West Lothian's army of volunteers praised as councillors back plan to increase numbers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian Council wants to build up its already active force of volunteers who can help staff provide services. And councillors have backed plans to encourage more people to help others.

But there was a warning that the council should not " sleepwalk" to a situation where volunteers replace paid staff. A meeting of the Council's Executive agreed to the development of a corporate strategy to encourage volunteers to back up the work of council departments.

In a report to councillors Anti-Poverty Service manager Nahid Hanif said: "In a changing financial landscape with increased financial restraints and with services under increasing pressure, volunteering offers the opportunity for local people to become more involved in their own communities helping those in need to access council services; and helping the council to achieve its strategic priorities. "It is clear from the work already being undertaken by volunteers that they bring a great deal of added value to the council offering, as well as gaining valuable skills, experience and enjoyment from their volunteer roles. "There is evidence that multiple council services are keen to explore the added value and benefit that volunteers can bring to their service and would appreciate a centralised process and approach.

This added value and benefit for all would only be increased by agreeing the approach and planning for its roll out across the wider council." Volunteers have been a vital part of the delivery of the Anti-Poverty Service since 2010 and for this reason the service has been asked to develop a strategy that can be rolled out across the council.