Useful Links
Please Note: Voluntary Action Highland is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Voluntary Organisations
British Red Cross
Visit Website >>Community Woodlands Association
The Community Woodlands Association was established in 2003 as the direct representative body of Scotland's community woodland groups. We help community woodland groups across the country achieve their aspirations and potential, providing advice, assistance and information, facilitating networking and training, and representing and promoting community woodlands to the wider world.
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - Caithness Voluntary Group
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - CVS North
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - Ross-shire Voluntary Action
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - Skye & Lochalsh CVO
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - Voluntary Action Lochaber
Visit Website >>Highland CVS Network - Voluntary Groups East Sutherland
Visit Website >>Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
SCVO works to advance the values and shared interests of the voluntary sector in Scotland.
Visit Website >>Voluntary Action Scotland
Voluntary Action Scotland is the only national umbrella organisation specifically for local third sector infrastructure - focusing on issues that matter to you and responding to your needs.Scotland's newest infrastructure organisation was created in May 2009. Formed by the CVS network it is a membership body for CVS's and the emerging third sector interfaces.
Visit Website >>Volunteering Development Scotland
As Scotlands Centre for Excellence in Volunteering our approach to modernising volunteering is built on three areas;
- Providing leadership which enables others to identify ways in which volunteering contributes towards outcomes
- Improving the quality of the volunteering experience by enhancing the practice of volunteers management
- Sharing evidence that informs modern volunteering policy and practice
Volunteering Highland
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Funding Websites
Awards for All
Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme funding small, local community-based projects in the UK.
Visit Website >>Big Lottery Fund
Visit Website >>Charity Technology Exchange
donated technology products for charitiesThe CTX Programme offers donated technology products from Partners such as Microsoft and Cisco to eligible UK Registered Charities and Charitable Housing Associations
Visit Website >>Comic Relief
A just world free from poverty
Visit Website >>Community Food and Health
Community Food and Health (Scotland) became the new name for the Scottish Community Diet Project in November 2006.Ten years earlier the Scottish Community Diet Project was set up as a result of the recommendations contained in the Scottish Diet Action Plan to 'promote and focus dietary initiatives in low income communities and bring these within a strategic format'. Our aim remains to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the opportunity, ability and confidence to access a healthy and acceptable diet for themselves, their families and their communities.
Visit Website >>Enterprise Fund and Credit Union Fund
The Scottish Government's Purpose is to create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth. An enterprising third sector has a key role to play in achieving this goal.
Visit Website >>Fundraising Healthcheck
The Fundraising Healthcheck, a free diagnostic tool designed to help charities understand the impact of the recession on their fundraising, is now available for use. Created by the Institute of Fundraising and THINK Consulting Solutions, the Fundraising Healthcheck was initially available only to members of the Institute of Fundraising. From the beginning of April, however, it has been made available to all other organisations.
Visit Website >>Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage though innovative investment in projects with a lasting impact on people and places. As the largest dedicated funder of the UK's heritage, with around £180million a year to invest in new projects and a considerable body of knowledge and evaluation over 15 years, we are also a leading advocate for the value of heritage to modern life. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our heritage. HLF has supported more than 33,900 projects allocating £4.4billion across the UK.
Visit Website >>HIPP
This website covers information relating to the European Structural Fund Programmes for the Highlands & Islands 2007 – 2013. It is designed to bring you easy access to relevant information about Structural Funds and how they affect our area. It is updated regularly with the latest news and events.
Visit Website >>Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland
We are a grantmaking trust distributing in excess of £6 million each year to recognised charities throughout Scotland. Our aim is to support and work in partnership with charities which help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or disabled to play a fuller role in communities throughout Scotland.
Visit Website >>People's Postcode Trust
Funding communities the length and breadth of ScotlandThe People's Postcode Trust aims to make Scotland a better place for both people and nature. We want to make a real difference to small organisations and community groups all across Scotland through grants ranging from £500- £10,000
Visit Website >>Rural Direct
Rural Direct is a service designed to help rural community organisations to access funding from a range of sources including the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Rural Direct is a national service delivered locally by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).
Visit Website >>Scottish Investement Fund
The Scottish Investment Fund is a £30million fund provided by the Scottish Government to be delivered over the period from 2008-2011. The fund's overall aim is to build capacity, capabiltiy and financial sustainability in the the Third Sector to help it fulfill it's potential and contribute to the overall national outcomes of the Scottish Government.
