Volunteering round-up: August 2021

Here’s the August volunteering round-up, including information, updates and events on all things volunteering.

Covid-19 guidance

We created a short survey for you to complete, to help us improve our practical support offer. Please feel free to submit your responses and we’ll continue to share your concerns with government. You can also read our Involving Volunteers guidance to keep updated on the latest covid-19 announcements.

Vision for Volunteering

Since we announced the Vision for Volunteering, a new collaboration between NAVCA, Volunteering Matters, the Association of Volunteer Managers and NCVO, we’ve had more than 800 sign-ups from people who want to create a long-term vision for volunteering in England.

You can still sign up to receive updates about upcoming workshops and opportunities for collaboration. You can also read our latest update on the Vision for Volunteering.

Rethinking your approach to volunteering

As we emerge from the covid-19 pandemic restrictions, there has never been a better time to rethink volunteering. We can help you approach this with fresh ideas by offering a strategic review of volunteering and drawing on good practice across the sector – across all aspects of the volunteer journey. We have a team of consultants on hand to help you.

New data on volunteering

Explore the latest data from the government’s Community Life survey, which shows changes in types of volunteering and volunteer profile from April 2020 to March 2021. Research and insights manager Anya Martin shares her perspective on what the future might hold for volunteering in her latest blog.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

This is the final call for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). This is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. Nominations for the 2022 Award close at 17.00 on 15 September 2021. Don’t miss out – 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 ninth report. August’s theme was digital and technology.

The report explores how charities adopted and used digital approaches to deliver operations online. It considers:

• the impact of adopting digital technologies on different aspects of operations (including delivery of services, accessibility of services, remote working and volunteering)
• types of technologies used
• the barriers to using digital technology.

The data from this report can be found in the latest Respond, Recover, Reset barometer dashboard.

Wave 10 of the barometer survey launched on 9 August and closes on 26 August. It’s received more than 250 responses so far. Reports are produced monthly and you can view the project’s previous and upcoming reports here.

Investing in Volunteers

More than 80 organisations in England are currently undergoing Investing in Volunteers, the UK quality standard for volunteering. We’re congratulating three organisations that recently achieved the standard:

• Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
• Engaging Kent 360
• Boundless.

If you have specific questions about the standard or want to get a quote, please use the contact us form.

NCVO training

Safeguarding essentials in charities

The next date for the safeguarding essentials in charities course is 21 October, 10.00–15.00.

Volunteers and the Law

We’ve refreshed our training course on Volunteers and the Law to address issues emerging from the covid-19 pandemic. We’re delivering this online, over half a day on 10 November. Find out more about the course outcomes, pricing and how to book.

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.

November course

• Session 1: Tuesday 23 November
• Session 2: Thursday 25 November

December course

• Session 1: Monday 13 December
• Session 2: Tuesday 14 December