Volunteer strategy announced

A first ever “strategy” for volunteering in South Ayrshire has been officially unveiled.

Charities and community groups are being hailed for the vital role they play – with an action plan now in place to secure the future of their work.

Launching the strategy at Ayr’s Fairfield House Hotel, South Ayrshire Council leader Peter Henderson described volunteering as “the backbone of our communities”.

He said: “Volunteering is a hugely valuable social asset often working away in the background to make South Ayrshire a better place.

“The Volunteering Strategy aims to create the conditions under which volunteering activity within South Ayrshire can develop and flourish.”

The event, organised by Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA), provided an opportunity for charities and voluntary groups to share ideas about improving their services and encourage more diversity in volunteering.

Guest speaker was Adrian Murtagh, Head of Volunteer Practice at Volunteer Scotland.

A special prize draw on the day saw 10 organisations win the chance to apply for Volunteer Friendly status and two more bagged the opportunity to go for the coveted Investing in Volunteers award - prizes worth nearly £5,000 in total.

Winners of the Volunteer Friendly draw were: SPRED, the Ayrshire Healing Centre, Broken Chains, Community Gift Exchange, Mindfully Present, South Ayrshire Befriending Project, No-One Dies Alone Ayrshire, the Carrick Centre, Community Wellbeing Hub, South Ayrshire Community Transport and Dementia Friendly Prestwick.

The Investing in Volunteers draw was won by SeAscape and Ayr United Football Academy.