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Volunteering Focus - 22 April
Hello everyone, and welcome to our latest
Volunteering Focus Newsletter!
How quickly is this year going? It’ll be Christmas before we know it!
Whether you’re recruiting, supporting volunteers, or finding a moment to pause and reflect, this newsletter is here for you. Inside, you’ll find updates, upcoming training, volunteer opportunity adverts, and news and resources for Volunteers’ Week. And, of course, a reminder about our upcoming Spring Volunteer Fair!
30 April 2026
Tannahill Centre
Just 8 days to go! ????
Please continue to spread the word.
If you weren’t able to secure a stall, I’ve set aside space to display volunteer opportunity adverts on the day. If you’d like me to share an advert on your behalf, please get in touch.
Volunteers’ Week is all about recognising and saying thank you to the millions of people who make a difference through volunteering, however and whenever they give their time.
Volunteer Scotland has launched a range of resources to help you celebrate your volunteers in creative and impactful ways. Now is a great time to start thinking about your social media campaign and how you want to say, ‘thank you’. Consider sharing a few case studies, inviting volunteers to tell their own stories, and highlighting your organisation’s volunteering journey.
Celebrating the Benefits of Volunteering this Volunteers’ Week!
Resources
Understanding Volunteer Experience in Scotland: Insights from the 2025 Workforce Survey
Volunteers continue to play a vital role at the heart of Scotland’s voluntary sector, supporting organisations in the context of increasing demand, complex community needs, and ongoing recruitment challenges. The 2025 Scottish Voluntary Sector Workforce Survey provides one of the most comprehensive and up‑to‑date insights into who volunteers are, what motivates them, and the conditions that enable them to thrive. An interesting read with some useful insights.
DWP Community 10k
Community 10,000 is DWPs (Department for Work and Pensions) Employer Supported Volunteering initiative. It gives staff the opportunity to give back to their community as well as see firsthand the amazing work charities deliver.
We work with a broad range of organisations who offer a variety of roles to DWP colleagues, including those of a practical, hands-on nature as well as those that are more skills based.
If your organisation would like to offer a volunteering opportunity to DWPs staff, please get in touch with Jacqueline Mackenzie at community.10k@dwp.gov.uk
Cats Protections is the UKs leading cat charity dedicated to rescuing, rehoming and supporting the welfare of cats and kittens. They are currently seeking fundraisers. Could you help?
Knit or Crochet for us!
If you can help us by knitting teddies and blankets or crocheting butterflies, here are a few ways you can get involved:
- Join our Facebook Craft Group Community, where you will be welcomed by thousands of Simba knitters.
- Visit our website, where you can download the knitting patterns and our colour wheel (scan the QR code on the attached poster)
- Call our Simba office on 0131 353 0055
Five-year PVG scheme
As of 1 April 2026, Disclosure Scotland has introduced a new five-year membership period for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. This change ensures scheme membership remains current and supports safeguarding by keeping information up to date.
An update has been published on the Disclosure Scotland website alongside a statement from its Chief Executive.
Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020: A statement from our Chief Executive – Disclosure Scotland
Five-year PVG scheme membership now in place – Disclosure Scotland
Trustee recruitment
Trustee recruitment can be challenging. These workshops are designed to equip charities with the tools and confidence needed to develop and implement a successful trustee recruitment programme.
This series of two online workshops will support a cohort of up to eight charities to prepare for and launch trustee recruitment activity. The programme includes guidance on using LinkedIn as a key method for reaching a wider and more diverse pool of potential trustees.
Workshop dates
- Workshop 1: Monday 28 April, 10:00–11:00
- Workshop 2: Monday 12 May, 10:00–11:00
Between Workshop 1 and Workshop 2, participants will be asked to complete follow‑up actions to progress the action plan developed during the first session.
By the end of the programme, participating charities will be ready to put into action a structured and effective trustee recruitment approach.
Pre‑work for Workshop 1
Participants should ensure they have a copy of their charity’s governing document available to refer to during the online workshop.
Eligibility
Your organisation is well suited to join this cohort if you can answer YES to all of the following:
- We are a Scottish charity listed on the OSCR Charity Register, with no late‑filing red flags recorded after 2022.
- We are constituted as either a SCIO or a company limited by guarantee.
- At least one person in our organisation has an active LinkedIn account and is comfortable posting on LinkedIn, which will be a key communication channel during the recruitment “go‑live” stage.
(If your organisation does not currently use LinkedIn, you must be willing to create an account prior to the first workshop.)
How to apply
All responses must be received by 5:00pm on Friday 24 April. Places are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with a maximum of eight charities. A reserve list will be maintained.
A Microsoft Teams link will be sent to confirmed participants in advance of the workshop.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trustee-recruitment-support-tickets-1986214486998?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Canva Training
Canva is an all‑in‑one online design tool that enables users to create professional‑quality graphics, presentations, leaflets, and digital content, as well as edit photos and videos. I have used Canva to design a range of materials, including the Volunteer Fair poster, which was created entirely using this platform.
This webinar introduces the basics of designing with Canva. I highly recommend it!
Introduction to Canva | Business Gateway