Volunteering Strategy Interest Group – Newsletter Issue 1: Autumn 2004

1. Volunteering Strategy Interest Group – Newsletter Issue 1: Autumn 2004

2. Introduction • Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Volunteering Strategy Interest Group newsletter. • You are already demonstrating your interest in the Strategy by signing up to this publication – thank you! If you know of anyone else who may be interested in receiving the newsletter, please feel free to forward your copy and/or ask them to drop me an email at viu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk . • We intend to use this newsletter to communicate developments relating to the Volunteering Strategy and to report progress against the outcomesin the document. From time to time we will ask for feedback/contributions on a specific area. This could be generally by email, or by inviting you to participate in face to face discussion, for example through a short term task group. However, we’re always interested to hear your views and welcome your comments (positive and negative) at any time on any aspect of the Strategy. If you have something to say please drop me a line at the email address below, stating VSIG in the subject line. We are keen to receive comments on the newsletter too, as we see it evolving to meet the needs and interests of as wide a range of stakeholders as possible. • The main focus for this first edition is on volunteering by young people and, in terms of organisations, on the Volunteer Centre network. Of course there is much more to the Strategy than this and this will be reflected in future editions. • Thanks again for your interest, • Zoe Woods • Policy Officer • Contents • Project Scotland update • Millennium Volunteers update • The Russell Commission • Common Grant Application Form • Monitoring & evaluation • Volunteer Centre Network • Useful links • This newsletter is produced by the • Scottish Executive Voluntary Issues Unit • Contact: Zoe Woods, 2-G (south), • Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ • Tel: 0131 244 0097 • Fax: 0131 244 5508 • Email: viu@scotland.gsi.gov.uk • Volunteering Strategy Strand 1 – A focus on Project Scotland and Young People • The first strand of the Volunteering Strategy aims to ensure that young people are enthused by, and involved in, volunteering. We believe that if volunteering is to become a vital part of Scotland’s culture, action must be prioritised on Scotland’s young people. • Project Scotland Update • Key Facts • Project Scotland is a new organisation which aims to enable 16-25 year old Scots from all backgrounds to take part in full-time volunteering. • It was launched on 11 May 2004 as the flagship initiative of the Volunteering Strategy, complementing the refocused Millennium Volunteers programme (see below for more on MV). • Significant interest from the private sector in terms of financial and in-kind investment (HBoS, Scottish Power and Lloyds TSB) has already been gained by Julia Ogilvy, Chair of Project Scotland. • Professional market research has been used to ensure the design of the programme is successful in meeting the needs of young people e.g. young people themselves showed resistance to significant financial rewards for participating. • Out of pocket expenses and a modest living allowance will be provided to volunteers. • Ministers have provided ideas on how they can support Project Scotland, through the development of youth volunteering opportunities within Scottish Executive portfolios. Project Scotland CEO, Iain Robertson and Operations Director, Liz Mallinson will take this forward over coming months. The first volunteers will come on board in spring 2005. • Further information on the programme can be found in the Project Scotland working group report at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/development/wgrnyvp-00.asp?mode=view

