Help and guidance available to increase volunteering opportiunities in Scotland's largest city
Charities, public bodies and the private sector are being called upon to sign up to Glasgow’s first Volunteering Charter.
Led by Volunteer Glasgow, it is aimed at increasing volunteering opportunities across the city.
Over the next three years the group will be challenging every organisation in Glasgow to sign up to this new charter and to take advantage of the support on offer.
Organisations will benefit from signing the charter in a number of ways - not least by being supported to involve more people willing to donate their time, energy, skills and expertise.
We want to foster a mutually beneficial relationship with volunteers
Harnessing this support means groups can do more for their beneficiaries, members and communities.
Organisations can take advantage of support services from Volunteer Glasgow to achieve their charter pledges including expert coaching, facilitated action-learning Charter workshops, online resources and networking.
Volunteering is important to virtually every aspect of life in Glasgow. People contribute their time, energy and skills to support organisations in the arts, sport, environmental work and health and social care.
Many also run clubs and events, govern charities, raise funds, provide youth and play work, education and lifelong learning.
It has also been shown that people who volunteer are happier, healthier and more employable.
Bernadette Monaghan, chief executive of Volunteer Glasgow, said: “We have some fantastic examples of innovative and inclusive volunteering opportunities developed by organisations in both the third and public sectors, but the available data also shows that people in Glasgow seem to volunteer less than the rest of Scotland.”
Councillor Archie Graham, depute leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Glasgow faces a range of challenges, but we’ve shown that the city can take advantage of opportunities and achieve outstanding success, often developing innovative ways to do so.
“Two years ago, we delivered the best ever Commonwealth Games, with thousands of people volunteering to help in appropriate ways at the Games Ceremonies, as Clydesiders, at Pride House, and as our magnificent Host City Volunteers.
“We’ve harnessed people’s enthusiasm and continue to build on that legacy. Last week we announced that thanks to our partners at the Big Lottery Fund, we are recruiting around 400 volunteers to be the heart and soul of the Homeless World Cup. Up to half of the volunteers will have been affected by homelessness at some point in their lives and we will continue that support with life-changing opportunities in sport, culture and learning. There will also be a range of volunteering opportunities when the city hosts another multi-sport event, the European Championships, in 2018.
“Within the council and Glasgow Life we want to foster a mutually beneficial relationship with volunteers, where they can bring new skills and perspective to us while fulfilling their volunteering ambitions.”
