What is the VF?

The VF is a charity passionate about supporting the vulnerable veterans and it has paid out in grants over £20M since inception in 2016. It operates as an independent grant-making foundation offering targeted support to a broad range of charities and charitable organisations that support those in need among serving armed forces’ personnel, veterans, operationally qualified seafarers, and their immediate families.

Funded projects include those that tackle homelessness, increase employment, overcome poverty, and provide welfare and medical support. It also supports initiatives that increase confidence and social integration, as well as reducing dependence on alcohol and drugs.

The VF gives priority to well-run small and medium-sized charities and organisations in need of funds that help the target beneficiaries.

To date the majority of funds raised by the VF have come from the highly successful Veterans' Lottery (VL). However, individual donations are growing significantly and show potential for further development. We now need a member of staff to support the VF’s Fundraising Manager in building a broader fundraising base.

More information about the VF can be found at: veteransfoundation.org.uk.

A summary of the VF’s work can be seen here: Impact Film 2024

About the post

The position of Fundraising Assistant has been created to support the Fundraising Team with administrative tasks, working with our donors and volunteer fundraisers to raise funds. The postholder will work under the direction of the VF’s Fundraising Manager, as well as working closely with other team members in the VF and partner organisations.

Are you looking for a role where you can truly make a difference to young people’s lives? We are recruiting a Young Persons Support Worker to join our Routes team. This post supports the delivery of Scottish Families ‘Routes’ Young Persons Project, working alongside young people in East and West Dunbartonshire, to provide a programme of support for 12-26 year olds affected by family alcohol and drug use. The post operates as part of the Routes team led by a Senior Family Support Development Officer and supported by two Development Officers and one other Support Assistant.

The post is predominantly located in East Dunbartonshire but will involve travel throughout both East and West Dunbartonshire for weekly groups and activities. Some home working is involved. Due to the nature of this post, access to a car is essential. There will be a close working relationship with young people, schools and other local partner agencies in East and West Dunbartonshire.

You will play an integral part in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for young people, helping them to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Routes is co-produced in collaboration with the young people we support, so their views are central to everything we do. The Routes model encourages young people to have hope and aspirations. We provide person-centred support which combines one-to-one and/or group support, helping them to build a positive future.

Alongside advocacy and one-to-one support, we also offer a busy programme of activities and groups. We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to join our team.

We are seeking applicants who are educated to HNC level, have a vocational qualification (level 3) or relevant experience, along with an understanding of emotional and developmental issues for children and young people. We are seeking someone who can build rapport, positively engage and support young people, as well as having the ability to listen and talk to young people from differing abilities, understanding and backgrounds. Experience of identifying and managing risk and of delivering group work activities, along with knowledge of issues for young people affected by family substance use and an understanding of child protection issues and safeguarding practice, are an advantage.

This is a full-time role, but job share, part-time or flexible working will be considered.

Do you enjoy working with people?

Do you have excellent communication and presentation skills, and experience working with young people?

We are looking for an enthusiastic Project Officer to join Fast Forward’s Going Forward Programme Team. This role will have a focus on formal and informal education settings, and youth participation.

Fast Forward is Scotland’s national youth work agency, focusing on supporting children & young people to make informed choices regarding, and take a harm reduction approach to, risk-taking behaviours, towards reducing the negative impacts of these on their lives and those of their families and wider community.

We promote health through programmes and resources developed by, with and for young people.

Our work is underpinned by the following values:

• Integrity - Our work is dynamic and informed by expertise, lived experience and relevant research
• Forward Thinking - We are brave and bold. We are creative in our approach to identifying and responding to risk taking behaviour.
• Inclusive - We take a person centred approach. We are non-judgemental and
• respectful.
• Collaborative - We coproduce, partner and learn with young people and experts
• from across the field

Going Forward Project Background

Since May 2017, the Going Forward Project has worked with partner organisations to deliver workshop sessions to vulnerable and at-risk young people in formal and informal education settings.

Our sessions focus on core themes of health, wellbeing and risk-taking behaviours, particularly:

• substance misuse (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes/vaping)
• sexual health and relationships
• online safety
• drink spiking
• consent
• self-esteem and resilience
• gambling harms

Youth Participation

In line with United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Fast Foward is committed to developing our children and young people's participation work. We want children and young people's experiences, opinions and suggestions to shape all aspects of our work.

This role will play a key part in supporting this development, embedding a child rights approach to our work. This will include developing our children and young people's Shadow Board.

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others? Do you possess exceptional skills and a drive to create meaningful change? If so, we invite you to join our team as a Therapeutic Practitioner for our brand new Dayhab service in Aberdeen City.

As a Therapeutic Practitioner at our brand-new Dayhab facility in Aberdeen, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-quality therapeutic services to our service users. Supported and guided by the Service Manager, you will also take on a senior role in guiding and supervising volunteers within the facility.

The Role

• Provide leadership and guidance to volunteers to ensure effective delivery of services.
• Collaborate with the Service Manager and colleagues to develop and refine the Therapeutic Community program tailored to the needs of our service user
• Oversee the implementation of the Therapeutic Community program, ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the program, making adjustments as necessary to optimize outcomes for service users.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the overall service in Aberdeen, working closely with the Service Manager and other team members.

About You

• Experience of facilitating or co-facilitating group programmes
• Experience of delivering 1 to 1 support
• An understanding of the complex issues presented by individuals within drug and alcohol recovery.
• Experience of working with individuals in the substance use sector or related field.
• The ability to be innovative and be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service.
• Be able to work effectively with multi-agencies, whilst maintaining the excellent reputation of the service.
• Knowledge of adult and child protection essential as you will be working with vulnerable people in a community setting

The Service

Due to new funding from the Scottish Government, this brand new service will be based in Aberdeen City centre and is currently being procured. This community based service will be framed around our Residential Therapeutic Community model, providing a structured day service. This flexible service will run a structured group work programme in addition to 1 to 1 support, including a range of meaningful activities to build recovery capital. Ran by a small team of 3 staff with support from volunteers and peer mentors. You will also work closely and collaborate with our new Residential service based in Alford and the new Housing team also based in Aberdeen city centre.

About Phoenix Futures

Join a legacy of over 50 years in providing rehabilitation services. At Phoenix Futures, we're committed to rebuilding capacity in the residential rehab sector across England and Scotland. Your dedication will contribute to our mission of delivering hope and transformation to individuals and families affected by addiction. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, and we value our history.