Creating a Nation of Volunteers
Our Strategic Activities
We launched our five-year strategy at our 2024 40th Anniversary AGM – creating a nation of volunteers strengthening Scotland’s communities – and now we’re putting it into action.
Through this new strategy, our national reach connects organisations across Scotland, fostering a shared approach to supporting volunteering. We will bring people together in sustainable ways, finding solutions to common challenges and increasing participation by addressing the question: “What will we all do to support increased participation in volunteering?”
A key focus is leading the Volunteering Action Plan (VAP) on behalf of the Scottish Government. This year, our efforts will centre on a re-focus plan to revitalise sector-wide engagement, ensuring that the VAP fulfils its ambition of supporting collaboration and driving participation to tackle the challenges facing the sector.
We’ll support organisations to recruit and retain volunteers, launch a Knowledge Gateway, amplify national campaigns, create a community space for volunteer organisers and embed inclusive volunteering practices across the sector. We’ll also track participation and demographic trends, using evidence to shape insights and strengthen our public policy voice on behalf of all volunteers, formal and informal.
This year, we’ll measure impact through our relationships, services and initiatives, asking stakeholders what difference we’ve made.
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Our Key Themes
Explore our year one activities, the impact we aim to achieve, and ways for members and stakeholders to get involved in the themed sections below (April 2025–2026).
Volunteering Action Plan (VAP) Engagement
Re-focusing VAP engagement to lead four priority actions for the Third Sector that aim to increase volunteer participation and address the challenges and opportunities in a changing volunteering landscape
What we will deliver
Volunteer Scotland (VS) leads the Sector’s engagement with the Volunteering Action Plan (VAP) on behalf of the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Unit (SG TSU).
As part of our new five-year strategy, we published a re-focus plan in September 2025 to outline our priorities for refocusing VAP actions related to volunteer participation. The plan will ensure partnerships and actions will address the challenges and opportunities highlighted within the current volunteering landscape.
Impact for Volunteering
VAP was launched during the global pandemic as a 10-year living plan, designed to be flexible to respond to societal challenges. The action plan therefore initially pivoted to respond to the cost-of-living crisis. The aftermath triggered a decline in formal volunteer participation and it is now showing signs of optimistic recovery. We are now re-focusing VAP engagement to support continued growth in participation and will lead four priority actions:
- Advocate to Scotland’s leaders to embed volunteering in policy and highlight its community impact.*
- Bring a broad range of decision makers around the table to commit to partnerships and actions that will invest in volunteering.
- Provide volunteer management support designed for a changing landscape.
- Promote volunteering and its many benefits across Scotland.
* Civil servants must remain politically impartial and avoid any activity that could compromise their neutrality. This includes restrictions on participation in political activities.
Who does this aim to support?
- National and regional intermediaries that support volunteering
- Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs)
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- We will lead a series of round tables with Third Sector Leaders, TSI’s, VS members, volunteers and a range of stakeholders to identify partnerships and outcomes that will invest in volunteering. By the end of March, publish the round table report, actions and accountability plan.
- We will work with SG TSU and existing VAP Action Group members to assess group relevance and re-prioritise activities to support growth.
- We will launch an event series focusing on increasing participation, culminating in a national conference.
- At this first VAP conference we want there to be a buzz of positivity and hope in the room. One that comes from the presence of a revitalised and stronger community for action, a belief that VAP can make a difference and from people who are proud to be showcasing ideas, initiatives, services, expertise and partnerships that exist to support the volunteering ecosystem.
How Volunteer Scotland Supports VAP Actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work we aim to deliver the following actions.
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National Engagement Work
National engagement work to increase volunteer participation and the delivery of volunteering related support.
What we will deliver
Strategic engagement that builds relationships to address the challenges and opportunities within the current volunteering landscape, re-vitalises the sector’s engagement with VAP and increases the visibility of the support, services and initiatives within the sector.
Who does this aim to support?
- National and regional intermediaries and organisations that facilitate volunteering, support volunteering through membership or via a network of VIOs and groups.
