Volunteering Focus - 03 December

December?  Already? 

It may be chilly but there are lots of lovely festive decorations on display in your communities to warm your heart.

This week, we focus on the Volunteer Managers Forum, festive volunteer opportunities and some upcoming training courses.

If you have anything you would like to feature in the next newsletter, I’m just an email away.

Save the Date! Volunteer Managers Forum – Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Our first Volunteer Managers Forum of 2026—and it’s my very first as your Volunteer Development Officer!

This is a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and shape the year ahead together.  

Got a topic you’d like to discuss? Please do get in touch. 

Register here

We are looking for volunteers who can help Care Experienced people who may feel lonely and isolated this Christmas.

Our Christmas Volunteers will assist in providing transport to and from the venue on Christmas day. Pickups from 10.30am (depending on location) and drop offs will start at 3pm.

This role will involve interacting with people aged 18 plus through providing a memorable day for so many on a day that can be extremely challenging.

Who Cares? Scotland is a people organisation. We invest in our people, our relationships and in a positive working culture. It’s important to us that our volunteer team is included, involved and motivated to change society.

Christmas Day Driver Volunteer

Festive Season Calendar

We know that winter can be a tough time for some, especially around Christmas and New Year. While some people take a break from services, others might feel more isolated or need a bit of extra support. That’s why we’ve gathered a range of activities from different groups across Renfrewshire all in one place.

Whether you’re looking for something social, relaxing, or just a reason to get out and about, we hope this programme helps you stay connected and feel a little more supported this season.

View it here

Funding

Grants of up to £250,000 Available to Support Scotland's most Vulnerable People

The Bank of Scotland has announced that its Empower programme has reopened for applications. The aim of the fund is to improve the quality of life for Scotland’s most vulnerable people. This includes people impacted by a range of factors such as their social, economic, geographic location, or physical circumstances. Examples of vulnerability can include education barriers, mobility/transport issues, learning disabilities, family-related challenges, poverty, housing and employment difficulties, and poor mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Empower Programme offers three to five year unrestricted grants of £250,000 (£50,000 per annum) to help small and local charities continue to provide their vital services and become more sustainable. The funding can be used towards core costs, delivery costs, project costs and/or general running costs, enabling charities to use their funding in the most effective way. The programme is open to charities with an annual income of between £150,000 and £500,000. There is only a short application window and the closing date is 12 noon on the 10 December 2025.

Volunteer Scotland

Volunteer Scotland invite you to join in this FREE workshop where we will discuss the Quality Standards available in Scotland, and provide you with more information on the products, the standards, process and the difference this can make to volunteers experience. This workshop will help you make the right development step for your volunteer programme.

Quality Standards in Volunteering Tickets, Thu, Dec 18, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Team Kinetic

AI and Volunteering Webinar – 14 January 2026

Community of Practice are offering a FREE webinar to all TeamKinetic users.

AI & Volunteering will offer an accessible introduction to the AI landscape, exploring what’s emerging across the non-profit sector and what it might mean for volunteering.

Community of Practice: AI & Volunteering Tickets, Wed, Jan 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite