Article Source: Glasgow 850
Last Updated: 29 October 2024 10:25
Image: Volunteers from Govanhill Baths Community Trust helping to launch the Glasgow 850 Volunteer and Employability Programme. Left to Right: Paula Larkin, Archive & Heritage Manager, Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Steven, volunteer and historian, Bailie Annette Christie, Pheona, volunteer.
The Glasgow 850 Volunteer and Employability programme will offer Glaswegians, a unique opportunity to play a key part in the city's birthday year, with roles to support the smooth running of its main events, and within local community projects.
In a break from the conventional volunteer programmes that recruits and trains people for specific roles, as part of a one-time event, the Glasgow 850 scheme will ask people to register to hear about a rolling programme of volunteer and learning opportunities, throughout the anniversary year.
Developed in conjunction with Volunteer Glasgow, this approach to volunteering creates an inclusive and rewarding experience for participants. It allows them to engage in a range of activities at their own pace, offering greater flexibility and choice than traditional volunteer schemes.
A key aim of the programme is also to create a legacy by helping young people, in particular, build skills that will boost their employability.
Through a series of learning academies, with event delivery partners, participants will have the chance to learn about different career pathways and roles within a particular industry including events and music. This can also help grow a person's confidence and help them gain practical experience that could open doors to future career opportunities.
In registering their interest, volunteers will have the chance to be at the heart of Glasgow's 850th celebrations by supporting the signature activities including a three- day music event; Clyde Chorus, People's Palace pop-up exhibition and Taste the Place food trail.
In addition to these flagship events, there will be a chance for volunteers to get involved in events run by Glasgow 850 Festival Fund recipients and locally based roles with community organisations, ensuring that participants can contribute in ways that best suit their interests and availability.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “Throughout 2025, the city will host an array of events and activities to mark Glasgow 850. To contribute to the success of this we are looking for volunteers with a love for Glasgow and desire to be part of the milestone year.
“We are looking to build an inclusive community of people who will, over the year, volunteer to support our core programme of activity and be at the heart of our city celebrations.
“Working with Volunteer Glasgow, the programme has been specifically developed to be as flexible as possible and provide a range of opportunities that suit people's different interests.”
David Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Glasgow, said: “People ask us all the time, 'why on earth would I want to do something for nothing?' The answer is simple: you get as much out of volunteering as you put in.
“The fun, the sense of satisfaction, the people you meet, the chance to do something completely different.
“You really will be surprised by the huge choice of incredible things you can do that make a difference in communities across the city.”
One grass-roots organisation that relies on the help and support of people volunteering throughout the year is the Govanhill Baths Community Trust. They have recently received an award from the Glasgow 850 Festival Fund to support their Irish Roots project that celebrates the contribution made to Glasgow by Irish immigrants. Irish Roots will be part of Govanhill International Festival & Carnival 2025.
The charity, based in the southside of the city, delivers health, wellbeing, arts, environmental and heritage projects is always looking for volunteers to support their work and activities in the local community.
Paula Larkin, Archive and Heritage Manager for Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said: “Volunteers bring a great energy and enthusiasm to our projects, helping us to create activities for our community. Our Irish Roots project for Glasgow 850 is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our communities and encourage more local people to get involved and show their support.”
To register interest in the Glasgow 850 Volunteer and Employability Programme, visit glasgow850.com
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has announced that British fragrance house, Jo Malone London, has opened its doors today.
READ MOREThere's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MOREScotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MOREKeela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MOREScotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MOREGlasgow charity and social enterprise Merry-go-round is celebrating after receiving £18,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
READ MOREA specially created preview of The Nook mental health support hub will be popping up in some of Glasgow’s most renowned locations.
READ MOREScotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has announced it has secured popular independent fashion, jewellery and homewares retailer, Oliver Bonas.
READ MORERomesh Ranganathan will make his stage debut in a new production of Alan Ayckbourn's psychological comedy Woman In Mind, in a strictly limited engagement at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.
READ MOREThe Theatre Royal, Glasgow has announced an additional performance of Horrible Histories – The Concert coming to the venue from Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March.
READ MORETeenagers in Glasgow are being offered a chance to step behind the camera and into a studio with the launch of a brand-new Film&Screen Saturday Club that's free to join and open to 13-16 year olds.
READ MOREFormer Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MOREAmy MacDonald, Hue and Cry, Nathan Evans and The Saint PHNX Band, Skipinnish, Shay O'Dowd and James Emmanuel are among the first winners to be announced for the GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards!
READ MOREThis October, Somewhere by Nico on Byres Road dares guests to enter The House of Horrors, a 5-course cocktail experience inspired by some of cinema's most iconic fright-fests.
READ MOREEmily Lane will star as Cady Heron alongside Vivian Panka as Regina George when Mean Girls The Musical comes to Glasgow's King's Theatre next summer!
READ MOREScotland’s colourful past bursts to life this October as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for the school holidays.
READ MOREThe hugely popular experience, Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, will end its very successful Glasgow run on 26th October 2025.
READ MOREBarbie®: The Exhibition is set to make its Scottish debut at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum from 13 June 2026!
READ MOREMarine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed for cosy coastal retreats and joyful pre-festive celebrations.
READ MOREThe Scottish Government's Women and Girls in Sport Week launches this week, celebrating the power of movement and encouraging women and girls of all ages to get active in ways that work for them.
READ MOREScotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, is inviting job seekers looking to gain retail experience to its annual Job Fair on Friday 10th October, 10am – 5pm in the main atrium.
READ MOREArtist Gerard M Burns has revealed a new portrait of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's Leader, Maya Iwabuchi as part of his Mother Glasgow project.
READ MOREFlight Club is turning 10 in October and taking the celebrations on a UK-wide birthday tour, with a month of parties in each city it calls home!
READ MOREProducer Karl Sydow is delighted to announce that Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage will be touring the UK and Ireland from summer 2026.
READ MOREDue to high demand, extra tickets have been released for True Crime Live: Murder – A Search for the Truth with international crime expert David Swindle.
READ MOREWith the October school holidays fast approaching, ScotRail has unveiled a new, affordable way for families to make the most of the break!
READ MOREThe final space in the Citizens Theatre's acclaimed seven-year redevelopment opens this week on Wednesday 8th October.
READ MOREYe cannae shove yer granny aff a bus - but you can take her for a free meal at COSMO St Enoch!
READ MOREGlasgow's city centre was transformed into a festival of running as thousands took part in the 10K and Half Marathon, cheered on by over 100,000 supporters as part of the city's famous spirit.
READ MORE