Hello and welcome to the first of our North Yorkshire Volunteer Co-ordinators newsletters. Our NEW monthly newsletter is a space to share information and resources related to volunteer management, training, and research.

We have scheduled our 2022/23 Volunteer Co-ordinator Network meetings. All sessions are on a Thursday morning and run from 10am – 12pm (on Zoom). Further information and booking details can be found on our website.

• 16 June: Involving Young People with volunteering
• 15 September: Involving older volunteers
• 8 December: Involving Volunteers and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
• 16 March 2023: Involving volunteers and LGBTQ+

If you have experience of, or a perspective on, any of these areas and would be willing to share your experiences please let us know. 

The network meetings are a place to share your experience of volunteer coordination, learn about new resources and policy development, and explore mutual topics of interest. In these inclusive network meetings, members set the agenda. They are open to everyone who supports volunteers within North Yorkshire.

If you would like to do a short presentation at a future network meeting to let people know more about the work you do, please get in touch.

Volunteers Week (1-7 June) this year coincides with the Queens Jubilee celebrations. We’ve been hearing from people who are keeping it low key this year and others planning for a whole month of activities. We’d love to know what you are up to and can share your stories and celebrations across our social media twitter: @CommFirstYorks and Facebook: @Comm1stYorks

Month of Community: throughout June, celebrations and events to focus on the importance and contributions of communities across the country are planned. Information on key dates and activities can be found below:

• Volunteers Week 1-7 June
• The Big Lunch from 5 June
• Neighbourhood Watch Week 5-11 June
• Carers Week 7-13 June
• Loneliness Awareness Week 14-18 June
• Refugee Week 14-20 June
• Small Charity Week 14-19 June
• The Great Get Together 18-20 June
• Thank You Day 4 July

If you are new to volunteer management or would like a refresher on how to support your volunteers, why not join us for our bite size one hour volunteer management training courses? Interactive and discussion focussed, after each session attendees will receive a step by action plan for that stage of the volunteer journey, with accompanying templates and resources. You are very welcome to bring your lunch. 

• 23 June Preparing to Involve volunteers
• 30 June Recruiting and Welcoming Volunteers
• 7 July Supporting and Celebrating Volunteers
• 14 July Tackling Common problems

The series will also run in January 2023.