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New Feature!

Group applications: one contact person for an entire group We at the TSI facilitate employer supported volunteering and one of the recurring obstacles is that there are often one or two pioneers within a company, but it is difficult to activate all employees. With the help of group applications, we can facilitate the pioneers. We bring the right people into contact with each other, while all applications and their impact are registered! A group application is several applications made in one go which is created by one "group representative". The group representative becomes the point of contact for all communication and notifications regarding the applications and their status. In this way, we keep the contact between the organisation and the group central and the rest of the group doesn't have to do anything. This feature was developed with employer supported volunteering in mind, but can of course be used for any situation! How do you make a group application? Use the 'Group application' button on the activity page to start the process. A pop-up will appear. Select (if you are an administrator of multiple organisations) the organisation on whose behalf you want to apply. You can only select members of that organisation. Select which members you want to register on whose behalf by typing their name. You can also choose to add all members first (via the link below the text field) and then deselect the members you do not want to register one by one. If a person has already registered, you can no longer select this person. Group applications are never placed on a waiting list. If there is not enough capacity for the entire group, the error message "There is not enough capacity for your group" will appear. In this case, contact the organisation directly to discuss the options. Click on 'Proceed to the application form'. Fill in the question or the questionnaire. The answers you give apply to each person you're applying for. Click on 'Proceed to confirmation'. Please read all points carefully so that you understand the consequences. Click on 'Create group application'. And that's it, now it is up to the organisation to get in touch with you. Important things to note: Any organisation admin or moderator can make an application on behalf of people who are members of that same organisation, but it is not possible to add members of sub-groups or teams. You can only add members of your own organisation(s). Someone who is an administrator at multiple organisations can choose on behalf of which organisation they are applying. All communication goes through the group representative, including any status changes, and that the individual members do not receive any communication about this. As a group representative, you are responsible for communicating with the members you have registered and must therefore ensure that everyone is in the right place on time. To find out more information, follow this link How do group applications work?

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Share your story and win!

Here at Be the Change we are all about volunteering. We know what makes it great, but how do we convince others? We tell stories! Volunteers telling us about their journey into volunteering and what they get out of it. Staff telling us how they began as a volunteer and then loved it so much they took a job when it came round. Young people, old people, new people, pillars of the community all getting together to Be the Change. All of these stories are what connect us and remind others of the benefits of volunteering. So, how do you 'Be the Change'? Fill in our feedback form now to be in with a chance to win a £30 Amazon Voucher. Closing date 21st of May.

Happy Birthday Be the Change!

Be the Change is officially a year old! We would like to say a massive thank you to the 80 organisations and nearly 500 users who have registered with us so far. Over 150 volunteering activities have been advertised on our platform and organisations have received over 160 applications directly through the platform. With opportunities from Kinross to Pitlochry, Comrie to Alyth and beyond, our reach is only growing. While opportunities in Communities and Family are the most popular roles, there are also opportunities in areas such as wellbeing, education, poverty reduction, people with disabilities, sport and recreation, animal welfare and nature and sustainability and more! There is something for everyone so make sure to have a look. Help us be the change and reach more potential volunteers in year 2!

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For Volunteers

Three white adult women smiling and standing shoulder to shoulder plus one white man sitting in front wearing a medical face covering.

What is a Trustee?

