Get Involved – Vibrant Health Advocates

Why get involved

Built on the generosity of people who believe older residents deserve better.

Vibrant Health Advocates - Alpha is built on the generosity of people who believe that older Edinburgh residents deserve better than isolation and confusion. Every volunteer befriender, every peer supporter, every donor and partner organisation contributes to a city that is a little kinder and a little more connected.

We make it easy to get started. We provide full induction training for all volunteers, ongoing support from our coordination team, and regular check-ins throughout your involvement with us. If you are donating, we handle Gift Aid automatically for UK taxpayers — every pound genuinely goes further. And if you are an organisation considering a partnership, we are happy to start with a conversation and a cup of tea.

We are always honest about what we need and what we can offer in return. Our volunteers consistently tell us that the relationship is one of the most rewarding they have — not because of what we give them, but because of what they discover they can give to someone else. If you have ever wondered whether you could make a difference in your own city, the answer is yes — and we can show you exactly how.

Get in touch today

Volunteers gathered in a training circle at a church hall, discussing their work — Volunteer training day, Edinburgh

Three ways to help

Find the right fit for you.

Every form of involvement matters. There is no hierarchy here — a regular cup of tea visit to an isolated neighbour and a major grant are both essential to what we do.

Volunteer

Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do — as befrienders, drop-in facilitators, health guide reviewers, and behind-the-scenes supporters. We provide full training, ongoing support, and the genuine satisfaction of making a consistent difference in someone's life.

Volunteer with us

Donate

As a registered Scottish charity, donations to Vibrant Health Advocates - Alpha are eligible for Gift Aid, meaning every pound you give goes further. Regular giving helps us plan ahead and sustain the programmes our members rely on week after week.

Make a donation

Partner With Us

We work with GP practices, community pharmacies, housing associations, faith communities, and local businesses who share our commitment to older residents' wellbeing. If your organisation has space, reach, expertise, or funding to offer, we would love to talk.

Start a conversation

Volunteering with us

What to expect as a volunteer.

Before you begin any volunteering role, you will attend a full induction day — usually three to four hours — covering safeguarding, confidentiality, an introduction to long-term health conditions, and what to do in different scenarios. For befriending volunteers, there is an additional half-day of relationship-skills training.

You will be supported throughout your involvement by our befriending coordinator or drop-in lead, depending on your role. We run regular volunteer gatherings — quarterly social evenings and an annual volunteer thank-you event — and we are always reachable by phone or email if something comes up between sessions.

We ask for a minimum commitment of six months, and we accommodate flexible schedules. Most befrienders give around two to three hours per week. Drop-in facilitators commit to one session per week of two to two-and-a-half hours. All expenses, including travel, are reimbursed.

Volunteers in training, listening attentively to a facilitator — Volunteer induction, community hall

Did you know?

As a registered Scottish charity, all donations are eligible for Gift Aid — adding 25p to every £1 you give, at no extra cost to you, as long as you are a UK taxpayer.