The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
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Our latest members
Welcome to all the organisations that have joined SCVO recently. You can find out more about them below:
Cargo Bike Movement
Joined SCVO on 19 December
Cargo Bike Movement is a charity that was established, initially informally, in April 2020 in response to the first UK Covid-19 lockdown. Since then, we have gone through the journey of being a Community Interest Company (CIC) and now a registered charity (SC051593)! By bringing together cargo bikes and volunteers, we were able to respond to food insecurity experienced by many across the city of Edinburgh. We did this in a number of ways, such as delivering surplus supermarket food to those being accommodated in hotels, shelters, and hostels, and supporting local food banks and building partnerships with various charitable organisations across Edinburgh.We instantly saw the value of our service for those hit hardest by food insecurity and the impacts of Covid-19 on the economy and job markets. Involvement in Cargo Bike Movement also offered a positive outlet for volunteers whose health and wellbeing was benefitted by helping out. But it’s not all about collecting surplus supermarket food and getting it to those who need it via cargo bike, as necessary and rewarding as this is. Cargo Bike Movement is also helping to build fairer, greener, healthier communities by directly responding to:The necessity for better air quality in our cities.Global climate and ecological crises.Social inequalities across our communities.The need for good examples of suitable sustainable transport options.
My Academic Family CIC
Joined SCVO on 19 December
My Academic Family supports students into and through university. This includes one-on-one support and workshops on application planning, personal statement writing, and university choice. We also have coaching for traditional university students and a free Mentorship Programme for first-generation, care experienced, displaced, and estranged students. We also share informational resources for free each week and release information on different themes each month.
Shopmobility Highland
Joined SCVO on 19 December
We are a charity formed in 1994 whose main aim is to provide mobility equipment to persons of all ages. The persons may have long or short term mobility issues as a result of illness, disability, age or injury. We provide this service in Inverness and Dingwall.In addition we operate two fully accessible minibuses.
Ups And Downs Theatre Group
Joined SCVO on 19 December
The Ups and Downs Theatre Group is based in Motherwell and is open to people of all ages with Down Syndrome specifically. The group was started 29 years ago to provide a safe space for people with Down Syndrome and their families to come together as a theatre group, providing opportunity for members to rehearse and ultimately perform a live show within the local community to showcase the talent of the cast.Currently we have 60 cast members with Down Syndrome at the group (age 12-40+), which provides them with a whole range of positive experiences - following instructions, working together towards a common goal as a team, forming friendships, overcoming fears, exploring new talents and perfecting new skills. The group meets weekly to rehearse on a Sunday afternoon from August to early March and then performs an annual show in a local theatre mid-March which runs for 5 nights. Our shows are unique as they are solely created by our own Production team, with the idea being to let all cast have their moments to shine, taking into consideration all their different abilities.
Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Development Trust
Joined SCVO on 18 December
As a local anchor organisation KKDT works to support all community groups and organisations in Kirkconnel and Kelloholm with objectives to improve our village, as well as leading our own strategic projects. These projects were developed in accordance with our area’s current socioeconomic needs, aiming to tackle issues that have been identified in our Place Plan as areas of concern. Our staff and Board of Trustees work towards these aims with the collective goal of improving Kirkconnel and Kelloholm.Our projects include• GoodShare FoodShare Community Health and Wellbeing Project: beginning as a community food sharing initiative, the FoodShare Project has evolved into a community hub, providing services and support groups for locals, contributing to combatting social isolation and loneliness and improving community health and wellbeing. Via this project KKDT also funds and hosts Dumfries & Galloway Citizen Advice Service (D&GCAS) to deliver to local people.• Housing for the Elderly Project; KKDT leads a project to construct five two-bedroom houses for the elderly on Niviston Road, Kelloholm• Free activities for children, young people and families over holiday periods. KKDT works with DGC’s Lifelong Learning and Youth Work Services, and Kello Rovers to deliver these activities• Ground Maintenance project. Since 2016 the Trust has operated a community tractor which our Ground Maintenance Worker uses to maintain the large area of public spaces in the area.• Participatory Budget Schemes – most recently in 2022, distributing £20,000 among local groups• Development and publication of the Kirkconnel Parish Place Plan 2023 - 2033
White Top Foundation
Joined SCVO on 18 December
Grant awarding Foundation which seeks to advance, by investigation, research or otherwise, in any way, knowledge with regard to the causes of mental and physical handicaps in children and others, and if possible, cure or alleviate such mental and physical handicaps.Applications are welcomed from any registered charity with a project, service or activity which meets the Foundation's objectives noted above with priority given to charities operating in our local area and focusing on children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities.Applications are made by application form.
Grantown Grammar School Parent Council
Joined SCVO on 16 December
The objects of the council are;-to work in partnership with the school to create a welcoming environment which is inclusive for all parents and guardians-to promote partnership between the school, its pupils and all parents and guardians-to develop and engage in activities which support the education and welfare of the pupils.-to identify and represent the views of parents and guardians on the education provided by the school and other matters affecting the education and welfare of the pupils.-to participate in the appointment of senior staff at the school
Ochil Trail Association
Joined SCVO on 16 December
Get people outside to benefit their wellbeing and health. Create a sense of pride and community. Immerse in nature and conservation while helping to Protect, Promote and Preserve Sustainable trails.
DANCERCISE CIC
Joined SCVO on 13 December
We are a community performing arts school offering inclusive, accessible and affordable classes in dance, drama, musical theatre and the arts to the local community. Louise Collie opened her school in 1990 to provide a nurturing and caring environment for children of all ages to explore the arts. We deliver over 56 hours a week of classes, and we run community seasonal parties to encourage those not involved in the school to join us, make new friends and have fun. Our children are given vast and varied opportunities such as performing in small and larger scale events, appearing in our annual show, and becoming part of our competition team. Our motto is "Everyone deserves the chance to shine".
