Welcome to our first Voluntary Voice as Voluntary Action !

The change of name just reflects the fact that we are one organisation, serving the needs of the voluntary sector and of volunteering. Still the same staff, still at Market House, still the same phone numbers and email addresses (and still neither part of the Council nor part of Social Services), and a nice new logo, serving both parts of the service that were previously known to you as Shetland Council of Social Service and Volunteer Centre Shetland.

Our Mission Statement: “Voluntary Action Shetland seeks to respond to and support voluntary services in Shetland by meeting present and emerging needs, developing and promoting new ways of responding and encouraging people in Shetland to offer voluntary service to their community”

In this issue:  Our 50 th anniversary,  Volunteers Week Celebration Event  MV update and March Award Ceremony photos  Courses for 2009  Current local volunteering opportunities  What’s On & What’s New

Voluntary Action Shetland Market House, 14 Market Street , Shetland ZE1 0JP Main Reception: 01595 743900 Fax 01595 696787 [email protected] [email protected] www.shetland-communities.org.uk/scss www.shetlandvolunteers.org.uk

1 MV Awards Spring 2009

Pictured here are MV Award recipients at our For individual pictures, and full details of the March ceremony, held at the Shetland Museum organisations with whom the young people and Archives. Back row (L-R): Aiden Ward, Sean volunteered, please visit our website: Robertson, Tavish Scott, MSP (who presented www.shetlandvolunteers.org.uk/MVAwards.aspx the awards), Kirsten Anderson, Hannah Irvine, Providing the musical entertainment on the night Gwen Williamson, Youth Volunteering were Four Piece Sweet (pictured below, L-R): Development Worker. Third row: Keith Nicole Mouat, Kaylee Mouat, Eunice Henderson Williamson, Neil Hamilton, Joseph Williamson, and Rowen Thomson. The music accompanied the Eilidh Malcolmson, Kara Manson, Emma Hobbin, buffet which followed the Award Ceremony, and Stephanie Jamieson and Donna Ridland. Second was held in the Boat Hall in the Museum. row: Leigh Johnson, Rachel Evans, Jack Morton, John Peterson, Cheryl Goodlad, Jacqueline Jamieson and Sarah Groat. Front row: Clare Stout, Zandra Williamson, Louise Kelly, Matthew Adam, Danny Farnworth, Jackalyne Ratter and Maria Irvine. Also at the ceremony were Jodie

Hunter and Shauni Leask. Award recipients who All MV photos this page: copyright Roy Longmuir were unable to attend the ceremony were Eilidh Anderson, Robert Anderson, James Brewster, Our grand total of MV Awards in Shetland is: Leona Gear, Laura Guthrie, Vicky Irvine, Katie 50 Hours Awards 125 Jamieson, Martin Jamieson, Amanda Manson, 100 Hour Awards 80 Cara Mitchell, Thomas Raikes and Orri Smith. 200 Hour Awards of excellence 38

MV Awards are for young volunteers aged from 16 to 25. endorsed, they give positive recognition of the volunteer’s achievements. MV Awards are available after 50 or 100 hours of volunteering; the Award of Excellence is awarded to those who complete 200 hours. If you are volunteering, getting your MV Award is simple: you and your supervisor fill in some forms, and we can help. You can register as soon as you are 16, and hours that you’ve already given count (as do training time, and time spent travelling within Shetland). MV Awards must be completed within 2 years.

To find out more contact: Youth Volunteering Development Worker, Voluntary Action Shetland Gwen Williamson 01595 743911 [email protected]

2 Volunteers’ Week 25 th Anniversary Lunch & Consultation Event

Some of the guests at the Volunteers’ Week event held at the Shetland Museum & Archives on June 6 th All photos this page, Kathleen Williamson

Volunteers' Week (1 st – 7 th June every year) is Linkup, Mary Anderson the UK's annual celebration of the work that (left) from Samaritans volunteers do. During the Week events are held of Shetland involved across the country to recognise, reward and the audience in the recruit volunteers. This year marked the 25 th creation of a recipe for Anniversary of Volunteers’ Week, and on a Samaritan’s volunteer Saturday 6 th June, Volunteer Centre Shetland and Karen Angus (now Voluntary Action Shetland) hosted its third (below) spoke on the Volunteers Week Celebration Lunch for topic of “Challenge volunteers at the Shetland Museum and Archives; as well as enjoying a three-course meal, guests Your Condition” a were treated to music by Jillian Isbister. course for managing The event had a dual purpose: as well as a reward your long-term health for the volunteers, 27 of whom attended, this condition, involving a was a consultation event to gather ideas both combination of self- from volunteers and from those within volunteer help and group support. involving organisations who work with volunteers The consultation on how we should be formally recognising started with the volunteering in Shetland, and how we can aggregated results potentially complement the successful MV Award from forms returned by Scheme for 16-25 year-olds with other awards. those who were unable to come to the event Among the guests were representative volunteers itself. Three themes were then examined: from Active Schools, British Red Cross, Disability • (Separate) Awards for under 16s, over 25s Shetland, DWP Community 5000, Girlguiding • Incentives currently offered by organisations Shetland, MS Society Scotland, Samaritans in • Potential themes for sponsored awards Shetland, Shetland Thanks to Sue Imrie, all the guests and those who Islands CAB,, Shetland returned forms for helping with the consultation. Linkup, Shetland Pre- The results so far are being collated, and we will School Play, SYIS, develop a questionnaire so that we can involve all WRVS and Young potential stakeholders. In order to have your Enterprise Scotland. input into this consultation process, come along Presentations were and speak to us at the agricultural shows this given by (pictured summer, or contact us for more right) James Rae on his information: Sue, Gwen or Kathleen volunteering with the at Voluntary Action Shetland Shetland Community Bike Project and Shetland 01595 743910 [email protected]

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The founding fathers of the Shetland Council of The SCSS became the Highlands & Islands Social Service (SCSS) would surely be amazed to Development Board’s official Shetland agent, a see the constant flurry of activity in and around unique recognition of the regard in which the Market House today as the many resident organisation was held by the Scottish Office. voluntary organizations – 17 at the last count – go In 1975, the transition from facilitator for the about serving the Shetland community. A far cry commercial to the social economy began and from 1959 when the first development officer, indeed continues to the present day. Bob Storey and his assistant, set up shop in a The social economy was slow to develop in drab office above Solotti’s ice cream parlour on Shetland but by the mid-1980s the SCSS had Lerwick’s Commercial Street. succeeded in establishing and assisting the Established by a group of community leaders as development of a number of now well recognised an economic generator, the fledgling SCSS local voluntary organizations: Shetland Islands complemented the then Zetland County Council’s Citizens Advice Bureau, Shetland Befriending ‘holding points policy’ to stimulate the micro Scheme, Women’s Aid, Shetland Council of economies of rural Shetland. The approach was Disability and so on. groundbreaking and many examples of the SCSS As the demand for services grew, it was clear work are well remembered in the community, such that the quality of these many services had to be as: reinforced in order to retain public confidence. Shetland Marine, a company established to All of a sudden it seemed that Shetland had a further develop traditional boat building skills flourishing social economy burgeoning under the seaweed processing for the food and umbrella of the SCSS, which had completely pharmaceutical industries, outgrown the organisation’s resources and ability Shetland’s first aquaculture project, oyster to cope with this ever-increasing demand from growing in Dales Voe the community for the many services under the curing of sheepskins using a newly developed development. The need for proper premises was industrial process now urgent, which is when, with a lot of hard the renovation of a derelict cottage in Bressay work, the semi-derelict property, known locally as became Shetland’s first self-catering tourist Ganson’s Buildings, became Shetland’s third facility sector’s one stop shop, known today as Market the canning of reestit mutton soup, ‘Rasmie’s House. Choice’. Gussie Angus, Chairman

Photo of Market House staff and volunteers marking the 50th anniversary of the Shetland Council of Social Service

Photo copyright John Coutts

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New Name, New Logo, Same Service Delivery for Shetland’s Voluntary Sector

With the changing emphasis from the commercial to the social economy and the current development by the Scottish Government of SCSS as one of the 32 interface organisations throughout Scotland, it has been decided that SCSS needs a change of name. This will better reflect the support and services it delivers to the Shetland community on behalf of the Community Planning Partnership, the Government’s Thrive and Connect Agenda and the implementation of the Supporting Voluntary Action Portfolio. After much deliberation our members have decided we should be called:

