Are you aged between 12 and 25 years old, and volunteer?
If you answered yes, then you’re eligible to achieve your Saltire Awards!
The Saltire Awards recognise and celebrate the commitment and contribution of young volunteers in Scotland.
(Image caption: Saltire Awards logo.)
The Awards are progressive, rewarding young volunteers with certificates as they move through the different stages of the award. Certificates are given when the volunteer hits the milestones of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 hours of volunteering, as well as Challenge certificates for team volunteering.
It’s really quick and easy to sign up for your Saltire Awards too!
(Image caption: the 4 main Saltire Awards milestones, with logos.)
How to get involved
- Log on to the Saltire Awards website and click My Saltire in the top righthand corner to set up your own account – you will need a valid email address.
- Follow the instructions to sign up.
- Once you are logged in, you’ll be on the homepage. There is a list on the left-hand side. Click on My Volunteering, then Add An Organisation.
- You will then enter the details of your volunteer placement. Some of the fields are mandatory to enter, and others are optional. It is useful to enter as much of the information as possible for your own personal records. The small info icon next to the fields will give you more details on what each field needs. Remember to use proper grammar and capital letters where appropriate – a lot of this information will go onto your certificate!
- Once this is done, you will be on the Hours page. This is where you note how many hours you have volunteered. Enter an amount and click Add Hours.
- The Hours page will now tell you how many hours you have logged, and which Saltire Award certificate you are eligible for! Well done.
- Repeat this process from step 3 onwards to add more organisations you have volunteered with.
- Once you are finished adding your volunteer hours, click on the My Awards tab on the left-hand list. It will show you the certificate you are eligible for. Click on Claim This Certificate – this should automatically generate an email to go out to your named Volunteer Supervisor contact, so they can verify your hours. Your certificate will then be available here as an electronic copy! You can keep it forever digitally, and print it on certificate paper if you wish.
- The tabs list on the left-hand side also has other features for you to utilise. Clicking on Find Opportunities will allow you to browse volunteer placements in your area. This is especially helpful if you have never volunteered before and are not sure where to start!
- Clicking on My Account will allow you to edit details such as your postcode, email address, or password.
- If you encounter any problems, the Contact Us button at the top right-hand corner of the Saltire website will assist you in who to contact to get your issue sorted out.
If you’ve never thought about volunteering before, it is an excellent way for young people to build confidence, learn new skills, make friends, help their mental health, and give a sense of purpose. It can be an enjoyable activity that you do in your free time or it can be a pathway to employment later on. The Saltire Awards celebrate the time you dedicate to volunteering, and the certificates you earn (along with your volunteer role) look great when applying for jobs, university or college, and on CVs. Plus, it’s just nice to be appreciated!
Now is a better time than ever to sign up, start logging your volunteer hours, and earn your well-deserved certificates.
Visit the Saltire Awards website now to learn more and sign up today.
Meet Our Team – Erin, Volunteering Administrator
Hi, I’m Erin, and part of my job is to encourage and help young people like yourself to volunteer and achieve their Saltire Awards.
Having taken the leap into the third sector, I am one of the newest members of the team here at CVS Falkirk. With a background in Social Work and Holistic Therapies, I have always enjoyed interacting with people, and supporting those facing challenges in their life and working with them to overcome these.
(Image caption: picture of Erin.)
My role involves all things volunteering – from promoting opportunities in Falkirk and District, to matching volunteers with placements.
I am passionate about breaking down barriers and assisting people on their volunteering journey with a view to progress, such as employment. Additionally, engaging with community groups and learning about the difference they make in our local area. These are the most rewarding aspects of my job.
The Saltire Awards are a perfect way to celebrate those young people who choose to volunteer, whether it be within something they are already passionate about, or to try out something entirely new.
So if you need help in navigating the Saltire Awards website, have questions about the awards or youth volunteering, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via email: info@volunteerfalkirk.org.uk