Fife Historic Buildings Trust
Joined SCVO on 13 December
Our mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects across Fife.We have helped deliver over £40m in historic environment regeneration projects in Fife, supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities.Fife has a particularly rich and varied heritage with over 6,200 listed buildings and 48 conservation areas. Fife Historic Buildings Trust was formed in 1997. The Trust is an independent Buildings Preservation Trust – it is a charity (SC026043), and a company limited by guarantee (SC173262).What We DoWe manage projects to conserve historic buildings at risk, ensuring that they have a renewed practical purpose, long term caring owners and a viable future.In our education and engagement programme we share and foster conservation practices and skills, as well as helping communities to appreciate their local heritage.We have a small portfolio of historic properties, which we actively maintain as workspaces and holiday lets.
Alford and District Men's Shed
Joined SCVO on 12 December
Men's sheds influence the health and wellbeing of men in the surrounding area, provide a place where they can meet to discuss and learn various skills and have company sometimes to alleviate loneliness and give a sense of purpose in many ways
Mill on the Fleet Cafe CIC
Joined SCVO on 12 December
We are a new CIC set up to operate the cafe in the Mill on the Fleet visitor centre in Gatehouse of Fleet
The Beacon (SCIO)
Joined SCVO on 12 December
We are a mental health peer support cafe and drop-in resource.
Embers Aquatics CIC
Joined SCVO on 11 December
Embers Aquatics was born out of a love of water, a drive to share the love of swimming. Too many people drown each year, 372,000 every year – someone every 80 seconds. Many of those deaths are preventable. As an award winning social enterprise, we are passionate about reversing that trend.Embers Aquatics aims and objectives outlined in our Governing documents are to: - Increase opportunities for people to learn to swim - Provide high quality training for aquatic professionals - Provide education around water safety to reduce drowning rates - Provide opportunities to swim safely where it was not previously possibly - Promote health and fitness in the waterOur mission statement is: Love the Water. Respect the Water. Look After the Water.Our work covers the following charitable aims:EducationHealthSaving livesCitizenship or community developmentAmateur sportThe protection of the environmentEmbers works in the UK, primarily in Scotland and in Africa. The work delivered in each country follows a very similar theme.
Milngavie In Bloom
Joined SCVO on 11 December
We promote environmental improvement in Milngavie by providing displays of flowers, shrubs, trees and landscapes and through the prevention and control of litter in public places within Milngavie. Membership is open to all residents of Milngavie and the surrounding area
Spike Aware
Joined SCVO on 11 December
Spike Aware UK was founded 7 years ago. We raise awareness to the dangers of all forms of Spiking. As well as raising awareness we support victims. It may be to hand out advice, be a support for them or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. It’s not just the victims that need support but often friends and families use our services. We attend Freshers events at colleges and universities working with various student groups highlighting the dangers of Spiking. An important part of our work is conducting Talk-ins at Secondary schools. Making sure that youngsters are aware of the dangers and consequences of Spiking, hopefully deterring the potential perpetrators of the future.We campaign for a change of legislation, working with MSPs MPs and other groups looking to make Spiking a stand alone offence. We are making a lot of progress on this and have gained cross party support, at both Holyrood and Westminster.We work with Police, taking the message out on to the streets, in various communities. We encourage officers to engage more with victims and their families. We are also looking for Police to establish a clear line, in how to proceed when dealing with a Spiking victim, as currently there are a lot of grey areas that need to be rectified.We encourage Publicans and members of the night time industry to help eradicate what is a growing problem. We encourage them to make their venues safer and to work with victims and Police in an effort to bring more perpetrators to justice.We encourage the NHS, to ensure that 111 staff are fully aware of the complexities surrounding Spiking and are in a much better position to advise and support victims.
Moray Ocean Community
Joined SCVO on 10 December
Moray Ocean Community CIC is made up of 5 volunteer Directors and approximately 60 volunteers.We are a passionate group of individuals committed to marine conservation and citizen science along the Moray Firth Coast. We aim to protect and enhance our local marine environments through various hands-on activities, data collection, and community engagement.Our Activities Include:Seagrass Surveys: Mapping the extent and density of seagrass beds, essential for coastal ecosystems.Beach Cleans: Regular clean-up events to reduce marine litter and raise awareness of environmental issues.Shorewatch: Observing and recording marine mammal wildlife.Big Seaweed Search: A citizen science initiative to map and monitor seaweed species along the coast.Invasive Species Monitoring: Identifying and recording invasive species along the coastline to protect native ecosystems.Snorkel surveys: Recreational snorkels as well as flora and fauna surveys.Community Talks: Educational talks about marine life, conservation efforts, and environmental challenges.High School Field Trips: Engaging local students in field trips to explore marine habitats and learn about ocean science.
Dalkeith Petanque Club
Joined SCVO on 9 December
We organise petanque games 3 times a week and extra times for individual club competition games. This organisation brings together people who have never met before to play a competative game free 365 days a year. Our organisation has ex army veterans, an 80% blind ex soldier, a 16 year old Autistic ADHD young boy and nearly half the people who play are women.
Monklands Ramblers
Joined SCVO on 9 December
Our organisation is a Group in the North Strathclyde Area of the UK-wide Ramblers Association charity. We organise walk days and social events to encourage the community of this area to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of walking. We organise 24 or 25 bus hires per years to take our members to walk locations throughout Scotland.
ScotWays - The Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society
Joined SCVO on 9 December
We raise the profile of responsible public access to land and inland water in Scotland. We protect and promote outdoor access rights and associated amenities.