That’s the message from Stirling Council, Volunteer Scotland and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise and a range of partners who are coming together to celebrate the contribution volunteers make to our local communities.
Benefits for everyone
Councillor Chris Kane, Convenor of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “We want to celebrate the volunteers in our communities, the incredible impact they have and their importance in society. We then want to harness that and unlock the potential in others to make Stirling alive with volunteering.
“Volunteering has great benefits to everyone involved, especially for your mental health and wellbeing. So whether you volunteer formally through a local group, or simply act as a good neighbour, 2020 is going to be a big year for us all, and I’m excited to see the positive impact increasing volunteering in Stirling will have on our communities.”
Stirling narrowly missed out on being named European Volunteering Capital for 2020 to Italian city Padua, but the goal of promoting volunteering and its wide ranging benefits remains at the forefront for local organisations.
Volunteering open to all
Natalie Masterson, Chief Officer at Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise said: "The volunteering community in Stirling is very strong, and we are delighted to be working with our partners, Volunteer Scotland and Stirling Council to support even more members of the public to get involved in volunteering locally.
“Whether you are nine or 90 volunteering is for you, everyone can make a big difference in their community and in doing so improve their own health and wellbeing.
“We want to remove any barriers to volunteering which individuals may currently face to make Stirling Alive with Volunteering throughout 2020 and beyond."
New Facebook page
It’s never been easier to volunteer in Stirling. A new Facebook community page, bringing volunteers from across the local area together, has been launched as part of the campaign and a programme of events for 2020, is already taking shape.
George Thomson, Chief Executive of Volunteer Scotland said: “Stirling Alive with Volunteering is a unique, localised approach to volunteering that places community building at its heart. What’s more, the work that’s going on across Stirling to grow volunteering and strengthen communities will be showcased at a national volunteering Expo in Stirling this autumn and an International Volunteering Expo in 2021. Stirling could well become recognised locally, nationally and internationally as an exemplar of how volunteering can bring community spirit to life.”
Local organisations and groups interested in hosting their own volunteering event should contact Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise.
Denise Kelly, Development and Engagement Coordinator at SVE said: “A new resource pack has been created for groups to create and promote events to celebrate volunteering in their community. If you’re interested in hosting an event drop us an email SAWV@SVenterprise.org.uk or contact us through the new Facebook page, Stirling Alive With Volunteering.”
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Picture shows Councillors Chris Kane and Scott Farmer with Natalie Masterton (Scottish Voluntary Enterprise) and George Thomson of Volunteer Scotland holding the Alive with Volunteering banner. (0) -
Picture shows Katie Hopkins – PLUS Forth Valley (Volunteer Coordinator), Niall Finlayson – PLUS Forth Valley, Elifa Gomes –Babes in the Wood, Tina Kotrys – Babes in the Wood supporting the Alive with Volunteering brand (1)
