Volunteering News
Community Groups Invited to Take Part in Olympic Torch Relay in Stornoway
The Western Isles Olympic Torch Relay Community Task Force are inviting community groups in the Western Isles to express an interest in taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay in Stornoway on Monday the 11th of June 2012. The Task Force are keen that organisations such as voluntary groups and youth clubs should have the opportunity to be involved in the Olympic Torch Relay event in Stornoway, helping with the organisation and management of the day’s events.
The Olympic Torch Relay will be in Stornoway on the early morning of Monday the 11th of June 2012. The Torch will be carried by 32 Torchbearers on a designated route around Stornoway.
The Task Force are also inviting suggestions from groups who might be interested in organising events and activities along the Olympic Torch route.
Groups interested in taking part should contact Marina Macleod at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar: marinamacleod@cne-siar.gov.uk.
Issued by: Ruairidh Maciver, Communications Assistant, 01851 822615; Mobile: 07881774601
John Swinney launches £4m fund for the Third Sector to be administered by the Wise Group.
To watch the film about the Enterprise Growth Fund launch, which took place yesterday, click here.
The Wise Group, with partners Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), Development Strathclyde Limited (DSL) and Social Value Lab, won the contract to manage and administer the fund. Third Sector groups can apply for grants to build their organisations, ranging from £25,000 to £200,000.
The Enterprise Growth Fund is coupled with a business advice and development service – Just Enterprise – to be run by CEiS.
You can find out more about Enterprise Growth Fund on our website by clicking here
Epic Awards 2011 – The search is on . . . .
The Epic Awards shine a spotlight on the excellent work taking place in over 70,000 voluntary and amateur art and craft groups across Britain. So the search is now on to find the winner of the first ever
Scottish Epic Award!
In 2010, the Epic Awards celebrated some of the fantastic voluntary arts activity being carried out in England. This year, the Awards are being rolled out across the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a special prize awarded in each nation.
From dance troupes to choirs, knitting circles to embroidery groups, any Scottish groups who participate in the arts for the love of it should consider nominating themselves for the Award. To be in with a shout, we need to know what’s Epic about their group. It could be:
• the work they create
• the people they collaborate with
• the audiences and participants they reach out to
• or the new technology they’re using
Last year’s winners (both pictured above) included The Cobweb Orchestra who performed a ‘flash mob’ rendition of Ravel’s Bolero in a Newcastle bus station, and UC Crew who created an anti-smoking breakdance project.
All winners will receive prizes, in-kind support, an invitation to a winners reception in London (last year’s took place in the House of Lords) and the prestige that comes with winning (which can make a real difference to potential funders, audiences or collaborators). Cntd.
For the full criteria and entry form, visit http://epicawards.co.uk The deadline for entering the Epic Awards is 11 November 2011. Shortlisted entries will be displayed on the website in November with an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourites. Winning groups will then be announced in December.
Robin Simpson, Chief Executive of Voluntary Arts said:
“We were impressed and amazed by the range of entries to the epic awards 2010, from breakdancers to basket weavers and painters to poets, all doing incredible things in their communities. We’re really looking forward to what the 2011 epic awards will bring as we know that there are many more excellent and innovative amateur arts and crafts groups out there.”
Raising funds in Recession
Councillor from Argyll and Bute, John Semple is undertaking a new research project into raising funds in recession and needs your help as a voluntary organisation. Click here for more details.
John Says "My motivation for initiating this project is concern that the Public Sector’s enthusiasm towards encouraging social enterprise is merely to realise savings for the Public Sector, therefore organisations who are not equipped to become a social enterprises or for whom social enterprise does not fit with their aims, are going to find raising funds more and more difficult.
This project will look at increasing opportunities for donor funding for these organisations in dialogue with a selection of donor individuals and the private sector organisations.
You will see from the letter that there is no commitment or compulsion involved other than to get in touch."
Volunteer Centre Western Isles recognised at Scottish Awards for Business Excellence 2010-11
Terri Davies (Manager) and Kenneth M Murray (Chair) from the Volunteer Centre Western Isles attended the award ceremony organised by Quality Scotland and were proud to accept the award on behalf of the Volunteer Centre Western Isles.
The Quality Scotland Scottish Awards for Business Excellence were launched in 1994 and became the most rigorously assessed and prestigious awards in the Scottish calendar. Organisations that demonstrate the principles of excellence are rigorously assessed against the European Foundation of Quality Management’s measures of world class.
The Volunteer Centre Western Isles exists to actively encourage, support and promote volunteering in the Western Isles and was amongst 38 organisations in Scotland to receive the Committed to Excellence Award this year.
This internationally recognised award, presented by Quality Scotland, marks The Volunteer Centre Western Isles’ commitment to continuous improvement, which they demonstrated by carrying out an in-depth assessment of every aspect of their organisation and identifying and implementing key areas for improvement.
Speaking from their head office in Cromwell Street, Stornoway Terri Davies, Manager said “It was great to have the work of our organisation recognised at a national level. All our staff and board members across the Western Isles work very hard to make sure our work is of a very high standard. The EFQM model is a great tool and we will continue to use it, who knows maybe one day we will go on to achieve the Recognised for Excellence Award. Achieving our Committed to Excellence Award is just the start of a journey for us.”
Paul White, Director of Networks at SCVO and Chair of the SVA Management Group commented: This award represents a clear commitment from Volunteer Centre Western Isles to strive for excellence and improve the services they provide to front-line voluntary organisations. The commitment made by the staff and management boards of Volunteer Centre Western Isles should not be underestimated and they should be justly proud of what they have achieved."
