BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CalDiscovery//caldiscovery//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH DESCRIPTION:Edinburgh: community\, Wednesday (Wed Sep 23\, Europe/London). Rolling: the window moves forward every day\, so subscribe rather than do wnload. Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscovery.co m). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information from Ca lDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. SOURCE:https://caldiscovery.com/edinburgh-scotland/wednesday-community.ics X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT12H REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT12H X-WR-CALDESC:Edinburgh: community\, Wednesday (Wed Sep 23\, Europe/London) . Rolling: the window moves forward every day\, so subscribe rather than d ownload. Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscovery.c om). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information from C alDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. X-WR-CALNAME:Edinburgh · community · Wednesday · CalDiscovery BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Edinburgh College DTSTART:20260923T080000Z DTEND:20260923T134500Z DTSTAMP:20260918T003324Z UID:10006529-1790154000-1790174700@duncanplace.org CATEGORIES:community DESCRIPTION:Wee Links room\n\n Zosia Kuczynska - Private booking - Part of make space initiative \n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Up coming Events \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n Sep \n \n 18 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n Featured \n \n 10:00 am - 12:00 pm \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n \n \n D uncan Place Craft Group (Friday morning) – Big Duncan room \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n Sep \n \n 18 \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n \n \n YMCA \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n Sep \n \n 18 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n Featured\n \n 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\ n \n\n\n \n \n Dungeons and Dragons \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\ n \n\n \n \n \n Sep \n \n 19 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 9:30 am - 1:00 pm \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n \n \n The Piping Center \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \ n \n \n Sep \n \n 19 \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n 10: 00 am - 1:00 pm \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n \n \n The Piping C enter \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n \n View Calen dar LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T003324Z LOCATION:Duncan Place Community Hub\, Duncan Place\, Leith\, Edinburgh\, E dinburgh\, EH6 8HW\, United Kingdom URL:https://duncanplace.org/event/edinburgh-college-6-2/2026-09-23/?utm_so urce=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=edinburgh-scotland X-SOURCE-NAME:Duncan Place X-SOURCE-URL:https://duncanplace.org/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Am I Making the Right Decision? The Role of Ethics in Volunteer En gagement DTSTART:20260923T160000Z DTEND:20260923T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260918T001704Z UID:41458-1790182800-1790186400@www.volunteerscotland.net CATEGORIES:community DESCRIPTION:17th September 2026 \n \n \n \n Scottish Household Survey (SHS) 2025 Results: Volunteer participation is up\, but i nclusion gaps remain \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Volunteer Scotland welcomes evidence that o verall volunteer participation in Scotland is continuing to recover\, but notes that there are concerning trends for the sector to tackle. The lates t Scottish Household Survey results for 2025 show an increase in overall v olunteer participation\, with 27% of adults in Scotland volunteering with a group\, club or organisation in the last year – this is an estimated 1 .25 million formal volunteers!  \n \n \n \n This is an increase from 25% in 2024 and means that the number of volunteers in Scotland increased by 267\,000 between 2024 and 2025. This is particularl y encouraging given that volunteer participation had dropped to a record l ow of 18% following the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis and su ggests that the recovery for Scotland’s voluntary sector is gathering mo mentum. In fact\, formal volunteer participation is now higher than it was immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic.  The results reveal that infor mal volunteering\, which is volunteering that happens outside of a group\, club or organisation\, has also increased for the first time since 2018. This means that\, together with formal volunteering\, over half (52%) of S cottish adults have volunteered in some capacity at least once in the last year.   While this overall increase in volunteer numbers is a worthy ca use for celebration\, the Scottish Household Survey data reveals that the inclusion gaps that emerged last year are persistent. Adults in Scotland ’s least deprived communities now volunteer at double the rate of those in the most deprived communities\, with a participation gap of 17 percenta ge points. There remains a worrying participation gap between disabled and non-disabled adults despite some improvements\, with a gap of 8 percentag e points (down from 10 percentage points in 2024)\, which remains signific antly higher than it was pre-pandemic (5 percentage points). A 12 percenta ge point gap now exists between the lowest and highest income groups.  In our State of Scottish Volunteering in 2025 report\,  we shared Carnegie UK’s research that being disabled and living in a deprived neighbourhood are the two factors most strongly associated with low wellbeing in Scotla nd. We know that volunteering delivers the greatest wellbeing gains for th ose who are most disadvantaged\, yet data from the two most recent Scottis h Household Surveys show that the gaps in volunteer participation mirror t hese broader societal inequalities. This means that the very people who st and the benefit the most from volunteering are currently benefiting the le ast. These results show us that inclusion and equity of access to formal v olunteer opportunities as well as having a positive experience while volun teering remain as priority challenges for the sector to address.    The 2025 Scottish Household Survey also confirms that the nature of formal vo lunteering in Scotland is changing. Ongoing data from the SCVO Third Secto r Tracker has shown us that the sector continues to struggle with voluntee r recruitment and retention despite an increasing number of third sector o rganisations reporting a greater number of volunteers. Today’s results h elp us understand why: volunteering is becoming less frequent and more low intensity. Together\, these shifts show that volunteers are increasingly giving smaller\, less regular amounts of time.   Today’s results\, the refore\, contain both encouragement and challenge for the sector\, and rei nforces Volunteer Scotland’s commitment to supporting inclusive and flex ible volunteering.  This blog highlights key findings on formal volunteer ing in 2025 from the data published on 17th September 2026 and compares re sults to 2024 findings. We will publish a more detailed analysis\, includi ng on informal volunteering and an estimated economic value of volunteerin g\, in the coming months.  \n \n \n \n Insights from the 2025 SHS data \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Key findings for formal volunteering:   For mal volunteering participation has continued to recover in 2025\, rising f rom 25% to 27%. This marks the second consecutive year of growth and bring s participation slightly above the pre–pandemic rate of 26% recorded in 2019. Scotland now has an estimated additional 267\,000 adults volunteerin g formally compared to last year. While this is a positive milestone\, the long-term trend still shows a fall from the 31% peak in 2010.  Voluntee ring is becoming less frequent and more low‑intensity. Regular voluntee ring (at least once a month) has fallen from 77% in 2022 to 70% in 2025\, while occasional volunteering (less than once a month) has increased from 23% in 2022 to 30% in 2025. Low‑intensity volunteering (five hours or l ess per month) has increased from 56% in 2022 to 58% in 2025\, while high ‑intensity volunteering (16 hours or more per month) remains stable at 1 8%.  Adults in Scotland’s least deprived communities (SIMD Q5: 34%) now volunteer at double the rate of those in the most deprived communities (SIMD Q1: 17%)\, widening the participation gap to 17 percentage points — the largest since 2019. The percentage of volunteers who fulfil comm ittee member and Trustee roles fell from 27% to 23%\, reflecting a well-re ported challenge in trustee recruitment and retention across the sector.    \n \n \n \n Formal volunteering demographics:   Age – Adults aged 35–59 saw the strongest growth\, increasing from 27% in 2024 to 30% in 2025\, now the highest‑participating age group. Yo unger adults (16–34) increased slightly from 24% to 25%\, continuing the ir gradual recovery. Adults aged 60 and over remained stable at 25%\, unch anged from 2024. Gender – Male participation increased from 24% to 27%\ , closing the gap with females\, whose participation remained stable at 27 %. For the first time in several years\, gender differences in participati on have largely disappeared. Disability – Disabled adults saw a notable increase in participation\, rising from 18% to 21%. However\, non‑disab led adults also increased slightly (28% to 29%)\, meaning the participatio n gap remains substantial at eight percentage points. This continues the l ong‑term pattern of unequal access to volunteering. Ethnicity – Parti cipation increased across most ethnic groups. The largest rise was among a dults in the ‘White – Other’ category\, increasing seven percentage points to 31%. ‘White – Other British’ adults also saw strong growth (34% to 38%). Participation among ethnic minority groups remained stable at 26%. Net annual household income – adults with household incomes o ver £30\,000 saw an increase in participation from 29% in 2024 to 31% in 2025. Participation among lower‑income adults (earning up to £15\,000) remained unchanged at 19%. This differential change has widened the partic ipation gap between the lowest and highest income groups to 12 percentage points. Economic Status – Adults in employment continue to have the hig hest participation rate\, increasing from 26% to 29%. Participation among retired adults remained stable at 25%\, while adults with ‘other’ econ omic status increased slightly to 23%. Geography – Geographical diffe rences have sharpened. Participation in remote rural areas increased signi ficantly to 40%\, and accessible rural areas rose to 35%. Remote small tow ns also saw strong growth (23% to 31%). In contrast\, participation in lar ge urban areas fell from 26% to 24%\, widening the rural–urban gap.  \n \n \n \n Formal volunteer activities:  ‘Local community/neighbourhood’ remains the most common type of volunteering\, increasing from 24% in 2024 to 26% in 2025. ‘Children’s education and schools’ saw the biggest rise\, increasing from 14% to 18%. ‘Youth o r children’s activities outside school’ decreased\, falling from 21% t o 19%. Volunteering in ‘Politics’ (3%)\, ‘Emergency services\, firs t aid and public safety’ (3%)\, ‘Culture and heritage’ (7%)\, and ‘Adult guidance\, advice and learning’ (5%) remained static between 20 24 and 2025. Most other sectors increased\, including environmental prote ction (6% to 7%)\, physical activity\, sport and exercise (17% to 19%)\, a nimal welfare (4% to 5%)\, groups supporting older people (6% to 7%)\, and health\, disability and wellbeing (13% to 14%).  \n \n \n \n Types of formal volunteering roles  ‘Generally helping out as required’ remains the most common volunteer role\, increasing slight ly from 54% to 55%. Fundraising (18% to 20%)\, transporting people or thi ngs (9% to 11%)\, and campaigning (4% to 6%) saw the largest increases. Vi siting\, buddying or befriending also increased\, rising from 8% to 10%. P roviding education\, training or coaching increased from 22% to 23%\, and providing advice\, support or advocacy increased from 12% to 13%. Office or administrative work decreased from 19% to 15%\, and smaller decreases w ere seen in promotion and marketing (9% to 8%) and counselling (5% to 4%).   \n \n \n \n Inclusive volunteering remains a priori ty \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n These headline findings emphasise the importance of the Sco ttish voluntary sector’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive volunteeri ng. Through the Volunteering Action Plan\, we aim to create a Scotland whe re everyone can volunteer\, more often\, and throughout their lives.  Las t year\, Volunteer Scotland hosted nine roundtable events on ‘Bridging t he Participation Gap’\, engaging 180 stakeholders\, including volunteers \, the practice community (such as volunteer-involving organisations and v olunteer managers)\, and enablers such as policymakers and funders. The th emes from the Bridging the Participation Gap roundtable series have shaped Volunteer Scotland’s ongoing work to support inclusive volunteering.  Responding to the themes\, our work includes three priority projects:  Na vigating Hostility and Intolerance: Volunteer Scotland are working with SC VO to support volunteers and voluntary sector staff who are facing increas ing hostility\, intolerance and abuse in their work. We will be publishing practical guidance for the sector in the coming months.  Through this pr oject\, we aim to create safer\, more inclusive volunteer environments. A ddressing trustee recruitment and retention challenges: We will be working with partners to support charities and voluntary organisations to attract \, recruit and retain a diverse and skilled pool of trustees\, resulting i n stronger\, more stable governance. Inclusive Volunteer Pathways Project : This is a two-year development project that will test practical approach es to increasing equitable participation in volunteering across Scotland. Volunteer Scotland will work with a small number of community intermediary organisations and volunteer involving organisations to co-design\, implem ent and evaluate more inclusive volunteering pathways.   \n \n \n \n We will be exploring how volunteering can become more inclusive\, safe and accessible to everyone at our sold-out Volunteering Action Plan Conference: Bridging the Participation Gap on Tuesday 17th Nov ember 2026. In the policy space\, Volunteer Scotland are working to raise awareness of the health and wellbeing benefits of volunteering in the Scot tish Government’s prevention agenda and Public Service Reform strategy\, to help ensure equitable access.   Volunteer Scotland are creating a ne w Volunteer Development Network\, which will be a space for practitioners across Scotland to discuss how volunteering can become more inclusive\, sa fe and accessible to all. To help shape the Network\, share your views: Ha ve Your Say: Scotland’s New Volunteer Development Network  For practica l advice\, guidance and training on how to make your volunteering programm e more inclusive\, check out the Knowledge Gateway. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Debbie MaltmanResearch Officer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Bethany SikesResearch & P olicy Manager \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n PrevPrevious LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T001704Z LOCATION:Online via Zoom URL:https://www.volunteerscotland.net/event/am-i-making-the-right-decision -sept?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=edinburgh-scotla nd X-SOURCE-NAME:Volunteer Scotland X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.volunteerscotland.net END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Quiz Night DTSTART:20260923T170000Z DTEND:20260923T190000Z DTSTAMP:20260903T181050Z UID:12330-1790186400-1790193600@www.lostshore.com CATEGORIES:community,free DESCRIPTION:Wednesday night is quiz night! \nOur weekly quiz night at Lost Shore – free entry\, £50 voucher prize. \nNo booking necessary. LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T181050Z LOCATION:Lost Shore Surf Resort\, Lost Shore Surf Resort\, Newbridge\, Edi nburgh\, City of\, EH28 8AY\, United Kingdom URL:https://www.lostshore.com/whats-on/quiz-night-35/?utm_source=caldiscov ery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=edinburgh-scotland X-SOURCE-NAME:Lost Shore Surf Resort X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.lostshore.com/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gay Men's Book Group DTSTART:20260923T180000Z DTEND:20260923T190000Z DTSTAMP:20260909T003615Z UID:10001410-1790190000-1790193600@lgbthealth.org.uk CATEGORIES:community,literary DESCRIPTION:Each meeting\, we discuss a chosen book\, and we’re sometime s joined by guest authors for part of the evening. \n  \nAlongside our bo ok discussions\, we also enjoy regular in-person social events including m eals\, walks\, and trips to the cinema or theatre. \n  \nEdinburgh Gay Me n’s Book Group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month (7-8pm). Meeting s alternate monthly between online meetings via Zoom and in person meeting s at The Outhouse in Edinburgh. \n  \nIf you are interested in joining th e group\, please contact the group at edingaybookgroup@gmail.com or phon e LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s admin phone 0131 564 3970 and leave a me ssage us. We volunteer in our own time so there might be a delay in gettin g back to you. \n  \nWe regularly send out an email newsletter if you wou ld like to be added to the list please complete the contact form on our w ebsite. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram @edingaybook. \n  \ nWe are a community group led by community members with support from LGB T Health and Wellbeing. LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T003615Z LOCATION:The Outhouse\, 12A Broughton Street Lane\, Edinburgh\, EH1 3LY\, United Kingdom URL:https://lgbthealth.org.uk/event/edinburgh-gay-men-book-group/2026-09-2 3/?utm_source=caldiscovery&utm_medium=ics&utm_campaign=edinburgh-scotland X-SOURCE-NAME:LGBT Health and Wellbeing X-SOURCE-URL:https://lgbthealth.org.uk/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR