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Highland communities have been praised for their commitment to volunteering by Councillor David Alston, Chairman of The Highland Councils Renewing Democracy and Community Planning Select Committee.  At 40%, the level of adult volunteering in Highland is 13% above the Scottish average and only in Shetland and Argyle & Bute is there a higher level of commitment. Councillor Alston said: "Voluntary action is a one of the key ways, in which people are supported and services are delivered, especially in remote and rural areas. We should all celebrate the achievement of sustaining this level of commitment in the Highlands. The levels of volunteering and involvement in local communities add to the quality of life in our distinct area."

Referring to the statistics contained in the Scottish Household Survey, 2000, Councillor Alston noted that more than one third of school pupils volunteer and that many older people are very committed, spending up to 20 hours a week in voluntary activities. He said: "There is cause for congratulations here but we must not be complacent. Volunteering and the voluntary sector need support. If we were to lose even part of the contribution of volunteers, the Highlands would be a much
poorer place."

On Wednesday (16 January), the Councils Renewing Democracy and Community Planning Select Committee, has invited more than 50 voluntary organisations from across the Highlands to attend its meeting when representatives of six key voluntary organisations will make presentations on voluntary sector issues. The Committee is asked to identify ways in which the Council might support the voluntary sector and volunteering, with a view to delivering the targets of its Active Communities strategy and the Highland Wellbeing Alliances Community Plan.