Voluntary Organisations

Voluntary organisations, now known as Third sector organisations, play a significant role in communities across the Highland area.  The scope of the sector is considerable.  It is estimated that there are around 8-9,000 Third sector organisations operating in Highland.  Some will consist purely of volunteers working within their local community, others are operating with budgets of over £1million and bringing significant sums into the local economy.

The High-Societies web site enables you to find up to date community information in your area, create and maintain information for your own group, promote events and highlight your own website. Local organisations can receive support from their local Council for Voluntary Services.

Whether Third sector organisations are small and local or providing services on behalf of public sector bodies, all play a significant role within Highland communities, which the Council welcomes and values.

Recognising the importance of the Third sector, the Council, along within its partner’s NHS Highland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, are currently developing a Compact with the Third Sector in Highland.  A Compact is an agreement between Third sector organisations and public sector organisations setting out how they should work together for the benefit of Highland communities.

Following a pan-Highland launch event in March 2008, five regional consultation events have taken place across Highland in order to consult on the development of a Highland Compact.  The events took place in:

• 26th November, Lairg
• 2nd December, Thurso
• 13th January, Inner Moray Firth (Inverness)
• 27th January, Fort William
• 11th February, Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross (Kyleakin)

The events were an opportunity for Third sector organisations to have their say on how they can contribute to the Single Outcome Agreement, which is an agreement between the Highland Community Planning Partners and the Scottish Government to deliver better outcomes for the people of the Highlands.

Details of the individual events can be found in the Building a Highland Compact - Conference Documentation section along with related documentation and the presentations from the events.

A further pan Highland event is scheduled to take place in November 2009. This event will share the learning from the regional events and provide participants with an opportunity to discuss a draft Compact and associated actions.