AVM response to the NOMS Consultation

The Association of Volunteer Managers is an independent body that aims to support, represent and champion people who manage volunteers in England regardless of field, discipline or sector. It was set up by and for people who manage and involve volunteers in the work of their organisations. 

The Association of Volunteer Managers works to:

• campaign and speak out on issues that are key to people who manage volunteers;
• facilitate and support effective peer-to-peer networking of those involved in volunteer management locally, regionally and nationally; and 
•  develop information and good practice resources on volunteer management. 

The Association of Volunteer Managers defines volunteer managers as:‘People who, directly or indirectly, oversee, manage, co-ordinate or administer volunteers or volunteer programmes. Volunteer managers operate in all sectors and at all levels.’ 

We recognise that other terms can and are used to describe volunteer managers, that volunteer management may only be part of a volunteer manager’s role and that volunteer managers are both paid and unpaid. 

The Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) welcomes the acknowledgement in the draft Third Sector Action Plan as to the important role volunteering can play in supporting the work of NOMS. 

The role of volunteer managers are vital in delivering and achieving effective and sustainable volunteering. Therefore, the Third Sector Action Plan, through the implementation of the NOMS volunteering strategy, needs to ensure that volunteer managers are supported to carry out their work.  

This support needs to encompass:

• cross-organisational and cross-sectoral understanding, recognition and support of the role of the volunteer manager;
• funding to ensure that all volunteer managers have the capacity and resources to effectively manage their volunteers and volunteering programmes;
• funding and opportunities for volunteer managers to develop their skills and knowledge through training;
• funding and opportunities for volunteer managers to develop their skills and knowledge through peer support, peer mentoring and networking; and
• appropriate supervision, external if necessary, from someone who can advise and support in relation to volunteer management. 

We would be happy to meet with the NOMS Partnership Unit to discuss any aspect of our response or work further.