FUNDING ANNOUNCED BY the Scottish Government over the weekend should see more people being able to take part in volunteering.
The Volunteering Support Grant will provide £3.8million funding throughout Scotland spread over the next four years.
It is expected to create new and better volunteering projects that will be focussed on encouraging disadvantaged and disabled people into volunteering. Moray, with its strong volunteering philosophy and wide ranging talents available, is expected to take particular interest in the new funding.
Announcing the new deal Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “Volunteering is one of the most wonderful things a person can do.
“When a person chooses to offer up their time and talents to help others, they are not only making a vital contribution to their community, but often find that they make friends, learn new skills and feel positive about the difference they are making as individuals.
“We want to make sure we are able to tap into everybody’s talents and support anybody who wants to volunteer to do so. Through offering this funding on a three year rolling basis, we are providing further financial certainty to support volunteers.
“It feels very apt that we are announcing this funding following the weekend of the Great Get Together, which aims is to bring our communities together and celebrate all that unites us.”
The funding will be administered by the Voluntary Action Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. The VAF chief executive is Keith Wimbles, who said: “Volunteers are vital agents of change in society and this fund specifically supports people to volunteer who face many challenges in their lives.
“Grants provided enable volunteer coordinators to provide positive volunteering experiences, which use people’s strengths and build connections within communities.”