With several developments in West Lothian, Bield is looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help out with a range of volunteer work such as social activities assistants/coordinators, befrienders and tutors for its Silver Surfer Project.

Programmes of social activities have proven to be a huge success, allowing tenants to enjoy the opportunity to interact and socialise with others in their development and community.

Bield’s volunteer social activity assistants are vital to ensuring the smooth running of social events organised by a development, such as games afternoons, bingo nights, gardening clubs and DVD afternoons. Volunteer befrienders are key to combating tenant isolation as they provide companionship for a tenant over coffees, walks or any other activity.

Befrienders also boost the confidence of tenants by accompanying them to various social events, encouraging them to socialise with others in their development or wider community.

Another popular feature for tenants is Bield’s Silver Surfer Tutors – a project that teaches tenants how to use modern technology, such as iPads and PC’s, allowing them to keep up with friends and family, as well as surf the net at their leisure. This project is incredibly important as it opens up a whole new digital world for our tenants.

Volunteer development worker, Donna Dickson, said: “Our volunteer programme has an extremely positive effect on our tenants because it gives them a chance to get involved in a range of activities and socialise with others - both within their own housing development, and within their local community.

“The tenants do a great job in keeping active, but they really need the support of volunteers to keep their programme going.”

Bield, are looking to recruit volunteers across:

Fauldhouse (Social Activity Coordinator, Gardener and Befriender) Contact Cheryl Baillie on 01501 771 044

Whitburn (Befriender, Silver Surfer Tutor Social Activity Coordinator) Contact Lynn McQueen on 011501 743 253.

West Calder (Silver Surfer Tutor, Social Activity coordinator) Contact Craig Meek on 01506 872 786

Linlithgow (Social Activity Assistants – to assist with Lunch Clubs and with general social activities, Silver Surfer Tutor) Contact Karen Reid on 01506 840846

Uphall (Social Activity Coordinator) Contact Lynn McCusker 01505853 314

Armadale (Social Activity Coordinator) Contact Mabelanne Fraser on 01501 732 731

Livingston (Social Activity Coordinator) Contact Ann Marie Sweeney on 01506 440 282

The social activity programme is central to Bield’s “free to be” ethos, which supports people to make their own decisions about how they live their lives while also being there to assist them when they need it.

Donna said: “We are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our tenants and the positive feedback we have received proves that this programme is incredibly beneficial and rewarding for our tenants and our volunteers.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Bield or would like more information please contact d.dickson@bield.co.uk or call 0131 273 4095.

@BieldScotland