For organisations

Recruiting volunteers

Organisations throughout Fife involve volunteers in a variety of ways and almost every aspect of life is now touched by volunteering; from the charities campaigning for a better future, to the counselling services helping us in times of need, to the clubs our communities attend to the museums that record our history.

Volunteering is at the heart of our society and FVA is here to support any organisation that wishes to recruit, train or support volunteers. It doesn't happen often, but we can even help if you're having difficulties with a volunteer.

Benefits of involving volunteers in your organisation includes support to paid staff to enhance service provision (but not to replace paid staff or undertake duties more appropriate to salaried staff), provision of a more flexible service, offering a different way of engaging with communities and the provision of a unique method of individuals being able to influence the direction of your organisation. Volunteers need to be supported and kept motivated.

We can assist your organisation in a variety of ways, including:

  • role descriptions,
  • recruiting volunteers,
  • volunteer management training,
  • advice on best practice on volunteering,
  • support with managing risk, Disclosure and PVG checks,
  • insurance,
  • support for young people to achieve Saltire Awards,
  • supporting volunteers with additional support needs,
  • recognising and rewarding your volunteers,
  • volunteer practice quality accreditation - Volunteer Friendly,
  • helping to create great staff projects under Employer Supported Volunteering.

Saltire Awards for young volunteers (12 to 25)

Recognising and rewarding young people who take part in volunteering

This page provides Saltire Awards information for organisations which engage, or are looking to engage volunteers between 12 and 25 years old.

The Saltire Awards

The Saltire Awards is a national programme, endorsed by the Scottish Government, designed to recognise the achievements of young people aged between 12 and 25 who take part in volunteering.

There are 4 sections to the Awards:

  • Saltire Challenge
  • Saltire Approach
  • Saltire Ascent
  • Saltire Summit.

Saltire Challenge

A Saltire Challenge is a one-off volunteering event. It is designed to give young people an experience of volunteering as part of a team.

Organisations, schools, youth and community groups can support young people to develop Challenges, with the assistance of the Saltire Awards toolkit. Past Challenges have included sponsored walks, bag packs, beach cleans and tree planting.

All young people aged 12 -25 can receive a Challenge certificate for each Challenge they complete.

For more information or to register your Saltire Challenge Award please contact us.

Saltire Approach

The Saltire Approach is an introduction to volunteering.

This award is for individual volunteering. It is designed to encourage young people to undertake a regular commitment to volunteering but in realistic bite-sized chunks.

Young people can gain certificates after 10 and 25 hours of volunteering. Any young person aged 12-25 can apply for the Approach Award, although the suggested age range is 12 - 15 years.

Saltire Ascent

The Saltire Ascent is to show a commitment to volunteering. A step up from the Saltire Approach, this award is designed to demonstrate a sustained commitment to volunteering.

Young people can gain certificates after 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours of volunteering.

Young people are also encouraged to reflect and learn from their volunteering by recording skills and experience gained.

A young volunteer can enter the Saltire Awards at this level. They do not have to complete the Challenge or Approach Awards.

To register your young volunteers contact us. Forms can be downloaded here (see right hand side of this page).

Young people can register themselves on to the Saltire Awards on the Saltire Awards website (link at the right hand side of this page).

Saltire Summit Award

The Summit Award is for an outstanding contribution to volunteering. Unlike the other Saltire Awards, young people are nominated for this award. The nominations are peer-assessed by a panel of Saltire Ambassadors.

Saltire Ambassadors

Young people who have achieved the Saltire Ascent Award will be invited to become Saltire Ambassadors. Ambassadors can be involved in the Saltire Awards on various levels from promotional and publicity activities to decision making roles on the Summit Award Panel.

More information

For more information about involving, supporting and rewarding young volunteers in your organisation please contact us.

Saltire Awards Forms