Autumn Bulletin šš
- events3350
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Welcome to our Autumn Bulletin. This summer, we attended events like Belladrum and the windy Moy show with the Volunteer Academy. We're now gearing up for the exciting Highland Third Sector Awards and will announce our fantastic winners soon (keep an eye out on our social media pages). Don't forgetāour Fellowship Program deadline is fast approaching, and we're launching the first of our Volunteer Academy Lecture series in September, we hope to see you there.
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In this edition of the Bulletin, we will cover the following:
Fellowships
Saltire Awards
Lecture Series
Highland Hospital Radio Covering Highland
Training and Forum Dates
Youth Volunteering
Whatās On
Fellowships
Our Fellowship program was designed to gather valuable insights and learning from outside Highland and then bring these back to strengthen our local approach and framework. The Fellowships are a learning exchange completed by volunteers or paid staff in a Third Sector organisation based in Highland who will visit another project or organisation outwith the area, the aim is to foster innovation and integrate new practices in Highland.
By encouraging people to embrace and get involved in our Fellowships, we are hoping to grow a more robust and effective volunteering ecosystem throughout Highland.
There are currently four fellowships available. Two open fellowships and two focused Fellowships.
To learn more about these, please visit our Open Fellowships. The deadline to apply for the Fellowships is 31.08.2025.
Saltire Summit Awards
The HTSI and Saltire Awards take place on 5th September at Strathpeffer Pavilion. We are excited to announce our Saltire Summit winners for their exceptional volunteer efforts, highlighting how volunteers support communities in various roles, from youth clubs to sports coaching. Follow our social channels for winner updates and their stories.
Lecture Series
Join us on Thursday 24thĀ of September for the opening lecture of the Volunteer Academyās Autumn Lecture Series as Dr David Bomark focuses on societal shifts and how they impact volunteering.
Drawing on sociological theory, Dr Bomark will show that while society evolves, the spirit of volunteering endures. History shows that people have adapted to social change before, and we can do it again. This session will make the case for an optimistic view of the future of volunteering and spark discussion about how the voluntary sector can respond.
This session is for anyone working with volunteers, studying community engagements or social sciences, or are simply curious about the future of volunteering.
Date: 24th of September 2025, arrive after 4pm (in-person) for a 4.30pm start (in-person and online), 5.30pm close
Location: Hybrid, in-person at UHI Inverness Campus, tea and coffee from 4pm, online start 4.30pm prompt
Free to attend ā all welcome!
Highland Hospital Radio Covering Highland
Weāre partnering with Highland Hospital Radio, which serves the all of Highland area, to highlight the work of local third sector organisations and their volunteers.
We invite third sector groups interested in sharing their activities, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and success stories to join us on air.
Give them a listen on https://player.broadcast.radio/invernesshr
To indicate your interest, please email: volunteering@highlandtsi.org.uk
Volunteer Training and Forum Dates
Volunteer Managers Forum ā 27/08/2025 ā 10am ā 11.30am
HTSIās Volunteer Managers Forum is for anyone in the Third Sector in Highland who is involved in, or has an interest in, volunteering. We hear from relevant volunteer services, network, have discussions, provide support and guidance, as well as giving attendees the chance to share experiences and update the group.
Book your place here
Volunteer Managers Training ā 03/09/2025 ā 1pm ā 4pm
Are you looking for a way to improve your skills as a volunteer manager? Do you want to learn how to recruit, support and celebrate your volunteers effectively? If so, then you might be interested in the Volunteer Managers Training course offered by the Highland Third Sector Interface (HTSI).
The Volunteer Managers Training will cover various topics related to managing volunteers, such as: what to include in your volunteer policy, creating role descriptions, advertising your roles, volunteer recruitment, managing volunteers, volunteer retention, volunteer support, youth volunteering and celebrating your volunteers.
This course is designed for anyone who is involved in managing or coordinating volunteers in Highland. It will help you to develop your knowledge and confidence in working with volunteers, as well as providing you with practical tools and resources that you can use in your organisation.
