Volunteer Centre Western Isles Workplan for 2012-13 Our Vision is of a community where everyone volunteers. Where volunteering is recognised as integral to the health, wealth and vitality of the Outer Hebrides. Where the Volunteer Centre Western Isles provides a high quality localised service that supports the growth of volunteering in all islands, in every community, in each home, to any individual. Our Values: • We are passionate about volunteering: we will support and encourage it in all its forms. • We are committed to development – of the individual, the organisation and the community. • We are supportive, friendly and non-judgemental in our dealings with ourselves and others. • We are committed to giving a quality service and pursuing excellence in all that we do. Our Mission: To actively support, promote and encourage volunteering. 1 Index Vision, values and mission statement Page 1 Current Picture Page 3 Comments on progress towards our vision in 2011/12 (taken from final year report) Page 5 Long Term Outcomes Page 10 1) Everyone in the W.I. volunteers Long Term, Mid Term Outcomes and Activities Page 11 2) Volunteers have a good experience and are welcomed wherever they go Long Term, Mid Term Outcomes and Activities Page 12 3) Volunteering is recognised as integral to the health, wealth and vitality of the western Isles Long Term, Mid Term Outcomes and Activities Page 13 4) The Volunteer Centre Western Isles provides a high quality localised service that supports the growth of volunteering Long Term, Mid Term Outcomes and Activities Page14 Monitoring and Indicators of Achievement Page 15 Priorities for 2012/13 Page 16 Working to support the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership and the SOA. Page 16 Working as part of the Interface for the Western Isles and supporting the Strategic Plan for CCIG Page 18 Resources and lead roles in delivery Page 19 2 Current Picture: (main source: http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/index.asp unless otherwise stated) Location and environment: The Western Isles are an isolated, peaceful and unspoilt chain of more than 29 islands, off the North West coast of Scotland. (Also known as the Outer Hebrides).The Western Isles is home to a wide variety of interesting species and habitats and beautiful landscapes in a relatively compact area. The environment is recognised internationally as being of global importance. 13 islands of the Western Isles are currently inhabited and are usually grouped into the following 4 main groups, Lewis with the largest population and the main town of Stornoway, Harris which is joined to Lewis but is very much considered an island in its own right and incorporates Scalpay. The Uists a chain of islands joined by causeways and Barra and Vatersay the most southerly islands connected to Eriskay and South Uist by an hour’s ferry journey. The Western Isles are connected to mainland Scotland by a number of ferry routes and airlinks. The costs of which are currently discounted through the Air Discount Scheme and Road Equivalent Tariff. The cost of fuel is 14% higher than in mainland urban areas (Rural Price Survey). Of all council areas, the Western Isles has the highest estimated percentage of households in extreme fuel poverty (27.3%, compared to 7.5% Scotland-wide). (ScotPHO - Health and Wellbeing Profiles 2010) Over 72% of the data zones in the Western Isles are within the 10% most deprived zones in Scotland in relation to Geographic Access / Telecommunications. Population Profile: Western Isles has an estimated population of 26,180. The population is relatively ‘elderly’; the percentages aged 75+ and 85+ are the highest of any LA area in Scotland. The live birth rate is significantly lower than the Scotland average. Only 0.4% of the population aged 16-64 are overseas nationals registered for a National Insurance number (Scotland 1.3%). Between 2006 and 2031, the Western Isles is projected to see a large decline in the key age groups of 0-15 years (-25%) and those of working age, 16-64 yrs (-11%). By this date, 33% of the population is expected to be 65 years and over. Migration and Achieving a Sustainable Population: While in recent years the Outer Hebrides is estimated to have experienced positive net in- migration (more people moving to the islands than leaving) it has not been enough to combat the persistent year-on-year negative natural change (more deaths than births). Despite, a higher than average fertility rate (2nd highest in Scotland in 2006), annual births are projected to 3 decline by 50% in the next 20 years as our age structure is currently skewed to older age groups, leaving a significant deficit of young people and young families within our population structure. Our legacy of an ageing population profile has created a momentum so well established, that based on current trends, our population is set to continue to decline and age at a worrying rate. While we cannot modify the natural change patterns already set in place, by reducing out- migration and encouraging complimentary in-migration we can help to ensure our communities, services and workforce are sustainable for the future. Employment: Local Area Labour Markets in Scotland Statistics from the Annual Population Survey 2010 were published on 10 August 2011. The publication provides analysis on the labour market, education and training. One of the conclusions for the Outer Hebrides is that employment rates were steady at the start of the recession in 2008, but there have been large subsequent reductions in 2009 and 2010. Some of the main findings are: The Outer Hebrides showed the largest increase between 2009 and 2010 in economic inactivity rates for people aged 16-64 (up 6.9%), in comparison to Clackmannanshire (down 4.9%). The level for the Outer Hebrides in 2010 was 4,500 (28.4%). The employment rate level for 2010 was 11,400 (68.7%). The Outer Hebrides had the highest percentage change over the last 2 years, - 8.7% (- 1,600). The Outer Hebrides had the highest level of employed people over 16 under-employed at 13.8% in comparison to 5.7% in City of Edinburgh. Employment rate for disabled people (16-64) is lowest in the Outer Hebrides (32.1%). Resident population aged 16-64 in employment 10,900, of which 88.2% live and work in the council area. 37.9% are employed in the public sector, of which the majority are women (55.9%). 62.1% are employed in the private sector, of which the majority are men (75.4%). Educational Attainment* The proportion of adults with no qualifications in the Western Isles is 13% above the Scottish average. (NHS Scotland - Community Health Profile 2004). In contrast to this the Western Isles has the highest proportion, in Scotland, of school leavers with 3+ SCQF Level 6 or 1 or more SCQF Level 7 qualifications at 43%. The 2001 census indicated that 6% of the working age population were participating in further or higher education compared to the Scottish average of 9%. However the Scottish School Leaver Destination Report for 2002/03 showed that the Western Isles is above the Scottish average for school leavers with positive destinations with 41% entering higher education, 21% entering further education and 11% entering training although the HE/FE entry rates, as a percentage of the Scottish average, have dropped from 175% in 1998/99 to 119% in 2002/03. 4 Life Expectancy & Mortality Male life expectancy at birth is significantly worse than average, and female life expectancy at birth is not significantly different to Scotland. Mortality rates for all causes (all ages), and coronary heart disease, cancer and cerebrovascular disease (under-75s) are not significantly different from the Scotland average. Behaviours An estimated 24.0% of adults smoke in the Western Isles, similar to Scotland as a whole (25.0%). There have been 95 deaths from alcohol conditions in the last five years, and there is a significantly high proportion of the population hospitalised with alcohol conditions. However, the rate of patients hospitalised with drug related conditions is significantly better (lower) than average. While the Western Isles Council area has one of the lowest reported rates of sporting participation, 16% of working adults report active travel to work (Scotland 14%). Social care and housing Of all council areas in Scotland, the Western Isles has the highest percentage of older people receiving free personal care at home (8.2%). Crime and the environment The crime rate and most other crime indicators are significantly better than the Scotland average. This is a rural area, and has the highest percentage of all CHP areas for people living in the 15% ‘most access deprived’ areas in Scotland (85.0%). 73.0% of adults rate their neighbourhood as a very good place to live, compared to only 52.0% Scotland-wide. Volunteering The 2007 Outer Hebrides Community appraisal found: Just over half (55%) of Outer Hebrides residents say they have undertaken work or activities on a voluntary basis in the past 12 months. Around a quarter of residents say they have undertaken voluntary work with a voluntary organisation, charity or community group, while a similar proportion have undertaken voluntary work with a church, religious or faith based group. The latest 2009/10 SHS figures show a slight increase in this figure to 57% almost double the Scottish figure of 30%. However, the need remains to highlight volunteering as a positive force in the community and to encourage participation with both existing and new volunteers. With an ageing population and general out -migration of young people, there is still a need to encourage more involvement among the younger age ranges.