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Information for Employers
Employer Supported Volunteering
Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) encourages businesses to support staff to give back to their communities, benefiting both the organisation and their employees. Businesses strengthen their reputation, build strong community ties and boost employee engagement, while staff can gain personal growth, new skills and a sense of purpose.
Whether through dedicated volunteer days, skills sharing initiatives or long term partnerships with the third sector, we are here to help. You can reach out to our volunteering team by emailing: volunteering@highlandtsi.org.uk
Introduction to Corporate Volunteering
Employer Supported Volunteering: Make a Difference in Your Community
Employer Supported Volunteering offers businesses the opportunity to empower their employees to get involved in local volunteering, giving back to the community while boosting team spirit and fostering a culture of social responsibility.
Whether it’s mentoring young people, lending a hand at food banks, participating in environmental projects, or supporting charitable initiatives such as shoe box appeals, there are countless ways for your organisation to make a positive and lasting impact.
Many businesses incorporate Employer Supported Volunteering into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies, recognising the substantial benefits for both their teams and the wider community.
If you are an employer interested in collaborating with third sector organisations—such as charities, social enterprises, or community groups—we would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch via email at: volunteering@highlandtsi.org.uk.
Volunteering for Impact
For businesses and companies looking to make a lasting social contribution, Volunteering for Impact enables a deeper form of involvement. Employers can support ‘not-for-profits’ by offering specialised expertise, resources, or skilled labour, tailored to specific projects or community needs.
Unlike traditional volunteering, this isn’t tied to a strict time frame - it’s about making a tangible, sustainable impact on projects that align with the company’s values.
By engaging in Volunteering for Impact, companies can:
Leverage their strengths to contribute effectively, from mentoring schemes to hands-on community projects.
Boost employee morale and satisfaction by providing opportunities for staff to use their expertise in ways that make a real difference.
Enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, demonstrating a commitment to positive change while strengthening their brand reputation.
Develop deeper relationships with communities, building trust and fostering long-term connections that benefit both businesses and society.
At the Volunteer Academy we can help match businesses with the right organisations - those that resonate with their mission and objectives. Whether it’s through skills-based volunteering, long-term initiatives, or targeted project support, we facilitate connections that ensure businesses create lasting, measurable impact.
Together, we can drive positive change and create stronger communities, making corporate volunteering a truly transformative experience for both businesses and the people they support.
Employer Supported Volunteering
Many employers recognise the value of giving back to their communities. Through Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV), companies can offer employees a set amount of time per year to dedicate to volunteering. This approach enables businesses to play an active role in supporting social good while giving employees the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
This time can be used to support specific charities, social enterprises, community causes that resonate with the organisation’s mission, or even opportunities tied to skills development. Whether it’s sharing professional expertise or lending a helping hand, Employer Supported Volunteering benefits employees and communities alike.
Beyond benefiting local communities, Employer Supported Volunteering provides valuable advantages to both employees and businesses:
Skill development: Employees can gain new competencies, leadership experience, and practical knowledge through volunteer work.
Team engagement: Volunteering as a group fosters collaboration and strengthens workplace relationships.
Enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Companies can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social impact.
Boosted employee morale and job satisfaction: Staff feel more fulfilled knowing their workplace supports their desire to contribute to meaningful causes.
By integrating volunteering into company culture, businesses can create long-lasting partnerships with non-profits and community organisations, helping to address social challenges while reinforcing their own values.
Employer Supported Volunteering is about creating a lasting impact and fostering a workplace where employees feel empowered to drive positive change.
Corporate Volunteering Opportunties
CorporateVolunteering
Volunteer - Film project with young refugees and asylum seekers
Compass Collective
Inverness / Alness
4 sessions (3.5 hours)
Role Description
'Make a Film in a Month' is a new film programme for young refugees and asylum seekers aged 16–24, living in the Highlands. It will comprise of 4 weekly workshops, one in Inverness and one in Alness, following by a screening 'The Reel Picture' of their films at Eden Court cinema.
