On behalf of Voluntary Action Shetland’s board and following on from their Annual General Meeting in Aug 26, the Executive Officer of Voluntary Action Shetland, Lynn Tulloch is delighted to publish their annual report for 2025/2026.
Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) is Shetland’s Third Sector Interface. VAS provides a single point of access for support and advice for the Third Sector within Shetland.
On reflection of the last 12 months Lynn Tulloch said “With our VAS core work, we have continued to see increased requests for advice, support and information from Third Sector Organisations and community groups. The distribution of our funding, general information and climate newsletters has provided charities and community groups with up-to-date information on good practice, funding and training opportunities as well as key information on changes in local and national policy. And our training programme has been well attended over the last 12 months alongside Market House always being full of activity.
This year we saw an increase in numbers at our Annual Saltires Event once more, 185 young people were recognised for their volunteering efforts with a vast range of organisations through the length and breadth of Shetland. Our VAS Volunteering Awards continued to be popular too, celebrating children and adults volunteering in our local community, it’s wonderful to recognise their important contribution for the great good of others.
This year we also undertook a very supportive role in helping our direct delivery projects to branch out from VAS, with the Shetland Befriending Scheme transitioning to become an independent charity from 1st April 2026 after 26 years under VAS and the Shetland Carers work transferring to its new home with Shetland Care Attendants Scheme (SCAS) in June 2026. Both projects had a busy year alongside this, which you can read about more in this report. Coming into 26/27 operation, this now leaves VAS with its Core Team delivering on the 4 core activities: Being the Central Source of Knowledge; Being the Voice; Building Capacity and Connecting, alongside managing Market House, Shetland’s Third Sector Hub and its dedicated staff team. We wish Shetland Befriending Scheme and SCAS all the very best.
As part of the Public Sector Reform agenda and the Scottish Governments commitment to tackle Child Poverty, there has been an increased need for all partners to work better together for improved outcomes for Children and Families. VAS sits on a wide range of strategic partnerships to support a more joined up approach of service provision across statutory and third sector, alongside supporting a shift in early intervention and prevention. It will be important to support this agenda going forward"
The Chairperson of Voluntary Action Shetland Magnus Flaws said “More and more charities and community groups are using VAS for support, advice and information to ensure their organisations are run effectively and governed well. Our annual Saltire Awards Ceremony has highlighted that young people are doing increased amounts of volunteering, helping others and making a positive impact in their communities. The number of awards increased from 164 in 2024 to 185 in 2025 with young people supporting their local clubs and communities all the way from the South Mainland Swimming Club to the Uyeasound Hall.
Our Chief Executive along with other Third Sector and Statutory Leaders attended events last year on the mainland with a key agenda of Whole Family Support: 'Working Together To Get It Right'. John Swinney MSP, the First Minister for Scotland, set out his vision for whole family support and gave his commitment towards working together to remove all barriers to make this happen. VAS is working hard with partners to support Third Sector’s increased collaboration with statutory partners to work better together for positive outcomes for those in our community”
To read the full publication go online to: www.voluntaryactionshetland.com and find it under the resources and publications section.
Further information about Voluntary Action Shetland can also be found on Facebook, search for Voluntary Action Shetland.
To get in touch with Voluntary Action Shetland telephone: 01595 743900 or e-mail: [email protected]
