Here’s the July volunteering round-up including information, updates and events on all things volunteering.
Covid-19 guidance updates
On 19 July, England moved to the final stage of easing the covid-19 restrictions. We’re in the process of updating our Involving Volunteers guidance to reflect these changes. We’ve also created a short survey for you to complete to help us improve our practical support offer. We will share your concerns with the government.
Vision for Volunteering
Vision for Volunteering is a new collaboration brought to you by NAVCA, Volunteering Matters and the Association of Volunteer Managers. Since we announced the Vision for Volunteering in June, we’ve held two stakeholder workshops. We’ve been creating an inclusive governance structure to encourage voices and perspectives from formal to informal volunteering settings.
We’ve had more than 800 sign-ups from those who are keen to collectively create a long-term vision for volunteering. We’ll be posting news regularly on the Vision for Volunteering website, where you can read about our current progress, register for updates and find opportunities to collaborate.
Impact of covid-19 on volunteering
Northumbria University is leading a UK-wide research project and NCVO is one of the partner organisations supporting them with this. More than 100 voluntary organisations in England have shared current challenges and opportunities they are facing in relation to covid-19, and the support they need going forward. We’ve written a short briefing showing the mid-term findings from a survey and a workshop. We’ve included examples of how organisations are taking positive steps to re-establish volunteering or maintain activities during the pandemic.
Research and insight manager, Amy McGarvey, shares some of the findings in a blog. The full report, which will include a UK-wide analysis of policy responses, will be published in October on the project website. Take a look and do listen to our podcasts and share them on social media!
Review of volunteering passports
NCVO and Volunteering Matters have completed a joint review of volunteer passports, to inform recommendations to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and 10 Downing Street. We collated feedback and insights from more than 100 organisations and volunteers, which we gathered through consultative events and responses we received to specific questions we asked in February. We’ve prepared a report to DCMS and in this blog we share what we’ve heard. Thank you to everyone who helped us shape these recommendations for the government.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
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 will close at 17.00 on 15 September 2021. Read the guidance notes and nominate a local group for the QAVS.
Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer
The Respond, Recover, Reset project with Nottingham Trent University has released its 8th report. July’s theme was equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). The report considers the impact on the voluntary sector’s workforce during the pandemic. It also considers the impact in the broader context of the global anti-racism movement. This includes beneficiaries, service users, and organisational practices. The data from this report can be found in the latest Respond, Recover, Reset barometer dashboard and you can read the full report. We’ve also written a blog to summarise the findings.
Wave 9 of the barometer survey was launched on 14 June and closed on 27 July with more than 350 responses. This survey’s theme was on the role of digital during the pandemic. This includes online delivery of services, the digital literacy of staff and volunteers, training, and the adoption and use of new digital technology. All previous and forthcoming reports can be viewed here.
Voluntary Sector Studies Network annual conference
After going online for 2020, this year the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) conference is taking place in person, on 6-7 September at the Aston University Conference Centre in Birmingham. The theme is ‘leadership, diversity and civil society’.
VSSN has also produced a helpful list of frequently asked questions about the conference. The deadline for bookings is the 20 August. You can also follow @VSSN_UK on Twitter.
NCVO training
Safeguarding essentials in charities
The next date for the safeguarding essential in charities course is 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 10.00–13.00. You need to attend both days because they are two parts of one course.
October course
- Session 1: Tuesday 21 September
- Session 2: Thursday 23 September
November course
- Session 1: Tuesday 23 November
- Session 2: Thursday 25 November
December course
- Session 1: Monday 13 December
- Session 2: Tuesday 14 December
Charity trustee induction and refresher
Our charity trustee induction and refresher course also takes place over two half days, 10.00–13.00. You need to attend both days because they are two parts of one course.
October course
- Session 1: Tuesday 5 October
- Session 2: Friday 8 October
November course
- Session 1: Role and responsibilities of trustees, Tuesday 2 November
- Session 2: Achieving good governance, Friday 5 November
December course
- Session 1: Role and responsibilities of trustees, Wednesday 1 December
- Session 2: Achieving good governance, Friday 3 December
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. 