3. Millennium Volunteers UpdateMillennium Volunteers is a UK programme which aims to engage 16-24 year olds (25 in Scotland) in part-time volunteering. Further to a review of the Scottish programme, Ministers decided to refocus MV to make volunteering more accessible to more young people, particularly those from socially diverse backgrounds. • Refocused programme benefits: • MV certification is open to all organisations in Scotland involving young volunteers • New 50 hour certificates are available alongside 100 and 200 hour certificates • The eligible amount of time for completing hours has been extended from one year to two years • Half-time Youth Development workers, based in Volunteer Centres, will raise awareness of volunteering generally, rather than solely MV • There is now a focus on underrepresented groups • During 2005-2006, MV will become a nationwide programme, with delivery in each local authority area in Scotland • Rather than short term funding, there is now a three year rolling programme of funding. • Volunteer Development Scotland and the national Volunteer Centre network are responsible for delivering the programme on behalf of the Executive. Currently, fifteen Volunteer Centres are involved in delivering the programme. As well as engaging volunteers on an ongoing basis, they are piloting new elements and developing guidelines before it is launched nationally. • For further information contact mv@vds.org.uk • UK issues: The Russell CommissionThe Russell Commission was set up by the UK government to look at new ways to increase the number of young people volunteering. While volunteering is a devolved issue i.e. responsibility for volunteering lies with the Scottish Executive, there are some issues which affect volunteering which are led from Westminster e.g. social security benefits. Therefore, there may be an impact in Scotland as a result of the work of the Russell Commission, but it will complement, rather than supersede the young people element of the Volunteering Strategy. The Commission is headed up by Ian Russell, Chief Executive of Scottish Power. Since its launch in May, the Commission has taken steps – helped by the work of Project Scotland – to identify the key features of current volunteering opportunities for young people in the UK. This has included a mapping exercise, a literature search and focus group research (on what young people want from volunteering). A consultation exercise will take place this autumn with the launch of the consultation document. For more information visit www.russellcommission.orgVolunteering Strategy Strands 2 and 3: Dismantling barriers to volunteering and improving the volunteering experience Many individuals find their volunteering experiences both rewarding and beneficial. However, the Strategy recognises that some of those who choose to volunteer feel that they are not welcomed by the organisation they wish to help, and are not given the information, support and development they need to contribute effectively. Many are also left out of pocket as volunteer expenses, such as travel to and from the volunteering placement, are not reimbursed. This can be extremely discouraging, particularly to young volunteers. Common Grant Application Form The Scottish Executive has developed a generic grant application form for the voluntary sector. Within the redeveloped form there are specific questions and notes making clear that organisations should consider volunteer management training and the full costs of supporting volunteers. The emphasis on diversity has also been strengthened. The form, which is accepted by all Executive Departments making awards, is easy to follow and comes supported by clear guidance. It is particularly useful for those organisations which apply to several funding streams within the same financial year as the basic information required is the same every time. The Common Grant Application form is available from Executive Departments or atwww.scotland.gov.uk/viu.

4. Volunteering Strategy Strand 4: Monitoring, evaluation and ongoing policy development Accurate information on who volunteers, where, when and with which organisations is essential to monitoring, evaluation and ongoing policy development. However, it can be difficult to capture this information in a comparative format, which is why the questions on volunteering in the Scottish Household Survey are currently being revised. Consultants RDS are currently testing improved questions for the national survey, with the aim of having revisions in place by the end of the year to provide baseline statistics to inform policy development. Implementing the Strategy: Volunteer Centre Network The national network of Volunteer Centres is core funded by the Scottish Executive to involve more people more effectively in volunteering. As such the network is a key player in implementing the Volunteering Strategy, and has certainly not been dragging its feet in getting started. The network met on 25th June in Stirling to discuss the Volunteering Strategy and how it will affect the work of Volunteer Centres. Among others, Ellen Searle from the VIU gave a presentation on the background to the Strategy and Kathryn Mackenzie, then Convenor of the VC network, gave a brief history of the network. The publication of the Strategy was broadly welcomed by the network and the day was spent brainstorming ideas of how Volunteer Centres see their role in implementing it. CD-ROMs containing some of the presentations given on the day, along with additional background information, have been given to all Volunteer Centres so that they can promote the Strategy to their staff and board members. Importantly, VCs can also start raising awareness of the Strategy in their own areas with local organisations and agencies, including their local authority. This meeting was followed up by work at the network’s annual conference in Aviemore on the 8th & 9th September. This incorporated workshops on volunteering by young people, the ‘LEAP’ framework for VC work plans and standards, as well as ‘Shaping our Future’ sessions on the overall Strategy. The former Minister for Communities, Margaret Curran, delivered a pre-recorded speech on the Strategy, outlining challenges for the Volunteer Centre network over the next five years. These included the need to show that they are delivering as a network and to implement the refocused Millennium Volunteers programme. Making relationships work, at a local and national level, would also be important for the network.  Ms Curran commended the network for taking the initiative on considering their role in implementing the Volunteering Strategy. For further information on the Volunteer Centre Network contact: muriel.young@vds.org.uk Useful Links Websites Scottish Executive: www.scotland.gov.uk Voluntary Issues Unit: www.scotland.gov.uk/viu Volunteer Development Scotland: www.vds.org.uk Volunteer Centres: www.volunteerscotland.info Millennium Volunteers: www.vds.org.uk/mv Russell Commission: www.russellcommission.org Publications Scottish Executive Volunteering Strategy: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/vost-00.asp Project Scotland working group report: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/development/wgrnyvp-00.asp?mode=view