Voluntary Action Shetland

10/06/2026

Huge congratulations to everyone involved 👏
Such an amazing achievement and fantastic to see so many young people making a real difference in our community ⭐

⭐Saltire Awards Ceremony 2026⭐

Last night, we held our annual Saltire Awards ceremony at Mareel, celebrating youth volunteers aged between 11 and 25 years old.

For the third year in a row, the number of young people receiving a Saltire Award has broken Shetland records. This year, 191 young people received a total of 336 certificates between them, recognising over 15,400 hours of volunteering they had collectively taken part in with 67 different organisations, schools, projects, charities and clubs.

Congratulations to everybody! It is amazing to see such high numbers once again, proving that the youth of Shetland contribute more than we realise to our local communities.

09/06/2026

Wendy, our VAS Deputy and Facilities Manager will be jumping out of a plane in September, whilst raising funds for two different causes close to her heart! Read her story by clicking the link below❤️❤️❤️

Iʼm raising money to support a health/medical cause. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

08/06/2026

💬 Good Conversations – Online Training

Want to build better connections and reduce isolation? Join this 2-hour online session from Linking Lives UK.

Perfect for volunteers and anyone keen to improve their conversation skills through enhanced listening and inclusion 🤝

📅 Session available:
• Tues 7 July, 2pm 🌐 Online

Help create more meaningful connections in your community 💜

Practical advice on how to make our conversations more beneficial to out guests.

03/06/2026

💡 SCVO Funding Fundamentals Workshop – 18 June

Learn how to work smarter with grant funding in this practical session on choosing the right opportunities and thinking like a funder.

🎯 Identify the best-fit funding
⏱ Avoid wasting time on low-fit bids
🔍 Use tools like Funding Scotland effectively
🤖 Explore how AI can support your applications

💷 £85 (£60 for SCVO members)

Boost your funding success and improve your applications!

This online short course is designed for organisations that want to improve how they identify suitable funds and strengthen the quality of their funding applications. The session focuses on choosing the right opportunities, understanding how funders make decisions, and using practical tools, includi...

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

Voluntary took part in Session 1 of the next Shetland Partnership Plan
process at Mareel, Lerwick.

Shetland faces real challenges - housing, an ageing population, the cost of living in a remote island community, climate change, access to services. None of them have simple answers, and none of them can be solved by any one organisation working alone.

What this process does is bring together the people who have the best chance of making progress - from strategic partners to community councils and development organisations - and give them the space to think it through together and agree a shared direction.

Shetland is a remarkable place, with strong communities and a long track record of finding its own way forward. This plan should reflect that.

Six more sessions to go. We'll keep sharing updates!
shetlandpartnership.org


Images courtesy of David Ashling

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

SCOTTISH FAMILIES coordinating pop-up naloxone training and distribution events in Shetland as part of International Overdose Awareness Month in August 2026

Scottish Families will be in Shetland from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 August and are keen to identify local partners, community organisations, cafés, businesses or public spaces that may be sympathetic to the cause and suitable for hosting or supporting pop-up events.

If you have any suggestions of:

• Local organisations or services that may wish to partner
• Cafés, businesses or venues that might host a pop-up
• Community spaces or outdoor locations that could work

Please email Nicky Collins, Alcohol & Drugs Development Assistant - NHS Shetland: [email protected]

Multi-agency group in Shetland reducing the harmful impact of alcohol and drug throughout the isles with support and resources.

29/05/2026

🏡 Connected Hubs: Community Spaces as Workspaces

Join Social Enterprise Scotland and Scottish Rural Action for this online session exploring how community spaces can become vibrant, connected work hubs.

💡 Discover practical ways to:
• Make better use of spaces during weekdays
• Create shared working environments
• Improve digital access & flexible services

📅 Wednesday 3 June | 12–1pm

Explore how a “connected hubs” model could work in your community and next steps to get started.

This session explores how village halls and community spaces across Scotland can become part of a light, connected network of coworking and community hubs. This event will look at practical ways spaces can be used better during weekdays through shared working space, digital access, and flexible comm...

28/05/2026

The Shetland Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) programme for 2026/27 is now open for bids from community-based projects.

CLLD funding is provided by the Scottish Government, and administered by Shetland Islands Council on behalf of the Shetland Islands Local Action Group, which represents local economic, environmental and community interests.

Bids are welcomed from Shetland-based social enterprises, community development companies and constituted not-for-profit voluntary organisations.

A total fund of £238,704 is available in 2026/27 - £49,760 for capital projects, and £188,944 for revenue projects.

The funding focuses on supporting sustainable projects which fall within four priority areas:

🔹 Helping families and services through the cost of living crisis, including helping to address the drivers of child poverty
🔹 Increasing community capacity to address rural challenge
🔹 Transforming the economy to deliver net zero; and
🔹 Creating sustainable public services

It is anticipated that there will be two rounds of applications for this programme, depending on funds remaining following the first round. Applications will close on 31 July 2026 for the first round and 28 August 2026 for the second round of funding.

More information on the CLLD Programme, and how to apply for a grant, can be found online - link below 👇

Thomas Coutts, Executive Manager, Economic Development: “This funding enables local community groups and organisations to apply for support for new activity, or to consider new elements within their existing projects. Our staff are here to help and provide advice on the process, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”


Shetland Community Hub