There are opportunities to become a volunteer Befriender in LinkLiving’s Older Persons Service. Befriending involves face-to-face visits with the person you are matched with weekly or fortnightly for one or two hours. By joining the team, you will help brighten up the lives of older people experiencing social isolation by supporting their involvement in their hobbies, activities, and community outings.

LinkLiving said it is proud to have Investing in Volunteers status, which recognises the management and support given to our volunteers, including a comprehensive induction and role-specific training.

The following video provides more information:

The Older Persons Service is also seeking Social Café Volunteers to assist with the delivery of a variety of activities, make members feel welcome, encourage participation, and, most importantly, make sure everyone has a cuppa.

Cafes take place weekly and run from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM on the following days:

• Torryburn Community Centre: Tuesday.
• Rosyth Parkgate: Wednesday and Friday.
• Larick Centre, Tayport: Wednesday.
• Maxwell Centre, Cowdenbeath: Thursday.

There are also opportunities for volunteer drivers. They provide transport to and from social cafes for many members. The role also requires volunteers to assist members with getting in and out of vehicles; supporting members to participate in activities during the social café.

LinkLiving is delighted to offer a new opportunity for young people (aged 16-24 years) with lived experience of homelessness to volunteer for a new initiative called SmartLiving, a homelessness prevention project aiming to educate young people about the risks and realities of becoming homeless at a young age. The volunteers will help other young people while receiving support for their own self-development. Volunteers will be trained to become peer educators and work alongside a LinkLiving project worker to deliver workshops for young people.

LinkLiving is also looking for volunteers interested in raising funds in Fife. Fundraising volunteers will participate in collections and attend events on behalf of LinkLiving as well as having opportunities to organise their own events and collections in their local area. Volunteers will be supported by the LinkLiving Fundraising Team and will receive a full induction.

Sarah Smith, LinkLiving’s CEO and Link Group’s director of communities, said: “With Volunteers’ Week starting on Thursday, June 1, there is no better moment to consider the benefits of volunteering with LinkLiving.

“By volunteering, you will help vulnerable and socially isolated people across Fife by providing a range of much-needed support. LinkLiving is extremely fortunate to have many wonderful, dedicated volunteers who give up their time for us because they are passionate about the difference our charity makes to peoples’ lives. Importantly our volunteers tell us that they gain as much from the experience of volunteering as the people they volunteer to help.”

If you are interested in any of the above volunteering opportunities, please contact us, and we will tell you more about our recruitment process. Email enquiries@linkliving.org.uk, or you can call 01592 644 048.