Volunteering not only makes a difference for others, it also makes a difference for you. There are a vast range of opportunities available, and we can help find the right one for you.
Since CVS Falkirk & District was founded in 1984, it has supported community engagement and volunteering. Volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations truly drive community empowerment, and we thoroughly enjoy working with individuals and groups who each make an incredible impact across our local communities. From speaking to our wonderful volunteers, however, we have been told time and time again that volunteering as an experience gives as much as you put into it.
Volunteering can help you to:
- Gain new skills and experiences
- Update your CV
- Meet new like-minded people
- Have fun and build your social life
- Increase your confidence
- Give back to your community
If you are interested in Volunteering, you can search for current Falkirk volunteering opportunities directly through our website! Our Volunteer Opportunities page provides up to date and relevant information about volunteering locally in the Falkirk and District area. So whether you live in Bo’ness or Limerigg, we can put you in touch with local volunteering initiatives.
Changes to PVG Scheme and Legal Requirements
Important changes are coming to the current Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Starting Tuesday 1 April 2025, the PVG scheme will become a legal requirement across Scotland, as part of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 aims to improve the disclosure system in Scotland by removing unnecessary barriers for people with convictions who are seeking employment or other opportunities, while also enhancing the PVG scheme. Changes include:
- membership of the PVG scheme will be a legal requirement for those carrying out a regulated role
- the ability for Disclosure Scotland to impose conditions on PVG scheme members who are under consideration for listing
Volunteer Scotland has organised a series of information and drop-in sessions throughout January and February, to provide practical support and insights into the new requirements. These sessions are updated regularly to reflect the latest information from Disclosure Scotland.
They have also put together a dedicated Disclosure Act webpage, with key resources and guidance to support organisations and groups during the transition.
Locally, our team at CVS Falkirk & District are here to help you navigate the new requirements, and prepare for the changes your team need to make before April. Our support builds on Volunteer Scotland’s sessions to give tailored guidance for your group or organisation, including the different levels of Disclosure checking that will be available under the new Act, and what level your team members should select.
For further information on these resources, or to book a place at any of the sessions, please visit the dedicated page.
Alternatively, for guidance and support through this change for your Falkirk District group, please contact our team at CVS Falkirk by phone: 01324 692000, or email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
V-Bulletin: Volunteer Opportunities Hotlist
The ‘V-Bulletin’ aims to reach volunteers across the Falkirk District, providing direct information and support to promote and highlight the impact of volunteering across our local areas. To support this, and ensure our opportunities are current and updated regularly, we are looking to our volunteer-involving organisations to get in touch with their opportunities with the promised outreach of over 1100 potential volunteers receiving information about your goals and needs directly in their inbox!
This new bulletin will be delivered on the final Wednesday of each month, and looks to provide volunteer opportunities, training information, and provide general support for volunteers (such as engaging with Saltire Awards). If you are an individual interested in receving this, please complete our Sign Up Form (linked).
If you would like to include a volunteer opportunity, please contact us by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk. If you would like some support in creating this narrative, our volunteering team will be happy to assist you.
Saltire Awards for Youth Volunteering
Young volunteers (aged 12 – 25 years old) can take part in the National Saltire Awards programme. The Saltire Awards are the Scottish Government’s way of celebrating, recognising and rewarding the commitment, contribution and achievements of young volunteers in Scotland. There are 4 levels of awards:
- Challenge – for taking part in a one-off group activity
- Approach – individual awards for 10 or 25 hours volunteering
- Ascent – individual awards for 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours volunteering
- Summit – for those who have made an outstanding contribution to volunteering.
For further information, including how to get started, please visit the dedicated Saltire Awards page.
Connecting Volunteering Network
The Connecting Volunteering Network is for anyone who is involved in volunteering in Falkirk, whether they are a staff member or a volunteer, whether they organise helping activities informally in their community or work with an established group or organisation. Our diversity of experience, skills and knowledge is one of our sector’s key strengths, and the Connecting Volunteering Network is a space to share these for mutual benefit.
This is an opportunity to connect with others who volunteer and who work with volunteers to share successes and challenges, to support each other, and to plan how we can make volunteering in Falkirk bigger and better than ever.
For further information, including all upcoming meeting dates and papers, please visit the dedicated page.
Involving Volunteers in Your Organisation
Volunteers play such an important role within an organisation: a resource that for many organisations couldn’t do without however they are a resource that needs to be looked after, managed and nurtured. If you want help to find the right people, to support and manage them effectively to ensure they have a positive experience with you and help your organisation get the best from volunteering, we are here to help.
At CVS Falkirk & District, we have a dedicated volunteering team who can provide a range of support in relation to any aspect of your volunteer programme – for further information on the support we offer, please visit the dedicated “Involving Volunteers in Your Organisation” page.
Celebrating Volunteering
Recognising the contribution of your volunteers is very important, and we hope that the various events we’ve had over the years will inspire your organisation to hold your own volunteer celebration. To this end, we have put together some ideas we hope will inspire you to hold your own celebration.
During Volunteers’ Week, as part of the celebrations, we also provide organisations with our Celebrating Volunteering Certificates and Long Service badges for their volunteers. If you are interested in participating in this initiative, please contact CVS Falkirk by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
Other Resources
Volunteering FAQs: Our team has created a helpful listed of frequently asked questions for anyone looking to start their volunteering journey, or for experienced volunteers who just want to check a few details, and everyone in between.
Volunteering and DWP Benefits: The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has published the guidance on volunteering while claiming benefits, which we have shared on our website as a list and a downloadable pdf. We also work closely with Jobcentre Plus in Falkirk and Grangemouth to highlight volunteering opportunities that are available and to support their staff in encouraging people to volunteer.
Resource Library – Volunteering: A list created by our Volunteering team, which links to useful templates and guides detailing important information when setting up or managing a volunteer programme within a third sector organisation.
Funding Focus: A list created by our Funding Officers, signposting to support with funding and which offers links to some open Funds to support your volunteering opportunities (all accurate as of June 2024).
“Volunteering for All” Framework: A national framework launched by Scottish Government in 2019, aiming to reduce barriers to volunteering for people from all sections of the community, regardless of their background. It supports third, private and public sector organisations to promote the value of volunteering, and celebrates the contributions which have already been made, encouraging everyone who wants to volunteer to take part. The framework also aims to build more links with communities, seeking opportunities to share resources and expertise at a grassroots level.
Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan: Launched in 2022, the action plan is the new volunteering strategy from Scottish Government, building on the work of the Volunteering for All Framework to maximise the impact of volunteering. It has been designed to create an environment and a community of practice, in which volunteering can adapt to changing priorities and continue to thrive, as well as helping establish accountability for ensuring the needs of volunteers are at the centre of future decision-making.
Case Studies
Case Study – Royal Voluntary Service
Read the full story here: Royal Voluntary Service
Case Study – Moira Dunning
Read the full story here: Moira Dunning
Case Study – Helena Gribben
Read the full story here: Helena Gribben