Welcome to our May round-up including information, updates and events about all things volunteering.
Volunteers’ Week 1-7 June
Volunteers’ Week is almost here! ‘A time to say thanks’ is the theme we’ve adopted with our UK partners:
- WCVA (Wales)
- Volunteer Scotland
- Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland)
Check out plans for Volunteers’ week. Follow #VolunteersWeek and #MonthOfCommunity @NCVOVolunteers, the official Volunteers’ Week account. We’ll be enjoying a Twitter party at 11.oo June as well as posting daily content.
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Next year Birmingham will host the Commonwealth Games. Not only is this exciting for the West Midlands, but we’re also delighted that they have timed the opening of volunteer applications with the start of Volunteers’ Week.
They are seeking 13,000 volunteers – who’ll be known as the Commonwealth Collective – to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event the West Midlands has ever seen. Check out the application process and timeline for the Commonwealth Collective – volunteer applications open 1 June.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service: Nominations now open
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. Nominations for the 2022 Award opened on 1 April and will close at 5.00 on 15 September 2021. Make sure to read the guidance notes and nominate a local group for the QAVS. Winners of the 2020 award will be announced on 2 June, during Volunteers’ Week.
Sharing and co-designing covid-19 public health messages
Four NHS Trusts across England will share the impact and learning from the Health Information Champions projects during Volunteers’ Week. This webinar will highlight how young people’s engagement with the project helped to build a better understanding of covid-19 and public health guidance.
The webinar will be held on the Power of Youth themed day on 2 June, 2pm – 3.30pm. Places are limited so register early for the event. For further information contact England.voluntarypartnerships@nhs.net
NCVO covid-19 guidance – updates
Step three of the government’s roadmap was announced on 17 May. Volunteering from home continues to be the current guidance, as we move towards easing of lockdown. Check our coronavirus involving volunteers guidance to help you keep up with the latest updates.
This free webinar Volunteer Management: Making the journey from spreadsheets to software on 30 June 11.30-12.30 will offer a summary of what was learnt, to help you consider how you might manage volunteers in the future.
Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer
The Respond, Recover, Reset project with Nottingham Trent University has released its sixth report. May’s theme was volunteering and how it has changed during the pandemic, including:
- numbers
- time given
- range of activities
- intensity
- skilled and digital volunteering
- demographics
- long-term outlook as we come out of lockdown.
The data from the report can be found in this month’s Respond, Recover, Reset barometer dashboard. Wave seven of the barometer survey was launched on 12 May, closed on 27 May and there were 277 responses.
Health Education England’s survey for Health and Care Volunteers
Health Education England’s (HEE) National Volunteering Unit is inviting health and care volunteers to complete a short survey. They wish to find out about the training volunteers have received and how HEE can better support health and care volunteers through education, training, and development resources.
Survey results will be used to improve learning and development resources for health and care volunteers. Please forward this survey to your health and care volunteers. The survey closes 31 July 2021. If you have any questions, email volunteer@hee.nhs.uk.
Maybe it’s because you’re a Londoner
The GLA are working with researchers from King’s College London and Social Engine to improve the way they support volunteering in London. Their research will explore how we can best encourage Londoners to volunteer and will gather insights into perceptions of volunteering.
Find out more and share your views on improving volunteering in London here.
Investing in Volunteers: New Achievers
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK standard for volunteer management. The process helps you:
- strengthen your practice
- prove your excellent quality in your work
- make sure that the volunteering opportunities you offer is Time Well Spent.
In April, ten organisations based in England achieved the Investing in Volunteers standard. They represent brilliant examples of quality volunteer management and practice. Rachel Purvis, volunteer co-ordinator from George House Trust said:
We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers standard. Volunteers are at the heart of George House Trust and we feel this award demonstrates our commitment to ensuring we provide our volunteer team with the best possible experience. We can’t wait to celebrate!
Read more about Investing in Volunteers.
NCVO training
Safeguarding essentials in charities
The upcoming dates for the safeguarding essential in charities course are 13 July or 11 August, 10.00 – 15.00.
Good practice in volunteer management
Our popular good practice in volunteer management takes place over two half-days from 10.00 to 13.00. You need to attend both days because they are two parts of one course.
August course
- Session 1: Tuesday 17 August
- Session 2: Thursday 19 August
Charity Trustee induction and refresher
Our Charity trustee induction and refresher course also takes place over two half days, 10.00 to 13.00. You need to attend both days because they are two parts of one course.
September course
- Session 1: Monday 8 September
- Session 2: Friday 10 September
Jarina is our volunteering development consultancy officer. Jarina develops consultancy and training services with the aim of improving volunteering practice across the public, private and voluntary sectors. 
