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As the Third Sector Interface for the Falkirk Council area, we're a local, independent charitable company which exists to promote, develop and represent the third sector and volunteering. We provide a range of services predominantly to volunteers and third sector organisations, but also provide support and assistance to statutory partners to engage better with the third sector.
Our e-bulletin articles are linked to our website which will provide you with further information, simply click on the article title to open the full article in a new window.
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Volunteers’ Week takes place each year in the first week of June, and is celebrated by our local volunteers and third sector organisations. This year, many will miss the opportunity to get together in person with their volunteer colleagues and the organisations they give their time to. In past years, celebratory events have included sharing a meal, or taking time to present volunteers with certificates as a small thank you for their help and support.
However, we still want to thank each and every volunteer who dedicates their time, enthusiasm and commitment to help others in their own communities - and we need your help.
We have created Celebrating Volunteering Certificates for organisations to download and send to their volunteers. Once the lockdown restrictions are lifted we will be able to print and present the certificates for you.
For all our Falkirk Bairns, we have a colouring page you can colour in and display in your window for all volunteers to see! Take a photo of your window and send it to us by email: info@volunteerfalkirk.org.uk
We'll put it up on our brand new Instagram, @VolunteerFalkirk! We would also love to see photos of your volunteers in action that we can share on Instagram (before or during COVID-19) - just send them to the email address above.
So from all of us at CVS Falkirk and Volunteer Falkirk, THANK YOU volunteers, you really do make a difference to all of us in our communities and we couldn’t do without you.
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To mark the amazing effort of our volunteers across the Falkirk areas, as well as providing a space to celebrate, a new website is being launched during Volunteers’ Week 2020: Volunteer Falkirk.
This site will become a hub of information for volunteers, or people interested in getting involved in volunteering activity in Falkirk.
As part of the launch, we want to hear from you if you are a volunteer, if you have been helped by a volunteer or a kind neighbour, if you are an organisation who involve volunteers, or if you would like your message of thanks included in this year’s celebration.
To submit your comments, please contact our team by email: info@volunteerfalkirk.org.uk
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CVS Falkirk and Falkirk Council together would like to highlight the value of volunteering within the communities of Falkirk and District, the commitment volunteers give each day to help and benefit the lives of others, and the response of volunteers to COVID-19 pandemic.
Jen Kerr, Chief Executive of CVS Falkirk said: “People helping people is at the heart of every community, every day and none more so than during this time of uncertainty, illness and need.
“During this unique Volunteers’ Week, we would like to extend our thanks to the thousands of people who stepped forward to volunteer but have not yet been asked to take on specific tasks, and to those that have been actively involved. The social impacts of this pandemic will remain with us long after the virus is gone and let’s ensure that more volunteering is one of the positive ones.”
Leader of Falkirk Council, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, said: “Words don’t seem enough at this time, regardless I would like to extend my gratitude, on behalf of Falkirk Council, to every one of our Falkirk volunteers. Many of our vulnerable residents have managed to stay home and keep well solely because of the kindness, creativity and commitment of our volunteers and our third sector. I look forward to thanking some of you in person when it is safe to do so."
To view the full statement, please click on the above title.
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The Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell, MSP, has written to the tens of thousands of volunteers who have signed up to be part of Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
In her statement, on behalf of Scottish Government, she thanks everyone helping in any way, including those who have not yet been called upon for specific tasks, and echoes Jen Kerr's message about how vital volunteers will be in rebuilding our communities.
She also notes the importance of following Scottish Government's guidelines and staying at home, and the difference this continues to make.
To view Ms Campbell's full statement, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.
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Young people all over the Falkirk area are getting involved in volunteering in order to achieve their Saltire Awards.
The Saltire Awards are a set of nationally recognised certificates, endorsed by Scottish Government. They are progressive and allow young people to achieve certificates at 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 volunteering hours.
Young people have shown understanding and compassion during COVID-19. By reaching out to volunteer during this time, they are not only aiding their community, but benefiting their own wellbeing and future through earning certificates.
Our team will be hosting online training on Tuesday 9th June to help groups and organisations navigate their way through the awards.
For further information (including how to book your place), please click on the above title.
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We at CVS Falkirk are looking forward when it is safe for all our local third sector groups and organisations to resume their valued services and activities.
The challenging circumstances of COVID-19 have led to many of our local people letting us know that they are ready, willing and able to volunteer to help. We want to provide them with the information they need to choose a volunteer opportunity that is a good fit for them.
We know that volunteers will be needed more than ever, during recovery and reconnecting, and we would like you to tell us how this will look for your organisation.
For further information, including how to get in touch, please click on the above title.
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Our funding hotlist for Volunteers' Week 2020 is now live!
The hotlist features a range of funding opportunities and sources that groups and organisations across Falkirk can apply for. As part of Volunteers' Week, we have focused on funding available regarding volunteers, such as volunteer programmes, training, or volunteer expenses.
Some are open to any type of group, whereas others may feature certain restrictions; for example, certain funds may only be open to applications from registered charities, or groups with particular areas of work or geographical area.
For further information, or to view this year's Volunteers' Week funding hotlist, please visit the CVS Falkirk website.
Alternatively, contact our team by email: info@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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The COVID-19 Falkirk Volunteer Expenses Fund has been set up to support community groups and voluntary organisations which operate in Falkirk and District, and whose volunteers provide support through community activities during COVID-19 (from Wednesday 1st April – Saturday 30th May 2020). CVS Falkirk will be administering the fund.
Expenses will be reimbursed directly to volunteers in order to reduce organisational time and resources required to administer additional or increased volunteer activity.
All COVID-19-related volunteer-involving groups and organisations are eligible to use the fund. For the full eligibility criteria and details on what can be reimbursed, please view or download the guidance document before registering.
To register, groups and organisations should download and complete the registration form.
For further information, please contact CVS Falkirk by phone 07872464215, or email: volunteer@cvsfalkirk.org.uk
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Teapot Trust is a charity providing art therapy to support the mental health of children and young people with long-term conditions.
As part of their efforts to move their art therapy services online during COVID-19, they have developed a suite of original resources on their website to keep children creatively occupied and calm at home and support mental wellbeing, which they hope all members of the family will find helpful.
These resources aim to not only be helpful to organisations working with and supporting young people and families (including their volunteers), but also families at home during this challenging time.
To access the resources, please the Teapot Trust website.
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Lead Scotland is hosting classes on Zoom over the next few weeks to help people to use the internet confidently and safely during COVID-19:
- Tuesday 2nd June at 3pm
- Saturday 20th June at 11am
- Tuesday 30th June at 2pm
Everyone is welcome to attend, including volunteers.
These webinars will cover ways you can help support others to be safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and answer any questions you might have. Participants only need to attend one webinar, as each one will give the same advice.
For further information, including how to book your place, please click on the above title.
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Volunteer Scotland’s Disclosure Services team has created virtual drop-in sessions, every Thursday, 12:30pm – 1:30pm via Zoom, to provide support and answer questions around the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme during this time.
These sessions aim to provide an opportunity to ask any questions around the PVG scheme, including around the new process. Participants can join the session from any device.
This is an open session, which anyone can join or leave at any time. It is for general questions only – participants must not discuss any confidential information, and the Volunteer Scotland team won’t be able to answer any queries about specific cases or applications.
For further information, please click on the above title.
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