In the latest of his musings about volunteering, NCVS Volunteering Development Officer Dave Thomas, picks up on the hottest topic of the moment.
In her latest blog, my colleague Helen Oparinde, reports on a speech by David Holdsworth, the Charity Commission’s new CEO. He touched on the continuing downward trend in volunteering but didn’t offer any solutions.
By coincidence, the London Vision and Action Plan for Volunteering has just been released for consultation. While I wouldn’t normally draw your attention to a London-centric document, it makes some interesting points that reverberate beyond our capital city.
The report acknowledges that, across the UK, formal volunteering rates are in decline, creating challenges for organisations that depend on this vital support. The report outlines 36 recommendations that could reverse this trend, offering practical strategies to enhance volunteer engagement, infrastructure, and support systems.
I would like to highlight some of their themes that apply equally in Nottingham. I don’t necessarily agree with all of them, so I would welcome your thoughts.
Key themes for development
Simplifying Safeguarding and Processes
Volunteering often requires safeguarding measures, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. The report identifies confusion around DBS requirements as a barrier and calls for clearer guidance and promotion of tools like the DBS Update Service. Cost-free DBS checks for volunteer organisations could remove financial obstacles, encouraging greater participation.
Investing in Volunteering Infrastructure
Sustained investment in volunteer infrastructure is essential. The report highlights the need for resources to support volunteer management, expenses, and technology. Long-term funding would help organisations adapt to changing volunteer behaviours and ensure robust support systems for diverse communities.
Flexible Volunteering Opportunities
Modern lifestyles demand flexibility, and volunteering must evolve to meet these expectations. The report advocates for roles that accommodate varying schedules and commitments, enabling more people to participate. Simplified application processes and quick responses to prospective volunteers are also crucial for improving engagement.
Promoting the Value of Volunteering
Volunteering is often undervalued, yet its economic and social contributions are immense. Developing tools to quantify the monetary and societal value of volunteering can help secure funding and recognition from decision-makers. This data-driven approach is key to fostering broader support for volunteer initiatives.
Enhancing Volunteer Management
Volunteer managers play a pivotal role in enabling meaningful contributions, yet they are frequently undervalued and underpaid. The report calls for tailored support, better recognition, and improved training to strengthen this profession.
Expanding Diversity and Inclusion
Volunteering must be accessible to all, including young people, individuals with disabilities, and under-represented groups. Family and intergenerational volunteering offer innovative ways to involve diverse demographics, fostering inclusion and community connection.
Strengthening Governance through Trustees
Trustees are essential for organisational governance but often go unrecognised. By promoting this role more effectively and diversifying recruitment, organisations can build stronger and more representative leadership.
Addressing emerging challenges
The report underscores a behavioural shift in volunteering preferences, with more individuals seeking short-term, flexible roles. To address these changes, organisations must embrace technology and adopt more agile practices. Centralising volunteer opportunities through online portals could streamline recruitment and engagement.
It also emphasises the importance of coordinated efforts in areas like emergency response and health. Collaborative partnerships between sectors can harness the full potential of volunteering to address societal challenges.
A call to action
Neither this report, nor my summary, can be a definitive solution but a starting point. In the same way that the London authors of the report are asking for feedback, I’d like to know what you think about the ideas that are being put forward.
Volunteering is not merely an add-on to society; it is a fundamental ingredient. Investing in its development ensures that it continues to play a vital role in shaping resilient and cohesive communities.
Many of these proposals are outside our control as leaders of volunteers. They would need resources and money, as well as changes by funders, the public sector, and the government, as well as by those of us within volunteering, but unless we set out ambitious plans, I fear that the decline in volunteers is only set to continue. Have any thoughts? Let me know by email at davet@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.