The Volunteer Centre Western Isles provides free, confidential information and advice on volunteering to individuals and organisations. Through the partnership interface, Co-Cheangal Innse Gall they also support the voluntary sector to work closer with the local council, share information, resources and provide better services.
Volunteers' Week 2011 - Celebrating throughout the Isles.
| Volunteer’s Week, always the first week of June, had even greater
significance this year, due to the European Year of Volunteering, which
is being celebrated throughout Europe. Volunteer Centre staff decided
to emphasis these connections with Europe and also to take the chance to
highlight the astonishingly varied ways in which volunteers contribute
to their communities. In Ness, development worker Joan Morrison hosted events over two days. On Friday 3rd June, there was an exhibition of the work of 14 local groups, celebrating the contribution senior citizens make to the communities in North Lewis. And on Saturday 4th June People in North Lewis were invited to share their special skills in Ness Hall. This was a magical Saturday to explore a range of unique expertise in North Lewis: skills included how to create and track a budget, miniature model making, creating model vintage cars, and maintenance of a vintage car, and a display of ladder skills by the fire brigade. In Stornoway, staff collected a display of 40 volunteer stories and staged it at various prominent locations around the town during the week. This was brought together to create a powerful impression of the diversity of volunteers, and their passion for what they do, at a volunteers’ Tea Party held in the Bridge Centre on the 8th June. Music was provided by the talented Nash family from Tolsta Chaolais, while guests enjoyed the refreshments and read the display of stories. There was also a continuously-running presentation on last year’s trip to Moldova by local volunteers, illustrating volunteers’ impact abroad. |    |
  | Everyone was invited to cut out an outline of their own hand, decorate
it, and stick it on the map of the Western Isles. This was a very visual
way to represent the helping hands of the islands, and it both amused
and delighted the guests. The invited audience of volunteers were all
given free entry to a prize draw, for which generous donations had been
made by local businesses. In addition, 3 different volunteers gave a
short talk about what their volunteering means to them: one from the
perspective of a service user about to become a volunteer, one for a
volunteer organiser and one from a volunteer who regularly goes with a
team to Moldova in Eastern Europe. In Uist, Claire Scott, the development worker organised a clean up in Gerinish. The planned tea party and award ceremony for volunteers had to be rearranged for later in the month. Thrift shop volunteers were also presented with certificates by the VC worker. In Barra, Karen Mackinnon helped Castlebay Youth Cafe with a cleanup event on Saturday 4th June and collected rubbish from all the hard to reach areas in Castlebay. Youth Cafe members also raised some money by running a ‘bottle stall’ at the local Produce Sale. A ceilidh was held for Feis Bharraigh on Sunday 5th, at which volunteers played a mix of music to parents, volunteers and holiday makers. The VC would like to thank all those who supported the events and particularly for the donations of raffle prizes in Stornoway. |
Scouts Have Come First Again!
Western Isles Scouts have again had the greatest growth of any group in Highlands and Islands. Ian Denny says that there is so much enthusiasm for scouting in the Western isles that they are now able to offer new opportunities to volunteers who would like to lead a troop.
Disability Equality in 2011
In April 2010 the UK Government passed the Equality Act 2010 which brought together, in one place, the various pieces of equality legislation.This has led to a new single Equality Duty which will come into force before the end of 2011 and which will also cover age, religion and belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and pregnancy and maternity.
In December 2010 the European Union also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which sets out obligations on all states to promote, protect and ensure the rights of disabled people.
The Scottish Government adopts a social model in its approach to disability equality, identifying the failure of our society to accommodate disabled people as the barrier to their inclusion in society, rather than any person’s individual impairment.
The approach tackles inequality nationally through actions designed to meet aspirations contained in the Governments National Outcomes and locally through the actions of Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) as outlined in their Single Outcome Agreements.
Disabled People’s Organisations (those run by a management or executive committee on which either all or the majority of the voting membership are disabled people) play a significant part in developing the Scottish Governments plans to increase disability equality and the participation of disabled people in policy development.
This strategic approach complements the work done by third sector organisations such as the Scottish Disability Equality Forum, which also works for social inclusion in Scotland through the removal of barriers and is a membership organisation which represents disability organisations, groups and individuals.
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003, which set up community planning processes, provided the third sector and voluntary groups with a key partnership role to work with statutory and other community groups to develop frameworks for making public services more responsive to community needs.
As partners in Community Planning Partnerships the third sector has a responsibility in helping to highlight and reduce the inequalities experienced by disabled people. Even small local groups and organisations working in discrete localities have the ability to inform national policy through working with people who have disabilities to assist them in sharing their experiences with Community Planning Partners. It is in this way that local experiences can influence and shape national policy.
The Scottish Government has published its Disability Equality Scheme Annual Report for 2010 which provides more information and can be found on its website at www.scotland.gov.uk
For more information contact Bill Weir on 0131 220 9942
PVG SCHEME - Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Scottish Ministers today announced that the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (commonly referred to as the PVG Scheme) will commence on Monday 28th February 2011.
The change from the current Disclosure Scheme to the new PVG Scheme on 28th February will mean new application forms; new certificates; new guidance and new criteria against which posts and positions must be assessed.
