February 2025 Update with Mike Melvin

Get involved with volunteering in 2025: Do something amazing this year!

Volunteers are providing important and incredible help across Aberdeen.

It is always a great honour at ACVO to assist in the outstanding volunteering we have in our city. Whether you are an individual who might be interested in volunteering or an organisation seeking to recruit more volunteers ACVO is here assist.

If you’re interested in volunteering, visit the Volunteer Aberdeen web portal at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk. Here, you can search for the latest volunteering opportunities. Your help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated.

Stay up to date with the latest third-sector, community, and volunteering news by tuning into ACVO’s "So Why Don’t You..." radio programme on shmu community radio. The show airs live every Friday from 2-3pm on 99.8fm, DAB, and online at shmu.org.uk/fm. You can also listen to past programmes at acvo.org.uk/sowhydontyou

If you’re an organisation that wants to share news or be a guest, contact Mike Melvin at mike.melvin@acvo.org.uk or call 07814902083.

If you’re aged 12-25, you can gain recognition for your volunteering efforts through the Saltire Awards, a national initiative endorsed by the Scottish Government. Certificates are awarded for completing 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 hours of volunteering. Find out more at saltireawards.scot

If you’re an organisation involving or considering involving volunteers, ACVO can provide support. Learn more at volunteeraberdeen.org.uk

Join ACVO and over 200 organisations across Scotland as a Volunteer Charter Champion by pledging your support at volunteerscotland.net

Get involved in the Volunteering Action Plan for Scotland and discover top tips for recruiting volunteers at volunteeringactionplan.co.uk

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PVG Fee Waiver for Volunteers Retained & Upcoming Changes to Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

The Scottish Government has announced that it will continue to provide free Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership to volunteers.

This decision follows a public consultation on fee waivers and discounts, where responses played a crucial role in highlighting the necessity of retaining the waiver, particularly from respondents in Aberdeen.

This decision underscores the importance of volunteering, and ACVO extends its gratitude to everyone who contributed their feedback to the consultation.

Your support has been instrumental in ensuring the right decision was made.

More details can be found here: Disclosure Scotland Fees and a statement from Volunteer Scotland: Volunteer Scotland Statement.‍

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Upcoming Changes to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 – Are You Ready?

From 1st April 2025, significant changes to Disclosures and the PVG - Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme will come into force. Key changes include:‍

• ‍Mandatory PVG Membership – From 1st April 2025, PVG scheme membership will be a legal requirement for those carrying out a regulated role.‍
• Simplified Disclosure Products – Enhancing accessibility while giving individuals more control over their information.‍
• Fairer Disclosure of Childhood Offending – Introducing an individualised approach to disclosing past offences and providing rights of review for disclosed convictions.‍
• Regulated Roles – Replacing the concept of ‘regulated work’ with ‘regulated roles’ for better clarity.‍
• New Conditions for PVG Scheme Members – Disclosure Scotland will have the ability to impose conditions on PVG scheme members under consideration for listing.

To help individuals and organisations prepare for these changes, Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services is hosting online drop-in sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the new legislation, ask questions, and understand how to work with both the current and upcoming disclosure framework.

Get involved: Volunteer in Aberdeen!

There are hundreds of different ways you can give your time as a volunteer in Aberdeen! The great thing about volunteering is that it is so inclusive, no matter your experience, time you have to give or age, there is a volunteer opportunity to suit you and an organisation in Aberdeen that would really value your contribution.

Have a look below at some of our recently added opportunities and discover how you can make a big difference in your local community!