Get Involved

We are proud to have achieved Investing in Volunteering Accreditation in March 2025.

This shows our committment to ensuring a positive volunteering experience for all of our volunteers.  Read the full assessment report here

Volunteers Needed Now

Application Form

”Volunteering with Firsthand Lothian has been incredibly rewarding.  ​Spending a few hours each week with a young person, trying new activities together and seeing their confidence grow shows how much consistent support can make such a huge difference.” MC – March 26

Would you enjoy doing fun activities on a regular weekly basis with children and young people?  As a volunteer you will be matched with a child or young person who is attending mainstream school and has some  additional support needs e.g. Autism, Learning Disability, Developmental Delay.  As a volunteer you will   encourage and enable them to participate in activities they enjoy in their local community and visit new places and try new things that are fun and stimulating.

Working 1:1 with children and young people you will be helping them achieve their goals – going places independently, participating in activity, developing confidence and social skills and creating opportunities for them to develop their own social networks.

By spending 3 – 4 hours or so with the child/ren you will also be enabling parents and carers to enjoy regular respite. We support families where parent(s) do not have any other regular support or respite from their caring role.

Each family receives a weekly service of 3 hours for up to 6 to 9 months. We focus on making a difference and enabling families and children to become more resilient.

Reliability and establishing a respectful, trusting and meaningful relationships with parents, children and young people is essential.

We offer:

Comprehensive Induction training which covers relationship building, boundaries, confidentiality, child protection, assessing risk and health and safety

Certificated Training First Aid (focusing on children and babies)

Other relevant training e.g. Autism Awareness, Autism and Play, Language & Communication, Working with challenging behaviour, developmental play activities etc.

Suport and guidance from the Family Support Co-ordinator

All out-of pocket expenses and travel expenses

Opportunities to progress to paid sessional work with us, as vacanies arise, once knowledge and experience gained.

To find out more please phone 0131 523 1322 or email info@firsthand-lothian.org.uk

We also have a number of opportunities to volunteer with our parent / carers 

Time 4 mum – matched 1:1 with a parent / carer 

Health & Wellbeing activities volunteer lead an arts and crafts session 

Travel Buddy support a parent / carer in their journey to the group 

Ask us for more information 

Read what volunteers told us about volunteering with Firsthand Lothian