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John Macmillan - volunteer at Somebody Cares

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We are so pleased to announce that John has been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award, through Celebrate Aberdeen 2025! John can be found delivering food parcels, hanging pictures, cutting grass, or what ever he is asked to do, with a "no problem" and a big smile. John is a great advocate of Somebody Cares and testimony to his good nature, has brought a lot of friends, family and locals to join the Somebody Cares family. Judging takes place in September, with the awards evening on the 1st of November. Fingers crossed the judging panel, see in John what we all do❤️

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Diana volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland

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This is Diana, one of our wonderful volunteers at Somebody Cares. She is always ensuring we are fed and watered!

Her spring rolls, rice cake and iced coffee set us up nicely for our monthly sale!

Since COVID, she regularly helps set up clothing for our monthly sale, as a thank you for all the support her and her family received during that time.

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO ❤️

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Our six trustees at Somebody Cares Scotland.

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THANK YOU, TRUSTEES

(Gordon, Patricia, Emma, Onyi, Ryan & Justina - we appreciate you!)

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Dorothy ("Dot"), one of our Foodbank volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland

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Dorothy ("Dot") shared her volunteering story with us. She explains, "I started volunteering at Somebody Cares about 4 years ago just after the 'covid time'.

I had retired from my nursing career and was looking for some way of helping our local community. This was inspired by appreciating how fortunate I am to have always had friends and family support through hard times. The covid ordeal highlighted so many people who did not have this support.

I volunteer in the foodbank with some of the loveliest, funniest and kindest folks you could meet. An added bonus is that many of them have now become my good friends. I do 4 hours a week and it gives me a routine and something to look forward to. When filling up the food bags I plan meals in my head that the families could make adding extra treats along with necessities.

The ethos at Somebody Cares is to provide practical help initially and then supportive help empowering folks get 'back on their feet again'.

There are lots of areas to help out with at Somebody Cares. I chose the foodbank but there is all the shop, monthly sales, collating stock, deliveries and collections. It's a great way to meet new people and give back to your local community."

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, DOT ❤️

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THANK YOU, HELENE

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Janice is one of our newest volunteers at our Denmore road shop. We asked her about her volunteering journey⬇️

1. How long have you volunteered with SC?

Volunteered since end of Aug 2024

2. Why did you choose to volunteer with SC?

Always liked coming to the store and wanted to try something different after retiring from childcare career with NHS

3. What are your personal benefits from volunteering?

Learning new skills as never worked in retail before learning to use the till and enjoy helping the customers. Have found everyone is very friendly and helpful especially Amer showing me how to work the till.

4. What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with SC?

Volunteering is good fun and helps you learn new skills. We have good times on Thursdays having a laugh and makes you feel good. You can choose when you volunteer whether it be morning or afternoon times that suit you.

5. Do you have any stories you'd like to share about your time with SC (can be fun, emotional, or general).

I have 2 stories I would like to share. The first story is about a family of 4, parents and 2 children, who came in one rainy day to bargain hunt. They were then going to sell what they bought for charity to see how much money they could make. I helped Mum find a bagpipe broch for her Scottish challenge, they had set the high price item at £10, I wish I knew how they got on. My second story is about Cami and my Mum. For many years now my Mum has done the shoe box appeal for newborns up to adults and she has never met anyone who has received a shoebox until she came into the store and met Cami. Cami's children had received shoeboxes when they lived in Romania and Cami had never met anyone who made up the boxes so when they met up, it got emotional! Mum has made up over 50 boxes in one year.

THANKS SO MUCH, JANICE

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Arlene is one of our volunteers over at Somebody Cares Megastore on Denmore Road

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We asked to share her volunteering story with us ⬇️
1. How long have you volunteered with SC?

I have volunteered at S.C. since it opened in B.O.D in Feb 2023

2. Why did you choose to volunteer with SC?

I have a background in retail and Display and felt I would love to help with my time.

3. What are your personal benefits from volunteering?

I visited the store in Dec 2022 when it was a pop-up Christmas store. I was impressed with the friendly staff. Having lost my husband a year before, I felt the time was right to get involved with something worthwhile.