With the date of commencement for the new Scheme to go live, please note the following key dates:
• 28th January 2011 - This is the last date CRBS will commence any new enrolments under the current legislation. Any organisations in the process of enrolling with CRBS will continue to be processed as normal. Organisations wishing to enrol after 28th January 2011 will be required to meet the new criteria set out in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
• 10th February 2011 - This is the last posting date for current Disclosure Scheme applications to CRBS. To ensure your applications arrive by 11th February , please use 1st class or guaranteed delivery options.
• 11th February 2011 - This is the last date CRBS will accept current Disclosure Scheme applications from our customers. Any Disclosure Scheme application received after this date will be returned to the organisation requesting the applicant completes a PVG Scheme Membership application. Around this date, CRBS will also start sending our enrolled customers the new PVG Scheme Membership application forms subject to availability.
• 28th February 2011 - PVG Scheme goes live. CRBS will start processing new PVG Scheme Member applications. Any applications received before this date will be securely stored but will not be processed until 28th February. Any organisations enrolling with CRBS will be assessed against the criteria set out in the PVG Act.
For further help or information contact CRBS by telephone (01786 849777 then option 4) or by e-mail (info@crbs.org.uk or pvg@crbs.org.uk). Our telephones are open from 9am until 5pm each week-day. An answering machine service is available outside these office hours.
Make a Difference Day 2010 in Lewis and Uist
Every year tens of thousands of people get together to make a difference in their communities for Make a Difference Day, the UK's biggest day of volunteering. This year Roy Macphail of VCWI teamed up with Erica Clark and Sharon Reid of Community Education to organize some Intergenerational Community Volunteering. |  |
 | Both service users and staff at Alzheimer Scotland, Dun Eisdean and Dun Berisay were thoroughly entertained by a variety of beautiful performances. Roy Macphail from the Volunteer Centre said ‘Each song was supported by an abundance of foot tapping and smiles, before finishing in thankful applause; it really was an excellent day’. Afterward the performers were invited socialise with the service users and enjoy some refreshments. Erica Clark from Community Education said ‘those I spoke to loved watching the Mod on the TV, so they really appreciated the opportunity to see these talented individuals perform live’. Our thanks must go to Jonathan Fairgrieve (Bayble Primary School) , Alison Macinnes, Katy Graham, Iain Macdonald, Graeme Maclennan, Hayley Macaskill, Daisy Nash, Louisa Barron, Emily Connor, Elizabeth Anderson, Mischa Macpherson, Anna Mackenzie, Hannah Knight and Kathleen Macdonald for their performances. |
| In Uist the Volunteer Centre arranged a community renovation project take place, and provide a local community with something new and exciting. In Lochboisdale, one building in particular was in serious need of a face lift, and one which has often been seen as an eyesore in the local community. This was therefore the perfect opportunity to do something about it! In partnership with the South Uist Youth Development Group’s, junior youth club, I arranged to visits the club and share my thoughts of MADD and the building in need of a make over, which the children were really excited to hear about and eager to volunteer their services in making a difference in the community. MacAulays Askernish (Ltd) were happy to assist, and kindly donated paint and brushes to start this project. Macaulays Askernish (Ltd) also donated coloured paint, so that the young volunteers could add their personal touch to the building. |  |
 | A total of 18 children attend this project, and have painted the building white, and will have to opportunity to add a bit of colour to the building in the next few weeks. This also sparked a lot of local interest, and the community were very pleased, not just to see the building being painted, but to see the children being actively involved in community projects. Parents also provided some positive feedback: “It’s great that they are able to get involved with these activities. It gives them a sense of identity and ownership of the building rather that it collecting rubbish” “What a great idea, its better that them (the kids) sitting indoors playing on computer games. They are not only doing something good for the community, there are also socialising face to face rather then over a computer screen!” Some of the children have already started making plans for the building. A number of suggestions were a sweetie shop, a café and a place to hang out. These comments may not only suggest a possibility of future use of the building but an area of interest for the volunteers to develop on. Therefore the impact of this community project has inspired great ideas and more ways for the younger community to become more actively involved. The project is still currently taking place as a result of the cold snap; however we should have a colourful and bright building for 2011! |
Shoe Box Appeal
| Normally they get thrown out - that is if we bother to bring them home in the first place. Who needs packaging cluttering up their home? Last year members of Blythswood visited a slum city in the middle of Hyderabad where cardboard is viewed differently. In an area of extreme poverty every resource takes on a new significance. In this part of the world, packaging can form a major component of shelter and habitation. 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the first Blythswood aid lorry to Romania. Donations were transferred from a |  |
The capacity of a shoe box is small. The contents are therefore restricted, but those who deliver them often comment on the pure pleasure the recipient expresses. For some it is in the gift of something they have no money to buy. For others it is in the act of being remembered with kindness amidst the harsh circumstance of their life.
Since its first aid trip, Blythswood has grown from a highland based charity into an international organization supporting social care projects across Europe, Africa and India. Originally donations were simply distributed, but now they are also used to raise funds to support projects that tackle specific needs. When the Rev. Jackie Ross and Donald MacVicar set out in January 1990, they could have had little inkling of how far their enterprise would go.
Their compassion is still inspiring people today. In recent weeks, volunteers from all over the highlands and islands of Scotland have shared in their vision and made a conscious effort to help people whose poverty we can barely imagine. When the magnitude of the problem is so overwhelming, we are tempted to think ‘I can’t possibly make a difference’. Remember the shoe box, trivial and usually discarded in one hemisphere, but transported into a medium of succor in another. We should never allow the magnitude of the problem to diminish a contribution towards its defeat. Thank you and well done all those who believe and act upon that belief.
