Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire

Charity registered in Scotland SC041224

VANL’s charitable objectives are to:
“advance citizenship and community development, including rural and urban regeneration, the promotion of civic responsibility and the voluntary sector and the effectiveness of charitable/voluntary/community organisations”.

VANL strives to promote benefits for the residents of North Lanarkshire; in particular:

“the advancement of education, the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, sickness and distress by the promotion of voluntary service and developing volunteering within the local area”

VANL’s vision is for a thriving and effective community and voluntary sector in North Lanarkshire which supports local people’s quality of life and well-being

VANL’s Mission is to:
“improve the quality of life and wellbeing of North Lanarkshire’s citizens by fostering dynamic, inclusive communities through promotion and support for volunteering and the development of the voluntary and community sector”


Current opportunities

A Digi Connector is someone who makes a commitment to a person to spend time with them on a weekly basis (1 to 2 hours each week). Helping them to become more familiar with online and digital tools. This role will be until mid July and will provide a support to someone finding it difficult to access daily activities. This involves a one to one relationship to someone finding community living difficult or would otherwise be socially isolated. This will provide people with a new direction in life, opening up a range of activities leading to increased self-esteem and confidence. A Digi Connector will offer their time, build up a trusting supportive relationship whilst establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries. There will be a requirement to have the skills to help someone to use digital technology; for example, explaining how to access the internet and use various audio/visual communications such as WhatsApp, Skype or Zoom. This might also include assistance to access health resources such as GP appointments, participate in hobbies and interests, connect with friends and family or do whatever is important to them. There will also be a requirement to attend some additional training. Participating Organisations Befriend Motherwell, Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly (CACE), Glenboig Development Trust & North Lanarkshire Disability Forum

Do you value the community and voluntary sector? Would you like to help Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire help the sector help local people? Do you live and/or work in North Lanarkshire? If you answer yes to these questions, we would be delighted if you would consider applying to become a VANL trustee to help us lead and govern the organisation, strengthening its contribution and impact for the people of North Lanarkshire. VANL makes a vital contribution to local people’s wellbeing and equality by helping community and voluntary organisations of all types and sizes. We do this by: providing community and voluntary organisations with guidance and support on issues such as funding, strategy, governance, HR, ICT and more supporting the sector to work better together and in partnership with local communities, the council and NHS to improve services and support, including assisting with our community COVID 19 response, hosting and managing key partnership initiatives such as the Health and Social Care Community Solutions Programme and the North Lanarkshire Partnership Action on Climate Together. VANL receives core and project funding from the Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Council and programme and project funding from Health and Social Care NL. VANL trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity which requires participation in quarterly Board meetings, usually one of our quarterly Committee meetings and our AGM. The minimum time commitment is around forty hours a year. The role is voluntary with essential expenses such as travel or childcare paid. We are very keen to attract new trustees which will strengthen the diversity of our Board across all equality groups including, age, disability, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. You can find more information in our Trustee Application Pack which is available on our website here. We are committed to ongoing Board development and so applications are welcome at any time. If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Maddy Halliday, VANL’s CEO at maddy.halliday@vanl.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you!

Would you like to help increase local people’s awareness of climate issues and support them to work together to take climate action in North Lanarkshire? If the answer is yes and you live or work in North Lanarkshire, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire invites you to register to become a volunteer Community Climate Champion! As a Community Climate Champion, you will receive free, accredited training and other support to enable you to facilitate “climate conversations” in your local area; for specific interest groups; and/or for your organisation. The Community Climate Champion initiative is supported by Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) as part of our commitment to North Lanarkshire’s Action on Climate Together initiative – ACT Now NL. Our offer to you: If you volunteer for this scheme, you will: Receive free, online climate emergency training from Keep Scotland Beautiful. This introductory training will raise understanding of climate change science and how you can use your actions and influence to respond to the climate emergency and contribute to Scotland’s journey to net-zero. The training will include an introduction to climate change and cover topics like climate impacts and adaptation, reducing emissions, climate action and communication. The course will be accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project, and participants who successfully complete the two 2.5-hour sessions, guided self-study and final assessment can receive Carbon Literate certification. We have received funding from the Scottish Government to offer 30-40 free spaces for this training during April and May 2022 in three small groups. We will be publishing the course dates shortly, so if you are interested, please fill in the registration form below and we will contact you in early April with the course date options. You will also be invited to participate in one or more of our free, community climate awareness and action workshops during 2022-23, which will provide you with more in-depth understanding of key issues such as: active travel and community transport community greening – including conservation, community woodlands renewable, affordable energy, including support for households and community energy schemes community food growing and larders community lending and upcycling schemes. More information on these workshops will be available soon. You will have access to a wide range of information through the ACT Now NL website VANL staff will provide further guidance and support as needed You will also become part of a North Lanarkshire Community Climate Champions network where volunteers can connect and support each other. Your role: As a volunteer Community Climate Champion in North Lanarkshire, you will be supported through above to facilitate “Climate Conversations“and action with one or more of the following groups of people: residents in your local area people with specific interests such as carers; disabled people and faith groups people in your organisation and/or work-related networks If you would like to register to become a volunteer Community Climate Champion in North Lanarkshire you can do so by contacting info@vanl.co.uk.