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
- Existing or prospective volunteers
Impact for volunteering
Our national reach means that we are a connecting point for organisations to come together with us and each other, creating a Scotland-wide approach to support and initiatives targeted at increasing inclusive volunteer participation in Scotland.
To best support the sector, we need to focus our engagement activities through the lens of the changing landscape of volunteer participation.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
By the end of year one, we’ll consolidate (at least) 5 new national relationships where we have agreed committed outcomes to:
- Increase volunteer participation across Scotland and/or
- Provide education and support to volunteer organisers relating to the changing landscape of volunteering Scotland. These will be with national and regional intermediaries and organisations that facilitate volunteering, support volunteering through membership or via a network of organisations and groups.
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National Campaigns
We lead national campaigns that highlight the value of volunteering, support sector needs, and expand opportunities for all.
National Recruitment Campaign
Elevate the National Volunteering Recruitment Campaign. #VolunteeringForAll
What we will deliver
The Volunteering for All National Recruitment Campaign has two aims: to give VIOs the tools and insights they need to boost participation, and to shift public perceptions by showcasing the diverse roles available across Scotland while highlighting volunteering’s relevance, accessibility and community impact.
It’s time to elevate this work by appointing PR and marketing expertise, securing sponsorship and gaining media interest. Together with stakeholders, we will create a plan to reach new audiences, amplify emotive stories and inspire more people to volunteer.
Who does this aim to support?
- General Public
- Existing and prospective volunteers
- Underrepresented and Marginalised Groups
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
- Employers
- Education organisations
Impact for Volunteering
The campaign exists to address the decline in formal adult volunteering and respond to the expressed needs of organisations to help them improve how they attract, recruit and support volunteers.
The campaign was launched on a strong foundation, but it now needs to be updated and amplified across Scotland to promote the many forms of volunteering and its benefits, challenge outdated perceptions and barriers to inclusion and ultimately grow and diversify Scotland’s volunteer base.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
We will appoint a PR and Campaigns expert to lead the development of a growth plan with the following high-level outcomes:
- Co-created between Volunteer Scotland (VS), Scottish Government (SG) Third Sector Unit (TSU), Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) and sector stakeholders.
- Consolidate partnerships with VIOs to promote themes of volunteering, focusing on the stories and wellbeing benefits of engaged volunteers.
- Refresh the marketing and communications plan.
- Identify and secure sponsorship and/or funding for media partners such as STV, BBC Scotland, Radio Broadcasters and Social Media Influencers.
We’ll baseline engagement in recruitment platforms by both volunteers and VIOs, looking for an increase as we move through thematic promotions and seek improvements to approach if growth is not apparent.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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Volunteers' Week
Volunteers' Week, UK level campaign coordination. #VolunteersWeek
What we will deliver
Volunteers’ Week provides a national moment each year across the UK, to celebrate volunteers and volunteering, boosting retention, inspiring new volunteers and building civic pride.
Volunteer Scotland leads this work across the UK, aligning with partners across the four nations to provide a single campaign website, accessible templates and resources, marketing and communication messaging, national PR & media impact and UK level sponsorship opportunities.
The campaign allows organisations to deliver their recognition events while keeping the national message strong and consistent. Work continues to ensure that Volunteers’ Week is a fixture in diaries and that it continues to thrive, whilst also aligning to other relevant campaigns, such as the Big Help Out, Power of Youth Day, Month of Communities etc.
Who does this aim to support?
- Volunteers
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
- Prospective volunteers
- Policy makers and leaders
- The general public
Impact for Volunteering
The campaign is the only national platform to publicly thank volunteers, promote the value and diversity of volunteering, and encourage greater understanding of volunteering and the many ways to get involved.
