Volunteers' Week 1-7 June

1-7 June is Volunteers' week - which gives us an excuse to dig around for some volunteering opportunities in rural Scotland! You can check out all the activities taking place over the week and find out how to spread the message at https://volunteersweek.org/

Earlier this week we published a guest blog from volunteer cook George Thomson. Like thousands of other people giving their time for free he finds it a "friendly, uplifting and rewarding experience". To volunteer is to meet people, to help people and to experience new things professionally and personally. So, if you have time to spare, this is the perfect week to get involved.

The Volunteer Scotland website is a great place to start - simply use the search function to look for an opportunity near you. Here are a few we found earlier:

Volunteer driver, Caithness Rural Transport
Description: To provide wheelchair adapted transport to anyone in Caithness or a rural area who cannot access public transport. This is a valued community transport scheme heavily reliant on volunteer drivers.
Expenses paid: Yes
Minimum age: 25

Bowling ACORNS, West Dunbartonshire
Description: Places for 15 young people on a woodland and craft based project to improve Bowling harbour. Volunteers will be trained in looking after woodland and green woodworking. There will then be the opportunity to help Green Aspirations Staff train others. The project is designed to inspire volunteers to connect with nature, gain employability skills and try green woodworking.
Experience required: No Experience required
Travel details: Based at Bowling Harbour
Minimum age: 16

Shop Assistant, Inverurie
Description: We are looking for enthusiastic, able volunteers to assist in all aspects of work in our re-sale shop in Inverurie. We sell furniture and bric-a-brac so some lifting may be required.
Experience required: Volunteer needs to be able to read and write.
Travel details: Shop accessible by public transport.
Minimum age: 18

Community Cafe Kitchen Assistant, Rural Clydeside
Description: Community Food Matters are looking for volunteers to join their team of ‘café volunteers’. We currently run 3 informal Community Café’s in the Rural Clydesdale area that are open to all in the community. We prepare light meals and refreshments for participants. Each café is slightly different. Refreshments at the café could include soup, filled rolls, tea, coffee, juice, healthy sweet treats. If you are enthusiastic about food and enjoy being part of the community, this opportunity is for you.
Expenses paid: Yes
Minimum age: 16

There are lots more rural volunteering opportunities listed, so take a look and start your new adventure today!