Volunteer Focus - 13 August

Good Morning all

Hello and welcome to our first volunteering-focused newsletter of August – and also my last one as I’ll be moving on from my role as Volunteer Development Officer next Thursday (21st).

It’s been such a pleasure supporting you with all things volunteer development over the past 18 months. I’ve loved working with so many passionate, dedicated people and have learned a great deal from you along the way.

If you’ve got any projects or pieces of work coming up that you’d like a bit of help with, please do get in touch so I can make sure it’s covered in my handover and you continue to get the right support.

Thank you again for everything you do. It’s been a privilege to work alongside you, and I wish you and your wonderful volunteers every success for the future, I hope our paths will cross again.

As part of Renfrewshire Employability Month, this edition of the Volunteer Managers Forum will focus on the theme ‘Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment’.

Volunteering plays a crucial role in helping individuals develop the confidence, skills and experience needed to take the next step in their journey towards employment. This session will explore how you, as a volunteer-involving organisation, can strengthen that pathway and better support volunteers with employability ambitions.

We’re delighted to be hosting this forum in a new venue – the Russell Institute in Paisley – home to Invest in Renfrewshire, our local employability service. We’ll be joined by Margo from the Invest team, who will share an overview of the support they can offer to volunteers who are ready to explore job or training opportunities. Margo will also discuss how organisations can strengthen their employability focus by offering formal recognition of volunteers’ contributions and achievements.

There will also be time for networking, peer learning and open discussion around the challenges and opportunities of supporting volunteers on their employability journey. Tea, coffee and breakfast rolls will be available on arrival – we look forward to welcoming you for an engaging and informative morning.

Sign up here

This training is designed for entire boards that want to better support young trustees and embed inclusive practices across their organisation. Delivered over two 2.5-hour sessions, the workshops cover:

• Debunking common myths about having young people on boards
• Using the Conversations Toolkit to help build a positive, supportive board culture
• Practical approaches to inclusive working
• Strategies for attracting a more diverse pool of board applicants

The cost is £750 per board, making it ideal for busy teams who want to create spaces where everyone can thrive.

You can register your interest in Board Boost and/or Across the Board by completing this short form. If you have any questions, contact hello@youngtrusteesmovement.org.

Register here

Thank you to those of you who have signed up to our Development Day, due to the time of year and a lot of people off on Summer Holidays we have decided to reschedule the Development Day from August 20 to Tuesday 23 September.
This development day is aimed at Volunteer Managers and co-ordinators in Renfrewshire who directly support – or whose organisation supports – young people.

We are delighted to have presentations from Ygam (Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust), a smoking and vaping awareness workshop hosted by Renfrewshire HSCP and finally NilbyMouth – whose session will explore how volunteer managers and co-ordinators can support staff and volunteers to navigate issues around religion and belief in Scotland, with a particular focus on sectarianism and its impact on communities.

Session 1: Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust
Session 2: Smoking and Vaping Information Session Renfrewshire HSCP
Session 3: NilbyMouth

What will you gain from attending?
Attending this development day offers a range of valuable benefits for individuals who support young people. Participants will gain up-to-date knowledge on emerging risks such as gaming and gambling harms, as well as smoking and vaping trends, enabling them to stay informed and better support young people. The sessions will provide practical tools and resources that can be used in everyday work, including workshop ideas and signposting options. Attendees will also build confidence in having meaningful conversations about sensitive or complex issues. In addition, the day will raise awareness of how to promote inclusion and challenge sectarianism, helping to create safer and more respectful environments. Finally, the event offers a chance to network with peers and local organisations, encouraging the sharing of best practice and the strengthening of partnerships across Renfrewshire.

You can find out more information about our presentations through the below links:

https://ygam.org/training/
https://www.nilbymouth.org/

Looking to get involved, make a difference, or just curious about volunteering?
Come and join us at CHSS Volunteer Information Afternoon: Discover, Connect & Join!
 
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Date: 24 September 2025
Location: Nicolson Square Venues, 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX
 
Whether you are interested in volunteering or just looking for something fun to do, we would love to see you here!
 
Come by for:

• Meet our friendly teams
• Explore ways to get involved
• Enjoy free tea, coffee & biscuits
• Discover how volunteering could fit into your life

The event is totally free - you can sign up here or just drop in on the day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at: volunteering@chss.org.uk
 
Bring a friend, or just come as you are, we would love to meet you.