Delivered at The Place (Alness) and a Eden Court (Inverness,) the project uses filmmaking to build transferable skills, improve English and communication skills, create community, reduce loneliness, and provide young people with a creative outlet. The short films will give young people a platform to represent themselves and challenge the negative narratives presented by mainstream media. It creates an opportunity for dialogue and highlights the positive contributions that young refugees and asylum seekers can bring to Scottish society.
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers in the local area to support the project.
Responsibilities include:
-Welcoming the young people: ensuing all young people feel at ease and included as they arrive.
-Assisting with workshops/filming: Assisting the lead film facilitator and supporting the groups with tasks.
-Providing Support and encouragement to participants.
-Assisting with tasks: support with tasks such as setting up, registration, the good news board, food orders and collections, and organising materials for workshops
-Evaluation and Feedback: assist in gathering feedback from participants helping to evaluate the impact of the theatre project and identify areas for improvement.
Inverness Venue: Eden Court, Bishops Road, Inverness IV3 5SA
Alness Venue : 13 High Street, Alness, Highland, United Kingdom, IV17 0QB
Dates and times:
Inverness:
Wed 22nd Oct (5.30-8.30pm)
Wed 29th Oct (5.30-8.30pm)
Sat 8th Nov (12-5pm) (Filming day)
Wed 12th Nov( 5.30-8.30pm)
Alness:
Sun 23rd Nov (1.30-5.30pm)
Sun 30th Nov (1.30-5.30pm)
Sun 7th dec (1.30-5.30pm) (Filming Day) may start earlier if needed
Sun 14th dec (1.30-5.30pm)
Screening - January tbc (Eden Court cinema)
Training
Safeguarding training
Family Support Volunteer - Ross-Shire
Home-Start East Highland
Mid and Easter Ross
2 hours per week
Role Description
Being a parent is hard for everyone; for some it can be overwhelming. Some of us have fantastic support networks of family and friends to help, some of us don't. Your knowledge and experience as a mum, dad, grandparent or carer could help you provide the vital support a family needs and make a positive difference to their lives.
Whatever your background if you have a few hours to spare, can listen and empathise and have the ability to offer emotional and occasional practical support this can make a big difference to a parent or carer and their children in your local area.
If you could give as little as two hours a week to support a family then please get in touch.
Training
Interested volunteers will be invited to join our Volunteer Preparation Course which will provide you with all the information about becoming a Home-Start volunteer and answer any questions that you may have. The course will help prepare the volunteer for visiting and supporting families which will help build your confidence for volunteering with Home-Start.
The Volunteer Preparation Course is held over two days at various points throughout the year.
Please note a PVG is required for this volunteering role and Home-Start will help support you through the application process.
Events Volunteer
The Archie Foundation
Inverness and surrounds
No minimum commitment
Role Description
Engaging with communities across the North of Scotland is instrumental in effectively raising awareness about the support and services we provide. We actively participate in numerous community events throughout the region number of local gala events.
We are always seeking volunteers to represent Archie at various local supermarkets. We have established partnerships with well-known retailers including Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, and Co-op. These supermarkets kindly allow us to set up tables where we can sell merchandise or raffle tickets, promoting our cause and generating support. We are always looking for support at our events and fundraisers to help them run smoothly and successfully. This may include meeting and greeting, ticketing, raffle selling and stewarding.
Examples of events we look for volunteer help at are balls, dinners, our challenge event and much more! We also look for volunteers to help at events run by our supporters which in the past have included fun days, concerts, toy sales and coffee mornings.
Back-of-house operations within a charity are considerable and we’re really fortunate to have a small team of dedicated and highly organised and efficient volunteers who love rolling their sleeves up and helping us keep everything running smoothly. Counting cash donations, stickering toys for Archie toy boxes, processing gifts and donations and lots more besides, they’re a key part of Team Archie!
Training
There is no formal training offered for the generic volunteer role.
eBay order processing volunteer
Highland Hospice
Highland Hospice Warehouse, 39-41 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UA
4 hours per week
Role Description
We are looking for a volunteer to help Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm on a weekly basis to help process orders sold in the eBay shop. eBay is a great opportunity for the Hospice to sell all kind of items online to generate funds enabling us to provide services for our patients. Being one of the biggest e-commerce platforms these days, it will give us more visibility as well for people to know about the work we do.
