Police Scotland is teaming up with charities and voluntary organisations across the country to celebrate 35 years of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).
This year’s Volunteers’ Week, with the theme of ‘Time to Celebrate’, will see a range of events take place in communities around the country, from small awards ceremonies to large celebratory gatherings.
Sergeant Kenny Greig, Regional Coordinator for PSYV and Special Constables for the National Volunteer Coordination Unit at SPC Tulliallan, said: “Police Scotland is privileged to benefit from the talents and commitment offered by people across the country who give of their own time to help their communities. Our Special Constables turn out for events alongside our regular officers to provide extra resilience, a role many carry out on top of a full time career.
“More than a thousand young people, assisted by several hundred adult volunteers, form our Police Scotland Youth Volunteers. They make a fantastic contribution to our society while also receiving valuable life experience.
“During Volunteers’ Week we will be celebrating their input to keeping the people of Scotland safe by highlighting their valuable contributions.”
Volunteers are vital to the strength and vitality of Scottish society, with their work valued at £2.6 billion every year. 28 per cent of Scots are currently actively engaged in voluntary efforts. With so many people volunteering, there are a huge range of achievements to celebrate, including working to improve the local environment, spending time with people who need help, or providing other kinds of essential services and support, the efforts made by volunteers make an invaluable difference to the lives of people everywhere.
As well as celebrating the work of existing volunteers, Volunteers’ Week Scotland offers a new opportunity for voluntary organisations to promote the benefits volunteering can bring. The week can also help highlight how people can access opportunities and overcome barriers they might be facing.
The Scottish Volunteering Forum encourages as many people as possible to take part. Forum co-Chairman Paul Okroj said, “Volunteers’ Week Scotland offers a rare opportunity to mark the huge difference made by volunteers all over the country, and to catch the attention of potential new recruits. Don’t miss out on what’s set to be an inspirational week.”
Chief Executive of Volunteer Scotland, George Thomson, said, “It is right we should celebrate the enormous contribution volunteers make to communities across Scotland and to recognise the time and energy they give to the causes that mean the most to them. This is a great foundation for the future, but we mustn’t lose sight of that untapped reserve – three in four people are not actively engaged in volunteering.
“We’re working with government and other partners to change that, to make it the norm to volunteer and to make sure everyone, regardless of ability or background, has the same opportunity to contribute to the common good.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