Volunteer Centre Drives Forward Life Experiences.
| This is one of the most exciting and rewarding projects I have worked on this year. The Volunteer Centre Stornoway has been working with Macleod Driver Trainer to offer a driving experience to those who may not otherwise have that opportunity. Scott Macleod is a local driving instructor who understands the benefit of community support. Volunteering his time and expertise, Scott was happy to undertake whatever project I could dream up! I contacted George Whyte and John Maclean at the Hills Project; I explained we were looking to target some willing participants who would benefit from this experience, they said they had some perfect candidates. David Godfrey (19) and David Montgomery (18) undertook a 6 week driving experience every Friday based at Stornoway Airport. They showed excellent progression throughout the program, as their confidence grew, so did their speed! |  |
On the final week I had the pleasure of being a passenger as they sat a specially designed exam that would test them on all they had learned. I can honestly say I sat with a smile on my face throughout both tests. Both David’s had an excellent understanding on the safety and preparation required before starting the vehicle. Their driving was safe and controlled, they responded calmly and confidently to all of Scott’s suggestions. They aced their tests and were delighted with the certificates awarded. David Godfrey summed up his experience by saying “It’s given me the confidence to work toward my Driver’s License in the future. “
John Morrison from the Hills Project was equally delighted for the guys saying “I’m very proud of the boys, they were fantastic. This was an excellent opportunity for them that they wouldn’t otherwise have got; it will give them encouragement toward attempting their test in the future. We appreciate what both Roy at the Volunteer Centre and Scott Macleod has contributed to make this project happen”.
Scott’s commitment to this project as a volunteer has been exceptional. He has a gift for explaining what others may perceive as difficult in an informal and relaxed way. “I really enjoyed working with the guys and was delighted to give them this opportunity. It made me really happy to see how much they were getting out of it”.
This has been an excellent project; it may not be too long before the two David’s are sharing a road near you!
Roy Macphail
Volunteer Development Officer
MV Awards in Stornoway and Uist
 | Congratulations to Colm MacQueen on receiving his 200 hour M.V award. Colm initially contacted the Volunteer Centre via e-mail in the hope to find a volunteering placement which would help him develop his Gaidhlig. The Volunteer Centre was then able to find a suitable placement for Colm were he could enhance is Gaidhlig. As a result, the VC was able to place Colm with Cothrom. Colm was able to assist with a vast array of tasks, from development the Gaidhlig website, helping to teach Gaidhlig, to assisting in a number of local one off events, such as the Mini Gaidhlig Highland Games, and the Daliburgh 10k. Since Colm’s time volunteering at Cothrom, and through a number of support visits, I would say his Gaidhlig has progressed tremendously, and I found that on my visits to Cothrom, he was most definitely the walking dwelly of the organisation!! “I’ve had such a great time living in Uist and I have learnt a lot about the Gaidhlig language and culture as a result of my placement, and I would have never had this opportunity if I hadn’t volunteered. I have also achieved a fantastic award in the process which not only means that I have been recognised for my volunteering efforts, it will also benefit my CV. I would love to come back and do it all over again!” Colm’s next adventure will take him across the water, where he will be moving to Spain for another cultural experience to work on his Spanish. Math an airish a Cholm! |
CO-CHEANGAL INNSE GALL SET UP
New Third Sector Partnership
A new partnership of Third Sector intermediaries in the Western Isles has been signed and has been approved by the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership. The five Partners, Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay, Harris Voluntary Service, Volunteering Hebrides, Volunteer Centre Western Isles and Outer Hebrides Social Economy Partnership have come together as Co-cheangal Innse Gall (Linking the Outer Hebrides) to support and develop the Third Sector in the Outer Hebrides. The initiative was taken as a response to changes in the way that Scottish Government will fund organisations post April 2011. At present the three Councils for Voluntary Service (Barra, Uist and Lewis, and Harris), the Volunteer Centre and the Social Economy Partnership are individually funded by Scottish Government. From April 2011 a single pot of funding will come to each Local Authority area to be distributed among the intermediary organisations. The Partnership will now work together strategically to deliver the four main objectives of the agreement throughout the Outer Hebrides, ie • Develop volunteering • Develop Social Enterprise • Support and develop a strong third sector • Build the third sector relationship with community planning The individual partners will retain their independence and will continue to deliver the services they currently provide, but will be able to do so more efficiently, by avoiding duplication and being able to call on each other’s areas of expertise. The Chair and secretariat of the Partnership will rotate on a yearly basis. The first Chair is the Volunteer Centre, Western Isles and the first secretary is Harris Voluntary Service. Speaking on behalf of the Partnership, Kirsty Macdonald, Volunteer Centre (Chair) said, “We are all delighted to have reached this significant milestone and look forward to working together for the good of the Outer Hebrides in the years ahead. I would also like to thank the Community Planning Partnership for their assistance in getting us to this point.” Speaking on behalf of the Community Planning Partnership, Chairman Councillor Angus Campbell said “We are all very conscious of the contribution that the voluntary sector makes to the lives of people in the Outer Hebrides and this is likely to increase in the difficult times ahead. The Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership look forward to working with Co-cheangal Innse Gall.”
WAVE Awards for Under 16'sJack Nelson is a remarkable young man at the age of 13 he took it upn himself to contact the Volunteer Centre to ask for an appointment to discuss volunteer opportunties! During the interview I was struck by his maturity and desire to help people. He felt that Alzheimer Scotland would be an ideal place for him. Katie Macpherson, Service Manager at Alzheimer Scotland lewis and Harris Branch, allowed Jack to begin a volunteer placement with them stating "On Jack's first day he walked in, took off his jacket and started doing the dishes! Since then he has been a brilliant volunteer, his company is enjoyed by both our service users, volunteers and staff". Since March 2010 he has been attending the Solas Day Centre on Saturdays and during the holidays. He has built up an excellent relationship with the service users and become a dependable volunteer. Jack has accumilated over 200 volunteer hours with Alzheimer Scotland, an incredible feat in such a short time. On Saturday 4th Decemeber I was delighted to visit the Day Centre and present Jack with his WAVE Awards for 25, 50 and 100 hours. Jack was delighted to recieve the Awards, when asked if he would encourage other young people to volunteer he said "I like to be able to help instead of being selfish; I think others would enjoy this and get some good experience." Roy Macphail, Volunteer Centre Development Officer. |  |
Funding secured for new Volunteer Management Project
The Volunteer Centre Western Isles is pleased to have secured £7,000 funding from THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LEADER INNSE GALL 2007 - 2013 PROGRAMME towards the development of its new Volunteer Management Programme. Through the programme the Volunteer Centre Western Isles hopes to develop a range of new services relating to the management of Volunteers. The programme is also funded by Sight Action and the Volunteer Centre Western Isles and will be piloted for the first year with Sight Action. Sight Action is about to open a Sensory Resource Centre for people affected by deafness or blindness in Stornoway and hope to develop services throughout the Western Isles in the future. The Volunteer Centre Western Isles will begin recruiting volunteers on behalf of Sight Action to assist with the running of the new Sensory Resource Centre in the New Year. “Sight Action approached us for help with getting themselves ready to use volunteers and asked if we would consider managing their volunteers for them.” Explains Terri Davies Volunteer Centre Manager “The VC currently offers free but limited services to organisations, the service of fully managing and supervising volunteers on behalf of another organisation is completely new.” The Volunteer Management Programme is a range of services/products relating to the management of volunteers that can be purchased by local organisations and will run as a pilot for the first year.
Tree Planting Packs Available to Community Groups and Schools and Youth Groups (UK).
Free tree packs will be delivered in November 2010. The Woodland Trust has replaced their grant scheme with a new community tree planting pack and with packs available to schools and youth groups. These are designed to be planted in local shared spaces - by a church, community centre or playground for example or on patches of unused land. See http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/plant-trees/help-advice/planting-trees/Pages/free-trees-for-schools-and-communities.aspx
HELP FROM HOME MICRO-VOLUNTEERING WEBSITE
Help from Home aims to make volunteering more accessible by giving people the opportunity to volunteer from the comfort of their own home. Volunteer your time in bite size chunks, when you want to. Benefit worthy causes to suit your lifestyle at your own convenience. Dip in and dip out with absolutely no commitment. Over 500 micro volunteering opportunities to choose from that will take between 10 seconds to 30 minutes to complete.
http://www.helpfromhome.org/?dm_i=7XU,76N6,1MD79W,I1K0,1
Gazette Promotion of Voluntary Organisations
Kirsty Macdonald of the Volunteer Centre recently met with Michelle Robson of the Stornoway Gazette in order to discuss the future of regular promotional features in the new community pages of the Gazette. This cover used to be provided by the Island Eye, which is no longer produced.
Michelle was very interested by the scope of volunteering in the Western Isles and will be pleased to work with the VC to continue feature articles on volunteering. The aim will be to target one or two groups each month and give a more in depth picture of volunteering within that organisation, from the point of view of the volunteer.
The aim is to include articles on as wide a range of groups as possible over the course of a year. This will hopefully raise the awareness of the range of volunteering opportunities around the islands and encourage more people to get involved, especially when they hear of the benefits enjoyed by active volunteers.
To be included in this useful series of feature articles, please get in touch with Kirsty at the VC in Stornoway or contact your local office for more information.
Make a Difference Day 2010
This year's campaign will encourage families across the UK to volunteer. CSV Make a Difference Day 2010 falls at the end of half-term (Saturday 30 October), so is the perfect time for families to get together.
By volunteering, kids learn the importance of helping others and get to try out something new, and adults enjoy a fun, free activity for all the family!
We are encouraging campaign activities to make their activities family friendly where possible, while also keeping their events open to anyone who wants to take part. Anybody who wants to get involved will be able to find events looking for volunteers on the Activity Locator, which will be up and running after registrations open at the end of July.
To find out more about what's new for this year, visit our new and improved website.
http://www.csv.org.uk/campaigns/csv-make-difference-day
Youth Clubs Uist and Barra Association proudly presents
‘ICE EXTRAVAGANZA’
YCUBA has secured funding to bring a portable ice rink up to the islands from October 30th to November 14th 2010. It will be held in Southend Hall and available to all members of the community. The association has been working hard on this project for a while now and are very excited to see it materialize. Our main funding has come from ‘Awards for All’ with added contributions from councillors and individual youth clubs. A competition is taking place to award the youth club with the most funds a ‘Free Skate on the Rink’. Plans are developing for theme nights, games and activities in the hopes to make this project the event of the year. We will have more information for you nearer the time but for now mark the dates in your dairy!!!!
