Voluntary Action Orkney

Volunteering Drop In at The Fossil Centre

The Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre are planning a ‘drop in’ session at the Fossil Centre on Saturday 23 September 10am – 12 noon to provide an opportunity for anyone who may be interested in volunteering with them to go along and find out more.

The Orkney Fossil & Heritage Centre was established as a charity in around 2001 and is now one of Orkney’s most popular attractions, comprising of the museum itself and a gift shop and café. The Fossil Centre is only able to function because of the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who help to run it.

The Fossil Centre are looking for new volunteers to get involved in all aspects of the charity, from the board to the café so If you would like to get involved at any level and would like to find out more about the work of this fantastic organisation get along to the centre on Saturday 23rd September 10 ‘til 12 noon.

For more information please contact info@orkneyfossilcentre.co.uk or 01856 731255

Could you help Young Families in Orkney?

Home-Start Orkney is a local charity which has been supporting local families since 2001. 

The families supported by Home-Start face the usual daily demands of bringing up young children, but are also facing additional challenges which leave them feeling stressed and struggling to cope. 

Home-Start helps by matching the families with a volunteer befriender, who supports the family one day a week, for 2-3 hours, helping practically and being a trusted confidante. This support continues for as long as is necessary, and gradually reduces as the parents build their self-confidence and strengthen community networks. 

All support is monitored and reviewed by Home-Start Orkney’s three Co-ordinators, who also provide support and supervision to the volunteer befrienders.

To cope with increasing demand for the service, Homestart are currently seeking to recruit home visiting volunteers and Board members. 

Home visiting volunteers all receive initial training prior to being matched with a family, while the Board meets every 6-8 weeks.

Particular skills being sought for the Board include IT, fundraising and business management. 

If you are interested in becoming a home visiting volunteer, or Board member, please contact Erika Copland for more information.

T: 870 770
E: postmaster@homestartorkney.org.uk

Train as a First Aider!

The Emergency Care Group require First Aiders to provide medical cover at public events such as agricultural shows, sporting events, half marathons, vintage rallies etc. They may also have the opportunity of driving one of the emergency vehicles when required. (You must be over 25 and have a full licence for any driving duties).

Volunteers are given full training in all aspects of first aid and ambulance work by an experienced and competent trainer, including a certificated full first aid at work course and additional training in using collapsible stretchers and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

So if you are able to keep calm in an emergency, have the ability to follow instructions and protocols, work as a team member, are a good communicator and willing to show commitment to the role then this may be the opportunity for you.

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to know more please contact Rob McGregor at VAO on 872 897

Children’s Panel Members are needed in Orkney

Conscientious and committed people are wanted to serve as Children's Panel members. There are two broad categories that a child or young person may be referred to a hearing; (i) Care and protection (where the welfare of the child or young person is causing concern), and (ii) offence (where they are believed to have committed an offence).

 Each hearing has 3 panel members and there must be a mix of men and women. The child must remain the main focus of the hearing. Before each hearing, panel members are sent reports and papers relating to the child or young person. Thorough preparation is required by reading the papers to ensure they are fully informed as to the circumstances and reasons why that child has been asked to a hearing.

 Panel members must decide whether compulsory measures of supervision are needed to help improve the lives of those children and young people and, if so, what they should be.

 All panel members must complete the national training programme.  Part of this consists of 7 national training days which will take place in Inverness or Aberdeen (expenses are covered).rt of this consists of 7 national training days which will take place in Inverness or Aberdeen (expenses are covered).

 If this is the sort of volunteering you would like to be involved in please contact Rob McGregor at VAO on 872 897 for more details.