1. Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI)
Alice Wadkin
Youth Volunteer Development Assistant

2. What is the Third Sector?
The ‘Third Sector’ is an umbrella term that covers a range of different organisations with different structures and purposes, belonging neither to the public sector (i.e., the state) nor to the private sector (profit-making private enterprise).
You may have heard other terms used to describe such organisations – the voluntary sector, non-governmental organisations, non-profit organisations – particularly in public discussions around policy and politics.
The Scottish Government funds each of the 32 local authorities in Scotland to have a Third Sector Interface. Many of them have retained their previous names, or still go by Volunteer Centre. CTSI are the TSI for Clackmannanshire. All 32 interfaces share common areas of responsibility set out by government. These are: Supporting Volunteering and Volunteer Development, Supporting Voluntary organisations, Supporting Social enterprise, and Engaging with the third sector and representing the sector in in community planning.
Within these four areas of responsibility, my role sits within the first… Supporting Volunteering and Volunteer Development

3. Who are we and what do we do?
Supporting Volunteering & Volunteer Development
Supporting Voluntary Organisations
Supporting Social Enterprise
Engaging with the Third Sector and representing the sector in Community Planning
The overarching aim is to develop and support a robust and sustainable Third Sector; able to receive and deliver public services as an equal strategic partner.
The Scottish Government funds each of the 32 local authorities in Scotland to have a Third Sector Interface. Many of them have retained their previous names, or still go by Volunteer Centre. CTSI are the TSI for Clackmannanshire. All 32 interfaces share common areas of responsibility set out by government. These are: Supporting Volunteering and Volunteer Development, Supporting Voluntary organisations, Supporting Social enterprise, and Engaging with the third sector and representing the sector in in community planning.
Within these four areas of responsibility, my role sits within the first… Supporting Volunteering and Volunteer Development

4. 1. Supporting Volunteering & Volunteer Development
Our focus:
1. Supporting Volunteering & Volunteer Development

5. Anyone with an interest in volunteering
Who do we work with?
Anyone with an interest in volunteering
Over 200 member organisations throughout Clackmannanshire/Forth Valley wide
Other organisations who may not be members: schools, colleges, uniformed groups etc
So to carry out this role I have to interact with lots of people. I work with anyone interested in volunteering. People typically find out about us through googling volunteering, or word of mouth. So it’s a brilliant opportunity for me to be here today to spread the word of volunteering and the benefits of volunteering and hopefully inspire some of you to apply to do some!
Of course volunteers need volunteering placements to go to, and so myself and my colleague Danielle work closely with over 200 organisations throughout the area. These organisations are members of CTSI. To be a member, the organisation/group has to be a non-profit – charity, community groups, and social enterprises. Not all of these members are interested in hosting volunteering placements but of those that are we have a database of opportunity descriptions. When I meet with a volunteer, I find out what their interests are, when they are available to volunteer, and I match them with a role from our database.
Out-with our members, we also interact with lots of other organisations and groups to network, assist with, or find training, and be active within the community to assist with our other government responsibilities.

6. Giving your time and skills, without pay, for the benefit of others
What is volunteering?
Giving your time and skills, without pay, for the benefit of others
Volunteering is about giving your time and skills, without pay, for the benefit of others, for example an organisation in the local community. That is not to say that volunteers shouldn’t be well-valued. A quote that often comes up when discussing volunteering is: “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless”.
I think there has been, and perhaps still is, a misconception that volunteering is for people later in life, perhaps retired people, and that it is only about standing in a charity shop. Of course, retail roles are available, but there are so many other options, which I will come on to talking about.

7. Why volunteer?
So volunteering should be mutually beneficial, and the most important person that should benefit is you!

8. There are so many different reasons and benefits to volunteering
There are so many different reasons and benefits to volunteering. I have shown a few here.
Volunteering is a great way of building on your existing skills or gaining new skills. It also provides the platform for you to try new things; which is especially good for you guys as it means you could try your hand at a few things that you are interested in as potential jobs/careers and see what suits you the best in practice. Your volunteering experience also gives you that little boost on your CV that other people may not have. Not only that, but allows you to show the transferable skills you have gained in school, or going forward through your apprenticeship, weekend job, university course… and that you can apply them to different settings.
Despite your efforts in volunteering not being paid, there are other forms of recognition that go along with volunteering… all great to mention on your CV

9. The first thing I would like to cover is the Saltire Awards
The first thing I would like to cover is the Saltire Awards. These are open to anyone aged 12 to 25, undertaking some form of volunteering. The awards are based purely on the hours you do, there is no other proof to provide, or challenges to undertake. You can record these hours via an online account with Saltire, or you can keep a paper time sheet and do things that way. The TSI’s manage the Saltire Awards for their area. So if you go on to volunteer, I can help you with your registration, and beyond.
The awards are broken down in to 4 different categories – Challenge, Approach, Ascent, and Summit.
The Challenge Award is for one-off group volunteering events. This is usually a big community event like a park project, a big coffee morning etc.
The Approach Awards cover your 10 hour, and 25 hour certificates.
The Ascent Awards cover your 50, 100, 200 and 300 hours certificates,
With the Summit Award being for out-standing achievements. This could be someone who has volunteered with multiple groups and achieved all the other awards. Or it could be someone with multiple barriers who has managed to complete 15 hours.
If you have completed 200 hours, you are then eligible to become a Saltire Ambassador. This involves taking on some responsibility for Saltire; in any way you choose. This is usually done through your school. Young people have decided to hold informational fayres for Saltire, support other students with completing and submitting their time sheets. It is really up to you how you would like to be involved.
We don’t actually have any active ambassadors in Clackmannanshire at this time, and so I would be willing to waive the condition of having completed 200 hours, if you are really keen and have a good idea for getting involved.