Volunteers' Week 2010: Volunteer Centre's Volunteering Awards
Winner of the Organisation of the Year: Alzheimer Scotland
| Volunteer Centre Western Isles marked the end of Volunteers Week 2010 with a major awards ceremony held in Lews Castle College on the evening of Monday 7th June. Drawing together all the awards the VC currently offers with four new awards, the evening was a real celebration of volunteering and the passion and commitment that goes with it. After an introduction by Roy Macphail, Development Worker at the Volunteer Centre, the ceremony was conducted by Charlie Morrison, one of the two Nicolson Institute school captains, who managed the event with composure and eloquence and with a measure of good humour as well. The audience of 140 were then given the chance to appreciate the wide range of achievements and dedication of the award winners, ranging from the youngest in the audience with Make A Difference Day certificates, to the oldest winner, being awarded the Services to Volunteering award. Thanks to technical support from Carl Evans, a volunteer at Isles FM, the audience were able to watch recordings of the nominations made for the winners and runners up of the main awards, detailing why the person had been nominated and outlining some of their personal achievements. This brought a personal touch to the ceremony: several people commented afterwards that it was “Just like the OSCARs!” Quirky stand up comedian, Daniel Downie, brought a good few chuckles with his own brand of humour, rounding the ceremony off well. Refreshments were served in the college cafeteria, where the winners of the Young Volunteer of the Year and Services to Volunteering awards cut the magnificent cakes which had been donated by Stag Bakeries. |
Awards were presented in the following categories: The winner of the Young Volunteer of the Year Award was Gordon Macdonald for his efforts with young people in both sporting activity and the Tong Youth Club, with Nathan Munro of the Boy’s Brigade as runner up. Volunteer of the Year Award went to DJ Macleod for his volunteer work with the children of Tong Primary School with Kathleen Maciver of Isles FM as runner up. In the Organisation of the Year category, Alzheimer Scotland (Lewis and Harris Branch) took the award, with Carthannas Nis as runners up. And the award for outstanding Services to Volunteering was given to John Graham of the Red Cross, with Margaret Macmillan of the Boy’s Brigade as runner up. |
Services to Volunteering
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MV award recipients
Winner andrunner up in the Volunteer of the Year Award
| Kirsty Macdonald of the Volunteer Centre commented: “It was extremely difficult to pick only two winners for each category – the standards were remarkable. All those nominated were winners in reality as they all give so much to the community. We were delighted to host such a special event and that it came as the culmination of a week of promotion with our Faces of Volunteering posters. Almost every business in Stornoway took part by displaying a couple of posters – some covered their windows with them. We feel we really have highlighted the value of volunteering and feted some outstanding volunteers along the way.” The Volunteer Centre would like to express its gratitude to the following for help with the event: Firstly, our sponsors, Nicolson Accountancy, Lews Castle College, Events Monthly, The Stornoway PHAB Club, Stag Bakeries, Samaritans, Celtic Festival Trust, Domhnall Smith Graphics, Angus Clinton Windows, Hebridean Coachworks, Hebridean Chocolates and Tong School. To Charlie Morrison for his help on the night; Laura Campbell and Catherine Ann Macleod for help with photos; Daniel Downie for his entertainment and a big thank you to Carl Easton for technical expertise. Thanks to all the staff of the Volunteer Centre for working as a great team. And finally, thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who truly do ‘Make a Difference’! |
Winner and runner up in the Young Volunteer of the Year category.
Latest MV Awards in Uist
| Congratulations to Anna MacLellan (18) of Lasgair, South Uist and Seamus Buckley (22) of Cnoc A Lin, North Uist, who recently achieved their 50 hour M.V award. Seamus is currently volunteering at the Uist Community Riding School, and help in everyway possible, from general horse keep duties to horse treks. He is also a member of the Youth Council. He has recently been selected to represent the Western Isles in a Youth conference which will be held in Edinburgh. |  |
| Anna is heavily involved with the South Uist Youth Development Group, were she assists in both senior and junior youth club on a week basis. Anna is currently working toward her 100 hour M.V, which I am confident she will reach in the next few weeks as Anna is always willing to go that extra mile and has involved herself in a number of one off events in her community. Well done to both volunteers and I look forward to presenting your 100 and 200 hour award. |
Half Marathon
This years annual Benbecula Half Marathon took place on Saturday 5th June, seeing over 90 competitors take part in the 13 mile race. The 13 volunteers who assisted in a number of duties, received a fantastic reception from the competitors and organizers, who greatly appreciated their support. The volunteers ensured that the race ran as smoothly as possible, and kept the runners hydrated. Every year the half marathon, and similar events, rely heavily on volunteers. Whether it’s handing out water, long term planning, or simply pointing athletes in the right direction, a volunteer’s commitment and dedication is never underestimated and always greatly appreciated. It is therefore as equally important that the Volunteer Centre is able to facilitate for events on any scale and ensure a positive experience of athletes and our volunteer. For more information on this years half marathon, please visit the official website on http://www.runbenbecula.btik.com/p_Home.ikml
National Spring Clean in Uist
Following the many years of previous success of the Baleshare Beach Spring Clean, over
20 Carinish school pupils and staff attended this annual event with the help of the Volunteer Centre and Keep Scotland Tidy to play their part in National Spring Clean Month.
