Volunteering for 12 to 25 year olds
Celebrating, acknowledging, and rewarding the dedication, participation, and accomplishments of young volunteers in Scotland.
What are the Saltire Awards?
The Saltire Awards celebrate, acknowledge, and reward the dedication, participation, and accomplishments of young volunteers in Scotland who are between the ages of 12 and 25. By volunteering, young individuals can earn nationally recognised certificates that are signed by Scottish Government Ministers, with varying levels of certification being awarded for different amounts of volunteering work completed.
What is volunteering?
The Saltire Awards recognise volunteering that meets the following three characteristics:
- It is a free-will activity. This means the young person wants to, and no one, including the school or parents, is forcing them.
- It is not for financial gain. Volunteering is not a job and there is no payment; however, any reasonable expenses may be covered.
- It is for the benefit of others. This can include the community, society in general or an individual.
What is in it for the young person?
- Gaining new skills and experience that will look great on a CV and could help with school and/or work.
- Meeting new people and making new friends and connections.
- Making a difference to individual people, communities and the environment.
- Having fun by becoming involved in various activities that might not have been done before.
- Earning up to 3,000 Young Scot Reward Points with each Saltire Award achieved.
Get involved!
Young people ready to volunteer or already volunteering can head over to the Saltire Awards website to set up an account. Alternatively, contact our volunteering team who can support you in finding your ideal volunteering opportunity.
Organisations interested in involving young volunteers can contact Stephanie, our resident Saltire Awards expert!
Resource hub
The Saltire Awards - how do they work?
