Cash will help encourage diversity among volunteers

Scotland’s army of volunteers will be boosted after funding of £3.8m was announced by the Scottish Government.

The Volunteering Support Grant will be made available over the next four years to create new and better volunteering projects with a focus on encouraging disadvantaged and disabled people into volunteering.

Funding for 2017-18 is available to third sector organisations with an annual income of under £250,000.

Organisations can apply for individual grants of £7,500 - £10,000.

The Voluntary Action Fund has delivered the Volunteering Support Grant on behalf of Scottish Government since 2013 and will manage the 2017-18 grant.

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.”

Keith Wimbles, chief executive of the Voluntary Action Fund, said: "The Voluntary Action Fund is delighted to manage the Volunteering Support Grant in 2017-18 on behalf of the Scottish Government.

“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.”