The morning of the 30th April was a perfect spring morning and following the weather of the previous few days, we were able to uncross our fingers and absorb the sunshine of what seemed like a summer’s day. After a brief talk about the event and sharing some clean-up stories, pupils were then teamed up and were kindly transported by A. Ferguson of Alda’s Taxi’s, to Baleshare beach, where they were then supplied with a Keep Scotland Tidy tabard, gloves and bags. As soon as everyone was well equipped, we then set off to collect as much waste along the shore as we could.
At first glance the beach was in a very tidy state, which demonstrated the hard work put in each year by Carinish School to keep their local environment and beach, clean and tidy. However once each group settled into their role, it wasn’t long before 1 bag turned into over 50! Among the debris found as well as the usual items washed up, was a flip, but no flop, several pairs of fisher men’s gloves, a yogurt pot from Greece, Lego and many more unusual artifacts.
After a morning of hard work, the pupils were treated to lunch, and tucked into delicious donations of food and refreshments from MacLean’s Bakery, Lovat’s, Creagorry and Sollas Co-op. Many thanks to them for showing their support and generosity.
Catriona Black, head teacher of Carinish School said “The children get a lot of satisfaction from helping to care for their environment.”
For Carinish School, volunteering would seem something of the norm. Not only do they take part in the annual Spring Clean, but are also members of Caraidean Trianaid. On a regular basis, a number of pupils visit the residents of Trianaid and take pleasure in their company.
Finally, I would like to thank Waste Aware for donating equipment and collection of the rubbish collected on Baleshare. I would also like to thank Niall Leveson Gower who kindly assisted in the collection of the rubbish to the car park, which resulted in a lot more being collected. More importantly, thank you to Carinish School pupils and staff, who were joined by Bethany Lane from Sgoil Lionacleit, for their hard work and volunteering, which, I’m sure without, the beach would certainly not be as clean.
Uist WAVE under 16's Award
Congratulations to Emma Atkin (13) of Askernish, South Uist who has recently received her 25 hour WAVE award for Volunteering Excellence.
Emma is currently volunteering within a wide array of organisation in her local community, from assisting at her local youth club to helping at Uist House residential home and assisting in after school clubs. Emma will continue her dedication and effort within these organisations and is currently volunteering towards her 50 and 100 hour WAVE award. Well Done Emma, keep up the great work!
It all started with an email… A Scottish lass looking to recoup childhood memories
“Hi, I am currently studying at United World College of the Atlantic in South Wales, but am originally from Scotland. In March, we have a project week for which I am trying to organise a volunteering opportunity somewhere in Scotland possibly for up to 5 people. I would really love to use this opportunity to volunteer in the Western Isles in particular, I have family on the Island but I haven’t visited since I was very young.” - Lindsay Riddoch
Fast forward 4 months and the Volunteer Centre welcome Lindsay Riddoch (Scottish), Tim Ogallo (Kenyan), Anna Evans (Welsh), Morgan Thorne (Barbadian) and Emmanuella Onyilofor (Nigerian). The group are all aged 17 and studying at Atlantic College. Lindsay’s reasons for visiting are clear, but why would the rest of the group choose our long Island?
“I was especially interested to find out more about this ‘remote’ Island tucked away off the mainland. I knew very little about it beforehand but thought that volunteering would be a great way to get to know both the place and the people.” – Tim Ogallo.
Many Volunteer Involving Organisations extended our welcome by participating in what promised to be a sensational and varied week of volunteering. Upon meeting the group it was evident that they were talented, brave, outgoing and highly motivated. Throughout the week it was their enthusiasm, friendliness and maturity that guided them through various interesting volunteering opportunities.
The Volunteer Centre sincerely appreciates the involvement of the Bridge Community Centre, Isles FM, The Science and Technology Festival, The An Sulaire Trust, Active Schools, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, Western Isles Association for Mental Health and Stornoway United. Your openness to this project and interaction with the group helped build an experience of a lifetime.
"People here are much friendlier than we are used to; they have a different attitude towards life and a real community atmosphere.” – Atlantic College Group
What you told us about volunteering.
Thanks to everyone that filled out one of our online surveys. If you missed it they are still open and we would love to hear what you think. So far the results are looking interesting, see for yourself: 95% Of Volunteer Involving Organisations said that volunteering had increased the confidence or improved the self esteem of their volunteers. 75% said that volunteering had improved the physical or mental health of their volunteers. Almost 50% said that volunteering had led to/assisted their volunteers to find paid employment. 96% said their organisation could not operate without their volunteers The majority of organisations had between 6 and 15 volunteers with one organisation reporting 190. The amount of time volunteered varied greatly from just one hour per month to more than 40 hours a month per volunteer. Adding up the number of hours volunteered with just the 24 organisations who gave us details equals a staggering 51,192 hours a year. At a cost of £296,913.6 to replace at minimum wage! If we apply this formula to all the volunteer involving organisations we have registered with us. Volunteers are worth £3,360,000 to the economy of the Western Isles each year We also asked people who had recently asked us about starting to volunteer about their experiences so far: 95% of the volunteers said volunteering had had a positive effect on their lives 95% said they would recommend volunteering to a friend Quotes from a recent volunteer survey about their volunteer experience: Its a great way of meeting people, learning new skills, sharing your own and making a difference to organisations. It helped me develop another interest that also benefited my work as a therapist and also gives me an opportunity to help out an organisation that I have always thought highly of and even more so after the training session. Was feeling pretty lonely when i moved here and it helped boost my confidence. Sharing my skills and making a difference (was the best part of volunteering) as it was highlighted at the training session how important the volunteers are to the organisation and that there are more volunteers than paid workers. Wanted to do something for young people locally (I teach here) but it has also improved my relationships with pupils in class Help us gather statistics on Volunteering in the western Isles by answering one of our short surveys:
Are you a volunteer? click here
Do you work for an organisation that uses volunteers? click here
The Voluntary Action Fund Helping Scottish Communities from the grass roots up.
