You can read our blog on advocacy via this link, our blog on funding via this link, and finally our blog on networking via this link.
Today we’re focusing on the theme of Volunteering
Volunteering was a key theme, as a whopping 95% of the organisations we consulted are supported by volunteers.
Recently, we launched our State of the VCSE Sector 2023 report, which details the current successes and challenges faced by Hampshire’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. If you haven’t seen the report, you can find it here: click this link for a copy of ‘Hampshire’s State of the VCSE Sector 2023’ report
Here are the key points from the State of the Sector report:
- Volunteer recruitment continues to be a struggle for most organisations, with the cost of living crisis exacerbating this issue as volunteers appear to have less time to offer due to increased time constraints.
- Organisations worry that recruiting/retaining volunteers will be one of the most significant challenges within the next two years.
- Volunteer retention appears to be a strength for most of the sector
The cost of living crisis has meant life is changing for people, including for volunteers. The state of the sector report found that recruiting volunteers has been a consistent challenge for VCSE organisations, with this challenge increasing over time.
45% of organisations suggested the number of people with time available had decreased either a little or a lot. The reasons cited included the need to prioritize paid work because of financial uncertainty. Increased caring responsibilities was another draw on volunteers’ time. Interestingly, some organisations noted the time was a perceived as a barrier for potential volunteers but that having to devote lots of time to volunteering can be a misconception or stereotype that people have.
So with this in mind how can the Hampshire CVS Network support you to recruit volunteers at a time when they are so needed and yet experiencing the same challenges of the cost of living?
I’m reminded of the best practice guidance for volunteering which seems more vital than ever:
- Reimbursing out of pocket expenses
- Offering a range of flexible, bitesize, task focussed, and homebased opportunities that can fit in with people’s other commitments
- Supporting volunteers in other ways – signposting to advice services and other support available in the cost of living crisis.
- Finding creative ways to boost volunteer morale – showing volunteers the impact they make, celebrating volunteers, nurturing a supporting team atmosphere.
- Offering training (that must be relevant to the volunteer’s role so as not to inadvertently create an employment relationship) and CV support/ references
Your local volunteer centre in the CVS network will be able to support you with best practice guidance in involving volunteers.
VCSE organisations said that training for volunteers was something the CVS Network could helpfully offer.
And for us as a CVS network, perhaps we can support a campaign to promote volunteering as something that can fit in with people’s busy and pressured lives, and that can be a source of support, wellbeing, connectedness, purpose and happiness in difficult times.
Let us know what you think!
Whatever your ideas or thoughts are, we’d love to hear them – so comment on the Jamboard (access the Jamboard via this link) or send us a tweet @ActionHants
