The Lord Provost writes about his role as the City’s Volunteer Ambassador in the Edinburgh Evening News.
Volunteering is one of the quiet forces that keeps our communities strong. For many years, Edinburgh has been one of the leading cities for volunteering, and across the capital, thousands of people dedicate their time, skills and energy, not for recognition or award but because they care deeply about the city they call home and the people around them.
As Lord Provost and the City’s Volunteer Ambassador, over the last four-and-a-half years, I have had the privilege of seeing that commitment first hand, with visits to some of our outstanding, award-winning volunteer-led groups.
I am extremely proud of the leading heritage that Edinburgh has built through its strong tradition of volunteering and active citizenship.
Over the past year, I have had the privilege of visiting more than 30 volunteer-led community projects and seeing volunteers in action. Each visit has reminded me not only of the difference that volunteers can make to the lives of others, but also of the positive and often life changing impact it can have on the volunteers themselves.
This month, I have had two particularly special opportunities to reflect and celebrate the contribution of Edinburgh’s volunteers.
I was honoured to officially unveil the City’s Honour Board for the Queen’s/King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Board lists all 19 winners of the Award since the scheme was introduced in 2002 by the Late Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Golden Jubilee. Representing the highest honour given to local volunteer groups in the UK, equivalent to an MBE Honour, the groups recognised on this Board represent the highest quality and impacts of volunteering and a legacy of voluntary action, setting an example for future generations.
Last week, I also had the pleasure of unveiling the Lord Provost’s Paul Bennett Volunteer Manager Award Honour Board. This recognises another, equally important, part of volunteering: the people who support, organise, encourage and develop volunteers. Without their commitment and dedication, many programmes simply could not function. The Board lists to date all six winners of the Award which was established in 2021 in memory of Paul Bennet, a much-loved member of charity Volunteer Edinburgh.
I believe strongly that it is important to recognise the remarkable contribution made by our volunteers.
For more than a decade, between a quarter and a third of Edinburgh’s residents have regularly given their time, skills and energy to support their communities and some of the most vulnerable people across our neighbourhoods.
Today, 29% of citizens formally volunteer. When informal volunteering and wider community participation is included, that figure rises to an incredible 48%.
People give their time for many reasons. Some want to make a difference in their local community, others want to improve their wellbeing or employability, or simply to feel more connected to their community. But overwhelmingly people do it to help make Edinburgh a better place to live.
Their contribution to our city’s social and economic wellbeing is enormous. Research by Volunteer Edinburgh shows that the average volunteer gives 4.4 hours per week. With almost 169,000 volunteers across the city, that represents about 695,000 hours or 87,000 days of volunteering every year, equivalent to an estimated economic contribution of £13.5 million. This is a wonderful contribution and is the bedrock for many of our lifeline and wellbeing public services.
Whilst many volunteers don’t seek recognition and reward for their work, I believe it remains important for the City of Edinburgh to acknowledge the vital and life-changing impacts that volunteers achieve.
Volunteering can often happen quietly and go unseen, but it remains fundamental to the continuing success of our fantastic city.
The Honour Boards unveiled this month provide a lasting way of recognising those who have given so much to Edinburgh. I hope it inspires others to follow their example, get involved and continue the incredible legacy of volunteering that our city is so fortunate to have. Sitting alongside my annual ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Honour Board, the Boards will rightly preserve the names of those who have given so much, and I hope they will inspire others to continue their legacy.
I am sincerely grateful to all of our residents, workers, students, and visitors who volunteer their time and energy for their fellow citizens, your collective contributions are fantastic and you make such a positive difference to some of our most vulnerable people within our neighbourhoods – indeed our Capital would not be as welcoming, supportive, and inspiring without your efforts.
Volunteering is a wonderful thing to do in the local community, and if anyone is interested in giving their time. energy, and skills to others, please contact Volunteer Edinburgh, who can provide guidance, advice and help.