First organisations receive Volunteering Charter Mark

The first organisations in the city to be recognised for their work to help deliver Glasgow’s Volunteering Charter have received their Charter Mark from Volunteer Glasgow.

Glasgow Disability Alliance, the Scottish Refugee Council, Young Movers (YOMO), Glasgow Women’s Library, and Victim Support Scotland have all published their action plans to help deliver an inclusive volunteering legacy following the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

They’ve all pledged to create and expand appropriate volunteering opportunities in their organisations – and crucially – have also agreed how they will make those opportunities more accessible.

Bernadette Monaghan, Chief Executive at Volunteer Glasgow awarded the Charter Mark saying, “In spite of all the challenges faced in Glasgow, our public sector partners and a variety of other not-for-profit groups and charities are also working hard to deliver their Charter pledges. More than 15 organisations will be eligible for the Charter Mark in the coming weeks and months and we would be delighted to assist even more organisations to sign up to the Charter so that they can benefit further from the support of people volunteering their time, skills and energy.”

Any charity, community group, social enterprise, club or not-for-profit service can sign up to advertise for volunteers for free at volunteerglasgow.org/advertise  Partners are determined that those organisations can benefit from the increased awareness of volunteering created as the city starts to look for people to help at the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

Harnessing people’s support means organisations can do more for their beneficiaries, members and communities.

We also know that people who volunteer are happier, healthier and more employable.

“It will take the combined effort and ambition of public and third sector organisations across the whole city to realise an inclusive volunteering legacy for Glasgow,” added Bernadette.

More organisations will be invited to formally sign up to the Charter in the coming weeks but any public or third sector organisation can register their interest and take advantage of online resources at volunteerglasgow.org/charter

Organisations will be able to use support services from Volunteer Glasgow to achieve their Charter pledges including expert coaching, facilitated action-learning Charter workshops, online resources and networking.  To win the Charter Mark, organisations simply need to commit to one or more pledges, confirm their governing body has signed-up, and then submit a SMART action plan based on their current volunteering data.