As part of Volunteers’ Week 2023, CVS Falkirk & District and Falkirk Council together would like to highlight the value of volunteering within our local communities across Falkirk District, and the commitment and dedication of volunteers every day.
In Scotland, over 150 million volunteer hours are recorded ever year – and this does not include the 211 million estimated hours donated by people “just helping out”. Combined, this makes a staggering 361 million hours, which contributes £5.5 billion to Scotland’s economy. According to the latest figures, nearly half of all adults in Scotland volunteer, as do 55% of young people.
(Image caption: Volunteers’ Week logo.)
We believe these incredible efforts are worth celebrating, and that Volunteers’ Week is the perfect time to do so.
2023 is Volunteers’ Week’ 39th year, with a theme of “Celebrate and Inspire”. Taking place every 1st – 7th June, the national campaign is led by Volunteer Scotland, with their partners across the UK.
This year, the campaign joined forces with the Big Help Out, another national campaign designed to raise awareness of volunteering and allow people to experience volunteering themselves (possibly for the first time) while learning more about the benefits it brings: the feeling of making a difference in your community, gaining new skills and confidence, meeting new people, and boosting your own mental health and wellbeing.
The Big Help Out closed a weekend of coronation celebrations, with the new King Charles III inviting people to support causes closes to their hearts and communities, both as a welcoming start to his reign, and a fitting tribute to his late mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and her many years of volunteering.
In Falkirk District, we have seen first-hand how, in recent years, volunteers have stepped up beyond their already outstanding efforts, leading groups supporting community-based mental health and wellbeing options, driving every day to ensure those who are shielding can still receive their prescriptions, and many, many more.
(Image caption: Victoria McRae, seated behind a desk, wearing a purple top.)
Victoria McRae, CEO of CVS Falkirk, said:
“This year’s theme “Celebrate and Inspire” has been visible throughout the communities of Falkirk and District for many years and the team at CVS Falkirk get to see this every day through their work with the local third sector. Volunteering connects people with people, people with communities and people supporting and empowering people.
“The national Volunteering Action Plan recognises that volunteering builds resilient and engaging communities. And none so more than in the Falkirk and District communities where there are volunteers as young as 10 through to 92 years supporting activities in their communities to help others.
“It is important to us to take this time each year to raise awareness, acknowledge and celebrate the power and achievement of volunteering in our communities. We have presented Celebration of Volunteering Certificates throughout the area: from Bonnybridge to Bo’ness, Slamannan to Stenhousemuir as well as presenting a range of Volunteering Awards ( Laura can you please insert the award names). We also want to thank the Volunteer Coordinators and Volunteer Managers who make all of this happen through creating interesting placements, providing ongoing support and the resources needed to create positive volunteering experiences.
“Volunteering is an experience, a hobby and/or a way of life: you can dedicate many hours to volunteering or volunteer for an hour a week and still make a real and lasting difference in your community: all you need is commitment, kindness and compassion.”
(Image caption: Cecil Meiklejohn, in a dark blazer, against a grey background.)
Cllr Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said:
“The theme of Celebrate and Inspire has certainly shown through our communities in the Falkirk Council area. The support of volunteers and the third sector across Falkirk is just incredible: most recently during and after the pandemic through to the current challenges and crises that have arisen.
“I am delighted to see so many volunteers and volunteering groups honoured in CVS Falkirk’s Volunteering Awards this year. To me, this is community participation and testament to what we can achieve when we work together. Congratulations and well done.”
On behalf of CVS Falkirk and Volunteer Falkirk, Falkirk Council and all of our local communities: thank you so much for your commitment to volunteering and the activities that you and your team dedicate to supporting others. You are all truly amazing!
