Guest Blog, written by Ruth Leonard

Involving volunteers is all about building relationships. This is where meaningful change happens. On International Volunteer Managers’ Day, we celebrate those who make volunteering possible – the people who develop these relationships which enable others to create real impact in their communities. Being bold isn’t always about grand gestures; sometimes it’s about the small, intentional steps that create powerful ripples of change.

Volunteer Involvement is not about filling gaps or completing tasks; it’s about connecting people to purpose and possibility. Volunteers bring their skills, passions, and lived experiences – and when we create space for that, communities thrive. Yet, volunteer numbers across the UK appear to be declining. Is this in part because we respond by marketing volunteer opportunities as products to be consumed? For me, volunteering isn’t
about transaction; it’s about agency – and creation.

As I’ve said before: “People-powered services should be exactly that – powered by people, not by systems or processes.”

This shift begins with small, everyday actions: listening to volunteers’ motivations, being flexible with roles, and recognising their contributions. Relationships drive retention, satisfaction, and impact. When volunteers feel heard, valued, and trusted, they don’t just stay longer – they become catalysts for community-led change.

The boldest step we can take is to move from managing to connecting. Instead of asking, “how do we fill this role?” what happens when we ask, “what matters to this person, and how can we create space for it?” This approach not only strengthens relationships but also unlocks creativity and inclusion. Volunteering thrives when we stop telling and start facilitating.

Bold change doesn’t have to be big. Every “thank you,” every conversation, every moment of recognition builds a sense of mattering – that what someone does is valued, and that they are valued. Too often, we measure volunteering in hours and outputs, but the true value lies in connections and shared purpose. When volunteers see the difference their contribution makes, that’s when they feel most fulfilled.

To enable volunteering to thrive, we must also support those who involve them. Confidence comes from understanding, community, and self-reflection. Volunteer management is both a skill and a profession – one that requires empathy, creativity, and resilience. As England’s Vision for Volunteering looks towards, “people supporting volunteers work alongside them as equals, channelling their interests and passions to make change.”

So, this International Volunteer Managers’ Day, ask yourself: What bold step will you take to strengthen relationships to make change in volunteering?

Bold doesn’t mean big – it means intentional. It means choosing to act differently, trusting that small steps can lead to transformative change.

To quote Margaret Wheatley, “very great change starts from very small conversations, held among people who care.”

Let’s keep those conversations going – and together, let’s be bold and make change.

If you’re a TeamKinetic user, you can come along to Ruth’s Masterclass on Wednesday 5th November at 10am. Just go to Help & Support → Masterclasses & Training within your system to book for free.