OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities with Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway.

Recognising Young Peoples' Contribution - The MV Award

Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway is the region's Volunteer Centre that promotes supports and develops quality volunteering experiences for all individual in Dumfries & Galloway, including young people.

As part of Volunteer Action's support and recognition of youth volunteering, Volunteer Action administers the MV Award in Dumfries & Galloway.   The MV Award gives national recognition from the Scottish Government for their voluntary contribution for every 50, 100 and 200 hours that young people do.  The 200 hour certificate is a certificate of excellence signed by First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Rachel Shedden initially started volunteering as she wanted to continue with Girl Guides as a Young Leader.  She volunteered for three years with three organisations: 2nd Castle Douglas Brownies as a Young Leader; Carlingwark Care Home as a carer and British Red Cross as a First Aider

Volunteering with these three organisations enabled her to achieve the MV Award gaining not only the 50 and 100 hour, but also the ultimate 200 hour certificate signed by the First Minister.

Rachel says that one of the most memorable moments was during the spring when she went out with some of the residents (in wheelchairs) and helped them to collect daffodils and then helped to arrange the flowers – “it was great to see how proud they were as they put the flowers into their rooms”.

According to Rachel “Volunteering is of benefit to the local community and it has given me extra confidence in working with people of all ages and I am sure it played a huge part in successfully getting me into Medical School next year.  Boosting your experiences will aid any CV or UCAS form.

Volunteering does take time and commitment and also requires organisation especially if you have to balance school, other hobbies and social activities too.

Christine Clarke, Training & Support Officer, Volunteer Action D&G added: “Participating in the MV Award is a great way to meet new people, strengthen your CV and open doors to further training and employment while being recognised  by the Scottish Government. It’s not just about what you do in your spare time – most S5’s & S6’s are doing such a lot within their school community that they could get recognition for but don’t realise it.”

If you are a young person aged 16 -25 years old and would be interested in participating in the MV Award, or an organisation that would like to support and involve young people within your organisation., please contact Christine Clarke on 01556 612518 or stewartry@volunteeraction.co.uk

The Lochmaben Action Group needs additional Lunch Club Helpers to assist our very social membership once a month by preparing a light lunch of soup, bread, biscuits and cheese; tea and coffee along with three other team members. Afterwards you may assist with games and final refreshments before the members leave.

Eastriggs & Gretna Heritage needs Volunteer Exhibition Assistants to help run the "Devils Porridge" museum, which tells the story of the 30,000 women and men who came to work in the greatest munitions factory on earth - HM Factory Gretna - in World War I. Be part of the team manning the museum reception desk, interacting with visitors and learning the fascinating story of how the Eastriggs and Gretna townships were built.

Dumfries & Galloway Children’s Panel has started their annual recruitment drive for Panel Members. The Children's Panel is unique to Scotland as all volunteers receive intensive training to equip them to sit on a legal tribunal. Members are looking at the welfare of children, not only in trouble but also those with other social problems.

Moffat CAN is looking for volunteers to be part of the first Master Composter Scheme in South West Scotland. Volunteers will be part of a team and have the opportunity to learn about composting techniques. The team will go into their local communities to encourage and support people to compost food and garden waste at home. This not only reduces the amount of material going to landfill, but will provide an abundant source of good quality compost for growing local produce.

For further information about these or other volunteer opportunities in Annandale & Eskdale contact: Brian Patterson at 16 High Street, Lochmaben DG11 1NH, simply phone him on 01387 811 571 or email a-e@volunteeraction.co.uk . Brian's office hours are normally 9:00 - 16:00 Monday and Tuesday.

Ben - The Automotive Industry Charity
A national charity, BEN provided care and support for anyone who works, or has worked, in these industries and this provision also extends to their dependants. Ben provides friendship, advice, emotional support and financial assistance to more than 15,000 people living in their own homes throughout the UK and Ireland.
The people who receive help from BEN are connected to the motor and allied industries. However, the reasons they come to BEN for help are diverse e.g. Bereavement, hardship, ill health and mental health conditions. BENfriend Welfare Visitors are given a case load to suit them and to manage within our guidelines. Volunteers will carry out initial visits with one of BEN's Welfare staff; support will always be available by telephone when the volunteer starts making visits on their own.
Full on the job training and support from BENfriend Co-ordinator and Welfare Staff is available as well as BEN information pack and Area Training Days. Travel expenses are reimbursed at 40p per mile.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is seeking an Administrator to provide reception duties, at our Carers Centre in Dumfries, including meeting and greeting people who come into the centre and answering the telephone.
The role would also include providing assistance with the preparation and distribution of our newsletters and activity calendars to Carers throughout the region. This keeps Carers up to date with activities in their region and also the latest information on Carers issues. Sending out information requested by Carers or other organisations we work with is also part of the role as well as filing and ordering stationary and resource.

Guide Dogs for the Blind are offering gardeners and foodies alike the opportunity to get involved with a range of innovative and interesting fund-raising activities.
Green fingered people are needed to open their gardens for the charity. Your event can be large or small, you may even be able to organise an open day at the allotment or get the whole village involved!
Dinner party hosts or hostesses are wanted to hold an elegant dinner party, a picnic in the park or a barbecue in the garden, all delicious excuses to try out new recipes and challenge your culinary skills - your event can be large or small, anything goes!
It couldn’t be easier or more fun, invite your friends and just have a good time whilst raising money for Guide Dogs. Your vital fundraising will help us to change the lives of the visually impaired in your community. There is no limit to what you could do, from a one off event to several throughout the year.

The Rathbone Training is seeking Peer Mentors. The Trust is currently engaged with 16-19 year olds who are unemployed, seeking opportunities in training or the world of work through work experience. The Trust offers support in core skills/personal development and vocational skills. There is a 4 week induction plan and ongoing support for volunteers. This would be an opportunity to give a local young person support to help them see their skills and strengths, and to help them see their future positively. Volunteers need to be able to offer support, be a good listener and be non-judgemental.

For further information and other volunteering opportunities in Dumfries and Nithsdale please contact Volunteer Action on 01387 267311 or email admin@volunteeraction.co.uk 

Volunteer Opportunities in the Stewartry

Stewartry Food Train:  Handyperson
Interesting people with great personalities and stories to tell, appreciate, knowledgeable and very grateful for all the help they receive. That is our elderly customers who you will be helping by joining the Food Train 'EXTRA' team.
Volunteers will be required to drive the small van and do small tasks around the house that our customers find difficult to do for themselves. These will include: light bulb changing, smoke alarm testing, fridge cleaning, inside window cleaning, basic home safety check and any small jobs required (not anything that would require a tradesman).

Stewartry Food Train:  Shop Helper 
Volunteer helpers are needed for 1 - 2 hours in Castle Douglas Co-op on a Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 8.30 – 11, to assist the shop staff in making up grocery orders for Food Train customers. Effective checking of the order will help our older customers get the correct order.

Dumfries & Galloway Seniors Forum is looking for a kind-hearted volunteer who loves to drive to take a Member of the Forum from Dalbeattie to Edinburgh every few months so that they can attend the Older People’s Consultative Forum.
All expenses will be paid.

For information about these or any volunteering opportunity in the Stewartry, please telephone Christine Clarke at Volunteer Action on 01556 612518, or email stewartry@volunteeraction.co.uk

Volunteer Opportunities in Wigtownshire

Stranraer & District Branch of Cats Protection League operates throughout Wigtownshire and is run solely by volunteers. Help is needed for general duties including fund raising, poster distribution and general awareness of the work the charity does. If you would like to be part of a small but dedicated team working to provide a better life for cats and kittens, please get in touch.


The Independent Custody Visiting Scheme needs Custody Visitors throughout Dumfries and Galloway. Custody visitors are members of the public (over 18) who are selected and trained to represent the community by paying unannounced visits to police stations to ensure that those in custody are being treated fairly and receiving their rights. Interested in finding out more? Give us a call.


Active Schools aims to give school age children the tasks, motivation and opportunities to be more active throughout their school life and into adulthood. Volunteer Active School Assistants are now needed to help make this possible. These opportunities are available before, during and after school, dependent on the school. Activities vary and are designed to include as many children as possible.
Interested? Then get in touch.

The Furniture Project is based in Stranraer but operates throughout Wigtownshire providing a collection and delivery service of donated furniture at low cost. Positions are now available as volunteer van drivers assistants and warehouse/showroom assistants. If you are hardworking and reliable and would like to join this busy but friendly team please get in touch.

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