Volunteering Matters Scotland
At Volunteering Matters, we’ve been making a positive impact in Scotland since 1962, using the power of volunteering to transform lives and communities. Over the last 60+ years, we’ve run various programmes engaging thousands of volunteers across different age groups and backgrounds.
From mentoring care-experienced young people and supporting families through life’s challenges, to reducing isolation among older adults and protecting Scotland’s natural environment, our programmes address a wide range of social issues rooted in local communities.
Volunteering with us means joining a movement that’s helping to reduce inequality, tackle loneliness, and create more inclusive, connected places to live.
Our approach is place-based and community-led. We work alongside local people to co-design solutions that reflect their needs, strengths and aspirations. Every project is tailored to the unique challenges of each area, helping to build resilience, open up opportunities and support people to thrive.
Introducing our projects in Scotland
We deliver a diverse range of volunteer-led projects across Scotland, from mentoring care experienced young people to tackling loneliness and protecting local green spaces. Each one is shaped by local communities to create real and lasting change. Click to explore.
Our impact
In 2024/25, 4,443 volunteers supported over 1,200 people across 14 projects, from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway. These projects tackle some of the biggest challenges facing communities today, including loneliness, mental health, education gaps and biodiversity loss.
The report shares the stories behind the statistics. You’ll hear directly from volunteers and communities about what has changed, why it matters and how small actions have created lasting change.
Read the full report and see how community-led volunteering is transforming lives and places across Scotland.
4,443
Volunteers engaged in Scotland though local projects
1,271
Direct beneficiaries were supported
14
Project delivered from national to local scale
Find an opportunity for you
Opportunity
Audiology Team Volunteer (Forth Valley)
Support patients and staff in a hospital setting while learning practical new skills. Help people maintain their hearing aids and feel more confident in managing their hearing.
Opportunity
Befriender (North Lanarkshire)
Build a relationship with young carers (aged between 8-18 years old) and become a good role model to them within the North Lanarkshire area.
Opportunity
Family Supporter (Edinburgh)
Support families in Edinburgh to overcome challenges and build more stable, connected lives. As a Family Supporter, you will provide regular, one-to-one support that empowers families to set goals…
Opportunity
Good Neighbour (Forth Valley)
A flexible volunteering role supporting people in Forth Valley with small, meaningful tasks that strengthen community and wellbeing.
Opportunity
Grandmentors Volunteer (Fife)
Grandmentors is an innovative project in Fife that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support young people leaving the care system.
Opportunity
Grandmentors Volunteer (Perth and Kinross)
Grandmentors is an innovative project that sees older volunteers use their lifetime of skills and experience to support care experienced young people.
This is our volunteer’s page, to refer a young…
Opportunity
Handyperson (Stirlingshire & Clackmannanshire)
Our team help older people, or people with disabilities, with small and minor maintenance tasks. The tasks we complete for people are varied, normally taking less than 2 hours.
Opportunity
Handyperson Organiser (Stirlingshire & Clackmannanshire)
The Lead organiser role will ideally be undertaken by someone aged 50+ however this is not essential. The role supports the running and management of our project, including the recruitment of new…
Opportunity
Knitting Group Volunteer (Forth Valley)
Older people in Stirling and Clackmannanshire knit items for local charities and other good causes.
Opportunity
Mentor (Dundee)
Make a real difference by becoming a Volunteer Mentor in Dundee, supporting someone to overcome challenges and move towards their goals. Share your time, experience and encouragement to help someone…
