Thank you to all who joined us at our Volunteer Co-ordinator Network Meeting in December. You can now see an overview of this network meeting discussions on involving overseas volunteers on our website. Our next session on 16 March will explore supporting and involving volunteers to identify as LGBTIAQ+. 

We are currently planning the meetings for 2023/24. If there is a theme or topic you would like us to explore please let us know at volunteersupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

The latest report from the Third Sector Trends survey shines an interesting light on volunteering, employment and recruitment, and diversity in leadership. Changing trends have appeared in the volunteer workforce with many organisations finding it hard to retain older volunteers, with paid staff retention also being cited as an issue.

The Go-To is still on the lookout for young people, parent and carers and professionals to get involved as Go-To champions. The current champions have been helping to write and review website content, promoting The Go-To through social media and writing blogs. If you are interested in becoming a Go-To Champion email hnyicb-ny.nycypteam@nhs.net.

If you know someone who has gone the extra mile in delivering outstanding quality in your charity or community and think they deserve to have their exceptional contributions acknowledged, why not join the Home Office’s Honours team’s session on Microsoft Teams: ‘How to nominate someone for an honour or award‘ on Tuesday 7 February (10.30am – 12 noon). 

It’s free to enter the Charity Governance Awards 2023, the UK awards that recognise and reward charities achieving great governance. Choose from five categories, each offering a £5,000 cash prize to winners and £1,000 to runners-up, among other rewards. Entry deadline: 8 February 2023.

In this NCVO blog, Catherine Goodall summarises what was learned at the National Volunteering Forum, and shares examples of actions you can take in response to the volunteering challenges facing the sector.

How has the cost of living impacted your volunteers? Check out the latest research from Volunteer Scotland regarding the impact of the cost of living crisis on volunteering and volunteers.

Have you seen that from 30 January to 3 February, Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership will be hosting a financial wellbeing week with a wealth of webinars/workshops? You can book an individual ‘financial wellbeing’ 1-to-1 with a financial coach from the independent financial education firm Better with Money. These 30 minute 1-to-1s (booked at a time to suit you) aim to help you to take control of your personal finances and reduce money stress. NB. sessions are aimed specifically at people working in the health and social care sector, including VCSE organisations. 

A free three-session course (via Zoom) that explains the current energy crisis, ways to reduce energy use in the home, how to navigate energy bills and energy suppliers, and provides information on the schemes available to help others to be safe, warm and well over the winter (including grants and carbon monoxide awareness). You can join a network of 400+ Energy Ambassadors, receive resources and receive regular updates after the course. 

This blog offers six tips to create a volunteer group and successfully launch DEI initiatives.

Have you seen that Shaping Our Lives offer a monthly newsletter for those interested in inclusive practice. Their latest Insight newsletter is here.

We recently attended a webinar delivered by Few and Far which prompted organisations to assess the accessibility of their websites. A copy of the recording is here, the transcript here and links to the resources and info here.

This free information booklet provides a summary of activities and support for older people and people living with dementia.

As 2023 gets underway, Rob Jackson reflects on what the year ahead might have in store for volunteers and volunteering.

We hope some of you were able to join the free Charity Digital session on 12 January 2023 offering a complete guide to volunteering. For those of you who weren’t able to join you can access a copy of the slides and presentation below.