Volunteer Scotland Annual Report 2021 Highlights Progress

Annual Report 2021
Volunteer Scotland

Contents
2 | Volunteer Scotland Annual Report 2021
Contents
This annual report is a chance for us
to collectively take stock and should
answer the question - how well is
Volunteer Scotland doing? As a national
body, this yearly check-in is critical.
However, I’d also like to reflect on the
journey we’ve been on over the last few
years and my thoughts on the road ahead.
The fantastic, co-produced ‘Volunteering For
All: national framework’ is a major signpost
for the sector; providing clear direction to
a shared destination. It also describes the
pervasive nature of volunteering; linking it
to policy areas, such as Health & Wellbeing
and Poverty.
The positive response from volunteers
(formal and informal) during this pandemic
is an important milestone; more now
accept the truth we’ve know all along that
volunteering has so much to contribute for
individuals, communities and society.
Through Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan,
we have reached a place where we can take
action and make real, lasting change for the
next decade.
As for the road ahead our sights are now set
firmly on the ‘Volunteering for All’ journey,
which must energise and galvanise a diverse
array of volunteering stakeholders, including
our future leaders. Innovation, creativity
and the acceptance of risk will challenge the
status quo and drive forward new ways of
working. Volunteering is changing and what
a journey we’ve got to look forward to.
Alan Stevenson
Chief Executive,
Volunteer Scotland
2 Introduction
3 Our Work
4 Research and Evaluation
7 Communications and Events
10 Partnerships
12 Volunteer Practice
15 Disclosure Services
17 Corporate Services

Our Work Volunteering Action Plan
The Volunteering Action Plan (VAP)
has been a key cross-function
initiative over the last year.
The VAP generates ‘actions on the ground’
from the Volunteering For All: national
framework. It aims to achieve this through
co-production, learning and a spirit of
reciprocity involving 130+ participants in the
process. The ‘Plan’ will be a ‘living document’
which will facilitate and enable future actions
over the next decade.
The Plan’s development is modelled on the
Human Learning Systems (HLS) approach to
public management (developed by Dr Toby
Lowe and Collaborate CIC).
Volunteer Scotland has led on the ‘unpacking’
of the Human Learning Systems (HLS)
approach as applied to national action
planning. As part of this process we’ve
created the following learning materials:
• Participant Handbook
•
Evidence sessions
(see Research section, next)
• Lunch Learn sessions
An Action Plan in document form
will be published by June 2022.
Meantime, the Working Groups and
Governance Group (with support
from Volunteer Scotland and Scottish
Government), will continue this dynamic
action planning process into spring 2022.
Our Work
Work Programme 2021-2022

Research and Evaluation
Underpinning an evidence-based approach to support the development
of volunteering in Scotland. Our goal is to be at the forefront of thought leadership
to inform volunteering policy and practice.
Debbie
Maltman
Gemma
Jackson
Cathy
Hynds
Led by
Matthew
Linning
Former employee

Research
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on volunteering continues
to be a major research priority – see our COVID-19 Evidence Base.
Central to this has been our contribution to a major UK-wide research
study Mobilising Voluntary Action in the UK; and our support for the
Scottish Government’s survey to understand ‘Third Sector Perspectives
on Volunteering during COVID-19’.
The Road to Recovery Mini Expo
With a focus on looking to the future, this
event engaged 140 delegates reviewing and
discussing evidence from Scotland and across
the UK.
Impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s charities
This data source highlighted both the
challenges and opportunities through,
for example, enhanced digital engagement.
Themed analysis
Themed analysis for mutual aid, social
enterprises and befriending – evidence which
was shared via sector specific seminars.
Key outputs

Mainstream research
In parallel with our COVID-19 research we have analysed two datasets with specific relevance
to the current Volunteering Action Plan development work.
A real-time evaluation template has been implemented as part of the Volunteering Action
Plan process. Also, to supplement our mainstream monitoring and evaluation work we have
completed two in-depth evaluation studies.
Who contributes the most to Scottish
volunteering in Scotland?
Time Well Spent
The Scottish Data
Evaluation
We also hosted four ‘Evidence Clinics’ for the
Volunteering Action Plan Working Groups:
Volunteering Action Plan
Evaluation of Investing in
Volunteers (IiV) in Scotland:
2015 – 2021
Evaluation of ‘Mental Health
Volunteers’ Programme as part
of ‘Scotland Cares’: 2020
• Lifelong engagement
• Recognition and celebration
• Places and spaces
• Inclusive volunteering

Communications
and Events
Informing and engaging our key audiences, partners, volunteer
involving organisations and volunteers through marketing
communications. Organising large-scale events and campaigns.

