WDCVS

07/10/2026

Back for the third year, the VIVA (Valuing Involvement and Volunteering Achievements) awards will celebrate the unique contribution volunteers make across West Dunbartonshire.

Local organisations are encouraged to submit entries in eight categories:
Volunteer of the Year
Young Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer Manager of the Year
Organisation of the Year
Volunteer Unsung Hero
Climate Action Hub Award
Young Volunteer in Sport, and
Adult Volunteer in Sport.

The latter two categories are again sponsored by West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust.

Award nominations can be made between until 23rd October, with the awards event taking place in the Golden Jubilee Hotel on Wednesday 2nd December 2026.

VIVA award submissions are assessed by an independent judging panel, with three individuals or organisations shortlisted in each category.

For more information and to nominate visit wdcvs.com/viva-awards/ call 0141 941 0886 or email [email protected]

05/10/2026

Challenge Poverty Week 5th - 11th October

Challenge Poverty Week was launched by The Poverty Alliance in 2013 to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland, and to show that collective action based on justice and compassion can create solutions.

Each year, hundreds of organisations in Scotland do just that, including elected representative, charities and NGOs, local authorities, faith groups, businesses, schools and colleges, trade unions, professional bodies and more.

For more information and events https://www.povertyalliance.org/cpw/

05/10/2026

01/10/2026

VIVA Awards 2026: (Valuing Involvement and Volunteering Achievements)

Volunteering is a key, but often under recognised, social bond supporting the communities of West Dunbartonshire. Volunteers provide essential services, willingly giving their time and skills for no financial reward. Whatever you do and wherever you go, it’s likely you will come into contact with a volunteer at some point in your day – though you may not realise it.

The VIVA awards, organised by West Dunbartonshire CVS the third sector support agency, are a celebration of the unique contribution volunteers make across the authority.

For more information https://wdcvs.com/viva-awards/

Nominations will close on 14th October 2026.

01/10/2026

FREE Training
Looking at refreshing your trustee skills, WDCVS are running a series of training courses this October.

Keeping your skills and knowledge up-to-date is important and our skills and training programme has been designed to help community and third sector organisations across West Dunbartonshire, do just that.

For more information https://wdcvs.com/learning-skills/

Contact [email protected] or Tel: 0141 941 0886 to book a place.

30/09/2026

It's almost the end of September, and we're looking back over some of our key activities.

The VIVA Awards are open to any third sector organisation or public sector agency whose activities benefit local people and who are not for private profit.

You can nominate here - https://wdcvs.com/viva-awards/

30/09/2026

Scotland’s Climate Week - 28 September – 4 October 2026

Climate action is already happening all across Scotland
From families making small daily changes, to businesses transforming how they work, to community groups creating local solutions – climate action is happening in every part of our country.

Climate Week is a chance to celebrate these efforts and invites everyone to get involved. Together, our actions add up to create meaningful change for Scotland's future.

For more information https://netzeronation.scot/climate-week

For local information and details of Network Meeting - West Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub - [email protected] or tel: 0141 941 0886

24/09/2026

Bank Holiday Closure

We are closed on Friday 25th September and Monday 28th September due to the public holiday.

Our office will be closed for visitors until 10am Tuesday 29th September.

During closure, If you contact us on [email protected] email address and we will get back to you when we return.

24/09/2026

New Policy Briefing: Volunteering and Prevention, Public Service Reform

This briefing discusses the evidence base on the link between volunteering and positive health outcomes in the context of prevention. It makes the case that volunteers and voluntary organisations must be prioritised as the Scottish Government enacts its Public Service Reform agenda, and lays out the policy recommendations which should be considered by Ministers and MSPs. View our Full and Summary briefings here: https://ow.ly/vGSL50ZQVMs

23/09/2026

The Autumnal Equinox marks the start of ‘Fall’ and it’s also Falls Prevention Awareness Week.

It highlights why it’s important to take action to reduce falls and to live longer, healthier lives.

This year’s Fall Awareness Week theme, "From Awareness to Action" aims not only to share the importance of falls prevention but also to empower individuals and communities to take practical steps to improve strength, balance, and confidence.

Our Couch to 150 Minutes activity group regularly meets to support people to improve their strength and balance through different exercises, including the fabulous Body Boosting Bingo developed by Age Scotland.

You can also join a local Walking Scotland Health & Social Walk in the area; there is lots out there to help you keep active and on your feet.

If you would like to know more about Couch to 150 or a local walk, contact Daren on 0141 941 0886 or [email protected]