Voluntary Action South Ayrshire

15/06/2026

Thank you to all the VASA staff for their hard work at our recent SAVA awards ceremony with a special thank you to our volunteering team for making the event run so smoothly.

15/06/2026

An amazing army of volunteers were honoured at the recent South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards celebration event for their tireless work across South Ayrshire.

To celebrate National Volunteers’ Week, Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA) hosted the South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards event in Ayr Town Hall on Thursday 4 June 2026 to say ‘thank you’ to the local heroes who step up to support people in communities across South Ayrshire.

More than 300 nominations were received. Each volunteer nominated received an award certificate. Volunteers were nominated by 36 local and national organisations.
Around 200 volunteers attended the awards ceremony, many accompanied by a friend or family member. They enjoyed refreshments, a light buffet, live entertainment from local duo Dynamix Productions and a huge round of applause as their names were read out as their achievements were recognised and they were presented with their individual SAVA Award.

This year there were five South Ayrshire volunteers who each were awarded the Special Recognition Award for volunteering service of more than 30 years. Together, these Special Recognition Award winners have been volunteering for more than 200 years!

Paying tribute to all the award winners, Marie Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of VASA, said:
‘Congratulations to all South Ayrshire volunteers nominated at this year’s South Ayrshire Volunteer Awards. It is a delight to see so many people showing an incredible display of kindness, generosity, and hard work across a range of South Ayrshire organisations. Thank you all for continuing to play your part in building strong and vibrant communities by volunteering.’

Many thanks to our photographer Colin Macallister of Outdoor Action Photos for taking photos on the night.

09/06/2026

FREE Age Without Limits event tomorrow - Wednesday 10th June at Ayr Town Hall from 10am to 2pm. Join us for a lively, inspiring celebration of Ageing Well in South Ayrshire. Please share.

04/06/2026

Carers Week - Monday 8th June
Riverside Sports Arena, 10am to 2 pm

04/06/2026

Funding for UK Charities Supporting People Over 65 – very Short Application Window, applications accepted from 1 June to 5 June 2026
UK registered charities which promote a proactive approach to the physical and mental wellbeing of people who are over 65 years of age have until 5 June to submit their application.
Grants of between £1,000 and £1,500 are available to UK-based charities that can demonstrate how they are making the lives of older people better (90% of their beneficiaries must be over the age of 65).
The charity's work should fall into one of the following categories:
• Health and welfare - grants are for the refurbishment of residential care housing for the elderly and for building projects which are nearing completion. Consideration will also be given to the provision of equipment and furniture to enhance care and improve quality of life.
• Community and innovation - grants for community initiatives such as exercise classes for the over-65s, lunch clubs, horticultural therapy and day trips. Consideration will also be given to technology projects aimed at benefitting the over-65s.
Due to the high demand for grants, priority is given to applications from charities working in areas of deprivation and those which have a focus on arts and wellbeing.

The funding is to assist with:
• Capital projects, such as refurbishment, furniture or equipment.
• Innovative projects such as fitness classes, lunch clubs, gardening projects, etc.

The trustees are interested in supporting a diverse range of charities, from large institutions to small community-run organisations. There is no upper limit in regard to annual turnover.
The funding cannot support with running costs or salaries nor will it accept applications from co-operatives, community benefit societies, or organisations not registered with the relevant charity commission.

Applications are accepted from 1 June to 5 June 2026.
When to Apply - WG Edwards Charitatable Foundation

When to apply To make an application, please check the Funding Guidance, and Eligibility sections of the website. Applications are now closed until the July 2026 meeting of Trustees.  If you wish to apply to this foundation, please email your application between June 1–5, 2026. Be aware that don...

04/06/2026

Latest VASA newsletter

Thriving Places is a new digital space for community groups and organisations across South Ayrshire to share information about the projects they hope to deliver. It aims to build a lively, collaborative portfolio of community ideas that strengthens joint working, connects groups to funding opportuni...

01/06/2026

Meet our new Whole Family Strategic Lead, Lorna.
Lorna will be working closely with Children & Families Services across the third sector to provide strategic support, encourage partnership opportunities and ensure that the incredible work of the third sector is represented and celebrated!
She is looking forward to connecting with people and organisations who care about community, inclusion and making systems work better for families.

01/06/2026

***LAST SLOT REMAINING (TROON) THIS THURSDAY 4TH JUNE***
There is only 1 half hour slots (1.30-2pm) remaining to attend a Funding Surgery with the National Lottery Community Fund Officer
*Open to all voluntary groups registered within South Ayrshire*

After 2 years of successful surgeries offered to the sector, VASA and SAC are partnering again to bring you 2 more local surgeries where you can pre-book to speak one-to-one with Lauren Farquharson, South Ayrshire’s dedicated Funding Officer for The National Lottery Community Fund.

The National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF) is the largest community funder in the UK, awarding money raised by National Lottery players to fund great ideas that help communities to thrive.

Lauren will be available to speak with groups registered in the South Ayrshire area to discuss TNLCF funding programmes, your project ideas and proposals, eligibility criteria, and the application process face-to-face at the Surgeries.

VASA's Capacity Building Officer and SAC's External Funding Officer will be on hand at the surgeries to offer additional support on the day if required.
**LAST SLOT OFFERED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS**
Please email [email protected] if you are interested.

01/06/2026

Carers Week 2026 - Celebrating Our Local Carers!
A series of evens have been arranged to bring the community together with a series of free, friendly and fun events to recognise and support unpaid carers across South Ayrshire.

Whether you’re a carer, know a carer, or simply want to show your support - everyone is welcome!

Highlights not to miss:
• Carers Funday Monday - Kick off the week with a relaxed, fun-filled event for all ages.
• Teeny Carers Launch – A special new initiative supporting our youngest carers (booking required due to limited spaces).
• Carers Event at the Cutty Sark, Ayr – Enjoy a welcoming waterfront gathering with great company and support.

All events are completely FREE to attend, so come along, connect, and celebrate the incredible contribution carers make every day.

Find out more and see the full programme:
https://hscp.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/CarersWeek2026

29/05/2026

CHIEF OFFICERS BREAKFAST NETWORK
for Third Sector in South Ayrshire
If you are employed at Senior Management level within a charity delivering in South Ayrshire, VASA would like to invite you along to our next Chief Officers Breakfast Network on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at the VASA Offices, Ayr.
The network is informal and offers a chance to share elements of managing a charity (good and bad) with your peers, over a coffee.
Note this network is for employed management staff and not trustees/ directors or committee members.
If you are interested in attending email [email protected] for more info and to confirm attendance.