Voluntary Action Shetland

02/09/2026

Today, VAS was at Session 3 of the Shetland Partnership Plan process.

The conversation was about Shetland's population and economy – two issues that shape each other more than people often realise.

One thing that stood out: the working-age population has fallen from 64% to 60% in 20 years, and Shetland has had more deaths than births every year since 2015.

Four more sessions to come through to February 2027.
We'll share updates along the way.



Image courtesy of David Ashling

01/09/2026

📢 HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF NATIONAL LOTTERY FUNDING

The UK Government is asking people across the UK to share their views on the future of National Lottery funding for good causes.

This is the first review of its kind in more than 20 years and is an opportunity to help shape how funding is distributed in the future. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete, and your feedback could help ensure funding continues to support the projects and communities that matter most.

📅 Survey closes on 23rd September.

For more information, contact [email protected]

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31/08/2026

📢 In-Person Training Opportunity - Market House. Lerwick

Join this Gambling Harm & Homelessness session on Tuesday 8 September (10am–12pm)

Delivered by Simon Community Scotland, this training will help professionals:

• Understand the link between gambling harm and homelessness
• Recognise key signs and risk factors
• Build confidence to ask about gambling and respond in a supportive way

A valuable session for anyone supporting people at risk of homelessness.

Find out more / book your place 👇

This training will support professionals to understand gambling harm and its links to homelessness, including risk factors and signs.

31/08/2026

VAS is taking part in Session 3 of the Shetland Partnership Plan development process on the 2nd September.

The theme is population and economy - how Shetland can build a strong, resilient economy at the same time as its population ages and its workforce shrinks.

These two issues are closely connected and Shetland's future depends on getting the balance right.

Shetland Partnership

28/08/2026

💛 Support for Unpaid Carers

The Shetland Care Attendant Scheme has shared what’s on for unpaid carers this September, including free training and informal Tea & Tabnabs drop-ins. ☕📚

👉 Check out their post for full details, dates and booking information.

📌 What’s On for Unpaid Carers in September

We’re pleased to share some of the opportunities we have coming up for unpaid carers this September.

📚 Carers Rights & Self-Directed Support Training

Wednesday 9 September | 10.30am–12pm
Do you feel you know your rights as a carer? Even if you do, you’re invited to join us for a free training session with Jaynie Mitchell from the Coalition of Carers, covering Carers Rights & Self-Directed Support.
You can take part online from home or attend in person at Market House and join the online session alongside other carers.

📩 Booking is required.
To book your place, email [email protected] or call 01595 743923.

☕ Carer’s Tea & Tabnabs

Our Carer’s Tea & Tabnabs are informal drop-ins for unpaid carers. Come along for a cuppa, some tabnabs and a chat with other carers in a relaxed and friendly setting.
No need to book — just come along when you can and stay for as long as you like.

📅 Tuesday 8 September | 1pm–3pm
📅 Tuesday 15 September | 1pm–3pm
📅 Tuesday 22 September | 10am–12.30pm
📅 Tuesday 29 September | 1pm–3pm

📍 Market House, 14 Market Street, Lerwick, ZE1 0JP
Please enter through Market House reception.

Whether you’d like to meet other carers, learn something new, or find out more about your rights and support available to you, we’d love to see you there.💛

28/08/2026

📢 VAS Annual General Meeting

Our Annual Report and Accounts from the VAS AGM are now available to view on our website.

Take a look to find out more about our work, achievements and impact over the past year.

On behalf of Voluntary Action Shetland’s board and following on from their Annual General Meeting in Aug 26, the Executive Officer of Voluntary Action Shetland, Lynn Tulloch is delighted to publish their annual report for 2025/2026. Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS)…

26/08/2026

⭐🏆COMING SOON🏆⭐

Keep an eye out for our upcoming VAS Volunteering Awards 2026 launch!

More information available on our website here: https://www.voluntaryactionshetland.com/volunteering/vas-volunteering-awards

21/08/2026

📢 SPACE2FACE COMMUNITY SURVEY

Have your say before 5pm on 30th September.

Space2face has launched an anonymous community survey to better understand how survivors of sexual violence and assault feel about restorative practices. The survey questions were developed in partnership with the Compass Centre.

The findings will help shape future services in Shetland and Orkney, ensuring support is appropriate and available to survivors who may wish to access it. The results will also help inform Scottish Government policy on restorative justice and sexual violence.

📝 Click the link below to take part in the survey 👇

To better understand how survivors feel about restorative practices The purpose of this survey is to better understand how survivors of sexual violence feel about restorative practices. Restorative practice offers a different pathway to justice. This is important as many survivors who go through the...

20/08/2026

📢 Meet the Funder – Social Investment Scotland

Join SCVO on 1st September (10–11am, online, free) for a chance to hear directly from Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

Find out more about the funding and finance options available to support charities, social enterprises, and community organisations across Scotland.

Book your place 👇

Join us for this online session with Foundation Scotland to find out more about their Social Investment Fund and how it supports charities, social enterprises and community organisations across Scotland. The fund offers blended loan and grant investment to help organisations grow, develop assets and...