Blog

Volunteering can shape communities and your own growth - Dev's story
Meet Dev Upadhyaya, a volunteer Learning Advisor working on a four-year education project targeting 60 schools in Nepal. The SIKAI project aims to address barriers faced by marginalised children in accessing primary education and help them successfully transition from childhood to adolescence.

"Girls deserve an education just as much as boys"
Meet 26 year-old community volunteer Salma Rehmat from Afghanistan. Salma advocates for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan to access a quality education. Find out more.

Life at VSO: Praveen Kumar, Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion
Praveen Kumar Gurunath has been working with VSO for the past 18 years in various roles, and for the past five years as the Global Lead Advisor for Social Inclusion. Find out more about his experience at VSO.

Former First Minister of Scotland welcomes launch of VSO peacebuilding project in the Philippines
In January 2024, Lord Jack McConnell, former First Minister of Scotland and former VSO volunteer, visited Camp Badre in Maguindanao del Norte, the Philippines. Hear his reflections from the trip.

Stories of empowerment: three Nepali women reclaiming their space
In Nepal, more than one in four women experience gender-based violence. To mark International Women's Day, we’re sharing the stories of three women from a VSO project in Nepal, who are helping to end violence against women and girls.

Five female achievements you might not know about
Join us in celebrating five female achievements from VSO and beyond, that you might not have heard about...

How can we empower women working in informal sectors?
Women are disproportionately represented in the informal workforce, with jobs ranging from domestic workers to street vendors to seasonal farmers. Investing in women in the informal workforce is not just about economic justice but also a strategic imperative for sustainable development.

5 steps to tackle ‘Othering’ for global inclusivity
One concept that holds back the journey towards inclusivity is Othering. While it is not a term often thrown around in everyday conversation, its impact on our societies can be profound and far-reaching.

Your highlights from the 2023 Volunteer Impact Awards
Outstanding performances, inspiring guest speakers and heartfelt speeches from our fantastic volunteers, the Volunteer Impact Awards had it all! Here are your highlights from the ceremony.

Friends forever: crossing the religious divide in the Philippines
Two women in the Philippines have forged an unlikely friendship, despite their religious differences, fostering unity in a once-divided community.

Learning for lasting peace: how social tension impacts education
For many of us, education is something that we often take for granted. Providing quality education and access to education for all is a tool that has proven to build a cohesive and fairer society.

Looking back on VSO in 2023
As we move into 2024, let’s take the time to reflect on the last 12 months.