Book your place here
Risk Management and Volunteering Training ā 17/09/2025 ā 1pm ā 4.30pm
This training will explore operational and strategic risks associated with your volunteer workforce. We will work through risk management processes, including identification, mitigation and how to report them to your Board.
Book your place here
Celebrating A Young Leader
Archie Webster, a dedicated pupil from Inverness Royal Academy, became the first recipient of the Diamond Hoodie, recognising 1,000 hours of volunteering through the High Life Highland Young Leadership programme. In 2024, Archie's achievements included winning the Inspiring Young Leader of the Year award, earning his Platinum Hoodie for 750 hours of service, and organising an 83-mile charity cycle that raised Ā£1,372 for Mikeysline. Archie is the first Young Leader to complete all Hoodie milestones, having been awarded his eighth hoodie in 2024. We spoke with him to learn more about what drives his commitment to volunteering.Ā
What inspired you to start volunteering?
I started volunteering at Torvean parkrun in the summer of 2022 when an injury meant I could not take part, but I still wanted to be involved so I took up the role of barcode scanning so I didnāt miss out.
It was from this that I then found out about the Highlife Highland Leadership Programme and started volunteering at their active schoolsā sports camps which has then led on to many different opportunities such as volunteering at Baxterās Loch Ness Marathon, Inverness Ā½ marathon, ETAPE Loch Ness and the Highland Cross to name but a few.
What has been your best experience as a volunteer?
One of my most memorable and best experiences as a volunteer would be getting to be involved on a panel with Young Scot looking at providing free bikes to young people across Scotland who maybe couldnāt afford it. I really enjoyed this opportunity as it allowed me to collaborate and network with other young people from across Scotland while working together to provide ideas and suggestions to get this project up and running.
As our time on the panel came to an end it was rewarding to hear back from Transport Scotland and other stakeholders in the project that they liked our findings and were impressed with some of the things we came up with that they had never thought about.
Is there anything you would like to share about your volunteering journey?
My young age could have affected my volunteering journey as my first ever time volunteering at the Baxterās Loch Ness Marathon in 2022 was Soup Can Opening which was not the most glamorous job, but I got the job done which shows I was determined and willing to do anything. This then led me to becoming soup opening team leader in 2023 & 2024 before getting a huge responsibility at the ETAPE Loch Ness in 2025 as Assistant Course Manager.
While trying to achieve my platinum hoodie on the Highlife Highland Leadership Programme which included reaching 750 volunteering hours, I had to come up with my own charity fundraiser. I decided upon a cycle to Aviemore from Inverness and back raising funds for Mikeysline, a non-profit charity that supports anyone and everyone with mental health issues across the Highlands and further afield.
The cycle itself was incredibly challenging, seeing four seasons in one day at the start of June. There were times when I wanted to cave in and give up, but I kept going as it was very rewarding reaching Inverness 12 hours later knowing I had completed the challenge I had set out to do, I had also raised over Ā£1,300 for such an important charity.
Whatās on
ECT Family Ceilidh on Saturday 6thĀ September with Black Rock Ceilidh Band, Diamond Jubilee Hall, Evanton ā 7.30pm ā 11pm ā Free but booking required. BYOB, Raffle and Snacks. Book here
West Fest is happening on Saturday 13thĀ September at Aultbea Hall. All ages welcome, doors open 10am ā 6pm. Food, drink, music, books, market stalls, games and more! Book your tickets here
Black Isle Cares Fun Day on Saturday 13thĀ September at the Black Isle Leisure Centre celebrating 10 years of Black Isle Cares.
Have a look at the Volunteer AcademyĀ website, there is something for everyone, please share this through your networks.
To keep up to date with what we have going on at the Volunteer Academy, give us a like on Facebook
If you would like to share any news, stories or flyers, have a look at our noticeboard here.
You can add your Volunteering Opportunities for free to our Volunteer Opportunities page using our online form.
If you have any volunteering questions or would just like to have a chat about volunteering, then please get in touch with us at volunteering@highlandtsi.org.uk.
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