The Volunteer Charter Reaches 250 Charter Champions
In June 2023, Volunteer Scotland relaunched the Volunteer Charter with the goal of reaching as many organisations and individuals as possible who share the vision of creating a positive volunteer experience for every volunteer. The Charter sets out key principles to ensure volunteers are valued, supported, and recognised for their contributions. As of October 2024, there are now 250 Charter Champions, ranging from Volunteer Centres/TSIs, MSPs, Volunteer Involving Organisations, volunteer-run groups, councils, NHS Boards, and more.
Are you a Charity Trustee? Then you have a rich and enthralling history.
To celebrate Trustees’ Week, Dr Shirley Otto shares the heritage of trusteeship in the UK – as far back as 1601! Dr Shirley Otto is a specialist in charity governance and her academic research focuses on the history of trustees.
Volunteers in Resilient Communities
It is the start of November, the clocks have changed, the leaves are falling, and we’ve already had our first named storm of the year. Winter is just around the corner.
Important Update: Application Links & Applicants Journey
Disclosure Scotland are making changes to the online system that will impact the generation of application links and your applicants journey. These changes will be live from 18th November.
Volunteer Scotland Statement: UK Government Budget
The impact of yesterday’s UK Government Budget on volunteering in Scotland has required a fair amount of reading between the lines. Much of the policy related to volunteering in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government, and we’ll need to wait until December for that budget!
SCVO Webinar – New laws on disclosure and safeguarding: make sure you’re ready
Join us on the 4th December online with SCVO and Disclosure Scotland to find out more about the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. Get informed of the key changes and what they might mean for you.
Volunteer Leadership – A balancing act
There are many factors that shape volunteer management – and the dynamic relationship between volunteer managers and volunteers is one of them. New research looking at the lived experience of volunteer managers and volunteers gives us insight into best practice.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 – what do you need to know and do now?
We wanted to provide you an update on the progress of the implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 and share what you need to know and do now.
A missed opportunity with the Hayward Review response
When the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment was published back in June 2023, I was excited. Professor Hayward recognised the need for a qualifications system that better recognised the wider achievements of learners.
Can volunteering help tackle low youth voter turnout?
Young people throughout Europe, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, are increasingly unlikely to vote in national elections. This blog discusses recent research showing that volunteering can help connect young people – particularly those from poorer backgrounds – with electoral politics, but that the benefits are greater for young men than young women . Volunteer-involving organisations with young people have a crucial role to play in encouraging youth voter turnout.
Launch of the ‘Volunteering For All National Recruitment Campaign’
We are thrilled to unveil the National Recruitment Campaign, a transformative initiative under the Volunteering Action Plan. This dynamic and collaborative campaign aims to energise Volunteer-Involving Organisations (VIOs) across Scotland, empowering them to overcome recruitment challenges and boost volunteer engagement.
Your Duty to Refer
Volunteers and charities play an important role in today’s society and make an excellent contribution to enhancing the lives of children and protected adults. However, what happens when this goes wrong?
Volunteering in Education and Skills: our recommendations for change
In July last year, I wrote a blog exploring where volunteering might fit in a shifting education and skills landscape. Despite little explicit reference of volunteering in any of the reviews exploring different aspects of this sector in Scotland, I spotted a few glimmers of hope. There was a broad emphasis on vocational or community-based learning, which is where volunteering has the potential to really shine.
CHAS Achieves Significant Milestone with 6th IiV Renewal
Today at Rachel House, representatives from Volunteer Scotland presented Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) with their seventh Investing in Volunteers (IiV) Award (sixth renewal).
‘How are we doing?’ is just the start: our latest Stakeholder Survey Report
Each year Volunteer Scotland asks our stakeholders – ‘how are we doing?’, ‘what’s your experience of us?’ and, ‘in what ways can we improve?’.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 changes – are you ready?
It’s less than nine months to go until most of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 (the Disclosure Act) will be implemented. Are you and your organisation prepared?
Aberdeen celebrates significant sign-ups to the Volunteer Charter
Today in Aberdeen city centre, the Chair of NHS Grampian and a Councillor for Aberdeen City Council met representatives from ACVO and Volunteer Scotland to celebrate their commitment to the Volunteer Charter, marking a significant milestone in promoting the spirit of volunteering.
When does sharing lived experience become volunteering?
On the 4th June, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, made a speech to parliament detailing his vision for reform in this sector. Crucially, this work will be underpinned by a government-led national engagement, seeking the views and experiences of people at the heart of these services. He closed his speech by saying ‘our task now centres on listening, and delivery’.