European Year of Volunteering
Volunteers Week 2011

As part of the celebrations for the European Year of Volunteering, Volunteer Centre Fife, supported by Adam Smith and Active Fife recently hosted a Family Fun Day in the college’s Levenmouth Campus. Entertainment on the day included: Belly and disco-dancing, t-shirt design, digital art, jewellery-making and Spanish and Polish cookery demonstrations. These sessions were delivered by volunteers and Adam Smith College staff to highlight the value of the work going on in the local community, and to introduce new activities to local people.

Claire Baker (MSP) Ron Nugent (General Manager Volunteer Centre Fife) Stephen Adamson (Co-ordinator Volunteer Centre Fife West) Kate Lax (Volunteer Centre Fife Placement Advisor West Fife) and three young visitors to the Fun Day

Around 75 people attended, including Claire Baker MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife and her daughter. Claire had this to say about the event:

“It was great to be involved in promoting the good work that volunteers do across Fife. The day really emphasised the importance of volunteering and I hope inspired a number of people to get involved in their communities.

“Volunteering makes a huge difference to local communities and there really is something for everyone to get involved in. Whether it’s helping out giving classes, helping organise sporting activities or fundraising for a local charity, a few hours of people’s time a week can have such a positive impact.

“Volunteering can also provide opportunities to learn new skills and increase employability. It was great to see the Volunteer Centre working with Adam Smith College to highlight the benefits of volunteering.”

Active Fife staff and volunteers were also on hand to pass on information about local sports groups, many of which are actively looking for volunteers to help out.

Cheeses of Europe	Flag Painting

T-shirt Design	Belly/Disco dancing
Sports	Cookery Master Class

This event, coupled with a European Soup initiative in local community cafes, made up the Volunteer Centre Fife’s annual celebration of Volunteers’ Week 2011. For further information about the events, or to find out more about volunteering in Fife visit www.volunteeringfife.org