Volunteering Focus - May 2026

Welcome to our May edition of the Volunteering Focus Newsletter

This issue is packed with useful updates, upcoming training opportunity, inspiring volunteer stories, Volunteers’ Week news, and a few current volunteering opportunities.

Volunteer Fair at the Tannahill Centre

What a brilliant day we had at our Volunteer Fair at the Tannahill Centre on 30th April! Volunteer fairs are such a great way to showcase opportunities, connect with others, and build new relationships and this one didn’t disappoint.

With 20 fantastic stalls and over 80 visitors through the doors, there was a real buzz throughout the event. Even better, we saw volunteers signing up on the day, with more applications already coming in.

Here’s what some of our stall holders had to say:

• “Made some great connections with different organisations!”
• “We recruited 9 volunteers!”
• “We’ve already had 2 applications from this event!”

A huge thank you to all of our amazing stall holders. Your displays looked incredible and really brought the event to life. Big thanks also go to the Tannahill Centre for being such welcoming hosts, and to everyone who came along, got involved, and showed an interest. And of course, a special thank you to those who took that extra step and signed up to volunteer, we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!

The countdown is on! Only 12 days to go until Volunteers’ Week 2026! Are you ready?

Taking place from 1st–7th June, this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution volunteers make across Renfrewshire. Every day, volunteers are making a real difference to people’s lives, and we’re looking forward to sharing and celebrating those impactful stories.

We’d love you to join us in saying a huge thank you to everyone who gives their time, energy, and compassion to support their communities.

Don’t forget to check out the free resources available on the Volunteers’ Week website to help you get involved and make the most of the week.

Resources

Volunteers’ Week Special – June Newsletter
Our June newsletter will be a special Volunteers’ Week edition, and we want to fill it with your stories! Please send in your photos, quotes, stories, and volunteer names so we can showcase just how valued and appreciated our volunteers truly are.

Let’s make this year’s celebration one to remember!

Did you know that Engage Renfrewshire offers access to a free online volunteer management platform for all members?

TeamKinetic is an all-in-one digital system designed to make managing your volunteers simple, efficient, and effective. With TeamKinetic, you can:

• Advertise volunteering opportunities
• Record and track volunteer hours
• Keep volunteer details up to date
• Communicate easily with your volunteers
• Generate reports for funders and measure your impact

It’s a user-friendly way to streamline your volunteer management in one place and, it’s completely free for members!

Training Opportunity
To help you get the most out of the platform, TeamKinetic (the system developers) will be delivering a training session for registered providers on 16 June, 2:00pm–4:30pm. This is a great chance to build your confidence, learn new features, and ask questions. If you’d like to book a space, please get in touch.

New to TeamKinetic?
If you’re not yet using the platform, you can register via our website and start exploring the benefits for your organisation:

Engage Renfrewshire promoting and developing volunteering in your area. A TeamKinetic powered website

Volunteer Scotland has recently launched the Knowledge Gateway a comprehensive hub packed with practical guidance, training, and resources to help you develop, promote, and strengthen volunteering across Scotland.

The Knowledge Gateway offers:

• Practice guidance & information
• Training and events
• Quality standards & principles
• Bespoke support and development services

It’s a valuable resource for anyone involved in volunteering, whether you’re just getting started or looking to enhance and grow your current programmes.

Explore the Knowledge Gateway today and discover the support available to help your organisation thrive.

Celebrating the Heart of Barrhead: Rena & Elspeth’s Remarkable 37 Years of Volunteering

For more than three decades, the ACCORD shop in Barrhead has been shaped by the dedication, compassion, and quiet strength of two remarkable sisters - Rena and Elspeth.

Rena, now 86, began her volunteering journey back in 1989. After hearing how ACCORD had supported her sister-in-law, she felt compelled to give something back. When the new Barrhead shop opened near the railway station, she stepped forward - and never looked back. Her commitment, energy, and gentle presence have become woven into the fabric of the shop and the community it serves.

Ten years later, in 1999, her sister Elspeth joined her. After losing her husband, she was looking for something meaningful to keep her busy and connected. With a background in visual display, she soon became known for her beautifully dressed windows - a task she took pride in and practised every day she volunteered.

Together, the sisters say, “We feel we are doing something good, making a difference in a small way.” Over 37 years, they’ve met countless characters, built friendships with regular customers - “Some come in on a Wednesday because they know it’s our day!” - and even inspired their grandchildren, Ethan, Liam, Rhiann, and Steven to volunteer alongside them at different times. Their service has become a family legacy.

ACCORD offers heartfelt thanks to Rena and Elspeth for the decades of dedication, warmth, and kindness they have brought to the Barrhead shop.



If you would like to volunteer with ACCORD, go to our website Volunteering at ACCORD | Accord Hospice

Alison, Volunteer Puppy Raiser

Alison, from Houston, served in the police for 29 years before becoming a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Guide dogs.

Puppy Judy has been living at home with Alison for around one year before she goes on to formal training.

Alison said: “We sadly lost our pet dog and our three kids really wanted another. We’re a very volunteer-oriented family and the children have done lots with me locally in Houston. That’s what I want to promote to them. If you can’t give money, you can give time.

Judy has been amazing and it has been good for me too. She comes with me to community groups, litter pickers and gardening, and she doesn’t bat an eyelid.”

“People may think they’d be too busy to become a puppy raiser, but I do loads in the community and have three children. What more generous way can you commit your time than raising a guide dog puppy who will go on to give someone their freedom and independence?

When Judy leaves us, we’ll be doing it all over again.”

Guide Dogs provides training and support, and pays for essential costs, including food and vet bills, and is currently searching for new puppy raisers, or short-term puppy fosterers to provide holiday cover across Renfrewshire.

To find out more or to apply, please visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraiser.

Celebrating Logan – 100 Hours of Volunteering with Shopmobility Renfrewshire

We are incredibly proud of Logan, who has been volunteering with us since the age of 10.

Now 13, Logan reached an amazing milestone of 100 volunteering hours after becoming eligible to join the Saltire Awards at age 12. His dedication and commitment at such a young age are truly inspiring.

To mark this achievement, Logan received a lovely plaque along with an in-house certificate, beautifully designed by Kayleigh. We are also hoping his official Saltire Certificate can be presented by Raynor from Engage Renfrewshire, making the moment even more special.

We’d also like to give a special mention to Caleb Morrison, our youngest volunteer at just 8 years old. Caleb loves coming into the office during school holidays, and his favourite task is printing! He was recently presented with his own certificate as a thank you for his enthusiasm and support.

A huge well done to both Logan and Caleb! We’re so proud of all that you do!




 

Roar - Connections for Life

Our goal is empower older adults to stay resilient, socially connected and physically active.

With over a decade of experience, our highly experienced team works with hundreds of older adults across the whole of Renfrewshire. Understanding the problems of loneliness, social isolation and falls prevention in old age has led us to success, both in working across the generations and providing that crucial one to one support.

We offer a wide range of flexible volunteering opportunities. Without our vital volunteers, we could not support our service users like we do.