10. Registering for Saltire

11. Points = Activities/items
Young Scot Points
Alongside your Saltire Awards, you also receive anything from 150 to 3000 young Scot points for each award you earn. These points can be re-deemed online at Young Scot. Activities that you can use your points for include:
Entry to deep sea world
Half marathon fees
Entry to Go Ape
Study books
And much more!
Young Scot try to provide local activities to re-deem and CTSI are going to be getting involved with this, so for example, if there is a course or training on, we might advertise through young scot to make this a reward you can re-deem
You can also boost your points if there’s something in particular you want to gain access to by completing online activities through the Young Scot website. There are many online quizzes etc there.
Points = Activities/items

12. What’s available?
I don’t want to bombard you with everything we have available, but I did promise I would show you that it’s not all standing in a charity shop (although having 5 years of retail experience I can say it is really useful). So I have a few examples here to talk you through.

13. Youth Club Volunteer Organisation: Hawkhill Community Association
Description: Homework Club Helper
One of our local community groups need assistance with their homework club and youth club. These groups run on various afternoons/evenings.
They are looking for someone who can help with providing educational activities to the young people, provide help and support with homework, supervise the young people and assist with
the organisation of events and training.
One of our local community groups need assistance with their homework club and youth club. These groups run on various afternoons/evenings.
They are looking for someone who can help with providing educational activities to the young people, provide help and support with homework, supervise the young people and assist with
the organisation of events and training.

14. Playworker Organisation: Play Alloa Description: Session Worker
A local group who work with children and young adults with additional support requirements are looking for volunteers to assist them with a variety of sessions/groups they have running. You will work closely with the core office staff and sessional staff to support the children and adults involved.

15. Care Volunteer Organisation: Food Train Description: List Collector
We provide an essential grocery shopping/delivery service for any older person in Stirling and Clacks who may be struggling to access food due to disability, mobility issues or frailty. Our aim is to prevent social isolation and malnutrition in older persons. We have a dedicated and diverse set of volunteers, which we are very proud of. We collect shopping lists on a Monday then we shop and deliver Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
A care home are looking for a range of volunteers to help with daily activities with the elderly residents. This could include: reading to them; art and craft activities; music… The care home has large ground including two garden projects, volunteers to help with growing their own vegetables and fruit and help the residents with looking after the garden.

16. Reception and Admin Assistant
Organisation: Alloa Community Enterprise
Description: Receptionist Volunteer
A retail outlet "furniture and more“ is open Monday - Saturday 9.00am pm and we would like volunteers to help us run it. A Receptionist Volunteer helps Alloa Community Enterprises by greeting, Meeting, and dealing with customers/clients who visits our store.
A retail outlet "furniture and more“ is open Monday - Saturday 9.00am pm and we would like volunteers to help us run it. This opportunity will involve direct sales to the public, sorting and setting out stock, light cleaning (polishing furniture & bric a brac) and customer service.

17. Publicity and Media Assistant
Organisation: The Playpen
Description: Social Media Assistant
As the Social Media Assistant for The PlayPen, you will be responsible for developing The Playpen’s presence on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin, developing an appropriate ‘personality’ and tone suitable to each, managing all published content.
The assistant will assist in the future with the development of a dedicated company website.
We are looking for a volunteer to assist them with publicity and media. You will work closely with the core office staff to carry out such tasks as: - Managing social media accounts – keeping posts up to date, engaging with audience etc - Keeping the website up to date - Poster/leaflet creation – for events, and services

18. Community Café Volunteer
Organisation: Royal Voluntary Service
Description: Café Assistant
• Preparation of the kitchen and/or sales counter prior to opening  • Serve refreshments to customers. This may include heating some foods, although most items will be pre-packed  • Taking customer payments
• Clearing tables  • Ensure the cafe/tea bar displays a professional image and complies with Health & Safety and Food Hygiene regulations   • Ensure project is clean and secure on closing.

19. Support Work Organisation: Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre – RDA
Description: Session Assistant
A local volunteer run group are looking for assistance. They run sessions for people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. You can get involved with leading walks, to caring for the horses, or keeping the parents lounge tidy and preparing teas and coffees.

20. Warehouse Assistant Organisation: Recyke-a-Bike
Description: Warehouse Assistant
A Stirling based charity are looking for help in their warehouse recycling bikes. They don’t only reduce the impact of waste on the environment, but will also generate jobs, provide training and opportunities for the community. The duties for this role will include assisting to: strip bikes, strip tyres, ensure warehouse, areas tidy, loading the van, escorting the van driver with collections from the recycling centre.

21. CTSI Connect Centre, Burgh Mews, Alloa, FK10 1HS
How can I get involved?
CTSI Connect Centre, Burgh Mews, Alloa, FK10 1HS
So if you like the sound of volunteering, and want to get involved, these are my contact details. I will also leave some of my cards so if you’re interested please do get in touch.
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