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VOLUNTEER ACTION NEWS
Call back anytime to see what's new at Volunteer Action Dumfries and Galloway.
It is a time of opportunity and of challenge for the sector. DGTSI wishes to be fit to face the future. Welfare reform has created increased demand, and the Scottish Government’s change funds offer a bigger role for our sector in public services. Now more than ever we need to work together, to access resources and make our voice heard. Our new membership organisation is designed with this mind.
TSIs are being established all over Scotland to inherit work previously carried out by organisations such as ours. All our functions hope to transfer to the DGTSI by April 2013. Arrangements are being planned to allow our staff to transfer to the new organisation.
Membership of Dumfries & Galloway Third Sector Interface
Following an external review we are rebuilding DGTSI. Membership is free, and now open to any charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation active in the region. Please, do join us. We are newly re-established for the whole of Dumfries and Galloway region, to support and represent you.
Contact us for more information.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE SALTIRE SUMMIT AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN
To nominate a young person who you think has made a significant contribution, commitment or exceptional achievements complete a nomination form, either by downloading it from www.saltireawards.org.uk or from our website http://www.volunteeraction.co.uk/content.php?id=150g=0 and return to our Dumfries office.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information, alternatively you can go to www.saltireawards.org.uk to find out more information about Saltire Awards.
Exciting opportunity!
Young E citizens for a Sustainable Coastline
CURLING: Volunteer Information Day for the 2014 World Mixed Doubles and World Senior Curling Championships to be staged in Dumfries
The organising committee for the 2014 World Mixed Doubles and World Senior Curling Championships are hosting a volunteer open day at Dumfries Ice Bowl on the 11th May at 11.00am.
The committee will be delighted to welcome along any potential volunteers who feel they can make a contribution to the staging of the event in April 2014. Hosting the 2014 World Mixed Doubles and World Senior Curling Championships will see Dumfries & Galloway hold the biggest sporting event to be seen in our region and provide a showcase of the region for all of the competing nations from around the world. David Owen Committee Vice Chair said “This is a fantastic opportunity for locals to be involved in a World Championship Event. There is a whole range of roles that need to be filled both before and during the event. As a curler it will be a great week to be involved with!”
The open day will provide opportunities for volunteer to sign up to become part of the team to deliver the event in a wide range of roles from player liaison to transportation and stats recording to ice preparation. Stuart Biggar – Organising Committee Chair said “This is the biggest curling event to be staged in Dumfries & Galloway and the first Curling World Championship event to be staged in Scotland for some years. The success of the London Olympics will be remembered for the contribution the volunteers gave to the event and the delivery of a successful game. The organising committee is looking for anyone who feels they can contribute, no matter how small a role, to the delivery of the biggest sporting event to be staged in the region”
The event taking place at Dumfries Ice Bowl will be staged from the 22nd April 2014 over eight days of competition. If you feel you can add something special to the event please come along on Saturday 11th May at 11.00am to be provided with information on the event, the roles available and to sign up your commitment. Registration is available in advance and can be done by emailing the Committee at info@dumfriescurling.co.uk
WORLD OCEANS WEEK 2013
Are you aged between 15 and 25?
Come along and volunteer at our World Oceans Week Celebrations at
Port William – Sunday 9 June,11am – 4pm
contact Solway Firth Partnership
01387 702162
clair@solwayfirthpartnership
www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk
RBS Group launched Inspiring Enterprise in 2012 to help more people, in more communities, start up and succeed in business. Through Inspiring Youth Enterprise, we have committed to helping 100,000 young people to explore enterprise, develop their skills and start up in business, whatever their background, by 2015.
This year's MoonWalk Edinburgh will take place on 9th and 10th June in Edinburgh's Inverleith Park.
No previous experience required just enthusiasm and the physical ability to work through the night.
If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Volunteer Action 01387 267311 or nithsdale@volunteeraction.co.uk
Best Practice Awards 2012.
Congratulations to them all for reaching this standard and providing their volunteers with a positive experience.
If you would like to find out more about the Award please contact any of Volunteer Action staff.
Following a positive year for the image of volunteering with the successful summer of Gamesmakers with the Olympic Games, Focus Scotland hope that individuals within Scotland continue to volunteer and hope that the campaign will act as a reminder for them of the impact they can have at community level.
Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Deputy First Minister one of the first to sign the campaign banner said – ‘“I have seen at first hand the immense contribution volunteers make to our communities, I was delighted this year to celebrate the work of volunteers in the NHS at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and throughout my own constituency.”
“I hope that 2013 will see even more Scots taking the opportunity to help make their communities stronger, safer and more active places to live. 2013 gives us all as Scots the spring board to rise to the challenge of supporting the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games whether you volunteer, watch on TV, or cheer from the stadiums.”
“I wish every volunteer across the country all the very best for 2013 and on behalf of the Scottish Government thank you for everything you do.”
Focus Scotland Editor Selina Ross added, “Volunteering has never been more in the news and we want to see 2013 be the year we put community volunteering in Scotland clearly on the map. Everyday people throughout Scotland make the lives of themselves and others better by contributing their time, skills and care in a wide variety of ways. We hope in 2013 even more will take the time to get involved.”
The last Scottish Household Survey showed that 30% of adults volunteer, this campaign hopes to add to that figure by encouraging everyone to kick off the New Year with a resolution to volunteer in their local community and make a difference.
If you have any time to donate to and would be interested you can find out more about volunteering by visiting the portal for all volunteering in Scotland www.volunteerscotland.org.uk or by contacting Volunteer Action D&G on 01387 267311 or email nithsdale@volunteeraction.co.uk
From now, people can register their interest on the new volunteering site before the online application process opens mid-January 2013.
For full details of the process, including how the application process works, the types of roles available and the benefits of taking part, please visit the 2014 website.
You can download the volunteer digital toolkit which will provide everything you need on how to get involved and "be the Games".
If you'd like to discuss further details please feel free to get in touch with Glasgow 2014 contact centre on 030 3333 2014 or e-mail them at contactus@glasgow2014.com.
Voluntary Action Fund Community Grants Programme
You can also download the application form in Word from the website - see http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk/5,1356/grants/community_grants/ - or phone VAF to request a paper copy to be sent out.
vInspired Cashpoint
Grants of up to £500 are on offer to give young people the chance to change their community for the better. Due to the popularity of the programme, which has been running for five years, the age range has been extended to enable the youngest social entrepreneurs to get involved and make their on the issues they care about.
Over the past five years, in excess of 800 grants have been awarded to young people who have used their creativity and passions to develop projects including stand-up comedy sessions to help young people build their confidence, cycling lessons to give young women from Bangladeshi communities independence, and a community 'earth ship' to educate local people about eco-friendly living.
The grants won't just benefit the community. Through applying for and running their projects young people learn vital skills and confidence, which will help them in their future careers, and perhaps even inspire them to set up their own full-scale social enterprises. Grant recipients will also be able to work towards their vInspired Awards, which officially record hours of volunteering and social action to be added to CVs or job applications. All of which will help young people build experience, develop relationship and stand out in an increasingly competitive world.
Applications will be accepted until September 2013. Grants will be awarded for not-for-profit projects that show a clear positive benefit to a community, group or the planet.
Contact: vInspired, phone: 0207 960 7000 e-mail: cashpoint@vinspired.com website: http://vinspired.com/vcashpoint/opportunities/10066-vinspired-cashpoint/activities/157789-funding-for-your-project
VOLUNTEER ACTION DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
VOLUNTEER ARTS ABASSADORS REQUIRED FOR DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Voluntary Arts Scotland is recruiting people with a passion for arts and crafts to help support and promote culture in their area.
As a Voluntary Arts Ambassador you will be the link between the voluntary sector and amateur arts and crafts groups, local authorities, voluntary sector agencies and community planning.
if you are interested or want to find out more contact
Carol Stobie
Tel: 0131 225 9790
Email: carol@vascotland.org.uk
CONGRATULATIONS to Dumfries LGBT Centre
LGBT Youth Scotland’s National Gathering, the biggest event for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people in the country is over for another year!
This year the event took place at Stirling University and hosted over 100 young people for a weekend of drama workshops, National Youth Council (NYC) issue workshops, a red carpet disco and the hotly anticipated LGBT Youth Scotland Awards which recognised young people and projects from the last year.
The Award Ceremony was hosted by the fabulous Rhona Cameron who presented thirty awards, three of which were won by Dumfries LGBT Centre young people and projects:
· Michael Grieve won the ‘My Journey, Dumfries & Galloway’ category which was supported by The Equality Network.
· Ashleigh Johnstone won ‘Peer Educator of the Year’, sponsored by Respectme
· Download, an online advice and support service for young people in D&G provided by young people in D&G took home the ‘Involving Young People Award’ which was sponsored by CLD Standards Council
Huge congratulations to everyone locally and nationally who were nominated for and won awards from everyone at Dumfries LGBT Centre!
All of the young people attending National Gathering also voted on what issues they would like the NYC to tackle over the next two years, choosing two from transgender awareness, marriage equality, mental health and sexual health. At the Award Ceremony it was announced that transgender awareness and mental health will be the NYC’s new focus!
What is Localgiving.com … a unique not for profit website that gives charities and community groups the online presence that they need to raise awareness and support in the face of cutbacks. And offers donors and volunteers a new way of finding and supporting local charitable organisations that are working hard to make their communities a better place.
We’re working hard to raise awareness. So I’m emailing you with some new news!
· new regular giving facility … from September donors will be able to support charities by direct debit via Localgiving.com
· over 2,200 charities and community groups around the UK are now registered with Localgiving.com
· I’m delighted that a local charity Castle Douglas Community IT Centre is one of the latest to join the site
If you’d like to discuss opportunities or have any questions please contact Jane Martin, Localgiving.com Co-ordinator on 0131 524 0301 or email: jane@scottishcf.org
Started in 1984, Volunteers’ Week celebrates its 28th anniversary in 2012. This annual awareness week celebrates volunteers and volunteering. With more than 1 million people in Scotland (that’s more than 20% of the population) donating their time and effort in one way or another every year, this week is used to recognise their valued contribution to society as well as encouraging others to consider getting involved.
Volunteers' Week (1-7 June) is the UK's annual celebration of the work volunteers do. It plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteers across the UK.
As part of Volunteers Week, in Dumfries and Galloway, Volunteer Action organise activities for local MPs, MSPs and Councillors to participate in to help to raise awareness of the huge contribution that volunteers make to Dumfries and Galloway. This year saw MPs, MSPs, local councillors and reporters involved in a host of different activities, including: serving lunches at Kate’s Kitchen and the Salvation Army; gardening with Alcohol & Drugs Support and NHS Gardens for Better Health; helping in charity shops in Lockerbie and Stranraer; and helping out at Sports Driving Unlimited.
In addition Volunteer Action D&G presented a huge number of Volunteers Week certificates to volunteers in Annandale & Eskdale, attending a number of events to celebrate and recognise the commitment and contribution volunteers make to our communities. Over 800 Volunteers Week certificates and more than 400 long service certificates were issued to 58 local groups.
Christine Clarke, Training & Support Officer for Volunteer Action, said: “It takes your breath away to think of the huge number of people involved in volunteering. Our figures are only the tip of the iceberg – there are so many more individuals and groups in the community providing activities and services strengthening our communities, making Dumfries & Galloway (to snatch the councils tagline) The Natural Place to Volunteer.
SALTIRE AWARDS. RECOGNISING AND REWARDING YOUNG PEOPLE'S COMMITMENT TO VOLUNTEERING.
Contact us for more information.
Alex Salmond MSP First Minister of Scotland Aberdeenshire East
"More than a million Scots volunteer each year and every one of them makes an enormous contribution. All day, every day, in communities across Scotland people are helping their neighbours and their communities, people who might not even see themselves as volunteers but who help make this country what it is. People are giving their time and effort to try to make this a better place for all of us to live, and I can’t think of many things more admirable than that. For young people in particular, I think volunteering can really help them become confident, successful adults. That's why I'm so keen on the Saltire Awards youth volunteering scheme, which I hope encourages more teenagers to see how they can not only help others but help themselves. I think it’s our responsibility to support volunteers wherever possible. We provide financial support in a number of different ways and I think it's sometimes equally important to show our support for the time and enthusiasm people show. Volunteers Week is a great chance to say thank you and show our appreciation for the valuable contribution you make."
Johann Lamont MSP Leader of Scottish Labour Glasgow Pollock
"Many of the services we rely on everyday are only possible because of the dedicated and kind-hearted volunteers who give up their own time to help others. The value of the work and effort they put in to make our communities better places is beyond estimate and without them many of our lives would be a great deal poorer. Volunteers Week is a fantastic opportunity to bring some welcome focus to the work being done by these volunteers and a chance for us to give a collective thanks for the work they do."
Ruth Davidson MSP Leader of Scottish Conservatives Glasgow Region
“Volunteers’ week is a great way to highlight the important work done by many thousands of Scottish volunteers throughout the country. From kinship carers to charity helpers to community councillors, Scotland benefits from an army of volunteers who make a real difference to our society and make Scotland a better, more caring place. The great thing about volunteering is that – as well as making a huge difference to a person, cause or campaign – the volunteer can benefit as well. Whether from new friends, new skills or a sense of pride in a job well done, volunteering can have a hugely positive impact on the individual as well as the subject of their time. I know from doing volunteer work down the years as varied as teaching Sunday school, helping out at a radio station for blind and partially sighted people or organising charity fundraising events, that volunteering can be hugely enjoyable as well as rewarding. From a caring role, where a volunteer can make a world of difference for an individual person to a charity campaigning whose actions can change help the world, volunteers have a vital role in Scotland today and I congratulate Volunteers’ week for paying tribute to their success.”
Willie Rennie MSP Leader of Scottish Liberal Democrats Mid Scotland & Fife Region
“Scotland’s volunteers make an immeasurable contribution across all sectors of society. Volunteers and voluntary groups make a direct impact on the growth of Scotland's economy, the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services. The flexible, personal approach of the voluntary sector holds the key to tackling many social issues such as deprivation, not least because voluntary organisations reach many hard to reach parts of society. Responsive and effective services are best delivered when they are under local control and Scottish Liberal Democrats want to establish a culture of innovation across all public services. I believe that the voluntary sector has a hugely important role to play in this; when local people are given the power to design and control their services then it results in innovation, better services and lower costs. I want to use this opportunity to thank the volunteers across Scotland’s communities who reach out to help others and to make Scotland a better place.”
In Dumfries & Galloway, local MP's & MSP's have taken up the challenge to learn more about local groups, and volounteer some of their time.
Here's what some of them had to say:
Elaine Murray MSP said of her experinience: “Volunteering with Sports Driving Unlimited was great fun, it was lovely to see how much the children enjoyed driving the ponies and taking part in ‘pony games’ in the indoor school. The kid’s parents told me how much their children were benefiting from being able to take part in these activities. Organisations like Sports Driving Unlimited relies entirely on the efforts of volunteers to offer this service to young people with special needs and I was very pleased to spend a morning with them to learn more about the great work they are doing.”
David Mundell MP went along to Kate’s Kitchen in Annan to help with lunches. He said of his experience "I was delighted to get the opportunity to visit Kate’s Kitchen and help out. It is humbling to see local people giving so much of their time and effort to such a worthy cause. The volunteers who run this service week in week out are extraordinary. The friendly atmosphere, the attention to detail and their enthusiasm is clearly vital to this important project’s success."
Alex Ferguson MSP stated “Once again, I have greatly enjoyed the variety of volunteering activities that I have been involved with during Volunteer’s Week. Spending Time with Citizens Advice and the Recycling project in Stranraer, the Drug and Alcohol Befrienders and helping out (or, more accurately, getting in the way) at the Catstrand have all given me a timely reminder that we would be completely lost as a society without the input of the thousands of volunteers who give so freely of their time to improve the lives of others. Volunteers Week gives me an opportunity to thank those wonderful people and also to remind myself that we politicians owe them an enormous vote of thanks for the work that they do. As always, I am immensely grateful to those who organise Volunteer’s Week, and am looking forward to next year already.”Young People are a Credit to Dumfries & Galloway
The MV Award was replaced by the Saltire Award in April 2012, and 2 of the young people in attendance from Annandale & Eskdale were the first in the region to achieve their Saltire Awards.
Volunteer Action would like to thank European Year of Volunteer 2011, Voluntary Action Fund for supporting this event to recognise the contribution of young volunteers.
Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway were delighted to receive their LGBT Charter Mark Award at an informal presentation on 12th June at DGOne.
Volunteer Action are the first voluntary sector organisation in Dumfries and Galloway to achieve the coveted LGBT Charter Mark, which involved them undertaking a programme of work to make sure their services better include LGBT people. The organisation initially approached the LGBT Centre because they wanted to build on their already strong foundations and commitment to equality and diversity, and to make sure they were delivering services which increased their reach to harder to reach groups and were in line with legislative changes as part of the Equality Act 2010. The team (although small in number) worked hard to achieve the award undertaking activity such as training, policy development, monitoring, outreach and support work, all of which they evidenced and submitted as an evidence portfolio which the LGBT Youth Scotland team then assessed.
Grace Cordoza, on presenting them with their award, said: “Volunteer Action are a credit to the 3rd Sector in Dumfries and Galloway and join an increasing number of organisations locally who are proudly demonstrating their commitment to making Dumfries and Galloway a place where all our citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity can participate equally. Well done to the team for all their hard work! “
Christine Clarke, Training & Support Officer for Volunteer Action, said about the Award “It was a natural process for us to work towards the Award. We pride ourselves in being welcoming to all, but being able to display the Award will hopefully encourage people to realise that we really are inclusive”.
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