Communications
Throughout the year the Communications
and Events team have continued to provide
regular ‘volunteer-focused’, ‘practice-based’,
‘research themed’, and when required
‘Covid-19 advice/guidance’ content on our
website, social media channels and quarterly
email newsletters.
Volunteering Zone
The Volunteering Zone is an online platform
that allows national organisations to create,
manage and publish their opportunities
directly, with technical support from our
helpdesk when required.
Helpdesk
Our helpdesk provides systems support
to organisations, including those registered
on the Volunteering Zone, and in the last year
has reported over 200 external cases.
New organisations and
main contacts registered
61
New additional
users registered
44
New contacts
added
11
Usage of this platform has continued to grow over the year
Users of Volunteer Search Site
March
2021
September
2021
150k
100k
200k
126k
171k
As Covid restrictions lift and more
volunteer programmes begin to reopen,
we have seen an increase in people looking
for volunteer roles. Volunteer Search Site
visits increased by 35.7% between March
and September.
Helpdesk

225 61
THOUSAND
REPOSTS
THOUSAND
Volunteers’ Week
Each year, we work with partners to develop and deliver national
‘volunteer-focused’ campaigns including Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June).
With support from organisations nationally (UK wide) and locally
the campaign returned for 2021 with the main focus being:
‘a time to say Thank You to all volunteers.’
As many volunteer programmes remained closed (Covid-19 restrictions)
the campaign stayed primarily online and, along with subgroup
members, new resources were created to suit, including online
templates, electronic Thank You cards, online quiz tips and more.
Throughout the week the campaign hashtag was mentioned across
social media and the web more than 21K times, reaching over 119
million users worldwide (an increase from 7 million reach in 2020).
View all highlights here.
Members of the Volunteers’ Week Scot Subgroup also joined
us in sharing their Thank You messages to Scotland’s volunteers
in this campaign video, which was viewed over 12K times.
Watch our Volunteers Week video here.
Web developments
This year we have worked with partners to redevelop the external
Quality Standards websites, Investing in Volunteers and Volunteer
Friendly Award as well the campaign site for Volunteers’ Week Scot.
We created simple, user friendly, accessible sites with updated graphics
and resources that have had positive feedback from users.
119
600 340
OVER
OVER
OVER
OVER
OVER
MILLION
RETWEETS
Overall Reach
Instagram
Twitter
Shares
Overall Reach

Partnerships
Engaging and influencing key stakeholders. Building relationships
with funders and partners based on a shared agenda.
Led by
Margaret Starkie

Partnerships
In the last year, and in part due to the pandemic, we’ve engaged
more stakeholders and developed and strengthened our
relationships with the Scottish Government and our key partners.
Cross Party Group (CPG) on Volunteering
Despite meetings being limited, we continued to inform and support
CPG members throughout the year on policy changes, Covid-19
support, funding opportunities and more. In March (in line with the
new Parliament) the CPG ended its 5-year run. We were delighted
that a cross party of MSPs agreed to reconvene this CPG; as an action
driven, policy influencing group supporting the sector. The first meeting
of the new cycle takes place in October 2021.
Third Sector Joint Messing Group – SCVO
Formerly known as the ‘Never More Needed’ campaign
The campaign seeks to reframe how society views voluntary
organisations e.g., from ‘nice to have but mainly for vulnerable
people’ to being ‘essential to everyone’s wellbeing’. This will be a joint
communications campaign; highlighting the ways the voluntary sector
can have a bigger role in our lives, challenging the value of this sector
and the importance of giving it our full support.
Scottish Volunteering Forum (SVF)
Volunteer Scotland is a member of the Scottish Volunteering Forum
(SVF) Steering Group, which is a collaborative group of cross-sector
organisations committed to improving volunteer participation in
Scotland. The SVF provides an opportunity for members to influence
volunteering at a strategic level, to agree priorities and a shared agenda
and to jointly take action.
Volunteering Action Plan (VAP)
Our work on VAP has created a stronger working relationship with
the Scottish Government as well as new opportunities to engage
other stakeholder organisations. The learning journey we’re on
is fantastic; deepening our knowledge and understanding of the
volunteering system whilst identifying some of the early actions
we could take as a sector.
TSI Scotland Network
Throughout the last year our relationship with the TSI Scotland
Network has grown; we currently work alongside them on areas of
Research, Practice (e.g. Volunteer Friendly), VAP and Volunteers’ Week,
amongst others. We seek to strengthen our areas of collaboration
through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Volunteer Practice
Supporting national, local and community volunteer involving
organisations to improve the effectiveness of volunteer practice.
Led by
Adrian Murtagh
Allana
Fotheringham
Angela
McHale

