Be part of a conversation with some of the candidates standing for election in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface (EVOC, Volunteer Edinburgh, Edinburgh Social Enterprise) and the Poverty Alliance invite you to be part of an conversation with some of the candidates standing for election on Thu 5 May.
The main focus of this event is the challenges arising from cost-of-living increases that are impacting people and communities across the City linked to:
the importance of a thriving voluntary sector
the benefits of an enterprising City
the need for wealth building within communities
Welcome & Introduction: Bridie Ashrowan, Claire Pattullo, Paul Wilson.
Panel Q&A:
Claire Miller, Edinburgh Greens candidate for City Centre
Vicky Nicolson, SNP candidate for Inverleith
Ross McKenzie, Labour candidate for Sighthill / Gorgie
Neil Ross, Liberal Democrats candidate for Morningside
Representatives from each of the political parties have been invited.
SUBMIT A QUESTION
Please submit any questions you have in advance, or if you are unable to attend the event to: comms@evoc.org.uk
ZOOM LINK:
The link will be sent out to everyone who has registered by 1pm on the day.
VOLUNTEER Edinburghare delighted to announce that we have opened the nominations for this years Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2022.
As always, every volunteer who is nominated will receive a certificate, and we will welcome a number of specially selected volunteers to an event hosted by Edinburgh’s Rt Hon Lord Provost at the City Chambers.
This event is being held during Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), and this year the date for the ceremony will be on Wednesday 1 June.
Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of all our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. These last two years we have seen and have a better understanding of the power of the volunteer.
Is there an individual or a group within your organisation that deserves an Inspiring Volunteer Award? Why not consider nominating them. We want to recognise and celebrate as many volunteers as possible!
Closing date for nominations is 1st April 2022 so don’t delay and nominate today!
For more information please follow the link below to Volunteer Edinburgh website where you can find nomination guidelines and additional info for each type of award.
Please help us to promote the awards nominations using the short url:
Volunteer Edinburgh are pleased to announce that we have a new run of our popular Core Skills in Volunteer Management course available now that is being delivered over February and March.
This remote learning course will take place over four weeks. It consists of two blocks which can be booked independently:
CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment (from 7 February until 18 February)
CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training (from 28 February until 11 March)
Each block has several activities including self-study (reading) and forum discussions all of which can be done at your own pace on the Volunteer Edinburgh Academy.
There is also a weekly 1.5 hour, facilitated Zoom session each week to enable you to connect with other learners, reflect on your practice and learning, and share discussions.
There are still stalls available at our Volunteer Recruitment Fair but we will be closing bookings on Friday 10 September so please book now to avoid missing out.
Looking for volunteers? Why not book a stall at our Volunteer Recruitment Fair but don’t leave it too long as stalls are going quickly.
The largest of its kind in Scotland, our annual fair is a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face with hundreds of potential volunteers from across the city. The fair will also feature access to volunteering and employment specialists and a friendly café to relax and refresh in.
“Great event, environment, and lay-out. Great Opportunity to not only meet potential volunteers but network. This is not common. Thanks.”
When? Wednesday 22 September 2021 from 11.00am until 7.00pm.
Where? St Paul’s and St George’s Church on York Place. Click here to view this venue on a map.
What does is cost? The event is free to visitors. Bookings for stallholders are charged and we have a number of payment options available.
You can find out more and book here or by clicking on the purple button below.
The Fair will showcase the wide range of ways that people can get involved in volunteering with organisations big and small, local and national, who serve a diverse range of communities and causes all coming together with the common aim to attract new volunteers.
“Really impressed with how many people attended today, we had to replenish our information packs as we underestimated the demand. I would definitely come again as it was very worthwhile.”
Entry is free to the public, and more than a thousand potential volunteers are expected to visit and experience the diverse range of ways they can become involved. So what are you waiting for? Book now before you miss out!
If you have any questions about booking a stall or being a stallholder please contact Jason McCann from our events team at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.
Additional resources for stallholders including an exhibitors guide, a stallholder map, and a venue risk assessment will be made available on our website as soon as they are ready.
Volunteer Edinburgh’s popular Core Skills in Volunteer Management course is now fully accessible to you and we are pleased to say that we are now able to offer it online.
Delivered over four weeks using a mixture of self-study, online forum-based discussions and Zoom, our online CSVM gives you a fantastic professional development opportunity in a totally flexible way.
CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment
Week 1: Involvement (from Monday 13 until Friday 17 September)
Week 2: Recruitment (from Monday 20 until Friday 24 September)
CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training
Week 1: Support and supervision (from Monday 4 until Friday 8 October)
Week 2: Training (from Monday 11 to Friday 15 October)
Flexible Learning
Each week will require approximately 3.5 hours of study time, most of which can be done flexibly to suit you, but you are required to attend a weekly Zoom session on Friday. You can participate in the course at any time between Monday and Friday.
What does the course cover?
CSVM 1: Involvement and Recruitment
Benefits of working with volunteers;
Motivations, expectations, needs;
Formal structures: volunteer policy, volunteer agreements, role descriptions;
Recruitment strategy and methods; and
Selection.
CSVM 2: Support, Supervision and Training
Support and supervision;
Challenges that can arise when you manage volunteers;
Practical preventions and solutions;
Learning needs assessment;
Training methodologies; and
Learning plan design.
What is the methodology? The course consists of several activities including self-study (reading) and forum discussions all of which can be done at your own pace on the Volunteer Edinburgh Academy.
