West Lothian Volunteer Network (WLVN) was established to provide Volunteer Managers and Coordinators with a platform for support, information exchange, sharing best practices, and building partnerships. This informal collaboration aims to develop various events focused on promoting volunteering opportunities and recognising volunteers’ contributions.
WLVN’s three main areas of activity:
- Events and Volunteer CelebrationFrom its inception, WLVN has organised various activities during Volunteers Week, held from 1st to 7th June each year. Volunteer Fairs occur throughout West Lothian, culminating in a Volunteer Celebration at the end of June. Local volunteers are invited to attend as a token of appreciation for their dedication and contributions, receiving certificates of appreciation. WLVN also collaborates with West Lothian College’s volunteer bureau and participates in numerous fairs and events throughout the year to promote volunteering opportunities in West Lothian.
- Training, Skill Sharing, and NetworkingPrevious Big Lottery funding enabled WLVN to provide volunteer management training for its members, delivered by Volunteer Scotland and other agencies. Currently, WLVN seeks additional ways to source training and share expertise and best practices among its members. Monthly networking meetings are held, inviting all members to participate.
- Communication and PromotionWLVN has created a membership spreadsheet and a handbook for events, detailing members’ roles, contact information, and volunteering opportunities. Big Lottery funding previously facilitated the purchase of pop-up banners and flyers for WLVN and individual member groups to promote volunteering in West Lothian. WLVN maintains an active presence on social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, using the handle @WestLothianVN and the hashtag #WLVN for posts.
