The Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) has announced their 2025 Conference will take place online via Zoom, over 2 days, Wednesday 15 October – Thursday 16 October 2025.
Volunteering News
Volunteering Support Fund: Applications Open
Impact Funding Partners is now welcoming applications for the Volunteering Support Fund. The fund supports small- to medium-sized third sector organisations across Scotland to recruit additional volunteers for the delivery of a new, or the expansion of an existing, volunteering project. The deadline for applications is Monday 25 August 2025, with decisions issued from Friday 31 October 2025.
Cost of Living Crisis Report: Volunteering and Third Sector Organisations
Further reinforcing the Scottish Household Survey findings that Scottish volunteering is in crisis, the latest Volunteer Scotland Cost of Living Crisis Report provides the latest data on the impacts of the Cost-of-Living crisis on people and Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) in Scotland.
Volunteer Network Peer Support Session
The Volunteer Organisers Network provides peer-to-peer support for heritage volunteer organisers in Scotland. They are welcoming new attendees to join their open forum to speak with their members, sharing experiences and gaining insight and support from peers. Taking place from 9:30am – 10:30am, Thursday 24 July 2025, this is a great opportunity to talk with people in similar roles, share your volunteer organiser insights, ask questions and pick up practical tips.
“Untapped Impact” Report on Unused Employer Supported Volunteering Hours
Research published by Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), commissioned by national charity the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), has found that 140 million volunteering hours went unused by UK employees last year, despite 62% of businesses offering workplace volunteering schemes to their employees (known as Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV)).
YouthVIP Report: Young People’s Perspective on Volunteering
The latest #YouthVIP report, developed in partnership with young people across the country, has been published with new insights into what motivates them to volunteer, the barriers they face, and what they need to feel inspired, included and supported. As a result, 9 recommendations have been formed to act as a guide for organisations looking to recruit and retain young people as volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunity: MCR Pathways Mentors
MCR Pathways supports young people who have experienced disadvantage and helps them to realise their full potential through education. The programme pairs Volunteer Mentors with students, and Mentors spend an hour each week listening to and encouraging a young person in their school. The programme is currently expanding across Falkirk District to include 3 new schools, which means more Volunteers Mentors are being recruited to support local students.
Volunteer Opportunity: FOSS Trustees
Friends of Scottish Settlers (FOSS) is a Falkirk-based befriending charity, which helps newcomers to the Falkirk District to make use of the knowledge, networks and services they need to live full, self-determined lives. They are now seeking to appoint up to 3 additional Trustees to join their Board. The deadline for applications is Friday 18 July 2025.
intandem Volunteer Mentor Online Drop-in Session
intandem is a mentoring programme for children and young people experiencing the care system, or at risk of care. They are running an informal, online drop-in session for people who might be interested in becoming a volunteer mentor to a young person, taking place on Wednesday 25 June 2025, 6pm – 7pm via Zoom.
PVG Guidance after Disclosure Act Changes
Now that the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 has been implemented, Volunteer Scotland and Disclosure Scotland have highlighted some of the guidance available to help groups and organisations understand the changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, and remind them of the additional support resources available
