#VolunteersWeekScot
Volunteers’ Week is a UK wide campaign that takes place from 1st -7th June every year – it’s time to say thank you!
This Volunteers’ Week we are encouraging everyone to take the time to say Thank You to all our volunteers across the Western Isles. During an exceptionally difficult year, people have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to people and their communities – just as they do every year.
Volunteers are always active at the heart of every community. They are behind many of the services we all rely on. Some have been volunteering online from home, others in person with a local charity or organisation. Their essential efforts have not stopped, despite the uncertain times we find ourselves in, and will continue as an important part of the nation’s recovery.
That is why on this 37th annual Volunteers’ Week it’s time to say, ‘Thank You Volunteers!’
We want to recognise all of those who have continued delivering vital work as volunteers over the past 12 months but also all those who usually volunteer but have not been able to because of the pandemic.
Below we have provided some ideas for how you could get involved in this years campaign, including online event suggestions, connecting locally and more!
Thank you cards!
Say a huge THANK YOU to your volunteers! We have made it easy for you – download PDF thank you cards that you can type in , print or send as e-cards.
You can also contact us to order printed thank you cards and Volunteers Week Certificates free of charge! All orders for printed materials should be placed by Wed 26th May 2021 for delivery.
Click HERE to download Thank you card 1
Click HERE to download Thank you card 2
Click HERE to download Thank you card 3
Click HERE to download Thank you card 4
Get together online – host an online quiz night!
Looking for something fun to do? Click on the link below for tips on how to host an online quiz for your volunteers! Tips-for-hosting-an-Online-Quiz (1)
Shout it out!
Use your social media to say thank you! Click below for social media images to say THANK YOU online!
COVID-19 and Volunteering
Please visit our Volunteer COVID-19 Portal – a new information page set up to provide you with volunteer information and volunteering help and support though the COVID-19 pandemic.
As lockdown eases, organisations need to think about how staff and volunteers can continue to work safely. We have sample policies and risk assessments available for you to download and use on the Volunteer COVID-19 Portal
Scottish Government advice is that remote working should remain the default for all of those who can. If your organisation has successfully moved to home working and digital service delivery this might mean that you do not need to reopen physical services or premises for some time.
In this clip Jason Leitch (National Clinical Director) discusses why the majority of offices should remain closed:
If you do decide you need to reopen you have a duty of care towards staff and volunteers. You must do all you reasonably can to support their health, wellbeing and safety.
You should talk as early as possible about any plans to return to work. ACAS recommend talking about:
- when staff might return to the workplace
- how staff will travel to and from work
- how health and safety is being reviewed and managed – you should share the your latest risk assessment
- any planned adjustments to the workplace, for example additional hand washing facilities, staggering start and finish times to avoid overcrowding or floor markings to help people keep 2 metres apart
- if there might be a phased return of the workforce, for example some staff returning before others
- working from home arrangements
ACAS also recommend consulting with trade union, employee and health and safety representatives. Employers should check any agreements they have with a trade union or employee representatives to see if they must formally consult.
Wherever possible, you should speak to staff before making a decision or putting plans in writing. This can help staff understand, and feel included in, decisions. If you are reopening premises you will need to assess risks and make the workplace safe.
Please visit the SCVO website for more information on leaving lockdown and how to support your staff and volunteers throughout.
Volunteer Centre Western Isles supports the COVID-19 response in the following ways:
- Find you a volunteer opportunity, where possible and safe to do so;
- Support to COVID-19 volunteers who have signed up to help through the Scottish Governments Ready Scotland site;
- Help to promote local volunteer roles related to the COVID-19 community response;
- Providing advice and guidance on volunteering safely when dealing with vulnerable members of the public;
- Support to community groups and organisations with volunteer management, sample policies;
- Signposting to TSIWI partners for funding advice and support;
- Communicate with local volunteers and organisations to let them know what is happening and connect them where relevant
What does this mean for volunteering?
Services which are essential are still being provided in communities. There has been a resumption of some additional volunteering, permitted under the measures outlined in Phases 1 to 3. Volunteers are encouraged to look out for their neighbours. Please ensure you heed all relevant advice around staying safe and keeping others around you safe. Check out the guidance from Ready Scotland.
Please continue to check our website news, Facebook and Instagram for the latest volunteering opportunities, updates and good practice guides.
Get in touch with any questions – we are here to help!
Meantime thank you and please Think Local, Act Local.
Our latest news >
Scottish Government survey on the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector and volunteering in Scotland
Say thank you to your volunteers this Volunteers Week!
Young volunteer researchers in Barra were supported to research life on a remote island Mingulay now compared with 100 years ago and produce a film,
Youth Volunteering>
If you are 25 or under, volunteer with us – you never know where it could take you! We have opportunities throughout the Outer Hebrides – tell us what you are interested in and we will help you find a volunteering opportunity. Watch local girl Eleanor Nicolson’s volunteer journey, produced by the Wee Studio.
For Volunteers >
Search for a volunteering opportunity >>
Use our online function to search for local volunteer opportunities and find out what you can offer in your local area.
An online resource to give volunteer managers access to high quality, reliable and up to date information on managing volunteers.
Find out what you can offer in your local area
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Do you know how you can benefit?
Under 25? Find out more about youth volunteering and how you and your community can benefit.
For Organisations >
We offer a range of free Volunteer Management Training through our Training Programme which runs across the Outer Herbrides.
We run Volunteer Network meetings for volunteer managers. The VOLNET meetings are very informal and offer managers a chance to share practice and network.fr
You can download template Volunteer Policies here or contact us for support to develop your organisations volunteer policies.
P4A&B Stornoway Primary School. Litter pick up at school then for the community at Lews Castle Grounds
#keepscotlandbeautiful
#powerofyouth
#SYPrimary
#stornowaytrust
#lewscastlegrounds
#generationyouth
#cnes
Clean Coast Outer Hebrides
"It was lovely to see before and after results at our local beach clean up. What I did not expect was the sense of camaraderie, achievement and seeing the very value of what we had done." Volunteer
#cleancoastouterhebrides
#keepscotlandbeautiful
Day Four Volunteers Week.
Alice Macmillan who lives Barvas is one of the fantastic volunteers at the Barvas Foodbank which was set up to help those in need within the community throughout the Covid 19 crisis.
#VolunteersWeek2021
#barvasandbruecommunity
#tsiwesternisles
Pictured here is Ellie Donnelly. Dementia Advisor/Volunteer Coordinator for Alzheimer’s Scotland. "A massive thank you to all our amazing valued volunteers."
#DementiaAwarenessWeek
#VolunteersWeek2021
#supportingvolunteers
#alzheimersscotlandwesternisles
#tsiwesternisles
