Local MSP Rachael Hamilton recently visited the team at the newly reformed Borders Community Action (BCA) to discover the work that the organisation does to promote and aid voluntary work across the Scottish Borders.
The local MSP said that the meeting with the BCA leadership team was ‘very productive’ and highlighted ways in which future collaboration could happen to boost the voluntary sector in the local community.
Ms Hamilton and the BCA team discussed how they support the Borders voluntary sector, such as helping organisations to gain charitable status and assisting local committees to plan events.
BCA aims to promote and develop a vibrant local third sector in the Borders by working with charities, social enterprises, community groups and volunteering organisations.
The third-sector organisation was originally a partnership between four organisations - Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service, The Bridge, Scottish Borders Social Enterprise Chamber and Volunteer Centre Borders.
Borders MSP, Rachael Hamilton, said: “It was great to be able to talk to the team at Borders Community Action and meet the new Chief Executive Juliana Amaral.
“BCA work collaboratively with voluntary organisations across the Borders to support them with challenges they may face in day-to-day running and to help them apply for funding.
“Small Borders communities demonstrated during the pandemic that working collaboratively was an effective way to support the elderly and vulnerable and I hope that BCA can help to build on this good work.
“I welcome that the draft strategic proposal will go out for consultation imminently and allow the wider public and others to feedback on the ambitions of Borders Community Action.
“Thank you to Borders Community Action for taking the time to see me and talk me through their strategy for the years ahead. I look forward to seeing the progress we can make for the voluntary sector in the Scottish Borders by working together.”
