A handy list of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion organisations, community groups & volunteering offices in Scotland.
Partnering with local organisations that reach your target audiences is an effective way to diversify your volunteering programme. These organisations may offer to advise you on how to tailor your volunteer roles to their members and/or circulate your opportunities to them.
Please note that the information about each organisation is copied from their website.
Scotland – wide
AMINA – Muslim Women’s Resource Centre: Empower and support Muslim and BME women to create an inclusive Scotland in which they can contribute fully.
Ando Glaso: Encourage greater understanding and participation in the cultural heritage of the Roma people in Scotland.
Black and Ethnic Minorities Infrastructure in Scotland (BEMIS): National umbrella body supporting the development of the Ethnic Minorities Voluntary Sector in Scotland.
City of Sanctuary UK: Support the development of a network of groups, which includes villages, towns, cities and regions across the UK, and others engaged in activities intended to welcome people seeking sanctuary.
Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights: Work to eliminate racial discrimination and harassment and promote racial justice across Scotland.
Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) Scotland: Level the playing field for Scotland’s ethnic minority voluntary sector and its communities by building capacity and mobilising skills in organisations and their people; fostering both individual and collective leadership; enabling active participation in community, democratic and civic life; and working strategically to raise the profile of and create opportunities for the sector.
Disability Equality Scotland: A membership organisation for disabled people and disability groups/organisations.
Disability Information Scotland: Support disabled people, their families, carers and those who work with them to have access to reliable, impartial, accurate and helpful information on the topics and services that matter to them.
Enable Scotland: Work to create an equal society for every person with a learning disability.
Equal Futures: Promote social inclusion for people with a learning disability and autism spectrum disorder in Scotland.
Equality Network: Work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights in Scotland.
Exhale Group: Support Queer, Trans and Intersex People of Colour (QTIPOC+) based in Scotland to find community and build resilience through facilitating safe and nurturing spaces that promote self-expression and the exploration of culture and identity.
Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES): UK-wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender.
Intercultural Youth Scotland: Scotland’s leading charity for Black and People of Colour (BPoC) youth.
Interfaith Scotland: Work to help ensure good relations between the diverse religion and belief communities of Scotland and also to share good practice in interfaith dialogue, education, engagement and training nationally and internationally.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing: Work to improve the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland.
LGBT Youth Scotland: Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country.
National Deaf Children’s Society: Provide a range of support, programmes and activities for deaf children, young deaf adults and their families throughout the Scotland.
OurStory Scotland: Collect, archive and present the life stories and experiences of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) community in Scotland
Project Zanana: Connect creative Black, Asian, Mixed Heritage and People of Colour through interesting conversations and storytelling from Scotland and beyond.
Quarriers: Provide practical care and support for vulnerable people who face extremely challenging circumstances, including adults and children with a physical or learning disability, families facing poverty and family breakdown, young people with social emotional or behavioural difficulties, people who are homeless and people who face disadvantage.
REACH Community Health Project: Facilitate improved health, wellbeing and health care provision of Ethnic Minority (EM) communities in Scotland.
SCOREscotland: Address the causes and effects of racism, promote race equality and break down barriers to the full participation of minority ethnic communities in all aspects of civic life.
Scottish Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Writers Network: Provides advocacy, literary events and professional development opportunities for BAME writers based in or from Scotland.
Scottish Refugee Council: An independent charity dedicated to supporting people in need of refugee protection.
Scottish Women’s Aid: Lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse.
See Me: Tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.
Waverley Care: Provide support around HIV and other sexual health related issues, for example testing, prevention, information and advice and peer support.
We Are Here Scotland: A space aimed at supporting and raising the voices of Black People and People of Colour creatives across Scotland.
Young Scot: Promote information and opportunities for young people in Scotland.
Central Belt
African Challenge Scotland: Support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in the most deprived communities in Glasgow.
Africans in Ayrshire: Promote and enhance the environment, the existing heritage and well-being of the Africans in Ayrshire.
Andalus: Grassroots community based initiative with a unique approach to meeting the needs and aspirations of Scottish Muslims; with emphasis on maintaining cultural and faith based values, and at the same time being fully participant in the wider society, promoting understanding and integration between communities of different faiths and cultures.
Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface: There are 4 aspects to their role:
being a central source of knowledge – 3rd sector, national and local policy; ensuring the local third sector has a strong voice at a strategic level – locally and nationally;
building the capacity of volunteering, voluntary and community organisations and social enterprise to achieve positive change; providing leadership, vision and coordination to the local third sector, including through partnership and collaboration.
Bridges Programmes: Support the social, educational and economic integration of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and anyone for whom English is a second language, living in Glasgow.
Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC): Work towards the elimination of discrimination in all its forms and promote good relations between persons of protected characteristics without distinction on grounds of age, disability, marital status, pregnancy/maternity status, race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface: A ‘single door’ access point for a wide range of support and services for charitable organisations, community and voluntary action groups, volunteering and social enterprise in Clackmannanshire.
Clacks YouthVoice: Promote local and national information for young people and families, supported by Clackmannanshire Youth Council and Community Learning and Development.
Collect:if: Network bringing together Women of Colour (WoC) who are established figures in the arts, culture and creative industries in Scotland.
CVS Falkirk: Supporting, developing and representing community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering.
CVS Inverclyde: Develop community groups, voluntary organisations and the social economy and champion the role of the third sector in building successful communities.
Dunfermline Youth Work: Offer a range of services for local 11 -18 year olds.
Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC): Promote equality and to fight all forms of prejudice in Edinburgh and Lothians.
Edinburgh Interfaith Association: Promote and facilitate positive engagement between the faith communities of Edinburgh.
East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action: Support, help, expertise and assistance to third sector organisations and community groups by providing a single point of contact for such organisations and groups.
Empower Women for Change: Inspire and empower the diverse minority ethnic women through advancing their leadership and active citizenship in all aspects of life in Scotland and internationally.
Engage Renfrewshire: Support local charities and other not-for-profit groups in Renfrewshire.
Fife Voluntary Action: Support, develop and represent community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering in Fife.
Flavours of Fife: LGBT youth group in Fife.
Forth Valley Welcome: Welcome people seeking sanctuary and support them towards a settled future in Forth Valley communities.
Friends of Scottish Settlers: Welcome all newcomers to Falkirk district.
Girlguiding Midlothian: Empower girls to find their voice, inspiring them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference in their community.
Glasgow Disability Alliance: Support disabled people and those with long term conditions across Glasgow.
Glasgow FAB project: Encourage and support care experienced young people to participate in local arts, sports and cultural activities.
Govan Volunteer Bank: Standardise volunteering, increase the number of opportunities, support local organisations of all sizes to offer volunteering and to develop training and learning opportunities in the Govan area.
Inverclyde Youth Work Services: Provide information and events for young people in Inverclyde aged 12-25 years old.
MECOPP: Challenge and dismantle barriers that deny Black and Minority Ethnic carers access to health, social work and other social care services in Edinburgh, the Lothians and further afield.
Midlothian Communities and Lifelong Learning: Work with young people, adults, families and community organisations to improve skills for learning, life and work.
Midlothian Youth Platform (MYP): Key way that young people have their voices heard in the area.
Multicultural Family Base: Promote the well-being and life opportunities of vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families.
North Lanarkshire Youth Work: Provide information about youth work, local youth events & related issues.
Renfrewshire Youth Network: Partners who represent the interests of all young people in Renfrewshire.
Romano Lav: Advance citizenship and community development among the Roma communities in Glasgow.
Saheliya: A specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for Black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (12+) in the Edinburgh and Glasgow area.
Shakti Women’s Aid: Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise: Aim to strengthen the third-sector and broker partnerships that deliver real change by connecting people, ideas and resources.
The Ayrshire Community Trust: Offer services to the community and voluntary sector (also known as third sector) across North Ayrshire.
The Language Hub Glasgow: Offer language lessons for adults and children at all ages and abilities. Also run a café and multi-lingual lending library.
The Well Multi-Cultural Resource Centre: Serve ethnic minority communities in South East Glasgow.
The Youth Alliance: Partnership of organisations and agencies who work with children and young people in West Dunbartonshire.
Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire: Promote local opportunities to get involved, give residents a voice, and create spaces for communities to come together.
Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire: Support community and voluntary organisations across the whole of North Lanarkshire.
