Volunteers - Helping in Scotlands Recovery from COVID-19
The volunteering and community response to the COVID-19 outbreak has been incredible and inspiring. The Scotland Cares Volunteering Programme that the Scottish Government launched was a phenomenal success.
It would be brilliant to continue to recognise the tremendous contribution volunteers have/are making even more. Perhaps launching a national Volunteer Recognition system (the Scottish Government Saltire Awards for volunteers aged 12-25 years shows how successful this can be) and could be linked with St Andrews Day (the past years the Scottish Government with support from local Third Sector Interfaces, charities, community etc. have encouraged ‘acts of kindness’ on St. Andrews Day so would connect with that). Plus continuing to invest in and develop volunteering even more given how volunteers are more vital than ever for people and communities across Scotland.
It would be brilliant to continue to recognise the tremendous contribution volunteers have/are making even more. Perhaps launching a national Volunteer Recognition system (the Scottish Government Saltire Awards for volunteers aged 12-25 years shows how successful this can be) and could be linked with St Andrews Day (the past years the Scottish Government with support from local Third Sector Interfaces, charities, community etc. have encouraged ‘acts of kindness’ on St. Andrews Day so would connect with that). Plus continuing to invest in and develop volunteering even more given how volunteers are more vital than ever for people and communities across Scotland.
Why the contribution is important
During this unprecedented and most difficult and worrying time for us all among the many aspects that gives us heart and hope in getting through this is all the kindness and help being provided by volunteers and communities rallying and coming together like never before in response to the impact of COVID-19.
The Scotland Cares Volunteer Programme launched by the Scottish Government was an incredible success. It harnessed the goodwill and desire to help across Scotland – bringing more people than ever to volunteer with national, local third sector/voluntary groups and our marvellous NHS. There was/is fantastic collaboration between the Scottish Government/Ready Scotland, national organisations such as Volunteer Scotland, SCVO-Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, Red Cross and local Third Sector Interfaces/grassroots community groups and initiatives who continue to link up and coordinate the community responses to COVID-19 with Resilience Partnerships.
Before COVID-19 volunteering was often cited as the ‘golden thread’ that connected everything and the Scottish Government ‘Volunteering for All – Our National Framework’ further highlighted the importance of volunteering and the Governments strong commitment to volunteering with great support from the Scottish Government Third Sector Unit, along with exceptional Ministerial/Cabinet and cross party backing.
The situation with COVID-19 has further underlined just how crucial volunteers are and the real difference people make through volunteering. Volunteers will continue to be key in helping people and communities across Scotland adjust to the new situation COVID-19 has brought about, in our communities recovering and the ongoing resilience of our communities and country.
Many thanks.
The Scotland Cares Volunteer Programme launched by the Scottish Government was an incredible success. It harnessed the goodwill and desire to help across Scotland – bringing more people than ever to volunteer with national, local third sector/voluntary groups and our marvellous NHS. There was/is fantastic collaboration between the Scottish Government/Ready Scotland, national organisations such as Volunteer Scotland, SCVO-Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, Red Cross and local Third Sector Interfaces/grassroots community groups and initiatives who continue to link up and coordinate the community responses to COVID-19 with Resilience Partnerships.
Before COVID-19 volunteering was often cited as the ‘golden thread’ that connected everything and the Scottish Government ‘Volunteering for All – Our National Framework’ further highlighted the importance of volunteering and the Governments strong commitment to volunteering with great support from the Scottish Government Third Sector Unit, along with exceptional Ministerial/Cabinet and cross party backing.
The situation with COVID-19 has further underlined just how crucial volunteers are and the real difference people make through volunteering. Volunteers will continue to be key in helping people and communities across Scotland adjust to the new situation COVID-19 has brought about, in our communities recovering and the ongoing resilience of our communities and country.
Many thanks.
by MMelvin on May 08, 2020 at 02:53PM
Posted by J9999 May 08, 2020 at 18:01
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Posted by CathyBenson May 11, 2020 at 21:24
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