24 February 2004

Glasgow: Local and national volunteer-involving organizations promoted their services at "The Gathering", a fair by the volunteer sector, in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow on 23-24 February.

The Gathering, organised by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organizations (SCVO), was the first event of its kind in Scotland. The activities included conferences by major local volunteer organizations, a market place for organizations and exhibitions seminars and workshops.

Also, the volunteers had the opportunity to find out more about their local volunteer centre through the market stalls hosted by the Volunteer Centre Network Scotland. This allowed people to see the volunteer centre’s national database and website and find volunteer opportunities.

Among the participants were volunteers from the Volunteer Centre North Lanarkshire. One of the seminars looked at issues that help shape volunteering in Scotland, profile and motivations of volunteers and the obstacles in volunteering.

Jean Thomson, Volunteer Development Assistant with the Volunteer Centre, said "The Volunteer Centre North Lanarkshire is committed to spreading more of this knowledge across the local area. It’s especially important that we try and recognise and reward people who give time to volunteering.

On Volunteers’ Week in June will see the Volunteer Centre host a third annual Celebration of Volunteering Awards Dinner for North Lanarkshire and an active communities seminar for local volunteering organizations.

For details, contact the Volunteer Centre at +44 1698 358866