, we’d love to hear from you! Whatever amount of time you can provide is massively welcomed. For further details please contact Megan Linklater, Engagement Officer at E Mail: engagement@grampianautisticsociety.org.uk or tel.: 01224 277900.

Whatever role they choose and however many hours they give, Charlie House volunteers are helping to support local babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions as well as getting the charity closer to its dream of building a specialist support centre in the North East. Following on the success of the Aberdeen Indoor Christmas Market, Charlie House is very excited to be bringing the Curated Aberdeen Market to the city. The market features a wide range of stall holders and is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Curated Aberdeen Market offers a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for and awareness of Charlie House. Volunteers are key to the success of this, helping to give customers a welcoming and positive curated shopping experience. Supporting the Market Manager, the volunteer role includes meeting and greeting customers, highlighting any Covid-safe measures, manning the Charlie House stall selling merchandise and raffle tickets, restocking merchandise and being an ambassador for the charity. A fantastic opportunity to help, which makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For further details please contact Joan Cowie, Volunteer & Information Coordinator at E Mail: joan@charliehouse.org.uk or tel.: 01224 313333.

We require some support from volunteers to help person our phone in the office, support initial and general enquiries and be a friendly, supportive voice and face to those who call and attend at our office. Whatever amount of time you can provide is massively welcomed. For further details please contact Megan Linklater, Engagement Officer at E Mail: engagement@grampianautisticsociety.org.uk or tel.: 01224 277900.

Braveheart are currently recruiting volunteer walk leaders in the Falkirk area. They are looking for people over the age of 18 who are reasonably fit, like walking and enjoy meeting people. If you have a few spare hours per week and would like to encourage and support other people in walking their way to good health on our Braveheart walks, please get in touch.

MCR Pathways has been partnering with schools since 2007 so we know just how amazing the young people of Scotland are. However, sometimes due to situations out of their control, young people face challenges that make it more difficult for them to succeed. That’s why providing the simple support of a mentor is so important and has been proven to make a life-changing difference. This is where you can help... MCR recruits and trains volunteer mentors who are matched with a young person that shares similar interests, hobbies or career aspirations. Mentors meet with their young person at their school for just one hour per week and the difference this makes is transformational. The mentoring relationship is unique as young people establish a friendship with someone who’s there, just for them and is not a teacher, parent, guardian or counsellor. The impact on their life is huge. Recent ScotCen research shows 81.6% of mentored care-experienced pupils left school for college, university or a job, compared with 56.3% of those young people not being mentored. We are hoping to help even more young people in the area reach their potential and are looking for over 150 mentors from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire In Aberdeen St Machar Academy has been part of the programme since August 2018 and, in 2020 was joined by Northfield, Hazlehead, Dyce, Harlaw and Lochside Academies. Aberdeenshire schools participating in the programme are Banff, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and The Gordons Schools Huntly The only qualification you need to be a mentor is the desire to help. All young people are different and have different needs, so it’s important that our mentors come from all walks of life. Volunteer mentors are asked to commit just one hour a week for a minimum of one year and will be fully trained and PVG checked before being matched with a young person from an Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire school. The building of the relationship with a young person is facilitated by our fantastic MCR Pathways Coordinators who are based in each school and work with our young people on a daily basis. We’re asking you to #BeTheBridge between a young person’s talent and life possibilities. For only one hour per week, you can change a life. This year, why not do something to make a difference that lasts a lifetime. Register online at https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/ For any further details please contact us at email: aberdeen@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeen City) or email: aberdeenshire@mcrpathways.org (for volunteering in schools in Aberdeenshire). Or telephone us on 07709249661.

A young carer is someone up to the age of 18 who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour who due to illness or disability cannot manage to live independently without the carer’s help. It may involve practical support like cooking, housework, or emotional support. Aberdeen Young Carers are looking for volunteers to spend some quality time with a child or young person between the ages of 5-18 on a regular basis, getting to know them, and building up a positive relationship by being reliable and non-judgemental when listening to them. A one-to-one volunteer will support the young person to enjoy activities and experiences within the Aberdeen community therefore reducing isolation, and promoting self-esteem and confidence. This is a flexible opportunity and you can commit to meeting with a child or young person for a few hours on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis depending on what time you have available. We also have ad-hoc volunteering roles available. This would take place out with school hours, predominately over evenings or weekends. To be a one-to-one volunteer we ask for a minimum time commitment of six months, so that the child or young person has some consistency. To apply, please visit: https://volunteer.barnardos.org.uk/opportunities/16050-befriender-aberdeen-young-carers-2020-11-24 or email jacqui.hall@barnardos.org.uk for any more details.

The Boys’ Brigade is the oldest uniformed youth organisation in the country. We promote habits which leads young people to be good all round citizens, through an extensive programme. It is rewarding and an honour to watch 5 year old shy children grown into confident young adults, ready to play their part in society. With Covid-19 rules many Companies are looking for additional volunteers to help run the different Sections separately. Helping out in a BB group with children and young people can make all the difference to young lives – meaning happier young people, happier communities and a society that values the contribution that we can all make; young, old or in-between. We call our volunteers “leaders” because they guide a course for children and young people. *What do volunteers do? There are lots of different ways that you can help. We work with boys and girls from all backgrounds and of all faiths, and with those with no faith. Most of our volunteers come along for a couple of hours a week in the evening and get involved with one or more of our four age sections: Anchors, Juniors, Company, Seniors. We need volunteers to help children with activities, games, sport, arts and crafts, hobbies, music etc. Whatever you can help with is greatly valued. We also want volunteers who will be able to relate to young people and over time, become adults they can trust and talk to. *I can't help every week, do you still want me? Yes! The beauty of volunteering with the BB is that you can be flexible, and if you can only help out once a month, or even once a year at the annual camp then we are happy to welcome you. *What is the age limit? You can volunteer from 14+ as a Young Leader, with a wider range of roles for those aged 18+. There’s no upper age limit. We really do welcome applications from all ages. *Do I have to be Christian? Some churches where BB groups are based like leaders to be members of that church, but are happy that certain roles are performed by people who are in sympathy with the Christian basis of the BB. Other than that, we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and cultures. There are BB groups in and around Aberdeen, looking for volunteers, from Cove to Balmedie, Powis, Northfield, Woodside and the Bridge of Don, and everywhere in between. There will be a group near you who will welcome and greatly appreciate your help. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and communities. For further information please contact Andy Cowie at email: acowie999@btinternet.com or tel.: 01224 7903248 / 07715279478.