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London's Volunteer Management Charter launches, 5 December
Greater London Volunteering is pleased to announce the launch of London’s Volunteer Management Charter on 5 December (UN international Volunteer Day), the first Charter of its kind across the UK. Over the past year 90% of Volunteer Centres in the UK have had an increase in volunteering enquiries. This is clearly evident in London with figures increasing by over 600% in the first 6 months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 for Volunteer Centre Greenwich. Greater London Volunteering’s network aims to ensure that new volunteers resulting from the recession’s impact will find relevant, interesting and valuable opportunities.
The Charter has been developed by Greater London Volunteering in close consultation with the London Volunteer Centre network. It gives clear guidance as to what makes excellent volunteering experiences, and provides assurance for volunteers looking to get involved in organisations that support London’s communities.
Over 50 partner organisations have joined together to begin to respond to the huge increase in demand for volunteering opportunities in the capital.
Research by YouthNet in 2009 evidenced the need for an increased supply of volunteering opportunities. This is further echoed by The Institute of Volunteering Research’s findings in 2008 which identifies the need to respond to the demand for volunteering with an improved supply of quality opportunities and by strengthening the volunteering infrastructure.
Working through the Volunteer Centre network across Greater London, the Experts in Volunteering team will be reaching out to organisations of all shapes and sizes over the next 3 years.
Quotes
“The Association of Volunteer Managers really welcome initiatives such as GLV's Charter of Good Practice which promote good volunteer management, and help to highlight that volunteer involvement needs to be planned and resourced properly “
Sean Cobley, Chair, Association of Volunteer Managers
“I welcome the London Volunteer Management Charter as an exciting initiative that will continue to improve volunteering experiences in our capital. Every hour donated by volunteers helps make London a more civilised and pleasant place in which to work, visit and live. Earlier this year we launched our volunteering website where there are an abundance of volunteering opportunities. I would urge more people to get out there and give it a go."
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
Editors notes
The Charter supports organisations to prepare and support volunteers, and will be followed up with advice, training and referrals to develop volunteering programmes.
The Charter has ten strands of good practice which are Equality and Diversity, Expenses, Induction, Organisational Involvement, Personal Development, Recruitment Process, Resolving Difficulties, Reward and Recognition, Safe Volunteering Environment, and Support.
Volunteer Centres in London support at least 50,000 people, matching them to nearly 10,000 voluntary and community groups. (IVR 2008)
By signing the Charter organisations are committing to developing the strands above and will be offered a Volunteer Management Health Check, where one of the Experts in Volunteering Team will draft an action plan to look at areas where the organisation can improve.
The programme is as much about developing volunteer management from scratch, as it is to recognising volunteer management practices that are adhering to best practice.
The GLV Experts in Volunteering programme is funded by the Big Lottery Fund to 2012, and is driven by the need to increase the supply of quality volunteering opportunities for volunteers, whilst supporting voluntary groups to deliver vital activities to local communities.
GLV acts as the regional umbrella body for regional volunteering development agencies, and Volunteer Centres or their equivalent to influence, communicate, capacity-build and coordinate provision of support for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations.
For volunteering opportunities in London please visit the 'Volunteer London' website at www.london.gov.uk/volunteer. This website has been created to make it easier for Londoners to find fantastic opportunities to lend a helping hand in their communities. You will find a wealth of detailed information on a range of organisations to suit every interest such as gardening, mentoring or caring for people, working with animals and getting involved in sports and arts groups
Further information, and to see the Charter: www.glv.org.uk
Anne Layzell, Experts in Volunteering Manager
Greater London Volunteering
The Blackfriars Foundry, 156 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EN
Telephone: 020 7953 7317 | Email: anne@glv.org.uk
07931588449
IVR research
London Volunteering Health Check- All fit for 2012
YouthNet research
Between 6 November 2008 and 5 January 2009, 925 registered users of Do-it (do-it.org.uk) completed YouthNet’s Volunteer Satisfaction Survey. In an open-ended question, respondents were asked what might encourage them to volunteer in the future and responses included improving contact with volunteers or increasing the number of opportunities available
To download the full report visit http://www.youthnet.org/mediaandcampaigns/keyfactsandfigures/doitsatisfactionsurvey2008
YouthNet is the charity behind leading volunteering website Do-it (do-it.org.uk). For more information please contact the media team on 0207 250 5716 or email media@youthnet.org
Local newspapers please contact us to see if we have a case study for your area.
