New support for volunteering in East Lothian

VCEL, through the Community Taskforce Initiative, will support the fantastic work already undertaken by our local community councils, community resilience groups, and many other local third sector organisations, in response to recent COVID-19 challenges.

Maureen Allan, VCEL Chief Officer, said:

“From lessons learned during the first wave in the spring/summer last year, we recognised the need to better support local organisations with volunteer training, recruitment, policies, disclosure services and volunteer insurance.

"The lasting legacy from the resilience groups will be an opportunity for everyone to become involved within their local community across a wide range of volunteering opportunities county-wide, no matter what time they have to spare.

"There is an opportunity to build on the fantastic community spirit which exists within our communities across East Lothian. I look forward to hearing from anyone interested in volunteering through the Community Taskforce Initiative which is being supported throughout the Lothians by the NHS Foundation and our statutory partners. The Community Taskforce will be open for volunteers to sign up from Monday 8 February.”

Sharon Saunders, Head of Communities with East Lothian Council, said: 

“In the past year we’ve seen the vital the role of local community volunteers in helping people feel less isolated and more supported, through a range of local initiatives including delivering essential food, dog-walking and general ‘good neighbour’ activities. We welcome the new Community Taskforce and VCEL’s role in supporting future volunteering and helping people feel more connected in support of the great work undertaken by the many community and third sector organisations across East Lothian – who always need new volunteers to come forward.”     

To find out more, please contact VCEL at taskforce@volunteereastlothian.org.uk or call 01875 615 423.