4. What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with SC?

Come and join us, if you have a few hours to spare. Everyone is so friendly, you can do as little or as much as you can. Together we can make a difference.

5. Do you have any stories you'd like to share about your time with SC (can be fun, emotional, or general).

Staff and Volunteers are all really nice and welcoming.

THANK YOU, ARLENE 😍

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THANK YOU, FRANCES

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John & Jennifer - amazing volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland.

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Thanks for all you do, John & Jennifer! 

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Thanks for all you do, John & Jennifer! 

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We asked our amazing volunteers, John & Jennifer MacMillan a few questions about volunteering at Somebody Cares. John explains,

"Myself and Jennifer have volunteered for about 2 1/2 years now. We wanted to be involved with a local charity. Somebody Cares offers all needs . We get great satisfaction from helping where we can. If you decided to join you will feel that you are making a difference to local people less fortunate.

There are many stories, some sad some happy . Recently I delivered a food parcel to a lady , we sometimes give them flowers. She was so grateful getting a food parcel. But when I gave her flowers she cried. She had received bad news about her health that morning . But said she couldn't remember last time someone gave her flowers and she saw a bit of light at the end of a dark tunnel.

We also have a 95 year old who's flat is immaculate and tells me jokes . He also reminisces about the old days and is delighted to have company if only for a few minutes . As I said many stories but the underlying tone is they all need help in some way . Whether food parcel , a few minutes chat , flowers But ultimately knowing that Somebody Cares"

THANKS SO MUCH, JOHN & JENNIFER ❤️

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Eleanor volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland

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Enter Eleanor, one of our volunteer at Somebody Cares (SC)! She volunteers upstairs in the baby room, sorting through and stocking up donations for clients to choose.

1. How long have you volunteered with the charity?

I’ve been volunteering for 8-9 months

2. Why did you choose to volunteer?

⁠Last year my daughters both moved out and I took early retirement so with free time on my hands I wanted to give back to society. I’d previously supported SC through donations but felt I could do more to help.

3. What are your personal benefits from volunteering?

I benefit from contact with others, it gives me a sense of purpose and makes me grateful for the life I have, everything could change in an instant through no fault of your own.

4. What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with SC?

Get in touch with SC and find out more. There are lots of ways to help and the volunteering can be as flexible as you need it to be.

5. Do you have any stories you'd like to share about your time with SC (can be fun, emotional, or general).

⁠Since helping at SC I’m always amazed at the dedication of the staff and other volunteers. Some have been helping for years.

"Christmas was a very special time at Somebody Cares where everyone pitched in to prepare hundreds of food bags to keep families going through the holiday period. The staff had it all so well organised so volunteers old and new could fill the orders. It was amazing to see how much was achieved and to know that we had hopefully made the life of some families just that wee bit easier and happier at such a special time."

THANK YOU, ELEANOR 😍

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As part of celebrating Volunteers Week, we're asking our volunteers how they came to volunteer with us at Somebody Cares and why they do it. Ruth explains, "I got involved with the charity when I noticed on a social media platform that there was a shortage of food for the Xmas Appeal . As I live on a complex with 76 flats, I did a collection, delivered it and stayed to help! That was 3 years ago. I help make up food parcels now. I truly look forward to going. As someone who used to recruit volunteers as part of Chest , Heart and Stroke  Service, I was aware that people volunteer for a number of reasons. For me, I enjoy the people I work with. I have made new friends. I believe there is research to show that people who volunteer  are generally happier with massive benefits to  mental health too!! A win win situation !!! For me, I feel I am giving my time to a very worth while  cause and that  the help is appreciated . I like the flexibility of the days I can offer too which works well for me . There are a number of different ways to volunteer though within the charity so please contact Somebody Cares for more  information" Ruth has volunteered with us for 4 1/2 years.

THANK YOU, RUTH ❤️

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Helen & Frank - long-time volunteers at Somebody Cares Scotland.

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Helen & Frank have volunteered with us for over 17 years. Helen helps in our retail shop as well as at HQ, where we deliver charitable services to the public. Helen explains, "We have been Volunteers there since the early days and have seen it go from strength to strength as it has been able to help thousands of people in need..

..That's why we are still Volunteers there."

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO