£3.8 million for volunteering projects

Emphasis on encouraging diversity amongst Scotland’s volunteers

More people will have the chance to take part in volunteering as a result of £3.8 million funding announced today (Sunday). The Volunteering Support Grant  will be made available over the next four years to create new and better volunteering projects with a focus on encouraging disadvantaged and disabled people into volunteering.

Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “Volunteering is one of the most wonderful things a person can do. When a person chooses to offer up their time and talents to help others, they are not only making a vital contribution to their community, but often find that they make friends, learn new skills and feel positive about the difference they are making as individuals.

“We want to make sure we are able to tap into everybody’s talents and support anybody who wants to volunteer to do so. Through offering this funding on a three year rolling basis, we are providing further financial certainty to support volunteers.

“It feels very apt that we are announcing this funding during the weekend of the Great Get Together, which aims is to bring our communities together and celebrate all that unites us.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met the husband of MP Jo Cox in Edinburgh last month and pledged support to ‘The Great Get Together’ – a series of events between June 16-18 marking the first anniversary of the death of Jo Cox.

The First Minister said then : “The Great Get Together is a fantastic way to celebrate Jo’s life and remind us of her legacy, as encapsulated in her words – we have more in common.

“I am deeply humbled by the way Brendan and Jo’s friends and family have not allowed the devastation of losing Jo, who was such an inspirational mother, wife and politician, to overwhelm them, but instead have created a legacy of hope, friendship and unity which we can all take comfort from. I know that communities all over Scotland will come together to participate in a whole host of events and I look forward to taking part in some of these myself.”

Keith Wimbles, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Action Fund, said: “The Voluntary Action Fund is delighted to manage the Volunteering Support Grant in 2017-18 on behalf of the Scottish Government.

“Volunteers are vital agents of change in society and this fund specifically supports people to volunteer who face many challenges in their lives. Grants provided enable volunteer coordinators to provide positive volunteering experiences, which use people’s strengths and build connections within communities.”

The Voluntary Action Fund has delivered the Volunteering Support Grant on behalf of Scottish Government since2013/14 and will manage the 2017-18 Grant.

Funding for 2017-18 is available to third sector organisations with an annual income of under £250,000.  Organisations can apply for individual grants of £7,500 – £10,000.

The application form and guidance will be available at www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk from Monday 19 June.