Tag: Volunteer Edinburgh

It’s time to Re-open/Re-mobilise

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

Lateral Flow Testing Kits available at Volunteer Edinburgh

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. 

 

Paul J WilsonChief Officer

Book a stall at September’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair

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.

 book your stall now

Survey: Volunteering and the Third Sector Response to COVID-19

The Scottish Government are undertaking a huge piece of research into the response of Volunteering and Third Sector Organisations to the Covid-19 pandemic.

They are very keen to hear from volunteer involving organisations on their experience of volunteer involvement, good and bad, over the period of the pandemic. In order to build as clear a picture as possible it is important that as many organisations in Edinburgh as possible respond.

The deadline has now been extended to Tuesday 1 June.

This survey aims to gather information about:

  • How volunteering has contributed to the Third Sector response to the pandemic;
  • The challenges that the sector has faced in continuing to support volunteering during this time; and
  • Organisational perspectives on what is needed to support volunteering during the recovery period and beyond.

To begin the survey click here

Nominations open for Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Last year, for obvious reasons and to our great disappointment, we were not able to host our annual Inspiring Volunteer Awards.

However, we are delighted to announce that this year we have planned a date of Wednesday 28th July for our ceremony to take place.

This event is normally held during Volunteers’ Week (1 to 7 June), however to maximise the chances of it being a live, in-person event, we have delayed it this year.

Plans for the evening are subject to any changes to restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

We are now opening nominations for 2021 and you can find more details on our dedicated webpage here: voled.in/nominations

Organisations can nominate by completing our online nomination form and are able to nominate up to three individual volunteers, one team of volunteers, up to three nominations for the Ian McInnes Award, and one nomination for the new Paul Bennett Volunteer Manager of the Year Award.

Please note that nominations close on Friday 4 June 2021.

Please share using the short url voled.in/nominations and help us to celebrate Edinburgh’s volunteers!

#VolunteersWeekScot

#LoveEdinburghLoveVolunteering

Jason McCann,

Events Coordinator, Volunteer Edinburgh

Volunteer Edinburgh offers free MAP course for women

Volunteer Edinburgh are running a women only MAP (Motivation, Aspirations & Progression) programme adapted from our employability course, focusing on skills, confidence & wellbeing.

It will be a blended Zoom course in small groups over 4 weeks, from 28th April. For more information: Christine.Meldrum@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Looking to get into work?

Changing career?

Returning to work after a break?

Struggling to sustain existing work?

We have adapted our bespoke Employability MAP (Motivation, Aspirations, Progression) course, which is now a free blended online course which will run over four weeks.

You will have access to an online portal where you can work at your own pace, and there will be online exercises and weekly meetings in small groups of a maximum of four via Zoom™.

In the fourth week we will meet at an outdoor location and transport and refreshments will be provided.

There will be a choice of times that you can book, and you will meet with other participants and the facilitators to discuss and share.

Topics will include

  • What I’ve got going for me (assessing your skills)
  • New directions and transferrable skills
  • Confidence and Mindful Wellbeing
  • Volunteering, resilience and questions and answer session

Post course options

  • Individual one-to-one employability coaching
  • CV workshop
  • Help to secure volunteering and/or employment

If you can identify with or are curious about any of this and would like to find out more about the course or the facilitator, please contact Christine Meldrum by email at christine.meldrum@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk or alternatively you can call or text on 0131 561 8322 or 07505 446 024 for more information.

Wellbeing Fund is open for bids

Third sector organisations across Scotland are being encouraged to apply for emergency funding to help cope with the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19).

More than 2000 charities, community and voluntary groups, and social enterprises are being offered immediate financial support from the £50 million Wellbeing Fund, which has been established to assist third sector organisations working with people impacted by the pandemic.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announced yesterday that organisations will also be able to submit an expression of interest to access financial support through the website of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Ms Campbell said: “Last month, I announced a £350 million package of emergency funding for a wide range of organisations, as communities across Scotland are already adapting their services to ensure they are providing vital support to people who are worst affected by COVID-19.

“This £50 million funding will help to continue that work as well as supporting new services to get people through these difficult times.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “The Wellbeing Fund has already seen much-needed money get to the frontline. Today it is being opened up to an even broader range of voluntary organisations.

The voluntary sector has stepped up in communities across Scotland to provide vital support to people who really need it and it’s great to see the Scottish Government recognise that.