It supports the themes of recognition, inclusion, and diversity by showcasing the wide range of people who volunteer and the difference they make. Volunteers’ Week also encourages new participation, especially among underrepresented groups, by highlighting accessible and meaningful opportunities to get involved. Through collective action and shared celebration, Volunteers’ Week reinforces the value of volunteering.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- By the middle of year one, show the impact of Volunteers’ Week on volunteer participation, demonstrating an annual growth in campaign engagement and setting baselines and agree next steps and targets to ensure continued growth. By the middle of year one, develop a Communications & Engagement Plan for national recognition campaigns.
- By the middle of year one, review and refresh the national campaigns calendar on the Volunteer Scotland website, making sure it covers all recognition campaigns and strengthens partnerships.
- Early in the latter part of year one, launch Volunteers' Week '26 showcasing new developments and clear evidence of campaign growth.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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Inclusive Volunteering
Facilitating partnerships, initiatives and events to ensure that the principles and practice that result in inclusive volunteering are mainstreamed.
What we will deliver
Make your Mark is a multi-partner national membership campaign that supports everyone in Scotland to volunteer with history, culture and nature organisations, and in doing so aims to increase the number and diversity of volunteers across Scotland.
Make Your Mark has responded to the decline in volunteering and lack of diversity in heritage volunteering by creating a collaborative action-oriented model to mainstream inclusion principles across all activities to support and educate a growing community of volunteers, volunteer organisers and volunteer involving organisations (VIOs).
Volunteer Scotland has been a partner and Chair of the campaign since its design over 4 years ago. To enable knowledge sharing and championing of inclusive practice with Scotland’s VIOs, we are uniquely placed to target resources to support events and the creation of inclusion tools, provide expertise and facilitate connections between the heritage and broader voluntary and public sectors.
Who does this aim to support?
- Existing and prospective volunteers across Scotland
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) / volunteer organisers who work in both heritage and non-heritage settings
Impact for Volunteering
Through our partnership with Make Your Mark we’ll ensure that the tools, resources and events developed to support inclusive volunteering within the heritage sector are promoted and embedded across sectors: helping to educate VIOs so that they can improve their knowledge and become more inclusive and engage new audiences in their communities.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- Volunteer Scotland are working with Make Your Mark to create a second inclusion toolkit focused on the facilitation of Employee Supported Volunteering which will be launched as part of a National Framework for Employee Supported Volunteering. Similarly to all resources and tools delivered by Make Your Mark, it will be promoted to both the heritage and non-heritage VIOs.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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Practice Development
Through the Knowledge Gateway and sector-wide collaboration, we enable consistent standards, shared learning, and stronger volunteer management across Scotland.
What we will deliver
Volunteer Scotland’s under development Knowledge Gateway will be a trusted space that will link you to the tools you need to the tools you need to recruit, manage and support volunteers to enable quality and inclusive volunteering experiences.
Our Knowledge Gateway will support all sizes of volunteer-involving groups and organisations across all sectors, from grassroots to multinational organisations. Whether you are engaging with volunteers through a paid or unpaid role, or you are supporting a new or well-established volunteer programme, The Knowledge Gateway will connect you to the support you need, such as:
- Practical guidance, advice and tools
- Investing in Volunteers and The Volunteer Charter
- Our new consultancy, mentoring, training and research service
- Our new Volunteering Practitioner Community
- Support for your conferences, events and workshops
- Guidance, advice and tools provided by trusted suppliers
Who does this aim to support?
- Volunteering practitioners in paid or unpaid roles
- Volunteer Involving Organisations across all sectors and locations
- National and regional intermediaries
Impact for Volunteering
The Knowledge Gateway will support Scotland’s community of volunteer organisers by creating an open space to access and share sector-wide knowledge and expertise in one place, and in doing so promote the skills, tools and relationships needed to equip volunteer organisers to broaden audience engagement, increase participation and raise standards in volunteering.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- By the end of the year, we will launch the Knowledge Gateway on our website.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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National Framework for Employer Supported Volunteering
Collaborate with partners to develop a national framework for Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV)
What we will deliver
Working with the Scottish Government and a range of partners, we are leading the development of a National Framework for Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV); which aims to increase the awareness, understanding and participation in ESV. We’ll bring the framework to life by creating an ESV ‘online resource hub’, with access to:
- An ESV Development Network that will inform good practice and share the stories of the people and organisations who benefit from ESV
- A toolbox for organisations that want to build or enhance their ESV programmes, or begin hosting ESV volunteers
- Investing in Volunteers, a trusted UK quality standard that’ll be newly applied to ESV
- Bespoke support and local advice and brokerage, including signposting to TSIs active in this area
- National recruitment portals and organisations who facilitate ESV relationships
- ESV events and knowledge sharing initiatives
- Useful research and policy materials
Who does this aim to support?
