Volunteer Scotland has published its 2026 Scottish Parliament Manifesto: Creating a Nation of Volunteers - Ewan MacLeod and Bethany Sikes tells us all about it
The time gifted by volunteers is vital for the resilience and strength of Scotland’s communities.
Last year, 48% of Scottish adults volunteered in some capacity. Volunteers support a range of vital activities across Scotland every single day – without them, Scotland’s communities would struggle to thrive.
Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, said: “The lead up to May’s elections is an opportunity for MSPs and candidates to demonstrate how they’ll deliver for the 48% of the adult population who volunteer. The next Scottish Government has an invaluable opportunity to create thriving communities and ensure that volunteering is truly for all. Volunteer Scotland is delighted to publish our manifesto and will now engage with candidates from all political parties to build consensus around our policy asks. An inclusive and sustainable future for volunteering must be at the top of the agenda for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.”
Volunteering in Scotland is at a crucial turning point, as overall participation is rising from a record low but with inclusion gaps widening, the next Scottish Government must take decisive action to guarantee a prosperous third sector which enables as many Scots as possible to take part in volunteering.
With collaboration from the Policy Champions Network, we have developed 10 key asks which we will promote to all candidates ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election:
- Commit to fair and sustainable funding for third sector organisations, in line with SCVO Fair Funding asks, thus ensuring that volunteers have supported, meaningful and appropriate volunteering experiences.
- Commit to retaining the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme fee waiver for volunteers in qualifying voluntary organisations to safeguard the vital role of volunteers in supporting some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people.
- Sustain local and national investment in the implementation of the Volunteering Action Plan, the ten-year plan co-produced with over 100 stakeholders and published in 2022 to create a Scotland where everyone can volunteer, more often, and throughout their lives.
- Commit to embedding the principles of the Volunteer Charter in relevant policy, ensuring that all volunteering is fair, sustainable, and free from exploitation.
- Invest in the development of supported volunteering projects across Scotland to help people with additional barriers, including those with physical and mental health issues and new Scots, to access and sustain meaningful volunteering.
- Invest in the development of a national approach to Employer Supported Volunteering, working with employers to ensure that all working adults can pursue meaningful volunteering roles.
- Build the promotion of volunteering and opportunities to volunteer into the school curriculum from the earliest age, ensuring that all young people understand the benefits of volunteering for themselves, their communities and Scottish society.
- Promote the health and wellbeing benefits of volunteering with people affected by or at risk of poor physical or mental health, including through greater investment in social prescribing models.
- Ensure that legislation and policy related to community empowerment and local democracy recognises the central contribution of volunteers and promotes sustainable, community-led activity that is not driven by public sector cost-cutting measures.
- Commit to an independent review of charity regulation, with a focus on ensuring that volunteering as a charity trustee is inclusive, proportionate and sustainable.
Read our manifesto in full and our detailed manifesto asks here
If you have any questions or would like to discuss our manifesto, please contact our policy team by emailing [email protected]
Ewan MacLeod is policy officer at Volunteer Scotland, Bethany Sikes is research and policy manager at Volunteer Scotland
Main image: photo by Andy Jamieson for Volunteer Scotland https://andyjamieson.co.uk/