“Scotland has been ahead of the game in understanding the vital role that charities and community groups play in dealing with the impact of Cornonavirus and at SCVO we are pleased to be playing our part.”

Any organisation wishing to submit an expression of interest can do so through the Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub on the SCVO website here.

The £50 million Wellbeing Fund is part of a £350 million package announced by the Scottish Government to support those most affected by the pandemic, and enable a swift response according to local need.

Of this, £10 million has been allocated for immediate priorities and £7 million committed to support around 2000 charities through small grants.

This leaves £33 million of the Wellbeing Fund now open to bids from third sector organisations.

The Scottish Government is working with Corra, Inspiring Scotland, the STV Appeal and SCVO to allocate the funding.

They will be assisted by Scotland’s network of Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) – business gateways which provide a single point of contact and support for charities and social enterprises, with an active presence in every local authority in Scotland.

Three organisations make Up Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface. They are EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council), Volunteer Edinburgh and Edinburgh Social Enterprise.

Inspiring Volunteer Awards POSTPONED

Inspiring Volunteer Awards have been postponed!

I’m sure this will come as no surprise but due to the current and ever changing situation, we have decided to postpone this year’s ceremony that was planned for Wednesday 3 June. No decision has been made for a future date as yet, but rest assured that we will communicate this when it happens.

We have subsequently re-opened nominations and as yet we don’t have a deadline, so get nominating! If you have already submitted your nominations, thank you. These will be retained and you will have the option to either use these or submit a new one.

Thanks again for your support in recognising the fantastic achievements of our amazing volunteers in Edinburgh. I’m sure you will agree that they will continue to be a vital part of our success now and going forward.

To nominate and for more information please visit voled.in/nominations
or contact me via email for any additional queries at events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Jason McCann

Events Coordinator

City says Thank You!

There’s been a great response from the people of Edinburgh to help the city get through the current coronavirus pandemic.

  • Edinburgh Partnership thanks the public and voluntary organisations for all their help so far pulling the city through this pandemic
  • People asked to ‘Think Local and Act Local’ and be good neighbours, where they can
  • To keep essential services running and look after vulnerable people Council constantly monitoring how it deploys its staff

We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch with the voluntary and public sector to offer their skills and time. We know that many of you are keen to also ‘do your bit’ to contribute to this effort and we would like to thank those of you who are trying to find ways to help your communities.

Your kindness and generosity in these difficult times are a reflection of all that is best about the city we share and the people who call it home.

We need everyone to look out for each other now more than ever and being a good neighbour and taking care of those who need help in your building, street or immediate community is going to help get us through – Volunteer Edinburgh has advice and information on how you can help.

If you are part of an existing or newly formed community group please contact EVOC who have developed a directory and are connecting the amazing community responses across the city.  EVOC is working hard to connect supply and demand of food at a very local and community level.

EVOC is asking people to complete this basic form or email info@evoc.org.uk for more information. 

Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “The voluntary sector is doing an amazing job pulling everyone together and making sure people can help out appropriately following government guidelines. If you are able to help others then please ‘Think Local and Act Local’.

“Where you can, offer support to your wider family, your friends and your neighbours to help ensure that they can receive the essential supplies and medicine that they may need.

“Volunteer Edinburgh has a range of information and guidance on how to be a good neighbour safely. At the moment the best thing that most people can do is still to stay at home, limit social contact and follow NHS guidelines. This really is the most important contribution that can be made to the safety and resilience of the city.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “To keep essential services running and support those who are vulnerable, we’re constantly monitoring how we deploy our own staff as well. We’re working to identify where our services need help and at the moment we’re relying on our own internal capacity to meet those needs.

“We’ll be monitoring this over the weeks ahead and will work with Volunteer Edinburgh if we think we need the wider community to help us. In the meantime staying safe at home is the best thing people can do. If you can offer more then it really is a matter of thinking local and acting local.

“I want to make sure the local community organisations have a key contact to make sure we have a joined up approach and would urge people to make connect via the EVOC.”

Ella Simpson, Chief Officer of EVOC, said: “I am incredibly proud to be part of the voluntary sector in Edinburgh. They know their communities so well and have been absolutely amazing in their responses to Covid-19.

“As we continue to respond it is vital that we all work together – volunteers, voluntary sector and statutory agencies – to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Paul Wilson, Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh, said: “People’s response to the pandemic has been overwhelming. In every street in Edinburgh people are helping each other, looking out for their neighbours and supporting the vulnerable and those in self isolation.

