STIRLING'S Festival of Volunteering is set to return this month, with a week-long celebration focusing on inclusive volunteering and building strong communities. 

George Thomson, Chief Executive of Volunteer Scotland said: “The Festival is not just about recognising existing volunteers, it’s about reaching people who experience exclusion from volunteering and bringing communities together.

“We’ve found that people are looking for opportunities that allow them to make a meaningful contribution and connect with others. For many people that’s about finding ways to help out in their own communities that match their interests.”

The festival, which will run from September 19th until the 25th, is packed with activities for those who attend.

The family day at King’s Park on Saturday, September 22nd will have over 30 local organisations and charities take part.

Family day organiser Margaret Starkie said: “We’ll have lots of free activities to entertain the kids from a bouncy castle, water walkers and bubble football to a silent disco, sports taster sessions and arts and crafts.

“We’ll also have our Community Bubble tent where you can make giant bubbles, find out what builds strong communities with our giant Jenga game, write your own community prescription with advice from our ‘doctors’ and become a researcher for the day with our citizen scientists.”

The Festival will also see Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise celebrate the 15th anniversary of their Supported Volunteering Programme with a special afternoon tea for past and present volunteers on Thursday September 20. 

For more details about the festival, click here.