Central & Fife

Back to Central & Fife

Forth Valley Volunteering

The importance of volunteers contributing to their communities, while improving their health and wellbeing, is the focus of CSV’s Forth Valley Volunteering project. Volunteering reduces isolation, and increases community participation. Many people experience greater self-worth and confidence, while the exercise and fresh air involved in many of the activities lead to better physical health.

Based in Falkirk, serving Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, a wide-ranging programme of activities is available to volunteers. They provide support for patients diagnosed with cancer, lead walking groups aimed at improving general fitness following an illness, as well as a DIY service for frail housebound people. The project will get more over 50s out and about, improving life for their community as well as themselves.

Children and young people will benefit too, with older volunteers helping school children with reading and other skills like woodwork and drama. This provides satisfaction to volunteers, helps pupils’ schoolwork, and fosters new friendships.

The project is expected to benefit people in the area directly and indirectly, and will work closely with a variety of organisations including local health services and volunteering groups.

What the group says:

Why should people vote for you?

We will use the skills, talents and lifetime experience of the over 50s age group to help their own local communities. Evidence shows that volunteers can help improve a child's reading age, break down the isolation experienced by many housebound older people, and make a hospital visit easier to cope with. Their lifetime experience is a great tool to bring different generations together and have a lot of fun along the way!

What will you spend the money on?

Funding will be used to establish an office base in Falkirk, to train and support volunteers and develop projects that match our community's needs.

CSV Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme website

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites