Volunteering Focus - 30 July

Supporting Young Volunteers Development Day – 20 August

Calling all volunteer managers and co-ordinators in Renfrewshire! Join us for a lively day of learning, discussion and networking, all focused on supporting young volunteers.
We’ve lined up three engaging sessions:

YGAM – understanding gaming and gambling harms
Renfrewshire HSCP – the latest on smoking and vaping trends
NilbyMouth – tackling sectarianism and promoting inclusion

You’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical tools and the confidence to support young people through today’s challenges, plus the chance to connect with others working across Renfrewshire.

Book your place here

Who Cares? Scotland has been supporting care experienced people since 1978 and now has a membership of over 3,000 across the country. Volunteers play a vital role in helping the charity deliver its wide range of services, from running participation groups and supporting events to providing essential transport as volunteer drivers.

Volunteer Opportunity - Volunteer Mini Bus Driver
Transport is one of the biggest barriers our young people face in being able to attend their group. This role has a focus on picking up young people and driving them to our office in St. James street, Paisley where the group is based and then returning them home after the session. Pick-ups are based in Ferguslie Park and Linwood. This role will involve interacting with primary aged young people at our fortnightly sessions as well as at our National events that happen throughout the year.  There could be opportunities to support the group work between pickups and drops offs.

What will I be doing?

• Picking up young people and driving them to the group then returning them home.
• Supporting youth group sessions
• Supporting young people’s sense of belonging and connection
• Building community ties, ensuring Care Experienced people are welcomed within communities 
• Helping children and young people to have fun
• Building children and young people’s confidence and self esteem
• Being a positive role model

When will I be needed?

• Regular groups and events
• Groups every Tuesday. Alternates between a group of primary school age children one week and secondary school age the next.
• Group times are 5pm til 6.30pm and 6pm until 7.30pm.  Drivers would need to be available 30 minutes before for pick ups and some time after for drops offs.

Apply for this opportunity through our website

I’m pleased to share that the Scottish Government’s Volunteering Support Fund 2025–27 is now open for applications, managed by Impact Funding Partners Volunteering Support Fund 2025 - 2027  - Impact Funding Partners. The fund aims to help small and medium third‑sector organisations in Scotland to recruit new or expand existing volunteering projects, with a strong focus on improving volunteer support. Key details below:
 
Who can apply – third‑sector organisations, community groups, SCIOs, CICs with income up to £250,000

Grant size – up to £20k over the fund period (max £6k in 2025–26, £14k in 2026–27)

Outcomes:

1. Broaden volunteer diversity (eg disabled, ethnic minorities, those facing barriers)
2. Boost skills & personal development via volunteering
3. Enhance organisations’ capacity to support, train & deploy volunteers
4. Strengthen services for local communities
5. Bring on volunteers with skills to improve governance and financial management
6. Contribute to the Scottish Government’s goal to end child poverty

 
Timeline:

• Applications open: 11 July 2025
• Deadline: 25 August 2025, 5pm
• Decisions by: 31 October 2025
• Project period: 1 November 2025–31 March 2027

 
Next Steps:
If your organisation is interested, please visit the Impact Funding Partners website for guidance, FAQs and to join an online info session. Alternatively, get in touch at vsf@impactfundingpartners.com or call 03303 413 060.
 
Please circulate this widely – it’s a great chance to strengthen volunteer capacity across Renfrewshire.

Generations Working Together are on the lookout for a passionate and proactive Volunteer Trustee to join their team. If you’ve got experience in HR, marketing and comms, youth work or environmental projects – and a love for making connections across generations – this could be your perfect next step.

You’ll be helping drive intergenerational work forward across Scotland and the UK, bringing your skills and enthusiasm to a cause that truly makes a difference.

Interested?

Find out more and apply here

A small but growing environmental and community development charity is looking for volunteer Trustees to guide its work and shape its future. Since launching in 2023, the charity has been driving sustainability projects in the Gryffe Valley, including the Gryffe Repair Café and supporting local groups to secure land for allotments and community food growing. Plans for the future include exploring community energy, promoting sustainable travel and creating “more nature everywhere”.

As a Trustee, you’ll share responsibility for the charity’s governance, help set its strategic direction and attend monthly meetings. There’s also the chance to get more hands-on with projects depending on your availability. They welcome anyone passionate about sustainability, especially those living or working near the Gryffe Valley, with a warm welcome for applicants from Linwood.

You’ll be joining at an exciting stage of growth, with opportunities to shape the organisation, develop new ideas and connect with like-minded people who care about the environment. Experience in community development, funding applications, or any of the charity’s focus areas would be helpful, but enthusiasm and commitment are what matter most.

Find out more and apply here

SCVO, Volunteer Scotland and ACOSVO want to hear from everyone working or volunteering in Scotland’s voluntary sector. The 2025 Voluntary Sector Workforce Survey explores what makes your work rewarding, the challenges you face, and how organisations can better support you.

Covering topics like job and volunteering satisfaction, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, management, career development and future plans, the survey aims to build a clearer picture of the sector today.

Open to all staff and volunteers, the survey takes 10–25 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. Findings will be shared this autumn to help voluntary organisations attract and retain motivated people.

Take part here: 2025 Voluntary Sector Workforce Survey

Reminder - Changes to PVG

The PVG Scheme is now a legal requirement in Scotland. Are you confident you understand what this means for you or your organisation?
Volunteer Scotland’s Training is here to help. Their expert-led training sessions are designed to give you clear, practical knowledge of all aspects of PVG, helping you stay informed, compliant, and confident.

Sessions available are:

• A Complete Guide to PVG & Your Signatory Role (Full day, in person, Stirling)
• PVG – Your Role as a Signatory (2hour online)
• Recruitment and Referrals (2hour online)
• Regulated Roles (2hour online)

All courses are free for organisations enrolled with VSDS.

Find out more and book here