STIRLING LAUNCHES NEW VOLUNTEER PORTAL
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise is making it easier to volunteer, or find volunteers, with the launch of the region’s first digital platform dedicated to local volunteering opportunities.
Launching on Tuesday 1st June to mark the start of Volunteers’ Week, the new portal is a ‘one stop shop’ for volunteering in Stirlingshire, making finding opportunities and recruiting and managing volunteers much simpler.
Stirlingvolunteering.org will give people free access to local volunteering opportunities in one place, saving them from having to trawl through dozens of websites and notice boards, as Natalie Masterson, Chief Executive of Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise explained:
“The new volunteering portal will put people in charge of their own volunteering journey, allowing them to search and apply for volunteering opportunities that match their interests and availability. It only takes a few minutes to register, and you can alter your details at any time to account for changes in your circumstances.”
The dedicated website will also help local organisations recruit and support volunteers.
Natalie added: “Organisations will be able to add volunteering opportunities to the portal at any time, free of charge, and being on a shared platform means that more people will see them. Streamlining the recruitment process will save them time and money, and they’ll also be able to use the platform to coordinate and communicate with volunteers. It’ll improve the volunteering experience all round.”
Getting started on the platform is easy:
- Visit www.stirlingvolunteering.org to register.
- Search for local volunteering opportunities that match your interests or share your organisation’s latest volunteering opportunities.
- Connect with Stirling’s vibrant volunteer community and start making a positive impact.
The portal will also allow volunteers to log their hours and earn digital achievement badges.
Natalie added: “Our local volunteers give so much back to the community. The portal will allow them to record their volunteering hours and be recognised for the time they give. New digital badges featuring Stirling’s historical landmarks will be awarded to volunteers to mark important milestones, from 50 to 750 hours.”
The initiative is part of Stirling’s Alive with Volunteering?campaign, a collaboration between Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise, Stirling Council and Volunteer Scotland, to assist with the growth of volunteering participation in Stirling.
Cllr Chris Kane, Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “I’m sure there are plenty of people across Stirling who helped out a neighbour, friend or community group during the Pandemic and didn’t even realise they were actually volunteering.
“It’s such a simple but effective way to positively impact your community and is also an excellent way to ensure those in marginalised or harder to reach groups are supported and included in society.
“With the launch of this new platform, getting involved has really never been easier so I’d encourage everyone who’s able to head online and check it out.”
During Volunteers’ Week the Thistles Shopping Centre will be showcasing local volunteers in their community gallery on the former Debenham’s shop front.
Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles shopping centre, welcomed the new volunteer portal: “We’re delighted to be supporting such a worthwhile initiative in our community and want to thank all those involved. It’s been a tough year for most so it’s great to see people come together and provide this priceless service for Stirling. Myself and the team here at Thistles will be pledging our time and we’re proud to display some images of local volunteers in our community gallery.”