- National and regional intermediaries
- Private, third and public sector organisations that engage, or want to engage, with ESV and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) that can provide volunteer opportunities.
Impact for Volunteering
A national framework is needed to provide strategic direction, promote good practice, and support more meaningful, inclusive, and impactful ESV across Scotland. There are potentially thousands of employees that can be mobilised into volunteering across Scotland.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- Early in year one, we've established a new ESV VAP Action Group, launched a new ESV Development Network and Make Your Mark have started to shape the programme of engagement that will inform the toolbox.
- We are working with the Scottish Government to explore and support their opportunities to make an impact in the ESV space.
- By the latter part of year one, the Development Network and a series of 'task and finish' partnerships will inform the toolbox and components of the hub such as piloting IiV for ESV and mapping local brokerage and national recruitment portals.
- Towards the end of year one, we'll lead a second action orientated ESV event at the 2026 Gathering (following on from the 2025 evidence and insights event).
- By the end of year one we will launch the framework.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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Research
Provide research and evaluation that provides insight into all aspects of volunteering
What we will deliver
Production and analysis of research on volunteering with actions and insights for communities and groups. We’ll publish the ‘State of Volunteering in Scotland’ report that pulls together insights from all of our analysis in 2025/2026 into tangible takeaway messages for the sector.
These insights include analysis from the Scottish Household Survey, SCVO’s Third Sector Tracker, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Health and Wellbeing Survey and through leadership of the Scottish Network for Volunteering Research.
Who does this aim to support?
- The Scottish Government
- Local and national infrastructure bodies (including the TSI Network)
- Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs)
- Umbrella and membership organisations representing volunteer-involving organisations
- The volunteering research community
Impact for Volunteering
Through our research work, the volunteering sector will be informed with the latest evidence on volunteer participation and the volunteer experience, which will ensure that discussion and decision-making around emerging issues and challenges will be informed by a rigorous evidence base.
This will also support funding priorities and policies to be based on evidenced needs and that actions, programmes and services related to volunteering are evidence-based.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- By the latter part of year one, we will publish an in-depth analysis of volunteer participation data from the 2023 Scottish Household Survey.
- By the end of year one, we will publish a preliminary analysis of the 2024 Scottish Household Survey, including an updated volunteer participation rate and commentary on the trend in declining volunteer participation.
- We will also publish the 'State of Volunteering in Scotland' report towards the end of year one, with key headlines of 2025/2026 trends, statistics and challenges.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
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Policy
Public policy engagement representing the voice and interests of Scotland’s spectrum of volunteers
What we will deliver
We proactively advocate for the contribution of volunteers and volunteering in key priority policy areas to be understood by decision-makers and reflected in relevant policy. We do this through our policy influencing work, including consultation responses and briefings, the Cross-Party Group on Volunteering and leading the Policy Champions Network.
Volunteer Scotland runs the Policy Champions Network (PCN) as an action group of the Volunteering Action Plan. The PCN exists to increase the visibility and presence of volunteering in local and national policy across all relevant sectors.
We currently have over 100 members of the PCN, covering a wide range of individuals and organisations engaged with volunteering. Members are invited to engage through consultation events and surveys and, when appropriate, are invited to join working groups for specific topic areas based on their expertise.
Who does this aim to support?