Voluntary Action South Ayrshire: Dedicated to ensuring that the third sector in South Ayrshire is strong and healthy.
Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire: Engage, promote and involve South Lanarkshire’s third sector.
Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian: Promote, develop and support West Lothian’s Third Sector.
Volunteer Centre East Lothian: Provide support, learning and development opportunities for both individuals and organisations through volunteering, organisational support, and community teams.
Volunteer Glasgow: In addition to promoting and supporting volunteering, they have a successful track record in providing community development, befriending/mentoring, training, community care, and advisory services to the general public and to a range of specific client groups across the city.
Volunteer Edinburgh: Their mission is to inspire more people to volunteer so they can enhance their lives, the lives of others and build resilient communities.
Volunteer Midlothian: Leading agency for volunteering development in Midlothian.
West Dunbartonshire Youth Council: Give West Dunbartonshire’s Young People opportunities to engage in decision making and impact local change.
West Lothian Youth Services: Provide learning opportunities for young people so that they can develop their potential and reach a positive destination
West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC): Champion equalities for all those who fall under the 9 protected characteristics (as outlined in the Equality Act 2010) and intersectionality.
Youth Community Support Agency (YCSA): Empower black and minority ethnic young people. Their work challenges discrimination and aims to influence policy and practice in relation to youth.
South of Scotland
Ayrshire LGBT: Group which is run by and for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer community of Ayrshire.
CVO East Ayrshire: Aims to represent the voluntary sector, assist organisations in East Ayrshire to come together for common purposes and to enable local people to gain access to the decision making processes which affect their communities.
Dumfries & Galloway LGBT Plus: Empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexuals and others questioning or expressing their gender identity and sexuality (otherwise known as LGBT Plus), their families, friends, supporters and allies across Dumfries and Galloway.
Girlguiding South Lanarkshire: Give girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.
Massive Outpouring of Love (MOOL): Help people who are displaced, including refugees and people seeking asylum, to be welcomed, and have consistent access to the resources, help and support they need to feel safe, healthy and able to thrive.
Scottish Borders LGBT Equality: Aim to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the Scottish Borders.
South Ayrshire Youth: An LGBT group is for young people in Ayrshire aged 13 to 25 years.
Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway: Work in Dumfries and Galloway to support, and develop a strong third sector, social enterprise, volunteering, and connect into community planning.
Tweeddale Youth Action: Support young people to access advice and develop skills, confidence, a sense of belonging and responsibility within the community.
Volunteer Centre Borders: Develop and promote volunteering for all, improve volunteering opportunities, remove barriers to participation and to monitor the success of volunteering.
West Dunbartonshire CVS: Support, promote and develop volunteering and third sector activity across the West Dunbartonshire local authority area.
Youth Borders: Improve young people’s lives through their participation in quality voluntary and community-based youth work.
Highlands
Aberdeen for a Fairer World: Work in the North East of Scotland to raise awareness and promote understanding of global concerns and support active global citizenship.
Aberdeen Interfaith Group: Aberdeen Inter Faith Group provides a positive and safe space to meet and accept our common humanity, respect our differences and share our wish for a more peaceful, harmonious world.
Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre: Aberdeen’s first established mosque. It caters for the needs of local Muslims and the community.
Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre: Aberdeen Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre (ASJCC) is a traditional Synagogue in the centre of Aberdeen, serving the Grampian region and the North East of Scotland.
Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action: Promote the growth of strong, resilient, communities in Aberdeenshire by connecting, supporting, and promoting volunteers, charities, community-led organisations, and social enterprises collectively referred to as the Third Sector.
Advocacy Highland: Support people of marginalised groups across the Highlands
Al-Amal project: A New Scots refugee-led community group in Aberdeenshire, working closely with Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian families, Friends of Al-Amal Volunteers and the Aberdeenshire Refugee Resettlement Team.
Argyll and Bute Youth Forum: Give young people more influence with local politicians and councillors.
Autism Rights Group Highland: Collective advocacy, lobbying and campaigning group based in the Highlands of Scotland, run by and for autistic adults.
Backbone: Leading Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic outdoor environmental education organisation acknowledged on a national and global platform for successfully addressing diversity and inclusion in the sector.
