Welcome to the early autumn edition of our Volunteer Coordinator newsletter.

As the dark nights set in and the central heating is turned on, it feels great to sit back and enjoy a bit of light reading.

Story telling is a big feature within this newsletter, and we're taking a look at Vision for Volunteering's Community Reporting. This fantastic project provides an insight into people's lives - volunteers and managers alike - sharing their experiences and why they love what they do.

We hope you enjoy this edition. Happy reading. 

September proved to be a brilliant month for our Volunteer Coordinator's network, which included hosting our quarterly meeting on Involving and Supporting Young Volunteers and welcoming Assistant Director of Volunteering and Safeguarding at The Royal Voluntary Service, Dave Stott, to talk about their young volunteers programme.

We also ran a 'Managing Volunteers' training session in Riccall near Selby, and welcomed new and existing coordinators to the session where we worked through the volunteer journey. The training included everything from identifying an opportunity through to the recruitment and support phase, finishing off with how to demonstrate impact and celebrate volunteers.

Our next sessions will be held online, before moving over to the coast in March for another in-person session.

Awareness days, weeks and months are part and parcel of our calendars these days - just this month there's an abundance of important celebrations such as Black History Month, ADHD Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

In the volunteer sector, an important date in our calendars is International Volunteer Managers Day, celebrated on 5 November. 

Whether you are a manager, coordinator, a lead volunteer, paid or unpaid, this is a day to celebrate you.

We're currently experiencing a national shortage of trustees, with the latest figures showing 90,000 vacancies across the UK - that equates to one in three charities needing a trustee. 

Succession planning is a top priority - how can we better support the recruitment of trustees for these essential roles, particularly focusing on attracting young trustees, individuals from the global majority, and those with lived experience?

Make your recruitment a priority and give our guide to trustee recruitment a read. 

Our Volunteer Coordinator interview this edition is with Claire Routh - the Citizens in Policing Liaison Officer with Whitby's Local Policing Support Team. Claire has been with North Yorkshire Police for 10 years and in this role for 5 months. Her role involves coordinating and supporting the Police Support Volunteers.

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Claire Routh and I currently work for North Yorkshire Police. I have been employed with North Yorkshire Police for just over 10 years and I am the Citizens in Policing Liaison Officer for the Police Support Volunteers. I have been in this role for just over 5 months and prior to this I was a PCSO.

What attracted you to the organisation and role?

I have worked for North Yorkshire Police for over 10 years and I joined the organisation as I wanted to make a difference. Recently I have wanted to try something different and I have had the pleasure of working alongside some of the volunteers as part of a neighbourhood policing team. As a cadet leader I have had some experience in the volunteer sector and want to ensure our volunteers are utilised to the best of their ability so that they continue to feel rewarded and valued by the force.

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a Volunteer Coordinator/ Manager?

Do it. I am really enjoying the role. I speak with different people on a daily basis and it allows me to travel round the force and meet people and departments that I never would have previously.

What have you learnt about yourself while in this role?

I can multi-task! I’m not afraid to approach people of high rank if I need to ask them something.

Finally, tell us something about yourself that your colleagues would be surprised to know?

I was in a Christmas Pantomime when I was younger with some famous people.

If you have any questions related to volunteering or volunteer management please do get in touch with us at communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk