LOCAL non-profit organisations and charities are being urged to consider taking on volunteers.
The call has come from Fraserburgh's Volunteer Centre.
Volunteer development officer Anne MacLeod, based in the Broch, told the Herald: "The volunteer centre's role is to promote volunteering, to match volunteers to suitable opportunities in non-p
rofit making organisations and to provide training and information to these organisations.
"There are three offices within Aberdeenshire; in Banchory, Inverurie and here in Fraserburgh. The North office covers Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Banff and we receive a large number of referrals, for volunteers of all ages from a wide range of backgrounds," she said.
It was, she added, a case of trying to address outmoded perceptions of volunteering: "We work with schools, job centres and local organisations to try and change people's perception of volunteering as just charity shops and just for old folk.
"We are increasingly being asked to find placements for people who have many practical skills-enjoy the outdoors or who just want to be busy. We have a real shortage of these kinds of placements and felt that if we could let people know what we do and what volunteers can do for their organisations they might be able to offer a quality placement for a volunteer," she said.
Anne MacLeod
The aim was to try and increase people's employability.
"We give them an introduction and support in order get a placement and ultimately to get a reference and a job," explained Anne.
"A lot of our referrals come from the Job Centre. It is a case of people helping them to have a plan and see it through.
"People want a lot out of volunteers and volunteers want a lot too, so it is beneficial to both sides," Anne added.
The Volunteer Centre Aberdeenshire is based at Unit 9 Fraserburgh Business Centre, South Harbour Road, Fraserburgh, AB43 9TN. Call 01346 585328 for more information or email:
North@vcaberdeenshire.org.uk
A Celebration of Volunteering
A CELEBRATION of Volunteering is being held in United Reformed Church, Mid Street, Fraserburgh on Saturday, March 20.
It will be open to the public from 10am to 12.15pm and 1pm to 3pm.
The day is an opportunity for volunteering organisations to say a thank you to their volunteers with a range of workshops including Relaxation, Assertiveness Techniques and Armchair Aerobics.
There will be a range of voluntary organisation stalls where people can find out more about an organisation and the services they offer.
People can also have a health check carried out, find out about the local community planning process or receive information on volunteering for an organisation.
Refreshments will be provided free on the day so people are welcome to drop in for a cup of tea or coffee.
The day is supported by BRIDGE, local Council for Voluntary Services, and sponsored by Banff & Buchan local community planning group.
A spokesperson said:"This is an opportunity for volunteer groups to celebrate their volunteering activity and offer a reward to their volunteers, as well as giving the public the chance to see what exciting things are happening in their community."