Visit Website >>Scottish Rural Development Programme
The SRDP is a £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland over the next six years. Individuals and groups may seek support to help deliver the Government's strategic objectives in rural Scotland.
Visit Website >>Sportscotland
We are the national agency for sport in Scotland. We put sport first.We passionately believe in the benefits of sport, from the enjoyment and sense of achievement that participation brings, to the shared pride that national success generates.
Visit Website >>The Highland LEADER Programme
The Highland LEADER Programme will cover all of the Highland Council area, except for the settlement development area of Inverness (as detailed in the local plan) and the part of the Highland Council area within the Cairngorms National Park. The aim of the Highland LEADER Programme is: 'To enable people in the Highlands to realise their ambitions to live in communities where they can fulfil their personal, social and economic potential'
Visit Website >>The ScottishPower Energy People Trust
The ScottishPower Energy People Trust is an independent charity established to help end fuel poverty in Britain, Charity No. SC036980.The Trust can provide funds for not-for-profit organisations who work with or represent the vulnerable and fuel poor to help those most in need.
Visit Website >>Voluntary Action Fund
The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) is an independent grant-making body which invests in voluntary and community based organisations across Scotland. The funding and support we provide enables them to undertake projects that challenge inequalities and overcome barriers to being involved in community life.
Visit Website >>Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust was established when Sir Winston Churchill died in 1965. Thousands of people, out of respect for the man and in gratitude for his inspired leadership, gave generously so that a living memorial to the great man could benefit future generations of British people. This fund now supports 100 Travelling Fellowships and ten Bursaries at Churchill College Cambridge, each year based on the Trust's charitable Object of: "The advancement and propagation of education in any part of the world for the benefit of British citizens of all walks of life in such exclusively charitable manner that such education will make its recipients more effective in their life and work, whilst benefiting themselves and their communities, and ultimately the UK as a whole".
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Public Organisations
Forest Research
Forestry Commission page of latest research information and monthly research newsletter
Visit Website >>Forestry Commission Scotland
Visit Website >>Highland Council
Visit Website >>NHS
Visit Website >>Public Contracts Scotland
This portal gives free access to contract opportunities in ScotlandFind details of contracts with Scottish Local Authorities, NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government, Agencies and NDPBs, Higher and Further Education and Emergency Services by browsing the available contracts. You can also register to receive free e-mail alerts.
Visit Website >>Scottish Natural Heritage
Looking after all of Scotland's nature and landscapes, across all of Scotland, for everyone.
Visit Website >>Scottish Public Health Organisation
Welcome to the website of the Scottish Public Health Observatory (ScotPHO) collaboration. The collaboration brings together key national organisations involved in public health intelligence in Scotland, led by ISD Scotland and NHS Health Scotland. We are working together closely to ensure the public health community has easy access to clear and relevant information and statistics to support decision making.
Visit Website >>The Scottish Government
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Other Useful Websites
ACAS
Visit Website >>Companies House
The foundation of company information exchange in the UK: helping business, informing the public and benefiting the economy.
Visit Website >>Directory of Social Change
Directory of Social Change (DSC) is the leading source of information and training to voluntary and community sectors worldwide
Visit Website >>EHRC
Our job is to promote equality and human rights, and to create a fairer Britain. We do this by providing advice and guidance, working to implement an effective legislative framework and raising awareness of your rights.
Visit Website >>Energy Savings Trust-Scotland
Funded by the Scottish Government, the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland provides free, impartial advice to householders, businesses and the public sector and communities across Scotland.We can also help you access grants, loans and other offers to improve energy efficiency.
Visit Website >>Hate Free Highland
This site is to report only non-urgent hate incidents which have occurred in the Highland area. Police will only receive this form during normal office hours.
Visit Website >>High Societies
Welcome to High-Societies The Highland Council's interactive website for Community Information about clubs, organisations and societies across the Highlands.High-Societies is designed to signpost members of the public to essential contact information for organisations and to their existing websites where appropriate.
Visit Website >>Highland Interface
Progress discussions in the development of the Interface in Highland
Visit Website >>Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government's economic and community development agency for a diverse region which covers more than half of Scotland. HIE aims to build sustainable economic growth in all parts of the Highlands and Islands.
Visit Website >>Look OK.....Feel Crap?