Charity trustees play a very important role in making sure that the charity is run well. They are volunteers who strategically oversee the management, governance and administration of the organisation. Trustees ensure their charity has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision and mission. A trustee's role in a charity is to make sure that all decisions put the needs of the service users/beneficiaries first and that they don't move away from the organisation's constitutional goals. Trustees safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. They make sure that the charity is run sustainably and in line with legal requirements. Trustees are not typically involved in the day-to-day operations of a charity. Instead, they delegate these responsibilities to staff, led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Trustees act as a ‘critical friend’ to the CEO—offering support while also providing constructive challenge to ensure effective leadership. However, in smaller charities with limited staff, trustees may also take on more direct, operational responsibilities. Check out these open Trustee roles: CILPK Trustee Vacancy for Centre for Inclusive Living Perth & Kinross | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross) Duke of Edinburgh P&K We are looking for a New Trustee with Financial Background | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross) Swansacre Playgroup Charity Trustee - Committee Secretary | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross) Strathmore Community Hub Trustee | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross) CATH Volunteer Trustee | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross) For further information on being a trustee, visit: Become a trustee | Reach Volunteering Roles & responsibilities - SCVO GovernanceWiki OSCR | Guidance and good practice for charity trustees

What is Employer Supported Volunteering?

Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) is a term used to describe when businesses and organisations support the people that work for them to volunteer in various ways. Where you work, this might be called corporate volunteering, employee volunteering, workplace volunteering or something else! Not only are there different names for it, there are many ways to do it. You might do it as a team building experience or as part of your learning journey, you might get time off work to take part and you might even get paid for some of that time. This could be in the form of a day litter picking, a regular trustee position or a few weeks pro bono support - there are endless ways to volunteer. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of employers offering support for employees to volunteer in Scotland has increased to over half of all employers. It provides many benefits to the employer and to you, the employee, such as mental wellbeing and skill development. For the organisation who hosts these volunteers they gain the opportunity to meet and engage with new volunteers who may continue to support them in different ways. This is particularly valuable when the ESV is based on a longer-term relationship and when there is a skills based volunteering aspect. Does your work have an employee volunteering policy? To find out more, check out these websites: Employer-supported volunteering | NCVO and Employer Supported Volunteering | Go Volunteer Glos or email us at info@thirdsectorpk.org.uk.

Do I need a PVG?

For some volunteer roles, as with some jobs, you may need to be part of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme (PVG scheme) to allow you to do it. The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme helps ensure people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot do regulated roles . It's a membership scheme and Disclosure Scotland continuously checks members' criminal history information. It also keeps lists of people barred from regulated roles. As of April 1st 2025, the list of roles included has now grown and become a legal requirement. This means you can get into legal trouble if you are supposed to have a PVG and don't. It is both your responsibility and the responsibility of the organisation you volunteer with to make sure this is done correctly. Not every volunteer role requires a PVG. Be sure to ask if you are not clear! For more information, go to Disclosure Act update - special edition! - Disclosure Scotland or email infobox@thirdsectorpk.org.uk.

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For Organisations

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#PowerOfYouth Charter

The #IWill movement in Scotland aims to encourage and empower more young people to take action, make a difference and influence change within their communities, the environment and broader society through activities such as volunteering, fundraising, mentoring, campaigning and activism. #IWill partners are working together across Scotland to deliver a cross-sector approach that will transform the role and perception of young people in society. We are calling on organisations to come forward and support the young people of today make a difference for the world of tomorrow! There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the #IWill Movement in Scotland beyond and support more young people to take action, make a difference & influence change! Since 2013 over 1000 organisations across the UK pledged to think about what they can do to involve young people in social action. On top of that there are over 350 young #IWill Ambassadors across the UK, promoting and celebrating the voices of young people! But there is still more that needs to be done to grow the Movement and we need you to join us to help continue to grow the #PowerOfYouth! Find out more on how to get involved and start spreading the word about the #PowerOfYouth and Join the Movement! Youth Action: UK Youth Charity Empowering 10-25 Year Olds What is the Charter? The #PowerOfYouth Charter provides a framework for your organisation to empower more young people to take action, make a difference and influence change. Organisations are encouraged to commit to five key principles: 1. Prioritise empowering young people to volunteer and take social action 2. Open up your decision-making structures 3. Work in partnership 4. Evidence the benefits of youth social action 5. Recognise and celebrate young people Find out more about the charter here ! Sign up for the #PowerOfYouth Charter here ! How can you get involved? 1. Sign up to the Charter Sign up through a senior leader from your organisation such as the Chief Executive or Chair. Ideally you will have endorsement for the Charter from your Board. Your organisation will outline specific actions it will take to deliver on the Charter commitments. 2. Shout about it. Publicise your adoption of the Charter through your communication channels. 3. Follow through. Your organisation will hold itself accountable to young people and track its development by sharing your progress towards the Charter commitments annually with #IWill Scotland partners, ambassadors and your networks.

PVG Changes

As of 1 April 2025, significant changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme came into effect across Scotland. Here are some key resources to help keep you informed about what’s needed from your organisation and ensure you’re meeting the current legal requirements. What is Changing? The Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is becoming a legal requirement as part of the implementation of the Disclosure Act 2020. This legislation is here to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and prevent unsuitable individuals from holding regulated roles. This means that from today, all individuals in regulated roles are required to be members of the PVG scheme. There is a three-month grace period, but after 1 July it will be a criminal offense for: Individuals to carry out a regulated role if they are not a member of the PVG scheme Organisations to offer a regulated role to an individual who is not a member of the PVG scheme For further information about these changes, here is a summary from Disclosure Scotland . What is a Regulated Role? Regulated roles can be both paid and volunteering positions. This category includes people working directly with both children and vulnerable adults and others who hold a position of responsibility, such as charity trustees and Board Members. This helpful guidance from Volunteer Scotland can help you determine whether your Board members, Committee members and trustees need to be members of the PVG scheme. Volunteer Scotland are also offering information sessions to help you get accustomed to these changes. How Will This Affect the Third Sector? These changes are complex, and third sector organisations may feel some confusion about what is required of them. We’re here to help make sense of these changes and ensure you are compliant by 1 July. We’ll be keeping abreast of the latest guidance and sharing resources to help you navigate the new PVG scheme. We’re also here to support if you have any individual questions or concerns. Please let us know what you think of these changes. As the Third Sector Interface for Perth & Kinross, we are here to help organisations boost their resilience and navigate the fast-moving landscape of our sector. Additional Resources PVG scheme – Regulated roles guidance – mygov.scot

The Volunteer Charter

To ensure volunteering is a great experience for all, Volunteer Scotland has set out a Volunteer Charter identifying ten key principles for organisations to follow. These principles relate to: Ensuring volunteering is voluntary, not compulsory. Keeping volunteering accessible for all. Offering training and development opportunities to volunteers. Maintaining a clear distinction between paid staff and volunteers. At Be the Change, our aim is for all of our organisations and opportunities listed to understand and follow these principles to the best of their ability. We invite individuals and organisations across sectors to become Charter Champions , signalling a commitment to these values. The Third Sector Interface, Perth and Kinross is already a Charter Champion! Are you next? Have any questions, concerns or compliments? Email us at info@bethechangepk.org.uk.

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Volunteer Stories

Collage of photos showing a volunteer appreciation event held in the Walled Garden venue in Perth.

Mental Health and Wellbeing at PKAVS

Volunteering with the Mental Health and Wellbeing service at The Walled Garden and Wisecraft involves supporting clients in their chosen activities. Like their clients, volunteers are allocated sessions that fit with any other commitments they might have and they are free to choose which activity is of most interest to them. There is no obligation to be skilled in any of their activity areas just to have a passion for learning and supporting people. Activities run on a daily basis during the week and are broken into 2.5 hr sessions. They encourage volunteers to attend the same session/s each week to help with continuity of care and building meaningful relationships with staff and clients, however there is of course flexibility depending on each individual circumstance. Their volunteers are from all walks of life, young and old and may have lived experience of mental health difficulties but are at a point in their own recovery where they are able to support others. They often have students volunteering who find that the service and setting is beneficial for enhancing their studies. Most commonly Psychology but also Counselling and Health and Nutrition type courses. Aime is a young person who volunteered with them in their Creative Wellbeing activities while she studied Psychology at Stirling University and they knew her from a previous volunteering placement she did with them. Janice from the Walled Garden says 'It’s been great to see her again and see how she has developed personally and be able to offer her the opportunity to use volunteering to aid her studies and experience.' Aime says: “ As a psychology student who has lived experience of ill mental health, I have been able to use this to my advantage at the walled garden to act as a role model to the clients in order to show people that recovery is possible. I have been able to not only develop my confidence massively but gain experience of how psychological theory can be applied in practical aspects of work. I have gained lots of experience while volunteering here and it has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to come back. As a short-lived volunteer in 2017 I see lots of amazing improvements within the garden, and I have enjoyed getting to know the clients which has been my best memory of 2023. As an individual who has overcame their own mental health battles it is nice and encouraging to see that within Perth there is a safe environment for individuals to enhance their wellbeing through activities such as that of art. I enjoy seeing improvements within the clients such as that of improved self-esteem and confidence as it is always nice to know people are on the right track to recovery and a better wellbeing !” To find out about current opportunities check out the Walled Garden and Wisecraft's Be the Change page: PKAVS Walled Garden & Wisecraft | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross)

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Grandmentors with Volunteering Matters

Grandmentors is an award-winning, inter-generational mentoring project for care experienced young people. The project operates in 15+ locations across the UK and launched for the first time in Perth and Kinross in 2022. They recruit, train and support volunteer mentors (normally but not exclusively aged 50+) who draw on their wealth of professional and personal life experience and skills to support young people (aged 16-25) through life transitions on their pathway to independence. This is a story about the impact being a Grandmentor can have on a young person: Adrian first met Matthew in May 2023. At 16, Matthew was living in long-term foster care, unsure of his future but unhappy with his current situation. Despite this uncertainty, he had shown leadership potential as a senior member of a local Officer Cadet company, guiding younger cadets. His main interests were gaming and his foster family’s dogs, but he had little engagement beyond that. Having decided to leave school, Matthew had enrolled in a Business Administration course at a local college. Adrian encouraged him to make the most of his studies, but the course failed to inspire him. By March 2024, Matthew lost his place and was asked to leave his foster home. Social services arranged safe shared accommodation, but his future remained uncertain. At this stage, Adrian and Matthew had built enough trust for honest conversations. “You need to take control of your life,” Adrian urged, encouraging Matthew to take ownership of his choices. These discussions, though challenging, gradually shifted Matthew’s outlook. By September, there was a noticeable change. He had chosen a Game Development course, secured temporary work, and was learning programming in preparation. His newfound confidence was evident, and their mentoring relationship evolved into open, constructive discussions. Adrian says: “Mentoring is a relationship somewhere between supportive friend, coach, champion and critic. At times you may be called on to be all four at once! Key is to first build trust. Coaching them to see their potential and all the world has to offer is hard, but be patient. When you see them start to achieve, then it all becomes so worthwhile." Could you be the next Grandmentor? Find out more and register your interest here: Volunteering Matters | Be the Change (Perth & Kinross)

Findlay

Meet Findlay Findlay initially went to CATH's charity shop to volunteer as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and is still volunteering with them over 8 years later! Recently graduating with a degree in Art and Contemporary Practices he's a keen artist, and particularly enjoys works from the Impressionist movement. He has seen an exhibition of one of his favourite painters, Claude Monet, at the National Gallery. As well as being creative, he enjoys a physical game of volleyball and plays for his University team who recently reached the Varsity final. While volunteering for CATH, he enjoys meeting new people, helping others and engaging with the community. Findlay recommends volunteering to everyone as a great way to interact with the community and learn new things. He says "I definitely recommend volunteering, it's not like a job, it's fun and it gets you out the house for a few hours. I enjoy engaging with other people and it's helped develop my social skills over the years." If Findlay's story inspires you to try out volunteering with CATH, visit their Be the Change profile here.

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