Verdict on volunteer bid looms

Decision due next week

Stirling’s bid to become the European Volunteering Capital has already had a positive effect.

With the city due to find out next week if its bid for the crown has been successful, latest figures suggest numbers volunteering in the area have risen to more than 10 per cent above the national average.

According to the latest Scottish Household survey, 39–per cent of people in Stirling volunteer.

The figure equates to approximately 30,500 volunteers involved in formal volunteering through an organisation or group – an increase of seven per cent from the previous year.

Stirling held Scotland’s first ever Festival of Volunteering in 2017 and is in the running to be crowned European Volunteering Capital 2020.

A delegation travelled to Brussels in October to present the city’s case for the title, going up against the Italian city of Padua.

The rise in volunteer numbers has been welcomed by Stirling’s 2020 bid team, led by Stirling Council, Volunteer Scotland and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise.

George Thomson, chief executive of Volunteer Scotland said: “European Volunteering Capital is more than just a title for us, we want to use it as a catalyst for change.

“We have a shared goal to bring the feel–good benefits of volunteering to all and have set an ambitious target of increasing volunteering to 50 per cent. These new figures show that it’s more than possible to achieve and 2020 will be our breakthrough year.”

Natalie Masterson, chief executive of Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise said: “We know that volunteering needs a helping hand to flourish. Inclusion in volunteering is one of our key priorities and in 2019 we’ll be going out into communities to find out what we can change to make volunteering more accessible to all.”

Councillor Chris Kane, convener of Stirling Council’s community planning and regeneration committee, added: “These figures highlight once again that the people of Stirling are passionate about volunteering, enriching our communities by helping others. I’m sure we’ll rise to the challenge, helping us smash our 50 per cent target and make Stirling an inspiration to volunteering across the continent.”

If Stirling’s bid is successful, Scotland will be home to a European Volunteering Capital for the first time. The winner will be announced next Wednesday in the Danish city of Aarhus, the current holder of the title.