Embedding Excellence in Volunteer Management. Emma Thomas-Hancock Director of Delivery

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2 Embedding Excellence in Volunteer Management. Emma Thomas-Hancock Director of Delivery

3 Volunteering Matters Leading Volunteering Policy and Practice charity working across the UK Our vision is of a society in which everyone can participate in their community through volunteering. Our mission is to invest in people s ability to volunteer, thereby reducing inequalities and isolation, improving health and wellbeing and building a stronger and more inclusive society.

4 Inspiring People, Changing Communities Develop and deliver high impact volunteer lead solutions across the UK in responses to the most difficult challenges facing communities and people today. We engage 30,000 volunteers and 103,000 beneficiaries through 180 projects and programmes. We believe everyone can play a role in their community and should have the chance to participate.

5 Volunteering Matters Strategic Priorities Increase our reach and impact. Provide the best possible experience for volunteers and ensure that their voices are heard. Provide leadership on effective volunteering, influencing public policy, and public service design

6 Master Class today I will: Share with you our journey so far in achieving consistent excellence Provide some examples of our work Share top tips Reflect on the work left to do

7 Consistent Excellence Quality of being outstanding or extremely good. High calibre, value, worth, distinction, exemplary Surpasses ordinary standards

8 Our Values Honest and transparent Collaborative Ambitious Innovative Inclusive

9 Policies and Processes Effective promotion and recruitment drive - Understand what motivates volunteers Clear role descriptions in place Good induction and appropriate training Ongoing support and supervision Recognise and celebrate the contributions volunteers make.

10 What volunteers need to thrive check list A written description of their role/task. A named person to whom they report. An induction to the organisation/group/project. Essential Training. Regular meetings to review progress. Regular assessments and feedback about performance. Input into decision making and a chance to influence the project. Opportunities for creativity, to put forward ideas. Goals, objectives and deadlines to meet. A challenge: real work to do and real responsibilities Expenses paid regularly and on time. Encouragement, motivation and support. Recognition for and appreciation of their achievements.

11 Top tips Standardise Processes Generic application form Volunteer handbook Safe guarding, Risk Management and Data Projection. Use of technology.. Shared drives, intranets. Bring people together, in person and virtually Establish standards and expectations for record keeping

12 Reach and Impact Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for each of our 4 communities. Theory of Change key outcomes and the journey for the volunteers and beneficiaries Impact Champions trail blazers Combination of qualitative and quantitative data questionnaires, focus groups, case studies, aligning with national trends

13 Volunteer Engagement What we do: Listen to volunteers, ask their opinions/advice and work in partnership with them as well as helping them access the more formal ways of engaging with the wider organisation Why is it important: Volunteers are at the heart of Volunteering Matters and we believe that their experience and insights should help guide that we do.

14 Steps to Engagement Coproduction Participation decide together Consultation give choices Information No Engagement

15 Tops tips for Volunteer Engagement Get to know your volunteers Set clear expectations from the beginning Make allies of your volunteers Bring people together Be creative with technology Enjoy it!

16 Ongoing Reflection and Review Volunteers Supporting Families Recruits, trains and matches volunteers to support families with complex needs. Our volunteers have supported over 600 families since the 1 st project was set up in 2002.

17 Partnerships Strategic partnerships Government/local authorities/national Charities (NNVIA) Funding partnerships Corporate sponsortship/ contractual EV photos and quotes Why are these partnerships important to our volunteers, why are they important in terms of achieving excellence?

18 Replication Grandmentors Mentoring young people in care, grown from 2 projects in London to 8 nationwide. Nesta are supporting us learn the lessons of replication

19 Lessons of replication Spend sometime working out what are the magic ingredients the non negotiables Where can we be flexible? How do you reflect local need and culture Workforce development and sharing Impact and reach

20 Celebrating Volunteers Qualifications formal/information Formal Events and celebration events and parties Letters/ s of thanks from Chief Executive and senior managers. Showcasing achievements via website, media opportunities etc. Nominating volunteers for external awards and recognition. e.g. local hero awards, local mayors awards Supporting volunteers with personal development helping with job applications, providing references etc

21 Top Tips Flexibility funding, staffing, capacity Benchmarking how are we doing compared to others, what makes us special? What needs to improve? Partnerships who should we be working with both from a funding and delivery point of view that would improve the experience of our volunteers? On going reflection and review - what are the deliverables, can we be flexible to maximise opportunity.

22 What s next.. National organisation working regionally - local practices to become more consistent across the organisation Contemporary recruitment and induction staff Benching marking testing ourselves against developing sector standards Recognised a source of advice and guidance in volunteer management

23 What does excellence look like for volunteers? Varied and fulfilling roles Well supported Feel recognised Feeling equiped Understanding the diiference they are make Feeling celebrated

24 Making Excellence your default Are you there yet? What more needs to be done? Where will you start?