Voluntary Action Shetland On the right you can see our new logo, which has been developed to reflect these changes. Voluntary Action Shetland continues to deliver the core objectives to support the local voluntary sector and these include the requirements from Scottish Government, Supporting Voluntary Action, Shetland Charitable Trust and our many project specific funding agencies. The change in name will not change what we deliver, however we are taking this opportunity to review how we deliver our services. We will keep you informed about these changes in future editions of Voluntary Voice, visit us at the shows throughout the summer, give us a call or pop into Market House for more information.

The Shetland Befriending Scheme – New Worker Starts The Shetland Befriending Scheme has been supporting children and young people throughout Shetland since June 2000. Our local volunteers work on a one-to-one basis and, due to a high demand, we have expanded the service; we now have 3 sections catering for the following groups:  Children and Young People Section aged between 7 to 15 years  Young Adults Section aged between 16 and 25 years  ASN Children and Young People Section aged between 7 to 15 years SBS is delighted to announce that a fourth worker starts this month to work with the Children and Young People’s section, the new worker will enable this section to cope with the ever-growing demand. The service as a whole currently has 49 volunteers; we have 16 trainee befrienders and hope to run further training sessions in Lerwick and in Brae between October and November 2009. In the past 9 years there has been a total of 150 matches and those who accessed the service reported to have benefited from the presence of a befriender in their lives. We strive to provide every referral with a positive experience in their local community. For more information about the scheme, either to access it for someone or to volunteer: Visit our website www.shetland-communities.org/shetland-befriending Contact us on tel: (01595) 743907 or e-mail: [email protected]

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Learning Opportunities REPORT WRITING including OSCR RETURNS Voluntary Action Shetland is delivering the What you will cover: following short courses, which are aimed at • Guidance on how to structure and write voluntary groups and volunteers, but open to all, reports that communicate information and are free of charge. efficiently and accurately • MAKING FUNDING APPLICATIONS Develop skills in report writing to meet their What you will cover: target audience • Exploring application preparation • Complete their Annual Return for Office of • An understanding of why funding bids fail the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) Aith Junior High School 31 st October • Identifying what funders are looking for and Mid Yell Junior High 7th November who they are st th Sandwick Junior High 21 November Whalsay Junior High 29 August th th Whalsay Junior High 28 November Market House 19 September th rd Scalloway Junior High 5 December Sandwick Junior High 3 October

To book your place, or PROJECT PLANNING for more information, contact What you will cover: Wendy Hand VAS Development Worker • An understanding of why projects fail and 01595 743905 [email protected] how to focus on success

• Appreciation of the principles, tools and techinques of project management Can you • The benefits of project management when help? introducing change • The importance of people in the delivery of Do you projects Aith Junior High 12 th September drive? th Brae High School 26 September Have you some spare time? Market House 3rd October We are looking for volunteer drivers who can help on an occasional basis HEALTH & SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT We need help to take people to and from What you will cover: non-urgent medical appointments (e.g. hospital, • Health and safety issues with regard to dental, picking up prescriptions) volunteering Your mileage will be reimbursed • Knowledge of the risk management process • Development of an action plan to implement Contact: Voluntary Action Shetland appropriate healthy and safety and risk 01595 743910 [email protected] management strategies for their organisation

Market House 14 th November

Funding Surgeries Children in Need and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Let us know what courses you need in your Scotland will be running local surgeries in community group and for your volunteers. We September on applying to them for funding. will do our best to put on courses at a time and Please contact Wendy Hand to book a place, and place to suit you, as long as there is sufficient for further details of dates and times. demand .

