Boomerang find that there are many good reasons to involve volunteers in our work, this includes extending and adding value to the services we provide within the community. Volunteers at Boomerang work alongside staff to asist the organisation deliver its goals. By involving local people in the design and delivery of services we aim to achieve a more personal and responsive service to the local community.

When someone volunteers, they offer themselves with the aim of doing something for other people within the local community. They are willing to spend some of their time unpaid, working for an organisation. It is important to remember that this is not simply a one way transaction. In return for your time, quality and skills, attatude and experience the scheme can offer you clearly defined work experience, supervision, training and expences. Also as a volunteer you will have the opportunity to meet new people, gain new experiences and get real job satisfaction.

What can you gain from volunteering?

As a volunteer you will be giving your time to help us improve the lives of people within the local community, but voluntering can help you with many benefits including-

• The chance to have fun doing something you have never tried before.
• Increased confidence.
• A sense of satisfaction and achievement.
• The opportunity to make new friends with diverse backgrounds and experience.
• Increased job and career prospects and gain new skills - over 70% of employers would hire a candidate with volunteering experience over someone who has never volunteered.

 Millennium Award Presentation

Claire Anderson was recently presented with her Millennium Award certificate for completing 100hrs voluntary work at the Lunch Club at Boomerang. Claire (16), a student at Madras College in St Andrews, started volunteering in October 2010 and has been ever present at the Lunch Club on Wednesday’s assisting in the preparation and serving meals to the elderly club members. Claire is currently sitting Highers at school and plans on attending Elmwood College in September to study Health and Social Care.

Claire said that “Volunteering at Boomerang was a really fun, hands on experience. It gave me the opportunity to mix with the toddlers and the elderly. I met lots of new people that I admire a lot. I feel my time at Boomerang has boosted my confidence and will really set me up well for a career in care.”

Claire is a very popular member of the Boomerang team and we all wish her well in her future studies.

Befriending

As a volunteer befriender you will help older people maintain their independance by assisting them by carrying out tasks of daily living and helping to maintain and improve personal and social skills. Assist in maintaining links with the community and avoid social isolation. Provide carers with an opportunity to have their own space and time by offering relief from the stress of caring, support during any health problems and time for themselves. Volunteers who have a few hours to spare each week to take a person out for a coffee , shopping for personal items, to the cinema or just for fresh air, sometimes accompany the person to doctors hairdresses, hospital appointments etc.

Cafe Assistant

The Pavilion cafe will offer patrons with a choice of hot and cold beverages, freshly baked pastries light meals and other confections. The main aim of the Pavilion Cafe is to develop an understanding of the hospitality industry and build employability skills in local volunteers. The project will provide induction and ongoing training in the hospitality sector for volunteers. The Pavilion Cafe will make its best effort to create a unique place where customers can socialise with each other in a comfortable and relaxed environment whilst enjoying freshly brewed tea/coffee and delicious snacks. The volunteer will be part of a team that is dedicated to keep the cafe open and provide an essential service to locals and visitors alike. The cafe is a charity and social enterprise that provides a range of services and opportunities to the local community. The cafe volunteers will be a valued and essential part of this service. The opportunity will allow the volunteer to undertake food preperation, cleaning, clearing away etc.

Playgroup/Creche Assistant

Assisting in various creches and playgroups run in conjunction with various parent groups at the centre - setting up play activities, joining in play sessions with the children, supporting parents. At our clubs we provide a safe,educational and social environment for pre-school children with a wide range of learning experiences to build up children's self esteem, emotional intelligence and confidence. Volunteers must engage with children, be friendly,reliable and patient. We are looking for volunteers who can help us prepare each week by setting out toys and equipment, helping to set up activity areas, and cleaning toys. Volunteers will also assist with the provision of snacks at breaktimes. This opportunity would give a good insight into the running of a playgroup for anyone with an interest in childcare. You would be part of a closeknit team with a member of staff always on hand for support. The staff work closely with the parents to ensure the needs of the children are met whenever possible.

Lunch Club Assistant

Boomerang provides lunch and leisure activities for older people in the community. Volunteers required assisting with all aspects running a lunch club, ie preperation of food, setting tables, serving and clearing up, helping organise teas and coffee and greet elderly users. Volunteers should be able to work as part of a team and get on with people, a caring person with good listening skills and able to use own inititive and common sense. Volunteers must be willing to undertake food hygiene course.

IT Tutor

As a Volunteer Tutor you will work within various sheltered complexes within Stobswell and surrounding areas teaching basic computing skills to older people. Each group has a maximum of six learners facilitated by a group tutor. Volunteer Tutors will help learners to set realistic goals. Will plan with the learners how they will work towards the goal. The tutor will prepare and deliver the learning and, with the student will review and evaluate the learning. Volunteer tutors will receive support from Boomerang and will have access to on-going training and development opportunities. The volunteer should ideally possess a reasonable standard of computing literacy, good interpersonal skills, empathy with others, good listening skills, willingness to undertake training.

Youth Work

Youth project providing information, advice and support to young people in the Stobswell area. Supporting Youth Workers and getting alongside young people to help out in activities. This is an opportunity for people within the community to engage with their local young people and give them somewhere to go to stop them hanging about in the streets. Get involved in educational activities and trips that we provide. General help is welcome as is bringing any special Skills e.g. Arts, Crafts, Sports etc.  We are flexible with volunteers and will offer support and training in various fields including first aid and child protection. Volunteering as a youth leader for Boomerang youth cafe will provide invaluable experience and opportunities in the field of youth work

Everyone who expresses an interest in becoming a volunteer will be invited to a taster session where you can find out more and ask questions. If at the end of the session you are still interested you will be given an application form to complete.

As volunteers will be working with vulnerable adults and children, all candidates are required to complete a form that permits a search of criminal record including any charges brought but not resulting in a conviction. This is to ensure that you are a fit and proper person to work with vulnerable people. Even if you have completed a Disclosure Scotland check for another organisation you will be asked to complete one again for your work with Boomerang.

How to apply

Volunteers should be honest, trustworthy and mature with a pleasant attitude; They should also have good communication skills and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

How to get involved. You should contact us by phone to have an information pack sent out, or download the application form and job descriptors below and email or post it back to us.