Volunteer Practice
We believe that sharing learning and practice is a key ingredient
for a positive volunteer experience. Our collaborative approach to
learning provides the volunteer practitioner with the opportunity
to learn from their peers, experience different types of volunteer
programs and build a supportive network.
Learning and practice
We have had to find new ways to reach out and support
our customers, and we achieved this through the following:
•
Creating a new learning opportunity called Learning Bites.
Free and more accessible, the most popular subjects included
Supporting Volunteers, Volunteers’ Mental Wellbeing and
Managing Difficult Situations.
•
Updating and increasing our learning portfolio; now accessed
from across the globe. The most popular courses were, Keeping
Volunteers Safe, Restarting your Volunteer programme and Involving
Volunteers. We’re working on new materials with the National
Inclusion in Volunteering Group.
• Providing bespoke support to a wide range of volunteer practitioners
as their volunteer programmes changed; many needed help to adapt
during the pandemic.
Interesting, thought
provoking and well
researched training that
remained accessible
with factors we can
apply to our work.
Thank you!
Learner Feedback
It was great to take
part in the session
with so many other
organisations and

learning from their
experiences as well
as from Volunteer
Scotland’s expertise.
Our new range of digital badges are a popular
form of recognition of learning

A new national standard for
volunteer practice within Scotland
We undertook the formal review,
development and redesign of the
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) standard
and the Volunteer Friendly (VF)
Award, both of which were launched
in the spring this year.
These standards support volunteer
development, recognise volunteer practice
and celebrate groups and organisations which
give volunteers a positive experience. For
the first time, standards-based support can
apply to all programmes, including small
community and mutual aid groups.
These developments were truly collaborative
in nature: the VF delivery model was co-
produced with a large number of Third Sector
Interfaces across Scotland. This approach
to ongoing development will enhance
volunteer practice and build capacity across
the end-user groups and organisations.
Our recently launched Volunteer Friendly Award
is now delivering impact elsewhere. Volunteer Ireland
is now delivering this award across Ireland through
our franchise model.
Going through the IiV process was brilliant,
it allowed me a chance to really look at
our systems, processes and documents
and make changes that will benefit our
volunteers. I really enjoyed the whole
process and can’t thank my assessor
enough for the guidance along the way.
The new Volunteer Friendly structure
and updated Award will mean there
is consistency in the support offered
to groups to achieve the award across
Scotland. It will also allow a broader
range of groups to achieve the award
across the Country.
Amy Clelland
People Know How
Dani Drummond
Voluntary Action Lochaber

Disclosure Services
Kirsty
Barrett
Deliver a cost-effective service for Disclosure Scotland to minimize
risk and help to ensure safe volunteering practice for all concerned.
Claire
Laurie
Led by
Ewen McMartin

Disclosure Services
The team continues to meet every new challenge
whilst providing exceptional levels of service and
support to volunteer involving organisations.
Operations
We’ve adapted our process to manage
the rapid shift to a new online Portal.
•
Since February, emailed applications have largely been
replaced by those uploaded to the new online Portal
(90% of all applications are now received in this way).
•
As the COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed volumes have
increased to pre-pandemic levels; our original 2021/22
estimate of 41K applications has been revised to 55K.
Compliance and Training
We’ve continued to deliver our expert
compliance support on a flexible basis.
•
We continue to support organisations and signatories
with new responsibilities for their PVG applications
through online training sessions.
•
Bespoke sessions for enrolled bodies also continue to be delivered
on an as needed basis. The weekly drop-in sessions will now cease.

Corporate Services
Finance, human resources, IT infrastructure, property,
and risk management.
Diane
Gladstone
Led by
Kenneth Stirratt
Katrina
Imrie

