A volunteer co-ordinator’s introduction to neurodiversity

Join us at this Volunteer Co-ordinator Network meeting on 15 June where we will look at how to involve and support volunteers who are neurodiverse. The session aims to define what is meant by neurodiversity, explore the barriers to engagement often facing individuals, help raise awareness of the various related conditions and give you practical advice on how best to recruit, develop and support neurodiverse volunteers on your teams.

26 April, 10am-4pm
This NEWLY REVISED volunteer management training – now delivered in-person again for the first time since lockdown – provides the knowledge you need to fulfil your role with confidence and to have impact.

The #TheBigHelpOut is a national day of volunteering and one of the centrepieces of the King’s Coronation celebrations. Local groups, organisations and charities have planned hundreds of activities for the day to give everyone the chance to help out in their own local communities.

In this article, Charity Digital look at the benefits of volunteering, how to recruit and manage volunteers, the importance of volunteer management systems, and explore volunteering opportunities across the world.

Room to Reward is a unique volunteer-recognition charity created to say ‘thank you’ to the Hidden Heroes – inspirational volunteers who give up their time to make a difference to those who need it most. Hotel and holiday park partners donate their unsold rooms, charities and community groups nominate their Hidden Heroes for a break.

Time is one of the biggest barriers to volunteering. Virtual and micro volunteering offers volunteers the opportunity to undertake bite sized activities. A volunteer could stay at home or engage with a task while travelling or working away from home – wherever they feel comfortable. It can be an excellent opportunity to recruit volunteers of all ages and with a diverse range of skills including fundraising and marketing.

A good employer supported volunteering (EDV) programme focuses on employers giving individuals time off to pursue volunteering opportunities during work time. This might also include partnering with local community and voluntary sector organisations to provide employees of all levels the opportunity to volunteer and contribute to social change. This report looks at employer-supported volunteering through the eyes of the volunteer.

This online session on 27 June is for anyone who is new to health and safety and looks at the basics of assessing risks, why we need to do this, and what to do once you’ve assessed the risk.

Royal Voluntary Service Coronation Champions Awards recognises exceptional volunteers from across the country, and from a wide range of causes. The eight award categories include: supporting older people; supporting young people and children; crisis and welfare; community; sports, culture, and heritage; health and care; sustainability and the environment; and animal welfare. Deadline: 2 April.

Need help organising a safe Coronation event for your charity or organisation? Zurich Insurance have everything you need to make your celebration fit for a King.

Do you want to expand your visitor offer to make it more accessible and attractive to a wider range of people from across your communities? This resource is designed to help you ‘fit together’ different aspects of your policy and procedural framework to help your volunteer involvement and your audience engagement to go from strength to strength. 

In this series, NCVO examine the trends that will impact charities and volunteering in 2023. This article explores the issues affecting the people at the heart of our organisations.