There are times in all of our lives when we feel crap, right? When people and events just annoy us and we can feel down from time to time. That's pretty normal and isn't necessarily a problem. It is a problem when these feelings just don't ever seem to go away and you realise that it has been ages since you've really enjoyed yourself.Well, that's what this site is all about. If you are feeling low, depressed, stressed or anxious then there is information here that will help you understand what it's all about, what you can do to start feeling better, how you can stay well and who you can contact to get help. Or maybe you are concerned about someone you know - there's info here for you, too. Check it out.
Visit Website >>Men's Health Forum Scotland
News, events and information on men's healthThis site provides news, events and information of what is happening across Scotland and beyond in the field of men's health. The site is intended to support the committed individuals within the health service, voluntary and private sectors who are working hard to get men thinking more about their health, and/or service providers to target men more effectively.
Visit Website >>Planning Aid For Scotland
Planning Aid for Scotland works with you to shape Scotland's future, providing support and information when you need it.
Visit Website >>Poverty Alliance
The Poverty AllianceOur vision is of a sustainable Scotland based on social and economic justice, with dignity for all, where poverty and inequalities are not tolerated and are challengedThe Poverty Alliance was formally established in 1992, growing out of an informal network of groups and individuals active since the mid 1980s. We are a membership organisation with a range of varied experience in addressing issues related to poverty and social exclusion. Our membership is made up of a wide range of organisations including grassroots community groups, individuals facing poverty, voluntary organisations, statutory organisations, policy makers and academics. We now act as the national anti-poverty network in Scotland, working with voluntary organisations, policy makers and politicians at Scottish, UK and European levels.
Visit Website >>Public Social Partnerships
Public Social Partnerships (PSPs) are an innovative approach to public service delivery, involving enterprising third sector organisations. The PSP model has great potential to benefit the third sector and the public sector in Scotland, and to improve outcomes for service users, clients and communities.
Visit Website >>Realise Mentoring
Realise your enterprising potential Do you have some inspiring ideas to develop your organisation and help realise your sustainability? Perhaps you're looking to tender for new contracts or diversify your income base. Help is at hand with the new Realise Mentoring programme. You can access free, confidential mentoring support from experienced mentors with expertise in the areas of greatest interest to you. Whether it's successfully bidding for tenders, managing cultural change or developing your organisation's sustainability, we can match you with the right mentor for your needs.
Visit Website >>Scotland National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth
Visit Website >>Scottish Human Rights Commisson
The Scottish Human Rights Commission promotes and protects the human rights of everyone in Scotland. We are working to increase awareness, recognition and respect for human rights in Scotland by bringing human rights into everyday life. The Commission is dedicated to helping everyone understand their rights and the shared responsibilities we all have to each other and to our community. The Commission is independent of the UK and Scottish Parliaments and Governments.
Visit Website >>Social Enterprise Academy
Visit Website >>SROI project
The SROI project is a Scottish Government funded programme designed to develop, promote and support the use of Social Return on Investment across the third sector in Scotland.
Visit Website >>The European Disability Forum (EDF)
The work of EDF covers all fields of European Union competence and a great number of initiatives. Although the European institutions might seem far for many citizens, the decisions taken by the European Union, which are the result of negotiations between all Member States, have a direct impact on disabled people's lives. That is why, the role of EDF is so important in monitoring all EU initiatives and in proposing new legislation to advance disabled people's rights.
Visit Website >>The Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone
The Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) is a social enterprise support agency based in Inverness, covering the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from Argyll & Bute to Orkney & Shetland.
Visit Website >>The Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)
Visit Website >>The Scottish Recovery Network
The Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) was formally launched in 2004 as an initiative designed to raise awareness of recovery from mental health problems.
Visit Website >>The Tool Factory
How long do you spend writing your funders' reports each quarter and at the end of each year? Wouldn't you rather spend more time actually delivering your services to your clients?What about measuring the impact you have on your clients? How easy do you find it to measure and report on your social impact?Social Impact Tracker is the first monitoring database that measures your social impact creating your reports - all at the touch of a button.
Visit Website >>Wellbeing-Steps for Stress
Stress doesn't just make you feel bad, it's not good for your health. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to start dealing with it. Research shows that small steps can make a big difference. This website covers practical ways for you to start dealing with stress.
Visit Website >>Work Force Unit
Workforce Unit staff can provide specialist advice and support on workforce development issues for voluntary sector social services. This includes information on qualifications, post-registration training and learning requirements, funding and much much more…
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