Sector Feature - The Voluntary Sector
Stirling has a vibrant voluntary sector, with over 1,000 voluntary organisations and 250 volunteering opportunities available at any one time. Volunteers are involved in a diverse range of activities ranging from environmental action to participation in community planning. Voluntary organisations play an important role in delivering services in communities or to client groups where services would not otherwise be available, contributing to regenerating urban communities and sustaining rural or fragile communities.
Across Scotland, it is estimated that the voluntary sector includes around 50,000 organisations employing around 130,000 people with a combined income of around £3.2 billion. This feature provides articles on different elements of the voluntary sector.
- Article on communities investing in their future
- The Kilmadock Development Trust case study
Volunteering
Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to put something back into the local community, help people and learn new skills. Volunteering provides different benefits for different people - for some it can be a stepping-stone back into employment, while for businesses donating staff time, it can enable employees to engage in team building and community participation.
The following case studies profile Paul Lucy, a volunteer at Recyke-a-bike, and HSBC's recent involvement in the Stirling 'Spring Clean'.
- Volunteer case study, Paul Lucy, Recyke-a-bike
- HSBC case study - Volunteering in the local community
Social Enterprise
Social enterprises are not-for-profit organisations that deliver services not otherwise provided by the private sector. Any profits made by social enterprises are invested back into the services they provide, the local community or are donated to charity.
- Social enterprise case study, Good Green Fun
Support for the voluntary sector
Stirling's Volunteer Centre and partners are looking at developing a voluntary sector Hub in Stirling to provide a single point of contact for support.
- Article on support for the voluntary sector
Back to Contents