“Never before has it been more important to give your time, if you are able to, be a good neighbour and look out for each other. More than any other city in Scotland Edinburgh has always been a city of volunteers, of people who helped and I am very proud to live here.

“Please everyone be safe, think and act locally, continue to support your community in the weeks to come and most of all be kind.”

North Edinburgh’s voluntary sector has rallied to the cause with community organisations pulling out all the stops to ensure the area’s most vulnerable residents get food and essential supplies.

Now three weeks into operation there’s a co-ordinated effort to pool community resources and expertise to get supplies to people in Muirhouse,Drylaw Telford, West Pilton, Granton and Royston Wardieburn.

Do you, or someone you know, need food, supplies or other support during this hugely difficult time?

An information sheet with key telephone contact numbers is currently being produced and should be available over the next day or two, but in the meatime  please email me at northedinburghnews@gmail.com and I will pass on your details to the relevant area organisers.

Remember the key advice: STAY HOME UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY

 

 

Volunteer Edinburgh – Coronavirus update

It goes without saying that this is the most unprecedented of times. There has already been a large volunteer response and over the coming weeks this will evolve and what is needed will change also (writes Volunteer Edinburgh Chief Officer PAUL WILSON).

At Volunteer Edinburgh we have been working flat out to adapt and respond and I know all of you will have been doing so too.

We thought it important to let you know what we have done so far and what we are going to do in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Advice on being a good neighbour

Many people around the city are wanting to help within their communities and our message is very much think local, act local. Just be a good neighbour. This is especially important given the current restrictions on movement.

We have a lot of advice for people who want to be good neighbours on our website here and we also have information for individual citizens on how to so this safely. This information is evolving constantly so please continue to refer people to it.

Do you need volunteers?

I know many volunteer involving organisations across the city have been adjusting and adapting to the current crisis. Your available volunteer numbers may well be down as a result of self-isolation or it may be that there are more or different opportunities that you need volunteer support with. We are being approached by many people who want to volunteer. If you need volunteers please use our existing online advertising routes here.

If you have not used this before and need support to do so contact us on 0131 225 0630 or email paul.bennett@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

If your opportunity is COVID-19 related please use COVID-19 in either the title or the role description as this will mean your opportunity is automatically added to our COVID-19 volunteering opportunities listing.

Appeal to volunteer managers

If you are an experienced volunteer manager but you are not currently engaging or managing volunteers, for whatever reason, we are looking for your help. If you think you can support some of the work that we will be doing over the coming weeks please let us know by contacting javier.tejera@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

We are currently working hard to coordinate a wide volunteer response to support vital services over the coming weeks. We are likely to need some help from volunteering professionals. So if you think you can help please let us know.

Engaging new volunteers at this time

Anyone engaging new volunteers during this crisis knows that normal best practice processes that we use may be difficult to maintain. It is important to consider how you can adapt your practices and be pragmatic while safely engaging volunteers. It may not be possible to get references for example. Social distancing requirements may make orientation challenging. Here are a few ideas which you might find useful:

Can you put your applications on line? Perhaps consider using Google Docs?

Can interviews and indeed orientation/induction be done via Skype/Zoom/WhatsApp?

References are likely to be impracticable at the moment. Can you ask for people to verify their identity more than you usually do? Remember many larger employers will undertake a variety of checks on employees, so if someone can prove they work for a particular company consider whether that can provide you with additional confidence.

Can you record your orientation/induction on a phone so that you can use it repeatedly? This is not the time to be worrying about production values!

You can find out further information about regulated work and PVGs here.

If you have a genius idea on adapting your volunteer recruitment please share it with us and we will let people know.

Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Of course our Inspiring Volunteer Awards which were scheduled for Wednesday 3 June have now been postponed. No decision of a new date has been made for the moment.

Rest assured that we will keep in touch when any further action or decisions have been made. If you have any questions then please contact events@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.

Support from EVOC

Our Third Sector Interface partner EVOC would like to know what support organisations might need from them at this time. Please take a moment to complete their survey.

EVOC are also soon to launch a downloadable resource which will detail some of the emerging third sector and community groups work across the city. Remember that EVOC can signpost your organisation to networks or to similar organisations who are looking to collaborate around themes. For this contact info@evoc.org.uk.

If organisations are looking to source free training on anything that this is useful at the moment, can they email requests to julieanne.hill@evoc.org.uk for more information.

Thank you,
Paul J Wilson
Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh