top of page

Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations

WHAT WE DO

​UCVO represents and supports the Third Sector in Uist by:
​
  • Representing the voice of the Third Sector at a strategic community planning level 
  • Supporting Third sector organisations and Social Enterprises with organisational planning and development
  • Supporting Third Sector organisations and Social Enterprises to achieve good governance and manage organisational change
  • Identifying sources of funding, and helping with completing and reviewing applications
  • Producing regular e-bulletins with up to date information on funding, training and changes in policy and charity law.
  • Identifying, promoting  and facilitating training opportunities 
  • Providing support to meet the PVG obligations of Third Sector organisations
The Uist Third Sector Forum
 
Uist Council of Voluntary Organisations (UCVO) organises and hosts meetings of the Third Sector Forum, an independent group comprising representatives of the voluntary organisations in Uist that are members of UCVO.
 
The purpose of the Uist Third Sector Forum is to:
 
  • GATHER INTELLIGENCE
To engage and consult with the Third Sector to identify common needs and take these forward in order to influence and contribute to the design and delivery of policies and services in Uist.
  • CONNECT
To provide an opportunity for the Third Sector to increase connections and understanding between organisations and to encourage partnership approaches in Uist. Information exchange, sharing of good practice that can be adopted by others, with a view to all organisations becoming more effective and efficient.
  • CAPACITY BUILDING
To identify training needs among Third Sector organisations and encourage collaboration between statutory and voluntary training providers when appropriate. Governance, legislation and funding information is shared to improve the ability of organisations to fulfil their statutory obligations and objectives effectively.
  • VOICE
To provide a platform for Third Sector organisations to have a stronger voice in shared planning and action. Ensure Third Sector concerns and issues are collectively and individually represented to the appropriate authorities, decision-makers, planning groups and agencies, ensuring that feedback is part of this process.
  • EVALUATE and SUPPORT
To systematically gather evidence from the membership about their successes and challenges, and report these taking into account how well the Third Sector is progressing against the National Performance Framework (NPF) outcomes and the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP)
​
Managers/Project Leads Peer Support Forum
 
The Forum offers the opportunity to:
  • network and discuss issues of importance to the third sector, and work together to find collaborative solutions to opportunities and challenges
  • raise the profile of your organisation and share good practice
  • meet like-minded people
  • increase and share knowledge and expertise
     
Meetings take the form of a combination of:
  • a topic for discussion
  • a speaker
  • sharing good practice
  • discussing issues and concerns
 
Meetings are:
  • held at least 4 times a year
  • rotated around member localities
  • facilitated by UCVO
Benbecula Thrift Shop
​
UCVO operates a busy thrift shop at Airport Road, Balivanich, Benbecula.
​
Run by a dedicated team of hard-working volunteers, the thrift shop offers clothing, shoes, books, toys, crockery and glassware for sale. Items for sale are donated by members of the community, who in turn provide valuable support to the thrift shop as customers.
​
Profits generated through sales are used to finance the UCVO Trust Fund which provides grants to elderly and disabled individuals resident between Berneray and Eriskay. Please email office@ucvo.org.uk to enquire further about the terms of the trust fund and whether you, or somebody you know, may be eligible for support.
​
Surplus items of clothing donated to the thrift shop are collected and donated to the Blythswood Care charity, which provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief to people all over the world.
​
UCVO is always delighted to hear from anyone interested in volunteering with Benbecula Thrift Shop. Please email office@ucvo.org.uk for an informal discussion about what is involved and how you can help.
​
Benbecula Thrift Shop is open Monday - Friday (11am to 3pm). Please note the shop is closed at present due to COVID-19 restrictions. 
​
Check out the latest bargains available on the Benbecula Thrift Shop Facebook page.
 
Am Pàipear
​

UCVO owns and publishes the community newspaper Am Pàipear.

​

Still based in the community in which it was established more than forty years ago, Am Pàipear has a strong reputation for thorough, impartial journalism and across-the-board coverage of news and events in the islands.

​

In addition to being much enjoyed by its readership, Am Pàipear is also widely respected by colleagues in the industry. It is a record six-time winner of the title ‘Highlands and Islands Community Newspaper of the Year’, in addition to awards and nominations received for journalism and the use of digital media.

​

Please contact the Am Pàipear team direct on 01870 603 299 or visit the social media channels (facebook.com/ampaipear and twitter.com/ampaipear) for up-to-date news.

bottom of page