Five rewarding volunteer experiences in Glasgow

CONTACT THE ELDERLY

This national charity supports people aged 75 and over and who live alone and is currently looking for more volunteers in Glasgow. It hosts monthly Sunday afternoon tea parties and has more than 50 people on a waiting list wishing to attend. Contact the Elderly aims to set up 10 new groups in the city - which requires around 70 volunteer hosts, 35 volunteer drivers and a pool of reserve drivers, as well as a volunteer from each group to be its coordinator. Charity development officer Janice Kerr said: “To make that happen we desperately need more volunteers in the Glasgow area who can give -a small amount of time to make an immeasurable difference to older people in their local communities who are at risk of social isolation.”

YORKHILL CHILDREN’S CHARITY

Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children moved to a new purpose-built facility in Govan last year but its main charity retains the name of the West End neighbourhood it once called home. There are a variety of voluntary roles open to the public, from welcoming patients and their families to one-on-one play with patients in wards. Yorkhill recommends all potential volunteers visit its website to view current vacancies before filling out an application form.

GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

A voluntary position with a difference. Those who sign up will get a unique insight into how artists create their works and how the public interact with them. ‘Workings’ is an exhibition included in the Glasgow International festival in April. The event is a residency and artists involved will be continuously on site making work. As a community-based project, visitors will be invited to help the artists make work. Dedicated volunteers are required to help with administration by counting visitor numbers, gathering contact information, helping artists serve food to guests among other duties. Potential volunteers are asked to email [email protected] by April 1 with their availability and why they wish to take part.

HORSES AND PEOPLE

Linn Park Riding for the Disabled Association is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. The Muirend-based charity provides therapeutic and recreational horse riding to disabled groups and individuals of all ages and varying disabilities. Not all roles available require prior experience of working with horses. For more details, visit its website or call 0141 6379745.

FIRST AID EDUCATOR

British Red Cross is looking for people aged 18 and over who are willing to be trained to become first aid educators working across the Greater Glasgow area. Volunteers would teach people to respond to everyday first aid emergencies. The role could involve focusing on particular groups or communities, or working with a range of learner groups with very different needs. Examples could be people who are at risk of homelessness or at risk of alcohol issues. For more information, email [email protected] or call 0141 891 4000.