There is also a weekly 1.5 hour, facilitated Zoom session each Friday to enable you to connect with other learners, reflect on your practice and learning, and share discussions.
You will be able to select a time slot for the Zoom session that suits you best (9.30am, 11.30am or 2pm); we will have a maximum of six participants in each slot.
The estimated time required for each week:
Reading and interactive presentations: 0.5h (Volunteer Edinburgh Academy)
Forum discussion participation and activities: 1.5h (Volunteer Edinburgh Academy)
Discussion: 1.5h (Zoom)
What do participants say?
Overall, what do you think about the training?
I might choose this format of course in future, in preference to classroom-based learning as I enjoyed taking the sessions at my own pace, and being able to reflect on the materials as the week went along. I don’t think I would have got as much out of 3.5 hours in the classroom.
I was incredibly impressed by Javier’s enthusiasm during the zoom, and in forum talks and any email communication. The content he has prepared was well thought out, varied, detailed and nuanced. There is plenty of extra material to dig into too!
I thought the materials were relevant and comprehensive, the design of the online course very accessible. I felt that Javier was there from Day 1 really supporting my learning
Would you recommend this course?
Yes definitely. It was comprehensive, a good mix of different mediums of learning (reading, activities, peer-to-peer, discussions)
Definitely! I would say if you’re new to supervising volunteers then this is a very informative and supportive course.
Yes definitely. It seems to cover everything we need to know and it makes you think, it’s not all spoon-fed
I would recommend the training to anyone intending to work with volunteers, and wanting to prepare themselves.
Yes. I think it covers a lot of ground and can be accessed by a wide variety of people and organisations.
Yes If you are looking to start a volunteer service its a great foundation of providing the best involvement and recruitment process for volunteers
We are delighted to announce that Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 1st September 2021.
Now in its fifteenth year, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.
A wide age range was represented and awardees came from across the broad spectrum of cultures that make up our ever more diverse city.
This event is by invitation only, with numbers being limited of who can attend.
We have published all details of this event and announced winners in all special categories on our website.
Please visit our website by clicking on the link here.
If you would like to post about the awards on social media please use the hashtag #iva2021.
We also have another event on22nd September. This is our Volunteer Recruitment Fair and details can be found by clicking on the link here.
Join EVOC for a session focused on how to re-open / re-mobilise your organisation, projects and activities safely.
About this event
Aimed at organisations and managers who are making plans to re-open / re-mobilise, this event will focus on a selection of issues including community transport, workforce and volunteers.
1. National overview: Ian Brooke (Deputy Chief Executive, EVOC)
2. Volunteers: Marion Findlay (Director of Services, Volunteer Edinburgh)
3. Re-opening Guidelines: Angela Davis (Environmental Health Officer, City of Edinburgh Council)
4. WHALE Arts Re-opening Experiences: Laura Delahunt (Enterprise and Facilities Manager, WHALE Arts)
5. Panel Q&A
Breakout group discussions:
Buildings
Volunteers/workforce
Transport
Organising Group work
Guidance/paperwork/risk assessment discussion
Please note that this event is now taking place on Microsoft Teams.
EVENT LINK
Registration for this event closes on Tue 17 Aug at 6pm.
You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Wed 18 Aug that includes the Teams link for this event.
If you don’t receive an email please check your email junk folder or get in touch with us: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk
Now that Covid-19 restrictions are easing, you may be thinking about re-starting services and face-to-face volunteering activities. Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs) are one of the measures you can put in place to help you resume services safely and with confidence (writes Volunteer Edinburgh Chief Officer PAUL WILSON).
Volunteer Edinburgh is a “distribution centre” for LFDs for small or local voluntary organisations or community groups.
If you would like some testing kits to distribute to your staff, volunteers or service users these are available for collection from the Volunteer Edinburgh office at 222 Leith Walk between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
While we are not operating an appointment system for collection it would be much appreciated if you could call us on 0131 225 0630 to let us know roughly what time you will be coming: as we only have limited staff in the office this will ensure that someone is available to help you when you arrive.
For information on how to use the LFDs please see the Scottish Government guidance HERE and for information on testing, vaccinations and self-isolation support please click HERE.
Looking for volunteers? Why not book a stall at our Volunteer Recruitment Fair?
The largest of its kind in Scotland, our annual fair is a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face with hundreds of potential volunteers from across the city. The fair will also feature access to volunteering and employment specialists and a friendly café to relax and refresh in.
“Great event, environment, and lay-out. Great Opportunity to not only meet potential volunteers but network. This is not common. Thanks.”
When? Wednesday 22 September 2021 from 11.00am until 7.00pm.
Where? St Paul’s and St George’s Church on York Place. Click here to view this venue on a map.
What does is cost? The event is free to visitors. Bookings for stallholders are charged and we have a number of payment options available. You can find out more and book here or by clicking on the purple button below.
The Fair will showcase the wide range of ways that people can get involved in volunteering with organisations big and small, local and national, who serve a diverse range of communities and causes all coming together with the common aim to attract new volunteers.
“Really impressed with how many people attended today, we had to replenish our information packs as we underestimated the demand. I would definitely come again as it was very worthwhile.”
Entry is free to the public, and more than a thousand potential volunteers are expected to visit and experience the diverse range of ways they can become involved. So what are you waiting for? Book now before you miss out!
If you have any questions about booking a stall or being a stallholder please contact Jason McCann from our events team at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.
Additional resources for stallholders including an FAQ, an exhibitors guide, a stallholder map, a venue risk assessment, and promotional material will be made available on our website as soon as they are ready.
