Time well spent: NCVO volunteer experience research and what this means
In a world of fake news and post-truth arguments, it can be difficult to keep volunteer management evidence-based and effective. At NCVO we’ve been looking at the facts, and we want to kick off the year by discussing the latest research in volunteer management and launch our report on the volunteer experience.
Our National Volunteering Forum on 25 January at NCVO in London will discuss what 10,000 people across Great Britain have to say about their volunteer experience. Tickets have now sold out however you can add your name to the waiting list. This event is free to NCVO members.
We will also be live-streaming the opening session of the day here. This will include an introduction from Peter Kellner, chair of NCVO and Shaun Delaney, volunteering development manager at NCVO, followed by presentation of the research findings by NCVO’s research team. We will then hear a response to the findings from Ruth Leonard, chair of the Association of Volunteer Managers.
What could a volunteering strategy do for your organisation?
NCVO is offering ten organisations the chance to join us on a learning journey, to develop your organisation’s volunteering strategy. Jarina Choudhury wrote about how a strategy can help your organisation rethink volunteering and how you can apply for one of our 10 subsidised places. Closing date to apply is 4 February at 17.00.
‘A Day in the Life’ work shadow scheme 2018/19
Applications are now open for NCVO’s ‘A Day in the Life’ work shadow scheme 2018/19. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for staff from government and voluntary sector organisations to step into each other’s shoes for a day and learn about how the other sector operates. We welcome applications from across the voluntary sector, and anyone with permission from their employer can participate.
What’s on The Road Ahead for volunteering?
This month saw the launch The Road Ahead, NCVO’s forward view on the upcoming political, economic, social and technological drivers shaping the voluntary sector. NCVO’s Elizabeth Chamberlain has summarised the findings and NCVO members can access the full report. We’ll also be reflecting on what this report means for volunteering over the coming months.
NCVO Annual Conference 2019
NCVO’s Annual Conference 2019 will be held in London on 1 April 2019. Join 600 colleagues from across the sector to explore trends and tools that you can harness to strengthen and support your organisation.
This event is for chief executives, directors or senior managers of voluntary organisations. It will also be useful to trustees, chairs and anyone working closely with an organisation’s management team. You can view the full programme for conference and book your place here.
NHS long-term plan and volunteering
On Monday 7 January, the Prime Minister launched NHS England’s long-term plan. NCVO’s Rosie Walworth has blogged about the implications of the long-term plan for the voluntary sector and volunteering. Rosie says ‘As part of this work, it’ll be incredibly important for NHS England to keep in mind that good strategic design of volunteering programmes and expert volunteer management will both play a crucial role in NHS volunteers making a positive impact.’
NHS England Community Awards
NHS England’s ‘celebrating patient and public involvement in healthcare’ community grants have been awarded to several voluntary sector organisations. The programme has funded ten projects that have demonstrated excellence and innovation in involving local communities, especially some of the most vulnerable community groups. More information can be found on the NHS England’s 2018 community grants website.
Compassion in volunteering: Befriending in a UK immigration detention centre
Joanne Vincent’s guest blog post talks about her research exploring how volunteers practice compassion and emotional resilience while befriending detained migrants and asylum seekers. Joanne was selected as this year’s winner of the Campbell Adamson Memorial Prize for best paper in the New Researchers’ Sessions at the 2018 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference.
Volunteering, health and wellbeing – Volunteer Scotland report
Volunteer Scotland have undertaken a critical appraisal of research exploring the relationship between volunteering and volunteers’ health and wellbeing.
Tier 5 (Charity Worker) visa – call for information and changes to immigration rules
Several of our members and non-members have told us they have been experiencing difficulties related to the use of Tier 5 charity worker visas for overseas volunteers. If your organisation has experienced any difficulties of this kind, please get in touch with me at: Charles.Gillies@ncvo.org.uk.
The UK government has published a new statement of changes (HC1779) which confirms that a 12 month cooling off period will be introduced for Tier 5 charity workers and religious workers with effect from 10 January 2019.
If an application has been made for entry clearance or leave to enter or remain before 10 January 2019, the application will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 9 January 2019. This means that the individuals will need to spend a minimum of 12 months outside the UK before returning in either category.
Training and events
Keep up to date with latest volunteering policy, research and practice at our sector-leading training and events:
Assessing the impact of your volunteers – 18 January 2019 – NCVO Conference Suite, London
This workshop will give you step-by-step guidance on how to assess the impact your volunteers are having on your organisation, your beneficiaries and themselves, as well as on the wider community and other stakeholders.
Good practice in volunteer management – 22 January 2019 – BVSC, Birmingham
This course introduces the key principles of good practice in volunteer management and shows how to apply them to your organisation.
National Volunteering Forum – 25 January – NCVO Conference Suite, London
Join us at our NVF where we will discuss what 10,000 people across Great Britain have to say about their volunteer experience. This event is free to NCVO members. Tickets have now sold out however you can add your name to the waiting list.
Managing adult and child safeguarding in your organisation – 28 January 2019 – NCVO Conference Suite, London
You will learn to identify and plan the actions needed to ensure your organisation is meeting its legal safeguarding ‘duty of care’ and maintain your safeguarding arrangements.
Volunteering and the law – 1 March 2019 – NCVO Conference Suite, London
Understand volunteering and the law in relation to issues such as safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, equality and diversity, insurance and benefits.
NCVO Annual Conference 2019 – 1 April 2019 – The Brewery, London
Join 600 colleagues from across the sector to explore trends and tools that you can harness to strengthen and support your organisation.
Charlie is a trainee volunteering development policy officer at NCVO, supporting NCVO's volunteering policy work. He has been volunteering since childhood in various roles, including at a community development charity working with the eastern European Roma community in Glasgow, as an adviser at a Citizens Advice bureau, and as a Scout leader. 