Training
•Induction
•Moving and Handling – 2 Yearly (30 minutes)
• Cyber Security – Annually (1 hour)
•Shadow training with team
Support Group Facilitator
Bipolar Scotland
Inverness
2.5hrs each month on the 1st Thursday of each month
Role Description
We run a number of online and in-person support groups across Scotland that bring together people living with bipolar to share experiences and learn from one another. We believe that peer support helps reduce isolation, increases understanding of the condition, and encourages new ways of coping. To make this possible, we need dedicated facilitators who can ensure that groups are welcoming, safe, inclusive, and positive spaces for everyone who attends.
As a facilitator, you will work alongside a co-facilitator to lead a group once per month for 2 hours. This involves welcoming participants, encouraging open discussion, and handling any issues or conflicts sensitively. You will also help the group run smoothly by keeping to time, making sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute if they wish, sending out meeting reminders, and submitting brief attendance statistics to Bipolar Scotland after each session.
We welcome applications from people with lived experience of bipolar, those who have supported others with mental health conditions, or anyone passionate about mental health. Excellent listening and communication skills are essential, along with reliability, confidentiality, and a commitment to peer support. In return, you will gain valuable experience, build confidence, and receive training, supervision, and opportunities for development. PVG checks and references are required, and facilitators of in-person groups can claim travel expenses.
Enquiries can be submitted to Kimberley Logan, Volunteer Development Officer- kimberleyl@bipolarscotland.org.uk
Training
Facilitators will receive an induction to the organisation, a safeguarding training session as well as 3 facilitator training sessions. Due to covering the entirety of Scotland, training is delivered online in the evenings. There will be role specific toolkits as well as a volunteer handbook ensuring you have all the resources and support on hand to be effective and confident in your role.
Tool Librarian
Inverness Tool Library
Inverness
3 hours per month or more
Role Description
Tool Librarian role - work as little as 3 hours a month (but more is available!) in our tool library, loaning out and receiving back any of our 500+ tools to Tool Library members.
No experience or knowledge of tools is required and training is given. DIY skills are a bonus however, as we run occasional workshops for members of the public.
We will soon be moving (Oct 2025) to bigger premises, so this would be a very exciting time to join our team!
Please email info@invernesstoollibrary.org.uk if you want to join, or learn more about, our volunteers team
Training
Training on the loaning out and receiving back of tools is given; also how to use our software to add tools to our inventory.
Green space volunteer
Hilton Duck Pond
Castle Heather Park, Inverness
2 hrs each month. 2nd Thursday of the month
Role Description
Each month we spend 2 hours in the park maintaining the green space. Tasks include building dead hedges with fallen dead wood, cutting back shrubs, edging paths, maintaining wild flower meadows. There is also opportunity to record plant species and/or Pollinator species.
Training
We use hand tools. A short safety talk will be given appropriate to the task that day.
Volunteer Driver
Vector24
Highlands
As required
Role Description
Do you have a car and some spare time to support veterans and their families in your community? Are you a good listener with the ability to show empathy? If you would like to help someone attend an important mental health appointment they can't get to on their own, we would love to hear from you!
Supporting Members of the Armed Forces Community and families
Training
Mental health First Aid (MHFA)
Safe guarding
Health & safety
Grow Project Kitchen Volunteer
High Life Highland
Inverness
2 - 4 hours on weekdays.
Role Description
Do you like preparing and cooking with fresh vegetables? We are looking for volunteers to cook one-to-one, and with small groups, in our kitchen at the Grow Project. The Grow Project runs horticulutural activities for adults with additional support needs. We grow fruit and vegetables, and lots of our gardeners love to cook in our new kitchen.
If you have an interest in sharing your passion for healthy cooking, locally grown food with enthusiasts with a wide range of abilities, please get in touch. Send us an email: Grow.Project@highlifehighland.com
We are looking for a volunteer commitment of a minimum of 4 hours per week, any days Monday to Friday.
