
Many people in the UK have been involved in some form of voluntary activity in the past 12 months. Around a third of those people regularly volunteer with a charity or other similar organisation within their community.
While many charities will have full-time staff, others will depend on volunteers. Most UK charities will use volunteers to some degree, and they provide an essential source of support. They provide their time, skills and expertise to help organisations deliver services and meet their goals.
The financial reality for most charities means that without voluntary support, they would struggle to continue operating.
What this means in practice is that charities, whatever their size, need to be serious about how they attract, utilise and work with volunteers to remain financially viable.
Volunteer skills and expertise your charity needs
Drawing from a pool of volunteers with different experience levels can help a charity enhance and expand its services. Volunteers may have specific experience with digital technology, marketing or public policy. They may have skills specific to the charity’s mission, such as environmental management or counselling.
While some charities will depend on volunteers to arrive with the skill set they need, others may provide some training. Investment in training can ultimately yield a range of benefits for the charity, not least in the added value it gives to a volunteering opportunity.
Developing a volunteer strategy
Charities should develop a strategy to manage how they work with volunteers. Firstly, an assessment must be carried out of the charity’s current volunteer situations, identifying areas that need particular improvement. Charities can then develop a clear volunteering policy, setting out the expectations, roles and responsibilities.
Volunteers should have clear expectations of their hours, commitment and tasks. The strategy must outline how volunteers will be recruited, trained and managed. Because of the central role of volunteers in the charitable sector, the volunteer strategy will be a key document for organisational management.
Recognising commitment & support
Volunteers are not employees and are giving up their time and expertise free of charge for something they believe in. Volunteering may also provide opportunities to learn and develop new skills that could be helpful in their professional careers, particularly for younger people or career changers.
Charities should ensure that the day-to-day management of volunteers is flexible and considerate. The commitment of volunteers can also be recognised through sharing stories on social media, certificates and awards, as well as special events. This can be as simple as a volunteer and staff Christmas party, or larger country-wide events.
At Wilder Coe, we understand the challenges you may face running a charity and look to bring a fresh perspective to assist you with compliance and strategic support.
Contact Charlotte, and the team, today to learn about our range of services for charities.