Finance Statement
The Directors have assessed the main risks to the company
and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate those risks.
An annual review of the risk register is undertaken and quarterly
performance reports continuously assess and manage risks. The Audit
and Scrutiny Committee consisting of some of our Board Directors and
senior staff, reviews the risk framework and existing policies within
Volunteer Scotland to ensure that any risk exposure is minimised
and that good practice is maintained.
The Head of Corporate Services is the key support to the committee
and this forum provides an invaluable space to discuss and review all
financial exposures and any risks which may affect the ongoing running
of the organisation and our sustainability. Risk is managed on a regular
basis through review and update of our existing Risk Framework which
is maintained by key business personnel responsible for the specific
areas of risk management.
We have no business critical matters outstanding and have no legal
actions or threats of any legal action against our organisation.
Volunteer Scotland recognises the exposure we have to financial and
operational implications arising from Covid-19 and we will attempt to
minimise our risk associated with this for our staff, clients, customers
and tenants as well as our operations.
Business expenditure is effectively controlled against approved
budget and any costs must be within the limits set within delegated
expenditure authorisation. Bank movements must also be pre-
approved by two business signatories neither of whom are finance staff.
The principal business risk is related to our ongoing relationship with
our main funders, Scottish Government and Disclosure Scotland who
contribute to our ongoing operations. Funding has been agreed for
2021-22 and we do not anticipate any risk associated with this. In
addition Volunteer Scotland carries out other associated deliverables
as detailed in our achievements above and risk is managed effectively
throughout. We also own Jubilee House, Stirling, and the health and
safety of our staff and tenants is of paramount importance, particularly
in this pandemic, and again we have managed this effectively to date.

2020-21 2019-20
£ £
Incoming resources 1,710,157 1,813,980
Resources expended 1,711,741 1,729,071
Net incoming resources (-1584) 84,909
Fixed assets 1,567,217 1,577,327
Net current assets 1,077,056 1,140,491
Creditors
Amounts falling due after one year (-692655) (-749103)
Net assets excluding pension liability 1,951,618 1,968,715
Defined benefit pension scheme liability (-84803) (-100,316)
Net assets including pension liabilities 1,866,815 1,868,399
Funds
Unrestricted general fund 1,043,276 1,063,816
Property fund 820,952 777,738
Restricted fund 2,587 26,845
Finance Statement

Once again Volunteers have made a big contribution to communities
across Scotland during a very challenging time. Whether volunteering
is new to you or if you are an old hand, I hope that the work of
Volunteer Scotland has helped you to make a difference. 
This year the team have continued to raise the profile of volunteering
and sought to make it accessible to everyone. Our research, training,
toolkits, policy work and disclosure services have been adapted,
developed and improved with the aim of enabling everybody to achieve
their personal best. 
Our own organisation has gone through a significant change, with
George Thomson retiring after a career dedicated to supporting people
into volunteering so that they could make a difference. George has
made a big impact on volunteering and we will always be grateful. 
We welcome Alan Stevenson as the new Chief Executive and
I know that he is committed to helping us achieve our ambition
of Volunteering for All. 
Under Alan’s leadership and the guidance
of a new and refreshed Board I know that
Volunteer Scotland will continue to make
a big impact for volunteers next year
and beyond. 
I am honoured to assume the role of the Chair for
Volunteer Scotland (VS), but firstly I would like to
acknowledge the terrific work of my predecessor,
Richard Jennings, during his term.
Under Richard’s chairmanship, the trustees and the
management team of VS led a refinement of our
strategic plan, which put the organisation on a firm
forward-looking and steady path nationally and
beyond. It has been my pleasure and privilege to
work closely with, and learn from, Richard. I thank
him on behalf of everyone at Volunteer Scotland.
Over the past 5 years as a trustee of Volunteer
Scotland, I learnt how to view volunteering as
a way of life and as one of the fundamental pillars
of a healthy society and active citizenship.
I am humbled by the knowledge
and expertise of our board members
and all VS staff who work
tirelessly to turn our mission,
of making Scotland a place
where everyone can volunteer,
enjoyably, safely and regularly,
into reality.
Richard
Jennings
Retiring Chair
Narek
Bido
Chair
Chair Statements

Our Board of Directors
Retiring Directors
All Volunteer Scotland directors and staff would like to give thanks
to Elliott Jackson, Jeanette Gaul and Kevin Geddes for their time
and vital support as Directors. A special thanks to Richard Jennings
for his role of Chair for several years. We wish them all well for the future.
New Directors
We warmly welcome six
new Directors to the team.
Narek Bido
Narek will be taking over
as Chair after this year’s AGM.
Current Directors
Thank you to our current Directors for your continued dedication and support.
Richard Jennings
Retiring Chair
Jeanette
Gaul
Emma
Cormack
Angela
Mitchell
Kevin
Geddes
Paul
Okroj
Selina
Ross
Fiona
Watson
Elizabeth
Taylor
Elliot
Jackson
Julie
Podet
Mark
Armstrong
Janette
Mitchell
Lynne
Harrison
David
Field
Rosie
Wylie
Richard
Jennings

©2021 Volunteer Development Scotland Ltd. (Also known as Volunteer Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity No. SC013740
Company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland,
No. SC106743. Our registered Offlce is Jubilee House, Forthside Way, Stirling. FK8 1QZ.
volunteerscotland.net

Volunteer Scotland Annual Report 2021 Highlights Progress

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