Civil society strategy
On 9 August, the government released its new Civil Society Strategy, setting out a long-term vision for its work with civil society. We were thrilled that it acknowledges the value of volunteering and social action, but is it pledging anything new? We weren’t convinced. Check out Shaun’s analysis of what the strategy says about volunteering. Want to know about the rest of the strategy? Then our Civil Society Strategy blog series is for you.
Full Time Social Action Review – government response
The government has responded to the independent review into full-time social action conducted by The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The government is offering its support to some of the recommendations and work that is already underway, but has not necessarily provided the firm commitments that some organisations were hoping for, particularly on the issue of a new legal status. Find out more in Will Down’s recent blog.
New Volunteering Data
The Department for Civil Society, Media and Sports (DCMS) has published the latest results from its Community Life Survey. This survey provides the most reliable data on volunteering rates in England. Lisa from NCVO’s research team has blogged about our take on the new findings.
And if you would like to take a look at other relevant research – The annual NatCen British Social Attitudes 2018 report was published last month. It finds that participation in social activities (leisure, sport and culture) is linked to social trust. Check out the report for lots more information on volunteering and its role in building trust.
Volunteer experience research – update
We have been busy continuing to look into all the data from our volunteer experience survey. Later this year, we’re holding workshops to discuss implications of the research findings which will directly feed into the report. If you’d like to come along, register your interest here.
Festival volunteering
Summer is the season of festival volunteering. Jarina used her NCVO volunteering leave and blogged about her experience, reminding us about the basics of volunteer management.
Automatic disqualification of trustees and senior managers
On the 1 August 2018, new rules have come into force extending automatic disqualification of trustees and senior managers to more circumstances and a wider range of people. This follows the guidance published by the Charity Commission in January. Our guide on trustee disqualification highlights what has changed and what charities might need to do.
The Great NHS Experiment on BBC Two
A new BBC Two, four-part series will air next year. It will follow a group of young people volunteering in the Royal Derby Hospital and will explore if they can “help alleviate some of the challenges and pressures faced by the NHS today”. The series is being made by Blast! Films and is now looking for volunteers.
Trusted Supplier for DBS checks
NCVO have a new trusted supplier for criminal records checks. Disclosure Services provides online basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks as well as AccessNI and Disclosures Scotland checks. NCVO members can upgrade from paper-based disclosure application processing and outsource to Disclosure Services, using a web-based portal to submit applications. NCVO members also benefit from up to 40% savings on Disclosure Services standard admin fees.
Incentivised Volunteering
Our next National Volunteering Forum will be on 2 October in Birmingham and will be looking at the subject of incentivised volunteering. We will hear from some of the latest volunteer reward and incentive providers; discuss the language and legal issues around gifts and incentives; explore the ethics of inclusiveness and recognition; consider how recognition schemes might be changing the nature of volunteering; and consider if there is more volunteer managers should be doing in this area.
This event is free to NCVO members and ticket capacity is limited so please book your ticket asap to avoid disappointment.
Congratulatory Corner
Congratulations to another round of organisations who achieved Investing in Volunteers (IiV) in July. IiV is the UK standard for organisations providing outstanding volunteering opportunities.
Congratulations to:
- ASR
- Citizens Advice Leeds
- Depaul UK
- DIAL
- Dorset History Centre
- Healthwatch Islington
- Healthwatch Redbridge
- Humankind
- Mayhew
- NewStarts
- Older Citizens Advocacy York
- Shropshire Mind
- The Mix
- UHL Volunteer Services
- WSCC Young Carers Service
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
NCVO’s annual campaigning conference is an opportunity for anyone who works in policy, public affairs, media and campaigns to get together, learn and network with peers. If you already work with volunteers on your campaigns, or you want to involve volunteers more in the future, there’s also a workshop just for you on presenting an authentic campaign voice with volunteers.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Volunteering and the Law – 30 November 2018
This course will enable you to understand volunteering and the law in relation to issues such as safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, equality and diversity, insurance, and benefits.
Liz Woodman is volunteering development assistant at NCVO, she supports all the work of the volunteering development team. Liz previously worked as volunteering officer for Alzheimer’s Society’s Central London office and co-ordinated the work of a busy volunteer centre in Bristol. She is passionate about volunteering and volunteers with a number of different organisations herself. 
