Youth Volunteering

MV Awards are available to young people aged between 16 and 25 years old.  Young people receive certificates after completing 50, 100 and 200 hours of volunteering. 50 and 100 hour certificates are signed by the Finance Minister, John Swinney MSP.The 200 hour certificate is signed by the First Minister, Alex Salmond MSP.

For certificates, leaflets, information or queries regarding MV Awards please contact Voluntary Action Scotland on 01324 692025 or e-mail info@voluntaryactionscotland.org.uk or visit www.mvawards.org.uk

2011/12 is likely to be the last year of MV Awards as Voluntary Action Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government and 7 Third Sector Interfaces, are piloting the new Saltire Awards scheme.  The pilot areas are Edinburgh, East Lothian, Angus, Falkirk, Dundee, Orkney and East Renfrewshire.  Midlothian and Glasgow are providing ongoing evaluation support during the pilot year. Voluntary Action Scotland have established a website to support Saltire Awards which will also be further developed www.saltireawards.org.uk

The Awards Network provides a forum for organisations that offer awards across Scotland to the 12 to 25 age group using youth work approaches to:

• Promote Awards opportunities for young people in Scotland to young people and youth workers to encourage participation and improve access
• Promote information about the content and benefit of Awards to prospective employers education establishments, other stakeholders and the wider public
• Share information, skills and good practice in appropriate areas
• Conduct any other partnership project or activity which develops or promotes access to individual learning awards in Scotland

There are currently 22 members of this network who have developed guidance for organisations called Amazing Things.