Training
Volunteers will receive online training including Food Hygiene Level 2, and Allergy Awareness, as well as in-person training from staff.
Collections Volunteer
Canine Partners
Various locations
Flexible
Role Description
Join us as a Collections Volunteer for Canine Partners! You’ll help raise vital funds by placing and managing our collection tins in local shops, cafés, and community spaces, turning spare change into life-changing support. This flexible and rewarding role is perfect for friendly, organised individuals who enjoy getting out and about in their community. We’ll provide all the training, support, and materials you need to make a real difference.
About the opportunity
This role involves managing all static collection tins within your local area, including identifying opportunities to place a collection tin, emptying the tin and banking the money.
There is no minimum time commitment, but the role requires a level of regular commitment to ensure that tasks are completed.
What’s Involved
-Identifying local businesses that would hold a collection tin in your community
-Emptying collection tins on a regular basis or when they’re full
-Completing the income monitoring sheet
-Counting and banking money in a timely manner as per our cash handling guidelines
-Informing and updating your Canine Partners Staff Contact of the locations of collection tins to maintain our records
Role Requirements
-Age 18 or over
-Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
-Polite, confident and personable manner
-Excellent customer service skills
-Excellent record-keeping skills
Support and Training
-Reimbursement of expenses
-Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
-Guidance on cash handling
-Income monitoring sheet provided
-Public liability insurance
-Volunteer clothing and ID badge
Training
You will receive ongoing training and support from a named contact
Speaker Volunteer
Canine Partners
Various Locations
Flexible
Role Description
Join us as a Speaker Volunteer for Canine Partners! You’ll deliver fun and inspiring talks to local groups, schools, and clubs, sharing the incredible impact of our assistance dogs and the lives they change. This role offers flexibility, is deeply rewarding and perfect for confident communicators. We provide all the training, support, and materials you need to make a meaningful impact in your community.
About the opportunity
This role involves providing talks to a variety of groups, schools and organisations within your local area, raising awareness and promoting our fundraising activities.
There is no minimum commitment for this role. Times can vary, and you can choose which talks you attend. Talks primarily take place during the week, with some evenings. The length of each talk will vary depending on the group’s requirements.
You will be provided with speaker training before beginning this role. Talk requests are handled by the Canine Partners fundraising team; however, we would encourage you to secure your own talks within your local area.
What’s involved
-Giving talks about the charity to groups, schools and organisations in your local area
-Raising awareness of Canine Partners and what we do
-Promoting fundraising activities
-Attending cheque presentations
-Handing out literature, taking donations, and directing people to our website
-Passing on any leads to the Community Fundraising team
Role requirements
-Age 18 or over
-Online attendance at Speaker Training sessions
-Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
-Polite, confident and personable manner
-Experience in public speaking or delivering presentations to small groups
-Comfortable using PowerPoint presentation and showing YouTube videos
-Excellent customer service skills
-Most opportunities require standing for the duration of the session and/or being in a busy environment. Please advise us if you have any concerns about this, and we will do our best to support you.
Support and Training
-Speaker Training
-Canine Partners presentation provided
-Public Liability Insurance
-Reimbursement of expenses
-Volunteer clothing and ID badge
-Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
Training
Speaker training is delivered online, you will receive ongoing training and support from a named contact
Event Volunteer
Canine
Various locations
Flexible
Role Description
Do you love meeting people and being part of the action? As an Event Volunteer, you’ll represent Canine Partners at local events, helping to raise awareness, chatting to attendees, taking donations, and supporting on-the-day activities like setting up, selling raffle tickets, and packing down.
This fun and flexible role is perfect for friendly, outgoing people who enjoy getting involved in their community. Whether you can help once or regularly, every event you support makes a big difference.
About the opportunity
This role involves supporting Canine Partners with events in your local area throughout the year.
There is no minimum commitment for the role. Times will vary depending on the requirements of the event. You will be provided with an event brief beforehand to ensure you’re happy with the requirements for that particular activity.
What’s involved
-Raising awareness of Canine Partners and what we do by speaking to event attendees
-Promoting fundraising activities at the event (selling raffle tickets, etc)
-Handing out leaflets, taking donations
-Set up and pack away on event day
-Passing on any leads to the Community Fundraising team
Role Requirements
-Age 18 or over
-Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit different locations
-Polite, confident and personable manner
-Excellent customer service skills
-Most opportunities require standing for the duration of the session and/or being in a busy environment. Please advise us if you have any concerns about this, and we will do our best to support you
Support and Training
-Reimbursement of expenses
-Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
-Pre-event briefings outlining the requirements of the event
-Public liability insurance
-Volunteer clothing and ID badge
Training
Training is ongoing, and you will have a named contact for support needed
Build Project Volunteers
The Place
Alness
2 - 3 Days
Role Description
We are delighted to announce that we have recently secured funding to install two disabled toilets at our venues, The Place and The Field.
We are reaching out to see if you, or someone you know, could assist us with this important project. Are you an experienced tradesperson eager to lend a hand, or do you know someone who is?
We are offering refreshments and providing all necessary tools to support anyone willing to help us.
The Place is a registered charity with a proud 30-year history of supporting local young people in Alness, Highlands. Our dedicated staff, young leaders, and Management Committee are united by a shared passion for helping young people facing various challenges through our innovative projects and programmes.
Our operations are now based in two venues: The Field and The Place Drop-in. Our young people come from diverse backgrounds, and so do we. We employ a team of experienced professionals from a wide array of fields, which not only is the right thing to do but also strengthens our organisation.
We would greatly appreciate your support in making our facilities more accessible. Please get in touch if you can assist us or know someone who can. Please call Jeanette Douglas - Tel: 07789619591 or Email: theplacealness@outlook.com
Training
We request that you already have technical knowledge in maintenance and trades
Volunteer Car Driver
Wheels In Nairnshire
Nairn, Nairnshire, Ardersier, Cawdor, Croy
whenever fits with your availability
Role Description
Wheels In Nairnshire (WIN) runs two community transport services across Nairnshire and beyond. We provide personal door to door transport for those who would not otherwise be able to complete their journey, for whatever reason. We are available to all residents of the area and take them to appointments or shopping or to meet friends etc. We do not charge a fee, instead invite donations to cover our operating costs.
Volunteers do not have to lice in our area, though of course it helps. We invite all our volunteer drivers to take on a job and the first to respond will be allocated to it, so there is no need to commit to a regular time or day unless you prefer it. Journeys are often local, so not time consuming, but many of our passengers go to appointments at Raigmore or the National Treatment Centre and we would expect you to wait for them or go back to take them home.
Volunteers have the option to drive our 8 seater electric Mercedes Wheelchair Adapted Vehicle or their own car. Additional insurance is not required. We will ask to see your driving licence, car insurance and MOT certificate (if applicable) and we will request a PVG disclosure check since many of our passengers are disabled, vulnerable or elderly.
Training
Induction includes full checks, familiarisation with our Mercedes (affectionately known as Matilda), including the use of the fold away seats and ramp. Detailed drivers pack and regular informal support meetings.
Charity Trustee
Highland Senior Citizens Network
Hybrid/Home - Trustees meet at Inshes Church last Monday morning of each month. Can attend via Zoom.
2 - 3 hours monthly - with potential to take on more if trustee wishes to
Role Description
The Highland Senior Citizens Network was formed in 1995 and provides a Collective Advocacy role on behalf of older people across the Highlands. Our motto is 'Nothing about us without us'. We have representation on NHS Highland and Highland Council committees and working parties relevant to the services provided for older people. We employ two part-time Coordinators.
We produce well received bi-monthly News-sheets which have a wide distribution. We have a growing membership of over 350 individual members and 99 local groups members.
We are always looking for potential trustees, from any background, who are motivated to improve and maintain the well being of older people in the Highlands.
We run an annual conference each September at which our members from across the region have an opportunity to meet and engage with speakers on a wide variety of issues.
Training
We encourage anyone interested to become a trustee to attend 2 or 3 of our Board meetings to get a feeling for what we are about. Once appointed trustees will have an induction in to the organisation.
We would encourage anyone who is interested to visit our website for more information.
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