The network is open to a wide range of individuals and organisations with an interest in receiving relevant policy updates and informing how policy related to volunteering is developed. The PCN aims to influence policy teams across the Scottish Government and wider public sector.
Impact for Volunteering
The Policy Champions Network (PCN) uses collective experience of the volunteering sector to identify policy priorities and inform policy content and contributes to the policy output of organisations with dedicated policy capacity and a volunteering remit.
We map and monitor policy and influence work related to volunteering, and influence policy teams across the Scottish Government and wider public sector.
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- Throughout the year we engage with the PCN on relevant policy topics, both proactively and in response to consultations or emerging trends.
- We will host at least four consultation events with the PCN to influence our policy publications, and we aim to publish at least six consultation responses or briefings.
- Building on our Education and Skills briefing published last year, and developed in partnership with the PCN, we have been invited to participate in the Personal Achievement group of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, will attend the Saltire Awards steering group and will review the briefing for new follow up actions.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
How to get involved
Youth Volunteering National Response
By working collaboratively, we will develop a national response that reimagines youth volunteering in Scotland, ensuring young people are inspired, supported and empowered to contribute.
What we will deliver
A high-level scope for a national response to the current challenges facing Youth Volunteering.
This will involve first agreeing the challenges facing Youth Volunteering with partner organisations; identifying the main stakeholders and delivery agents involved; and agreeing the scope of potential joint work that address the challenge and any perceived gaps and opportunities for increased impact.
At this stage we categorise this initiative as being ‘engagement with a purpose’.
Who does this aim to support?
- Young Volunteers and prospective volunteers
- Youth Volunteer Involving Organisations
- Youth Work National Intermediaries
- Youth Volunteering Awarding Bodies
- Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs)
Impact for Volunteering
The demographic profile of Scotland’s volunteers is changing as reported in our ‘State of Scottish Volunteering Report‘ and 16-34 year olds show the largest ‘age-related’ decline. Furthermore, recent Youth VIP research highlights some of the factors which make volunteering less appealing and engaging for younger potential volunteers.
The national response will focus on impacts for young people that:
- Increase awareness of volunteering
- Provide better access to volunteering
- Improve experiences of volunteering
- Encourage volunteering over a longer duration and/or more regularly
Key Outcomes and Milestones
- By the latter part of year one, we will frame the agreed 'challenge' within Youth Volunteering.
- Towards the end of year one, undertake a desk review of youth volunteering in Scotland research and data sources to identify trends and research gaps, and make recommendations for future research in this area.
- By the end of year one, lead on the co-creation of a high-level response plan involving sector stakeholders.
Supporting VAP through our actions
The Volunteering Action Plan sets out 49 actions. Through our work in this themed area, we aim to deliver the following action(s).
Get involved
Disclosure Services
Supporting the voluntary sector to create safe environments for volunteering
What we will deliver
We will continue to support the voluntary sector to create safe environments for volunteering by providing access to free disclosure checks for volunteers and processing paid staff applications for qualifying organisations. Our aim is to help organisations meet their safeguarding responsibilities and comply with legislation while removing unnecessary barriers to volunteering.
Ensuring Compliance and Good Practice
We will provide ongoing training, updates, and support visits to ensure that enrolled organisations stay informed and aligned with current safeguarding legislation and best practice. As legal requirements evolve, we will work closely with organisations to help them understand and implement necessary changes.
Free, High-Quality Services for the Sector
We will continue to provide free disclosure checks for volunteers and maintain a streamlined, supportive application process for organisations, reducing administrative burden and enabling a focus on inclusive and effective volunteer recruitment.
Supporting Safer Recruitment
We will facilitate access to PVG scheme membership and disclosure checks to ensure that unsuitable individuals are not recruited into regulated roles with children and protected adults. This includes guidance on role eligibility and navigating the requirements of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
Dedicated Teams Offering Expert Guidance
Our three customer-facing teams, Enrolment and Assessment, Customer Operations, and Training and Compliance, will continue to deliver high-quality support, from initial registration through to application processing, training delivery, and good practice reviews.