The Voluntary Action Fund Scotland’s leading independent grant-making body investing in small voluntary and community based organisations throughout Scotland has announced its funding priorities for 2010-2011 for its Community Chest grants programme.
Voluntary Action Fund operates a number of funding programmes furthering the legacy of grass roots grant making and robust practice it has established over the last 28 years aimed at promoting the inclusion of those most excluded within their communities. Its Community Chest programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. Applications are welcomed from small community and not-for-profit groups who can apply for a small grant up to £1,000 to fund general activities or a specific project.
Each year the Voluntary Action Fund targets different regions throughout Scotland this year it particularly welcomes applications from groups based within North Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire. As well as being eager to fund groups in the target geographic areas, The Voluntary Action Fund is especially keen to hear from groups who work with disability or health related issues, provide childcare or whose beneficiaries face exclusion due to their ethnicity, disability gender or sexual orientation.
A key benefit of the fund is the opportunity to be involved with a range of training events. Free training is offered to all groups applying for a grant on topics such as charity law, making successful funding applications, managing money and measuring success.
Previous recipients of Community Chest funding have included, Art Trek Artists of Glasgow, where a grant of £1,000 provided funding to run an 8 week arts workshop for people with learning disabilities. Inverness based HAPIS received a grant of £1,000 to contribute towards the running costs of the group, enabling the group to offer free counseling sessions to mothers and families affected by Post Natal Depression. Other projects include funding for after school clubs, a drop in centre for people affected by mental health issues, a meeting place for elderly people and a Youth Café.
Chris Smith the Community Chest Grants Officer said ‘’The small pots of funding we can provide through the Community Chest programme really will make a significant difference to people's lives, whilst also sustaining and developing the activities of the community groups involved. We’re excited to see what varied and inspired applications we’ll receive throughout the year and the difference the Community Chest funding will make to the communities of Scotland”.
Applications for the Community Chest programme are welcome throughout the year with the next deadline being the 31 December 2009. Groups wishing to apply for a Community Chest grant can download an application form and guidance notes from the VAF website at www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk. Alternatively call 01383 620780.
Generations Working Together - Practical support for intergenerational working
Does your organisation/project involve volunteers/staff/clients from a range of age groups. If so, you may be interested in the Generations Working together Network. You can receive regular updates from the Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice by joining your local intergenerational network. Joining the network is free and you will receive the regular newsletter, information on funding, meetings, new publications and updates on research and examples of best practice. Simply complete the online membership form:
http://www.scotcip.org.uk/network_membership_form.html
9 Organisations achieve WAVE standards award
The Volunteer Centre Western Isles was proud to present the first ever Western Isles Awards for Volunteering Excellence (WAVE Awards) to local organisations on Tuesday 24th March in the Bridge Centre, Stornoway. The awards were given to nine organisations for their high standards of volunteer management and commitment to their volunteers.
The awards recognise the effort that goes into managing volunteers and clearly shows where a good standard has been achieved. This will be reassuring to volunteers that they will get a quality opportunity with that organisation. The awards cover areas such as volunteer policies, induction, training, support and rewards for volunteers and other relevant policies.
The nine awards were presented by Sandy Matheson, Lord Lieutenant for the Western Isles, who spoke eloquently about the value and inspiration of volunteering in the islands.
The organisations receiving awards (pictured above) on this occasion were: Alzheimer Scotland Lewis and Harris Branch & Services; British Red Cross; Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland; Western Isles District Scout Council; Alzheimer Scotland Day Centre in Leverburgh; Crossreach Lifestyle; Bridge Community Centre YMCA; Advocacy Western Isles and Save the Children.
If you would like your organisation to work towards the WAVE award please contact your local Volunteer Centre office.
Eye on Volunteering
You may have seen in the last few issues of Island Eye newspaper, that they are running articles about volunteering. The Volunteer Centre are very pleased to be working with Michelle from Island Eye to promote volunteering and local volunteering opportunities. We are always looking for good news stories from anywhere on the Western Isles, so if you have a volunteer that you think it would be good to do an article about or are in need of some volunteers contact Roy on 01851 700366 or roy@volunteeringwesternisles.co.uk for more information.
European Year of Volunteering 2011
The European Commission has announced that it has started to prepare for the European Year of Volunteering 2011.
This announcement follows an intensive two and a half year campaign co-ordinated by the European Volunteer Centre.
200 Hour MV Award of Excellence for Jane.
 | Young volunteer Jane MacDonald, 19, from Lochmaddy received her Millennium Volunteer Award of Excellence recently, for 200 hours of voluntary work with local organisations. Jane has been volunteering at Craigard Day Centre and at OFTTI Benbecula for over a year. Her hard work was recognised in the form of a certificate signed by First Minister Alex Salmond. Jane received her certificate from Nikki Morrison, Youth Development Worker with the Volunteer Centre Western Isles. Nikki said, ‘Jane has shown a great deal of commitment to her voluntary work, both with Craigard and OFTTI, and is a good example of how volunteers can help an organisation and improve their own skills and knowledge through their placements.’ If you would like to find out more about MV Awards or volunteering in your community, please contact your local VC office. |