Birchwood Highland: Work with people experiencing mental ill-health, supporting them in their journey to recovery.
Caithness Voluntary Group: Support the voluntary sector and to assist organisations in coming together for common purposes and local people in gaining access to the decision making processes which affect their community.
Comrie Cares: Residents of Comrie who show their moral and practical support for refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.
Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen: The Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen, established 27th September 2013, provides Chinese language teaching and culture classes and cultural events to the North East Scotland community, including University staff and students, schools, business and industry, and community organisations and individuals.
Dundee Carers Centre: Aim to make a difference to the lives of carers of all ages and disabled people in Dundee.
Dundee International Women’s Centre: Engage, educate and empower women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to help them achieve their personal goals.
Dundee Refugee Support: Collect donations to ship to refugees in desperate need and also help refugees in Scotland.
Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action: Aim to ensure the third sector (charities, social enterprises, community and voluntary groups etc.) is robust, resilient and delivers high quality services for the people of Dundee.
Four Pillars: Support Grampian’s LGBT+ community in manners of mental, emotional, physical & sexual health and offer information & support on a person-to-person basis to build a community that supports itself through peer education; thereby allowing individuals to make informed choices to improve their overall health & wellbeing.
Grampian Regional Equality Council: Advance equality across North East Scotland – including Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Hearing & Sight Care: Free and confidential support to people with Hearing and Sight Loss in North Highland.
Heart of the Travellers: Dedicated to preserving the only physical monument to Scottish Travellers – The Tinkers’ Heart in Argyll.
Highland LGBT Forum: Preserve and protect the mental and physical health and social welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) people in the Highlands & Islands.
Highland Migrant & Refugee Advocacy (HiMRA): Empower and bring together people who identify as migrants and refugees, to strengthen community integration and social inclusion in the Highlands of Scotland.
Highland Multicultural Friends: Dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and connecting communities in the Highlands of Scotland. They are a community group that welcomes every woman to enjoy various activities.
Highland One World: Support the development of education for global citizenship in the Highlands and Islands.
Highland Third Sector Interface: Support, encourage and inspire work with community groups, clubs, charities and other third sector organisations throughout Highland.
HUG (Action for Mental Health): A network of people living in the Scottish Highlands who have experience of mental ill health. They have a membership group of over three hundred members with 13 branches throughout the Highlands.
James Cameron Community Centre: Community centre in Dalneigh that puts on a wide range of programmes.
LGBT Moray: A social group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender + people in Moray.
Lochaber Action on Disability: Specialise in the support and social inclusion of disabled people.
Merkinch Community Centre: A meeting place for the Merkinch community. Puts on a wide range of programmes.
Moray Youth Matters: Group of young people aiming to make positive change in Moray.
One World Centre : Promote global justice and equality through education by supporting schools and community groups in Dundee, Angus, Fife, Perth and Kinross to engage in global citizenship through active learning.
Perth and Kinross Youth Engagement Team: Support young people all over Perth and Kinross.
Pitlochry Refugee Support: Residents in the Highland Perthshire area raising funds for MSF and The Red Cross and working as part of the national #RefugeesWelcome movement.
PKAVS: Advocate for the interests of the voluntary sector in local statutory partnerships and joint working initiatives.
PKAVS Minority Communities Hub: Support individuals and organisations, to give tailored support and advice to minority populations across Perth & Kinross.
Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations: Support third sector groups, people and public bodies to make a difference in communities across Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross.
Swans of Scotland: A self-supporting help group for all Trans folk in the North of Scotland.
The Place Youth Club: Deliver youth work services within Alness and areas of high deprivation.
Third Sector Interface Moray: Help to grow and develop volunteering, community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises across Moray.
University of Aberdeen African and Caribbean Society: Existing to encompass all races, ACS Aberdeen helps to inform, educate and incite appreciation for the exceedingly rich diversity of African and Caribbean cultures among and outside the student population.
University of Aberdeen Bulgarian Society: Bulgarian Society at the University of Aberdeen.
University of Aberdeen Czech and Slovak Society: Represent Czech and Slovak culture in the university environment and establish a purposeful social background for everyone taking part in the society. They aim to provide opportunities for members to live up to their potential at the social, academic and professional level, support them to enhance their student life experience and contribute to the cultural diversity at the university.
