A message on safety from our CEO Jen Kerr: “Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers helping across Falkirk! Keep yourself and the people you are helping safe: Do not enter anyone’s home; leave shopping or messages on the doorstep. Maintain at least 2 meters distance at doorsteps. Wash your hands regularly.”
News
Radio V Podcast
Volunteer Scotland has launched the Radio V podcast, with episodes available every Saturday at 11am. The podcast aims to support, update and entertain everyone (including volunteers) with messages and stories from people who volunteer across Scotland. They are also looking for contributions from listeners and volunteers.
PVG and Signatory Online Sessions
Due to COVID-19, Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services has added additional PVG and Signatory Online Sessions. Each of the 3 online courses focuses on a particular area of the Protection for Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme; by completing all 3 courses, participants will cover all aspects of the main PVG and Signatory Course.
Volunteers Available
Our team has been working with our local communities and people to help place those who want to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic where they are needed. We now have a bank of volunteers who are ready and keen to assist local groups and organisations supporting people, and are asking those groups who need volunteers to get in touch with us so we can match them with volunteers.
Crowdfunder: All Platforms Free During COVID-19
Crowdfunder has announced that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work being done to support people across communities, they have now made all their funding platforms FREE to use. The free platforms are available for charities and other third sector organisations (with a dedicated section for foodbanks), businesses (including social enterprises) and communities, and can be used to raise funds.
National Lottery Community Fund Scotland COVID-19 Update
The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland has released an update on their activities and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key points include: the fund is “open for business”, with their teams all working from home, and will continue to award grants as planned, and they remain open to all applications as usual, but over the next 6 months they will prioritise applications related to COVID-19.
Creative Breaks Funding Programme: Open for Applications
The Creative Breaks funding programme is now open to applications from third sector organisations operating in Scotland, to develop and deliver short break activities for carers, the people they care for, or for both the carers and the cared-for people together. A total of £600,000 is available. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 4th June.
COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum: Next Meeting
Unfortunately, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are cancelling third sector forums held at our office until the end of June. Instead, we are hosting the COVID-19 Third Sector Response Forum every 2 weeks online, using Zoom. The next meeting takes place on Thursday 30th April, 1pm – 3pm, and can be accessed via the Zoom link, or with the meeting ID: 968 735 400.
NCSC “Stay Safe Online” Training Package
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has produced a new e-learning training package on cyber security: “Stay Safe Online”. The training package is completely free and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. It was designed to be easy to use, with a non-technical audience (who may have little or no knowledge of cyber security) in mind.
St Andrew’s First Aid Online Training Courses
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, St Andrew’s First Aid are offering online first aid courses. The online first aid training can be accessed for 12 months after purchase, allowing people to refresh their skills whenever suits them. There are 3 online courses, at a discounted rate of £15 (plus VAT) per course.