6 Volunteering Opportunities HEALTH & WELFARE Consumer Network Member Do you have a few hours to spare? Share your experiences and help Scottish Are you thinking of a career change, or would you Consumer Council identify ways in which provision like to learn new skills? of goods and services can be improved for Do you want to help out using your previous everyone experience? Hyperbaric Chamber These are some of the many volunteering The MS Society is looking for volunteers at the opportunities available in Shetland right now! newly refurbished hyperbaric chamber, to help

people who need to use the hyperbaric chamber SUPPORT ROLES for health concerns. Training would be given. Befriending and mentoring Shetland Voluntary Nailcutting Service Four organisations are looking for “befriending” Providing an essential service to the elderly and volunteers: for young people with additional disabled to enhance their quality of life; this is an support needs, for dementia sufferers and for opportunity for volunteers to access high quality people recovering from substance abuse; training training, be part of a team and gain experience in provided. care of the elderly.

Witness Service Supporting people who have to attend court in ACTIVE GROUP WORK HELPERS Lerwick; full training given and all expenses paid. Rainbows / Brownies / Guides / Scouts You will need good communication skills. Helpers required in various parts of Shetland. Telephone Volunteering Great opportunities to gain experience in working Provide advice, support and befriending over the with young people and learning new skills. phone, from home; training provided and expenses Disability Shetland reimbursed. Are looking for volunteers for their clubs: Awareness Volunteer Saturday Club, Recreation Club, All stars Football You can choose a volunteer role to suit your Club, Wootton Lass, and a new opportunity at the interests and availability-to raise awareness of Wednesday club helping wheelchair users attend different health issues outings Ranger

Help to look after and promote a section of the DRIVING, ESCORTING, SHOPPING etc National Cycle Network near your home and so Volunteer Drivers encourage more people to walk and cycle To help on an occasional basis to drive people to and from hospital and health related ANIMAL CHARITIES appointments within Shetland (this opportunity is Require pet fosterers to provide temporary available through WRVS and British Red Cross) accommodation and care for unwanted and WRVS: abandoned cats and kittens until new homes are Have many volunteering opportunities, in found. Also to assist in re-homing animals, a cat particular they are looking for volunteers to take shelter volunteer and to take calls on a helpline. part in their Good Neighbours Scheme , where THERAPET VOLUNTEER you can help with shopping tasks, gardening, DIY Volunteers, on a regular basis, take their own and provide companionship dogs to visit residents and patients in care,

nursing and residential homes, hospitals and MONEY RAISING & CHARITY SHOP HELP hospices

Charity shops Need volunteers to help with sorting, pricing, To find out more about these and other ironing, serving customers. Hours are flexible. opportunities, Collecting box collectors please contact: Needed in all parts of Shetland; deliver and Sue, Gwen or Kathleen at Voluntary Action collect donation boxes in your area Shetland 01595 743910 [email protected]

7 Market House Resident Organisations Phone: Organisation 01595 Email address Advocacy Shetland 743929 [email protected] Art Psychotherapy and Counselling 743916 [email protected] Association of Shetland Community Councils 743906 [email protected] Community Mediation Team 743934 [email protected] Crossroads Shetland 743931 [email protected] Disability Shetland 743920 [email protected] Family Mediation 743859 [email protected] Moving On Employment Project 743926 [email protected] Relationships Scotland Couple Counselling Shetland 692719 [email protected] Shetland Befriending Scheme 743907 [email protected] Shetland Bereavement Support Service 743933 [email protected] Shetland Islands Citizens Advice Bureau 694696 [email protected] Shetland Pre-School Play Ltd 743917 [email protected] Voluntary Action Shetland 743902 [email protected] WRVS 743914 [email protected] Reception at Market House: 01595 743900 [email protected]

Market House Facilities Market House is administered and owned by Voluntary Action Shetland. Market House acts as a voluntary sector hub for Shetland and includes all the resident organisations listed above. It also provides facilities for voluntary and community groups such as room and equipment hire and a drop-in centre for do-it-yourself administration and for the low-cost production of: minutes, newsletters, posters, flyers, correspondence, leaflets, sending faxes, etc. Also available is access to FunderFinder for help in targeting your funding applications to achieve more effective bids. Phone reception, 01595 743900 for more details.

The Shetland Community Portal http://www.shetland-communities.org/ Has your group joined the Shetland Community Portal yet? It provides quick access to relevant material for Shetland residents and visitors, allows community groups a cheap and easy route to creating their own website, and provides information through the Community Toolkit.

Voluntary Action Shetland is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland No. 165677 Registered Office Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick ZE1 0JP Scottish Charity No. SCO 17286

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