University of Aberdeen Korean Society: The K-pop Society at the University of Aberdeen meets at least once a week to listen to music, watch K-Dramas and do other cool activities like learn Korean, play games, go out for drinks and eat yummy Korean food.
University of Aberdeen Mexican Society: Connect the Mexican student community in Aberdeen with the University and share the Mexican culture through the city.
University of Aberdeen Muslim Students’ Association: Strive to make university a pleasurable experience for students by fulfilling their spiritual, academic and social needs. They unite people from different ethnicities, cultures, and faiths to embark on this journey and face challenges of university life together.
University of Aberdeen Pakistan Society: Aim to provide a platform for student body to socialise, connect and celebrate various Pakistani cultural events and traditions. Additionally, the society also welcome students from diverse backgrounds to educate and involve them about Pakistani cultural values and norms, whilst experiencing it.
University of Aberdeen Palestine Society: Created to give Palestinians, and those interested in the beautiful place, a space for cultural, social and political expression.
University of Aberdeen Polish Society: PolSoc is an organisation that unites Polish students in Aberdeen and those interested in the Polish culture, economy, language, etc. Their goal is to promote Poland, represent and take care of the fellow members, cooperate with other societies in Aberdeen and form bonds with Polish Societies across the UK.
Voluntary Action Angus: Provide a Third Sector interface role (TSI), a community development function and, as a key organisation, in empowering communities and combatting poverty.
Voluntary Action in Badenoch and Strathspey: Help the people of Badenoch and Strathspey to improve their quality of life through voluntary action.
Voluntary Action Lochaber: Support body for voluntary and community groups in Lochaber.
Voluntary Groups Sutherland: Provide a volunteering matchmaking service within Sutherland; work with our partners across Highland to support volunteers and volunteering; engage with the Community Planning Partnership process to make East and Central Sutherland a better place to live; provide support and advice on structures and governance to new and existing social enterprises and provide a signposting service to access information and support they need; and support the local third sector through local training events and one-to-one support on issues including governance, funding, planning and development.
Wick Youth Club: Provide services to children and adults alike and also prides itself in providing facilities to enable disabled groups to meet.
YMCA Tayside: Work to empower local young people.
Islands
Ability Shetland: Support the efforts of disabled people to realise their full potential in all areas of life, provide advice and information to service users and service providers, Ability Shetland runs a variety of clubs and recreational activities throughout the year.
Community Learning & Development Orkney: Empower people, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives and their communities through learning.
COPE Ltd: Provide employment and skill development for adults with learning disabilities or autism spectrum disorders.
Highland LGBT Forum: Preserve and protect the mental and physical health and social welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) people in the Highlands & Islands.
Highland One World: Support the development of education for global citizenship in the Highlands and Islands.
Mind Your Head: Raise mental health awareness in Shetland, reduce the stigma of mental ill-health, promote positive mental health and wellbeing, promote mental health support services and training and research mental health and associated needs within the community.
Orkney Childcare and Young People’s Partnership: Meeting point for all those working with and providing services to children and young people in Orkney.
Orkney Disability Forum: Improve the lives and opportunities for disabled people in Orkney.
Orkney Pride: Bring the pride of the LGBT+ Community to the Orkney Isles.
Orkney Youth Forum: Platform for youth voices in Orkney.
Shetland LGBTQ: Support and help all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people on Shetland.
Shetland Solidarity with Refugees: Provide a coordinated platform for folk in Shetland who wish to support refugees.
Voluntary Action Orkney: Support the third sector (voluntary, community and charitable groups, social enterprises and volunteers) in Orkney by providing advice, information and practical services.
Voluntary Action Shetland: Support volunteers and voluntary organisations in Shetland.
Volunteer Aberdeen: Aberdeen Volunteer Centre is run by ACVO and its core remit is to recruit volunteers and to promote and support volunteering.
Volunteer Centre Western Isles: Provide information, advice and support to individuals interested in volunteering, volunteer managers, voluntary groups, clubs and organisations, private and public sector organisations and companies. Have offices in Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra.
Western Isles Youth Services: Share information relevant to local young people.
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