Another year, another celebration of volunteers and voluntary organisations!
Anthea Coulter (Chief Officer of CTSI) reflects on Volunteers’ Week 2022, commending the efforts of local volunteers and third sector organisations, and looks ahead to the new Volunteering for All Action Plan due to be published later this month.
Volunteers’ Week traditionally ends on the 7th June but this year we were delighted to host our last ‘Champions of Champions’ event on the 9th June at Tullibody Civic Centre and bring all our community-award winners together for a final celebration.
What a week it has been – five awards ceremonies with afternoon tea in each of our ward areas – with over 250 people attending and bringing together over 150 nominees. Our four awards covered trustees, young people, community groups and outstanding contribution. We have received nominations from people who work within organisations, but also informal volunteers who just make a difference in their communities every day.
Last night the final champions were announced, selected by an independent panel of strategic partners – and they are all worthwhile winners: Chris from Tullibody History Group, Travis from Vital Spark CIC, Tullibody Community Garden and Colin from Resonate. Celebrating their contribution has been so important – but even more so has been the opportunity of meeting up again with groups and people from across Clacks – new and old and being inspired by their amazing voluntary contributions.
Next week the Volunteering for All Action Plan for Scotland will be launched at The Gathering (15th & 16th June 2022) and it will signal a new era and commitment to volunteering, led by Scottish Government and strategic partners across Scotland. Clackmannanshire leads the way and has a thriving army of volunteers of all ages, but we hope that this will lead to even more people being inspired to take up an active role in their communities and CTSI will have its door open ready to welcome them and find new ways to help them get involved in volunteering.
Roll on 2023 when we hope to see even more people celebrated!
