Category: Volunteering

Transform Generations: Active Communities Together

Amy Taylor on 17 August, 2026

With thanks to funding from National Lottery Awards for All, Sports Scotland and Creative Scotland we are pleased to announce a new, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games inspired development to our Transform (Transform: Supported Volunteering for Young People – Midlothian Community Action (MCA)) Projects’ Intergenerational Activities where we will support young volunteers to build confidence, develop skills and gain valuable experience by leading creative and physical activities for older people living in sheltered housing.

The project will bring generations together in a meaningful and positive way, showing that physical activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages and with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities. Activities will include New Age Kurling, Boccia, balloon batting, bean bag toss, coordination games and more — offering opportunities for fun, positive wellbeing and friendly competition.

Small groups of young volunteers aged 14–25 will be supported, supervised and trained to deliver sessions in sheltered housing communal lounges. Working alongside local partners, the project will promote physical wellbeing, mutual respect and understanding across generations, while helping to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2026

Ellis on 11 June, 2026

On Thursday 4 June 2026, volunteers from across Midlothian arrived at Newbattle Abbey College for our annual Midlothian Volunteer Awards Ceremony. We are delighted to celebrate all the incredible efforts of volunteers each year.

This celebration is a part of Volunteer’s Week, a national initiative where we appreciate volunteers across Scotland. It provides a great opportunity to highlight some of the fabulous volunteering projects that exist in Midlothian.

Photographs

Special thank you to Kris Soul Photography for the wonderful photos.

View All Photos

Programme

View the award winners & nominees in our 2026 programme.

Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2026 programme made by Rebecca McIntyre

Thank You

The Midlothian Volunteer Awards couldn’t take place each year without the support from our sponsors. Thank you!

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service

Qualifications Scotland

EDF Energy

Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership

Police Scotland

Midlothian Council

Well Done You Ltd

Soul Photography

Newbattle Abbey College

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The Power of Volunteering: Insights from Midlothian Volunteers 2026

Ellis on 29 May, 2026

To kick off Volunteers’ Week 2026, we are excited to share findings from our Midlothian-wide Volunteer Satisfaction Survey. The survey was created to better understand the impacts of volunteering on volunteers themselves, to enhance volunteer support, and help organisations better demonstrate their impact.

This year is our second edition of the survey, which we hope to carry out annually and build upon year after year. We were please to receive 62 responses from volunteers across Midlothian, sharing their reflections on how volunteering has shaped their wellbeing, skills, confidence, and connection to their community. The responses clearly show the many positive impacts of volunteering:

  • 99% said volunteering helped them achieve their goals
  • 94% said they feel more a part of their community.
  • 90% said they have gained confidence & self-esteem.
  • 95% said they have made new contacts or friendships.

“Has been a great way of getting my self-confidence and self-esteem back and feel I am included in the community with my interaction with other volunteers and staff.”

Many spoke about increased confidence and self-esteem, stronger social connections, feeling more part of their community, improved health and wellbeing, and opportunities to develop and use their skills. These insights help highlight the often unseen personal benefits of volunteering, and the importance of creating positive volunteer experiences.

“Wonderful organisation doing great work for the community and great to give others the benefit of my expertise when doing a workshop.“

Thank you to everyone who took part-and to the volunteers who continue to support our communities to thrive.

Read more insights from the survey:

Volunteer Satisfaction Survey 2026 InsightsDownload

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Calling All Midlothian Volunteers – We Want to Hear from You!

Ellis on 8 April, 2026

Midlothian’s Annual Volunteer Satisfaction Survey is now open, and we are inviting organisations to share it with their volunteers. By taking part, your volunteers help us build a fuller and more accurate picture of the volunteering experience across Midlothian. 

Midlothian Volunteer Satisfaction Survey

Survey responses are anonymous. Each volunteer involving organisation will receive its own set of results, offering valuable insights that can support reporting, strengthen funding applications, guide service development, and enhance volunteer engagement.

All you need to do is share the survey link with your volunteers and encourage them to take part. It is open to everyone, takes only a few minutes, and will remain open until Monday 4 May 2026.

Every response helps shape volunteer support across Midlothian, and we will share the findings with you during Volunteers’ Week in June 2026.

This survey is carried out every year as part of our ongoing approach to strengthen the collective evaluation and impact measurement of volunteering activities in Midlothian. The aim is to understand the impacts of volunteering on volunteers, to enhance volunteer support, and help organisations better demonstrate their impact. You can find our insights from last year’s survey here.

If you would like to complete this survey in an alternative format, email us at info@mca.scot

Nominations Now Open for Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2026!

Ellis on 17 March, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that the nominations for the Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2026 are officially open! 

This annual event is an opportunity for us to celebrate and acknowledge the incredible contributions and achievements of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers play a significant role in boosting the welfare of our community, and Volunteers’ Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate them.

This year’s awards ceremony will be an unforgettable moment, celebrating the individuals who go the extra mile to make lasting and positive impacts within their community. We strongly encourage everyone to take the opportunity to nominate a volunteer they know who has made considerable impacts throughout their volunteering journey.

This year we are introducing a new award category, Uniformed Volunteer. This award wishes to acknowledge and thank all the volunteers who contribute to our community through uniformed organisations like Scouts, Youth Police Volunteers, Cadets, and many more.  

We have also introduced the Dedicated Service to the Community award, combining the Service to the Community and Dedicated Service to Volunteering categories. This award wishes to acknowledge all the volunteers who contribute towards significant services, organisations and causes within their local community and is a thank you to those who donate their time to make our community the best it can be.  

We value our volunteers and the profound effects their hard work leaves on Midlothian and those living in the area. We would like to thank all volunteers for their amazing work and commitments to the community, and we are eager to share their empowering stories at our awards ceremony this year.  

Nominations are due to close on Monday 20th April 2026, so if you would like the opportunity to highlight someone who deserves to be acknowledged for their efforts, send in your nomination soon and help us honour those who go above and beyond for our community.  

Read our FAQs on the Midlothian Volunteer Awards page before submitting your nomination.

Nominations for the Midlothian Volunteer Awards 2026 are now open!

2026 Nomination Form

Deadline for nominations: Monday 20 April 2026.

Midlothian Volunteer Recruitment Fair Returns for 2026

Ellis on 26 January, 2026

The start of the new year is the perfect time to make a positive change, and volunteering is a great way to do just that. The 2026 Midlothian Volunteer Recruitment Fair is the ideal event to explore what’s out there and take the first step.

The fair will take place on Thursday 26 February, from 10am to 2.30pm, at St John’s & King’s Park Church in Dalkeith. This annual event is organised by Midlothian Community Action (MCA) to promote volunteering and encourage conversations between local volunteer-involving organisations and people who want to get involved.

Volunteering can help people build skills and experience, boost their CV, and gain confidence. It’s also a great way to meet new people and feel part of the community. Young volunteers can work towards the Saltire Award, the Scottish Government’s recognition scheme for volunteers aged 12-25.

A variety of organisations from across Midlothian will be attending the event, including:

Marie Curie, VOCAL, Penicuik Storehouse, Gig Buddies with Thera Trust, Midlothian Sport & Leisure Wellbeing Team, St Joseph’s Services, Fostering Compassion, Salvation Army, Dalkeith Citizens Advice Bureau, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), and Midlothian Sure Start – with more expected to join.

MCA’s Volunteer Support Officer, Sarah Bain, said about the fair, “There’s a volunteering opportunity for everyone, and this event helps people find the one that’s right for them. Every year, I’m inspired by how many step forward to make a difference”.

The fair is open to everyone and there’s no need to book. Drop-in anytime between 10am-2.30pm on Thursday 26 February at St John’s & Kings Park Church, Dalkeith, EH22 1HJ.

Download the poster below to help us spread the word!

Recruitment Fair Poster 2026Download

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