Volunteering Focus - 11 March

SPRING IS HERE!

Welcome to our latest digital update on all things volunteering.  We have a few exciting events coming up next month.  Read on for all the details.

Volunteer Managers Forum 

01 April 2026
10:00–11:30am
Engage Renfrewshire & Online (Hybrid)

Our next Volunteer Managers Forum will take place on 01 April at Engage Renfrewshire, and we’re pleased to offer this as a hybrid session, giving you the option to join in person or online.

This will be our last Forum before Volunteers Week 2026 so there will be a strong focus on plans and how we can all work together to celebrate all our fabulous volunteers.  It would be lovely to hear some stories of celebration events over the years.  If anyone would like to share their story, let me know.

The agenda will be shared soon, but as always, expect useful discussion, peer support, and updates relevant to anyone involved in managing or coordinating volunteers across Renfrewshire.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Eventbrite link - In Person sign up

Eventbrite link - Hybrid sign up 

We look forward to seeing you there!

30 April 2026
Tannahill Centre



Engage Renfrewshire is delighted to host our Spring Volunteers Fair on 30 April at the Tannahill Centre.

Volunteer Fairs are a fantastic opportunity to:

• Showcase your volunteering opportunities to potential volunteers
• Connect with fellow volunteer managers
• Raise awareness of the amazing work your organisation does

We still have a few stalls available — but they’re going fast!  If you’d like to book one, get in touch as soon as you can.

Please help us spread the word!
 

Young Trustees

Are you looking for new trustees?  Trustee recruitment can be challenging.  Have you considered inviting young people to your Board? Research shows that charity boards are around 92% white, with an average age of 60 and 18–24-year-olds only account for less than 0.5% of all charity trustees.

Diversity on a board allows for more robust decision making, and a diversity of experience is key to this. Young people are able to bring energy, commitment and fresh perspective to direct a charity. This also gives young people the opportunity to build their skills and experience, which in turn will put them in a better place to be the leaders of charities in the future.

Young Trustees Movement have released a recruitment checklist on how to recruit young people on to your board. 

Get Involved | Young Trustees Movement

For more guidance on Trustee recruitment, visit VolunteerWiki
Recruiting Trustees - VolunteerWiki

 

Volunteers needed to be part of an exciting Digital Inclusion project 

We’re excited to share an opportunity for you to help shape an innovative digital inclusion e-learning programme being developed in Renfrewshire. 
 
This Renfrewshire e-Learning project aims to create a consistent understanding of digital inclusion across multiple sectors, ensuring equitable and accessible learning for people throughout Scotland.  
 
The e-learning tool will support organisations in signposting individuals to the right help at the right time, making digital inclusion more effective and inclusive. 
 
Why this matters for your organisation and communities 
Builds a shared understanding of digital inclusion across sectors 
Supports tenants, service users and learners to do more online 
Informs practical, accessible learning for frontline teams and partners 
 
What’s involved 
Just one hour of your time 
Online via Microsoft Teams or in person - **your choice** 
Flexible scheduling to suit your availability 
 
What we’re looking for 
 8 volunteers to review content and share feedback (frontline staff, community workers, managers - all welcome) 
 
How to get involved 
Please email csresearch@gov.scot by Friday 20 March 2026 to confirm your interest. 
 
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your colleagues & Networks, as appropriate, who may be interested.  
 
Your insights will ensure the resource reflects real-world needs - supporting tenants, residents and service users to confidently access online services and opportunities and will help create a practical tool that supports digital inclusion across Renfrewshire and Scotland. 

Nominations close: 17 March 2026 at 12 noon

Would you like to nominate one or more of your volunteers?  You've just over a week left to apply for this year's Scottish Charity Awards

Apply - Scottish Charity Awards - SCVO

The awards are free to enter and there are multiple award categories to showcase your achievements. Every finalist will also be gifted two complimentary tickets to attend our celebratory awards ceremony on Thursday 11 June at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow.

Unpaid work in the community 

Community justice is where people who have broken the law are held to account and supported to reconnect and contribute to their communities. Where it is safe to do so, people who commit certain crimes receive community-based sentences. The evidence shows community justice can help people stop breaking the law again leading to fewer victims and safer communities.

Unpaid Work is one of the ways individuals give back to their community. People can be required to complete between 20 and 300 hours of activity that has clear community benefit. 

Read more about Unpaid Work here