NCVS Volunteering Development Officer, Dave Thomas, has recently been talking to some leaders of volunteers about one way to reduce the workload and stress of managing a team—particularly a large team.
Creating a supportive and effective environment is crucial for the success of any volunteer programme. However, many leaders of volunteers find it difficult to provide as much support as they would like. My own experience has shown that one of the most effective ways to achieve this is by involving Lead Volunteers—experienced volunteers who take on additional responsibilities to offer first-line support to a small group of their peers. This approach benefits both the organisation and the volunteers who take on the role of Lead Volunteer. Here’s how this model can bring real advantages for both sides.
Benefits for the organisation
- Improved volunteer support and retention
Lead Volunteers serve as a key point of contact for other volunteers, addressing questions and concerns as they arise. This immediate support helps new and less experienced volunteers feel more confident and included, which can reduce early dropouts. Lead Volunteers help to create a sense of belonging, which in turn improves volunteer retention.
- Better communication
Clear and efficient communication is essential in any organisation, and Lead Volunteers play an important role in keeping information flowing smoothly. Acting as a link between volunteers and the leadership, Lead Volunteers ensure that messages are passed on promptly and accurately. They also provide a useful channel for feedback, enabling the organisation to respond quickly to any issues and make well-informed decisions.
- Distributing leadership
By involving Lead Volunteers, organisations can spread responsibilities more evenly. This reduces the pressure on the Leader of Volunteers and helps the organisation run more smoothly. With Lead Volunteers handling day-to-day support, leadership can focus on planning and developing the organisation’s activities.
- Developing future leaders
The Lead Volunteer role gives volunteers the opportunity to develop leadership skills in a supportive setting. This helps to create a pool of potential future leaders who already understand the organisation’s values and way of working.
Benefits for volunteers becoming Lead Volunteers
- Skill development
Taking on the role of Lead Volunteer offers a great opportunity to develop a range of skills, such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. These skills are not only useful within the organisation but are also valuable in many other areas, including professional and personal life.
- Greater influence
Lead Volunteers have the chance to make a bigger difference by supporting a small group of volunteers. By helping others to carry out their roles effectively, Lead Volunteers contribute to the wider success of the team, which can bring a strong sense of achievement and fulfilment.
- Recognition and satisfaction:
Lead Volunteers are often recognised and appreciated by both the leadership and their peers. This recognition can bring a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction in their role. Additionally, being able to offer guidance and support to others can be very rewarding, as Lead Volunteers see the positive impact they have on the team.
- New opportunities
For those interested in progressing further within the organisation, the Lead Volunteer role can be a stepping stone. The experience and skills gained in this role can lead to more advanced leadership opportunities within the organisation or beyond.
Conclusion
Involving Lead Volunteers offers clear benefits to both organisations and volunteers. For organisations, it provides better support, more effective communication, a more evenly distributed workload, and the chance to develop future leaders. For volunteers, it offers the opportunity to develop new skills, make a bigger impact, receive recognition, and open doors to further opportunities. In short, the Lead Volunteer model benefits everyone, helping to build a more supportive and effective volunteer community.
Want to find your own Lead Volunteer? Check out our 'Looking For Volunteers' page. Need a hand with writing a Lead Volunteer role description? I've made this handy little template for you to use, completely free of course! Just download the file and edit to suit your needs.
