Volunteering Focus - 08 October

An exciting newsletter this week with some good news and exciting opportunities:

First to the great news: according to the Scottish Household Survey 2024, volunteering has seen an optimistic increase, with participation jumping from 18% to 25% and more young people getting involved than ever before. While this is great news, there’s still work to be done to make volunteering inclusive for everyone.

Excitingly, big events like the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are already calling for over 3,000 volunteers to help deliver an unforgettable experience — a perfect chance to gain new skills and be part of something historic.

At the same time, local initiatives such as our Vaping Awareness Session for Volunteer Managers are supporting young volunteers through education and wellbeing-focused training. Together, these efforts show Scotland’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive, and health-conscious volunteering community.

Read on to learn more on all of the above and more!

 

Evidence of increase in volunteering nationally from the Scottish Household Survey

Volunteer Scotland is cautiously optimistic that volunteer participation in Scotland is showing early signs of recovery after a period of decline.

After formal volunteer participation dropped to its lowest recorded level of 18% in 2023, the latest Scottish Household Survey results for 2024 show positive changes, with 25% of adults in Scotland volunteering with a group, club or organisation in 2024. This means the number of volunteers in Scotland increased by 331,000 between 2023 and 2024.

These results point to the beginning of recovery for Scotland’s voluntary sector following the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis, with the formal volunteer participation rate just one-percentage point shy of the rate of 26% in 2019. We are particularly encouraged to see a nine-percentage point increase in formal volunteering among the 16-34 age group.
 
Read the full statement from Volunteer Scotland here: http://volunteerscotland.net/news/scottish-household-survey-2024
 
We’re keen to hear if this trend is reflective in Renfrewshire. Get in touch with us to chat through any changes and challenges.

 

Become a Volunteer Digital Champion! Ready to spark confidence and curiosity in your community? As a Digital Champion, you’ll help library learners unlock the power of the devices they already own, boosting their digital skills and transforming everyday tech into something empowering.
 
You don’t need to be a tech whiz, just comfortable with digital tools and passionate about helping others. Working  side-by-side with friendly library staff, you’ll make digital learning more accessible, engaging, and fun for everyone involved.
 
Whether it’s showing someone how to send their first email or navigate online services, your support could be life changing.
 
Interested in inspiring others to build their digital confidence? We’d love to hear from you!

Fill out our expression of interest form and take the first step toward making a real difference.

Do you have a volunteer project coming up over the festive period? Looking for some short term volunteers to join for gift wrapping sessions? Support for festive parties or community lunches?

Remember our Team Kinetic platform is free to use for all Engage Renfrewshire members and now has over 2000 local residents registered.

Use the platform to promote your opportunity, engage your volunteers, and even manage their training and shifts.  

Get in touch today to learn more: info@engagerenfrewshire.com

Supporting Young Volunteers - Vaping Awareness Session

Continuing our Supporting Young Volunteers Series of training, mark your calendars for our next session – 4th November
Join us and HSCP colleagues for this interactive session. This is particularly for volunteer managers working with young people, including young volunteers.

This training will:

• Provide up-to-date information on vaping trends and use among young people
• Increase knowledge and confidence to discuss the health and environmental impacts of vaping
• Share resources and signpost where to find further information and support

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supporting-young-volunteers-vaping-awareness-session-tickets-1692946993029

Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026 team are looking for over 3,000 enthusiastic, diverse and motivated individuals to help deliver 11 days of action, which will celebrate the best of Commonwealth Games sport. 

A host of different roles are available to those who wish to be involved ahead of, as well as during Glasgow 2026. 

There are some eligibility criteria to consider, namely:

• You must be over 16 to apply
• You must be available for the full duration of the games 23 July – 2 August 2026
• You should also be available for mandatory training in the lead up to the games

 Full details and FAQ are available on the website: https://www.glasgow2026.com/get-involved/volunteering

Young Scotland Awards - awards pricing changes update

Do you engage with any of the Youth Scotland Awards– Hi5, Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards - to recognise youth achievement?

If so please be aware that there are slight price increases coming in 2026.
 
What’s Changing – Effective 1st January 2026: 

Hi5 Award 

• Digital booklet: £7.00 
• Hard copy booklet: £8.00 

Dynamic Youth Award 

• Digital booklet: £7.00 
• Hard copy booklet: £8.00 

Youth Achievement Award 

• Digital booklet: £19.00 

 
A reminder: Booklets (digital or hard copy) are valid for 24 months (2 years) from the date of purchase.

If you’d like more information about the awards developments, support, or services, please visit: Youth Scotland Awards