Volunteer

Welcome to our volunteering page!

Our volunteers play a huge part in everything that we do, quite simply we couldn’t do what we do without you! Whether you have some time on your hands, have recently been made redundant or have never worked, it does not matter, we want to hear from you! We would be delighted to have you on board!

How do I find out about volunteering?

Get in touch by emailing reception@instantneighbour.co.uk or calling 01224 489955, selecting option 2.

Speak to your Job Coach

Speak to your support worker

What’s next?

You will be invited to come and meet with Susan, our Volunteer Co-ordinator to have an informal chat.

Complete some paperwork.

Once you have agreed what hours suit, where you will be working etc., a start date will be agreed.

What can you expect?

Everyone is different and everyone has different skills and experience, so we will tailor the role you take to ensure that it gives you the best opportunity for you to meet your goals.

Support with CV writing and updating it too, interview skills, applying for jobs.

Access to our Digital Room.

Learning a new skill

Build your confidence and self esteem.

You will be working alongside someone else in the organisation, they will be there to support and guide you.

What do we ask of you?

That you come in when you say you will be here.

Never be scared to ask questions.

Never be scared to make mistakes, that’s how we learn!

Be honest, if you not enjoying it, tell us, we will see what we can do to fix this.

Our volunteers are very important to us. In addition to a positive experience, we offer opportunities for personal development. These include assistance with CV writing, interview skills and relevant training courses, including Customer Service training, Warehouse safety training and manual handling.

Testimonials

Having found myself with some spare time on my hands due to either redundancy or retirement the opportunity to volunteer with the Instant Neighbour Charity provided me with a purpose during my time of inactivity. The opportunity to help those who have fallen upon difficult times gives a good sense of achievement, through helping on the food bank, furniture deliveries/collection or helping on the retail side of the charity, there is always requirement to provide some assistance to the friendly staff.

Stewart, Aberdeen

I really enjoy being a Volunteer at Instant Neighbour. I can offer skills that I previously used at work in HR, by helping train staff and volunteers and can also feel that I am providing support for people who need it by serving at the Foodbank or manning the phones. Its very much a two way street. It’s a great team to be part of and a chance to meet and work with interesting staff, volunteers and clients.

Fiona, Aberdeen

I have volunteered at Instant Neighbour for approx. 3 years. I was told about an opportunity my Job Coach. Volunteering has helped me to build up my confidence, given me a purpose and routine. I am the PAT tester and do small maintenance jobs when required, I am grateful for the opportunity , being able to use my skills and learn new ones too. On a personal level volunteering has helped with my own recovery, I am gaining steady progress and have some self-worth so therefore I would recommend volunteering at Instant Neighbour.

Anonymous

I heard through one of my friends that there was a charity that needed helpers so I volunteered. The people in the office were really friendly and welcoming and sounded good to work with so I wanted to offer my time. I like the people here, it’s a good charity and it helps a lot of people out; including myself. My favourite thing to do at the charity is to organise the donations in the warehouse. By fulfilling this, I feel I have achieved a goal I have set myself and my time is worthwhile here.

Bob, 5 months

I have volunteered at Instant Neighbour for 1 ½ years. Prior to starting, my life was very different, I wasn’t confident and really wasn’t taking part in society at all. Since starting at Instant Neighbour for 2 days a week, I have gradually been building my confidence, I really enjoy coming in, I now have structure to my days and a purpose. I am now here 5 days a week, still working on my confidence, but feel that I am able to participate in society. I have taken the opportunity to improve my writing too! It feels good to be trusted by everyone here, I like to make sure that the foodbank is organised and I know that by doing this, I am helping other people too. If someone is suffering with their mental health and is stuck about what to do, then I would definitely recommend volunteering at Instant Neighbour.

Steven, Aberdeen

Types of volunteering

Van Hand

Assistant to van driver, reporting to the Warehouse Manager. Providing effective and efficient day to day management of the delivery services that Instant Neighbour provides to its clients and customers.

Role description

Retail Sales Operative

Working in our shops ensuring that customers have an enjoyable shopping experience.

Working closely with those in management positions to ensure effective and efficient use of all Instant Neighbour resources.

Role description

Warehouse Volunteer

Part of the warehouse team: cleaning, accepting donations, stock preparation, sorting donations into sales and recycling, pricing sale items.

Reporting to the Warehouse Supervisor.

Role description

Employability

Providing work experience opportunities through volunteering, is very important to Instant Neighbour. Perhaps you have some spare time and would like to give back…

If this is something that you may interested in, then please do not hesitate to get in touch us by calling 01224 489955 or email reception@instantneighbour.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Giving Tree

We believe that no child should be without a gift at Christmas. Instant Neighbour’s Giving Tree appeal continues to be supported by many local businesses and the general public, to distribute new toys to children across the City & Shire who otherwise would not receive a gift at Christmas.

Find out more