Volunteer experience research – update
As mentioned in previous round-ups, NCVO are conducting a national survey on the volunteer experience. NCVO researcher Amy McGarvey has the latest update here.
We have now collected nationally representative data from 10,103 people, covering views from those who currently volunteer, have volunteered in the past and have never volunteered.
We will be sharing what we learned from this research in the autumn to inform policy and practice across the sector. If you are interested in getting involved in some workshops to discuss implications of the research which will feed into this report, register your interest here.
Tell us your thoughts on Volunteers’ Week 2018
What an amazing Volunteers’ Week 2018! We hope you and your volunteers had a great week.
We’re already planning for next year and we want to hear from you: what went well, what went less well, and how we can improve our support for Volunteers’ Week 2019? Take the 10-minute survey before Friday 27 July to have your say.
As a thank you for completing the survey, we are offering the chance to win a £100 voucher to spend on your volunteers (one entry per organisation) as well as the chance to be involved in shaping our future campaigns and services.
NHS 70
The NHS turned 70 on 5 July. Many of you would have seen the celebrations and heard people’s personal stories of how this treasured institution has affected all of us.
It was great to see the role of volunteers in the NHS recognised too. A particularly good piece in the Guardian shone a light on the brilliant work of the Royal Voluntary Service and Helpforce, and highlighted the guidance produced by NCVO and NHS England for volunteer managers in the NHS.
The occasion is being recognised throughout the year. For more information on how to get involved, see the NHS70 website.
Loneliness strategy
As part of the government’s work on loneliness, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is asking for organisations that work on projects that tackle loneliness to tell them about what’s worked for them.
The consultation is open until 20 July, and we’re encouraging NCVO members with an interest to respond directly to DCMS. NCVO will also be submitting a response.
Improving DBS
As mentioned in the previous round-up, we’re working closely with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to help them adapt their service and support to better meet the needs of charities. Shaun has blogged on this work here.
This month, we supported a focus group to discuss with DBS and a number of charities the roll-out of the update service. In collaboration with a range of partners, we are now also working with the DBS to review guidance aimed at helping charities decide whether their volunteers need a check, and what level of check they would need.
Investing in Volunteers
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. Read about how IiV has benefited charities, directly from the achievers themselves.
IiV gives us a distinct advantage over other organisations in our area.
– Colette Bunker, Volunteering and Support Groups Manager, The British Tinnitus Association.
IiV gives us the framework to be the best we can be.
– Charlotte Fielder, Head of Volunteering and Fostering, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
IiV provides substance to claims about the importance of volunteers.
– Keith Stanley, former Business Manager, South Staffordshire Network for Mental Health.
Training and events
Keep up to date with latest volunteering policy, research and practice at our sector-leading events:
- NCVO/VSSN Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference 2018 – 6-7 September 2018
An opportunity for academics, policy makers and practitioners to share and discuss research that addresses the conference theme of trust, transparency and accountability and the broader issues facing the voluntary sector and volunteering.
- NCVO Campaigning Conference 2018 – 10 September 2018
Join us at the major campaigning event of the year to learn practical skills, share knowledge and expand your network.
- NCVO/BWB Trustee Conference 2018: Good governance, great organisations – 5 November 2018
Join us as we explore the key principles of good governance and how to embed them across your organisation.
We have all the training you need to be an even better volunteer manager:
- Good practice in volunteer management – 5 October 2018
This course provides an introduction to the key principles of good practice in volunteer management and how to apply them to your organisation.
- Safeguarding for volunteer managers – 15 October 2018
This course introduces the basics of safeguarding within a volunteer managers role and highlights effective safeguarding practice.
- Setting up and managing a mentoring or befriending programme – 27 and 28 September 2018
Based on our Approved Provider Standard (APS), NCVO’s specialist quality standard for mentoring or befriending projects, this two-day course will give you practical guidance on how to set up and manage an effective mentoring or befriending programme.
- Assessing the impact of your volunteers – 9 November 2018
This workshop will give you step-by-step guidance on how to assess the impact your volunteers are having your organisation, your beneficiaries, and themselves, as well as on the wider community and other stakeholders.
Up until July 2018, Will supported NCVO’s policy work on volunteering development. His interests include the role of volunteering in public services and removing barriers to youth volunteering. He produced the monthly volunteering round-up blog and supported Volunteers’ Week. 
