Author: Alex Evans Page 6 of 21

Enhancing Access to Liverpool City Region Volunteering

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On 28th June 2023

In Local Authority, News & Views, Press Releases

Here at TeamKinetic, we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Volunteer Centres across the Liverpool City Region (LCR) to revolutionise volunteering accessibility. We’re providing organisations across the LCR our volunteer management tools that can work in collaboration with one another. With each organisation using TeamKinetic, we’re able to establish a unified and dynamic platform that boosts Liverpool City Region volunteering efforts.

The Liverpool City Region Volunteering Orbit is a central place to showcase voluntary opportunities across the LCR, managed by the Volunteer Centres across Halton & St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral.

The roots of this project can be traced back to 2016 when TeamKinetic first introduced its digital volunteer management tools to Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award-winning ‘I Can Help’ community task app was developed. Building on these successes, a comprehensive report was commissioned to explore the integration of TeamKinetic’s platform with other digital volunteer services in the LCR, ultimately enhancing the sector’s response to future challenges.

The project received support from Liverpool CVS, Community Action Wirral, Halton & St Helens VCA, Sefton CVS and Volunteer Centre Sefton, One Knowsley, Voluntary Sector North West, and the VS6 Partnership.

Through TeamKinetic, organisations across the LCR can collaborate, share volunteers, and promote various volunteering opportunities, significantly amplifying the region’s community impact. Currently encompassing six volunteer boroughs and five volunteer centres, the model aims to expand by involving additional voluntary organisations and major events within the region.

Local organisations within the LCR can now sign up for free and utilise a single account to showcase their volunteering opportunities across the entire region.

A Provider profile page on TeamKinetic

On the other hand, volunteers benefit from a seamless experience by easily accessing and joining opportunities, logging their hours, and tracking their volunteering journey across the LCR from a single login.

A volunteer’s dashboard on TeamKinetic

The Liverpool City Region Volunteering Portal secured funding from the Liverpool
City Region Combined Authority after the successful deployment of a TeamKinetic approach to community-based volunteering programmes through the Covid-19 pandemic. Bringing
volunteering opportunities and a one-stop space for volunteers to find them is part of a City
Wide Solution to better partnership working and responding to events; activities and
emergencies across the patch.

Claire Redford-Kerr
Volunteering Lead, Halton & St Helens VCA

At TeamKinetic, our ambition has always been to make volunteering easier. This project is a
testament to that commitment for the people of the Liverpool City Region, made possible by
the fantastic and forward-thinking teams at each of the local infrastructure organisations.

Chris Martin
director, TeamKinetic

The partnership is live now at https://volunteeringlcr.org/ marking a significant milestone in enhancing access to volunteering opportunities throughout the Liverpool City Region.

About TeamKinetic:

TeamKinetic is a leading provider of volunteer management solutions, dedicated to streamlining and enhancing the volunteering experience for organisations and individuals. With innovative technology and a passion for community engagement, TeamKinetic aims to transform the way volunteering is managed and accessed, making it easier for people to contribute to their communities and create a positive impact.

About Volunteering LCR:

The Volunteering LCR partnership consists of Halton & St Helens VCA, Liverpool CVS, One Knowsley and Sefton CVS working with the 8,600 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups operating across the Liverpool City Region.

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

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TeamTalk June: Roundup

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On 7th June 2023

In Newsletter Roundup

Hello and welcome to TeamKinetic’s TeamTalk June newsletter in blog form!

This roundup is designed to let you read more about what’s going on within TeamKinetic, the third sector, and the world in general.

If you’d like to subscribe to the TeamTalk newsletter, please send an email over to me at alex@teamkinetic.co.uk and we’ll get you on the list!

To read our roundup of stories we think you need to know about, click to go to the next page below, or choose a story from the list:

Next Page

TeamTalk May: Roundup

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On 3rd May 2023

In Newsletter Roundup

Hello and welcome to TeamKinetic’s TeamTalk May newsletter in blog form!

This roundup is designed to let you read more about what’s going on within TeamKinetic, the third sector, and the world in general.

If you’d like to subscribe to the TeamTalk newsletter, please send an email over to me at alex@teamkinetic.co.uk and we’ll get you on the list!

To read our roundup of stories we think you need to know about, click to go to the next page below, or choose a story from the list:

Next Page

Managing Museum Volunteers: Essential Tips For Volunteer Managers

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On 3rd May 2023

In Heritage & Culture, Volunteer Management

As a volunteer manager in a museum, you have the responsibility to ensure that your volunteers feel supported and engaged, while also helping the museum achieve its mission. We’ve put together some tips to help you manage museum volunteers effectively.

Museum volunteers

Set clear expectations

Before volunteers begin their role, make sure they understand their responsibilities and the expectations for their performance. This could include the expected volunteer hours, their duties and the rules and regulations they should follow. By setting clear expectations, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Ensure you provide suitable training and resources 

Volunteers will perform their best when they feel confident and knowledgeable about their role. Provide them with training that covers everything from the history of the museum to the specific duties of each volunteer position. Consider developing training materials, such as videos or handouts, to help volunteers learn more about the museum.

Communication is key

Regularly check in with volunteers to assure they’re satisfied with their volunteering role and answer any questions they may have. If you opt for a volunteer management system such as TeamKinetic, you can ensure you are communicating with your volunteers efficiently at all times.

Within our system, there are a variety of customisable automatic emails and other ways you can contact your volunteers using system notifications, SMS texts and opportunity chat rooms to help you maintain strong relationships with your volunteers. With these communication tools you can keep volunteers informed about upcoming events, news, and changes at the museum.

Learn more about sufficient volunteer management using TeamKinetic here.

Show appreciation and reward your volunteers

Volunteers dedicate their time and energy to helping the museum succeed, so it’s vital to recognise their contributions. Consider offering small tokens of appreciation, such as certificates, thank you letters or awards. You could also organise volunteer appreciation events or offer perks such as free admission or discounts in the museum shop.

You can easily reward your volunteers using system. We have a few ways you can reward volunteers including achievement badges and even our Unique HourTrades feature which allows volunteers to swap their logged hours for special rewards.

Use volunteer management software

Using a volunteer management system can ensure your volunteers are managed efficiently. Volunteer management software can automate many time-consuming tasks such as volunteer registration, communication, and scheduling. This can save a significant amount of time for volunteer coordinators, allowing them to focus on other important tasks.

Interested in speeding up your volunteer registrations and reducing administrative burden? Get started with our volunteer management software today! With TeamKinetic you can start a FREE trial today over on our website or book a demo!

By following these tips, you can create positive and productive management for your museum volunteers. With clear expectations, effective communication, and a supportive environment, volunteers will feel valued and engaged, and the museum will thrive.

Ensure you follow us on our social media pages to receive regular updates about the voluntary sector and learn more about the TeamKinetic system. 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

 

Have you enjoyed using TeamKinetic? If you could leave us a review on Capterra, we’d really appreciate it! We’ll even send you a little thank you.

How To Manage Volunteers Effectively: Top Tips For Success

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On 26th April 2023

In Volunteer Management

Managing volunteers can be challenging, especially if you want to maximise their engagement and impact. Opting for a volunteer management system can help you manage your volunteers successfully. Here at TeamKinetic, we’ve put together our top tips for managing volunteers effectively to help you lead a fantastic team of volunteers.

Clearly define roles and opportunities 

One of the essential elements of effective volunteer management is to clearly define the roles and expectations of each volunteer. This includes what tasks they will perform, how much time they are expected to commit, and what skills or experience are required. Having a clear understanding of expectations and roles helps to minimise confusion, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure everyone is working towards a common goal is a key starting point for managing your volunteers effectively. By using a volunteer management system such as TeamKinetic, you can write detailed role descriptions when creating opportunities. 

We have a blog post all about how you can get the best out of your opportunity descriptions which you can read here.

Recruit volunteers strategically 

To build an effective volunteer team, it’s important to recruit strategically. This involves recognising the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for each role and targeting specific demographics or groups. You can use social media, community events, and word-of-mouth referrals to attract potential volunteers. We have a blog post about what qualities to look for when recruiting volunteers which is useful to read. 

Consistent communication 

Effective communication is key to managing volunteers successfully. Establishing clear communication channels is essential, including regular team meetings, email updates, or newsletters. 

With our volunteer management system, you can keep in close contact with your volunteers at all times. Within our system, there are a range of customisable automatic emails and other ways you can contact them using system notifications, SMS texts and opportunity chat rooms to help you maintain strong relationships with your volunteers.

Read our guide to effective communication with volunteers here.

Opportunity chat rooms within the TeamKinetic system

Provide sufficient training 

Volunteers may need suitable training to perform their roles effectively. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide adequate training to ensure that volunteers have the knowledge and skills they need to complete their tasks. Training can include onboarding sessions, mentoring, and ongoing coaching to help volunteers develop their skills and stay motivated.

Offer flexible schedules 

Volunteers often have other commitments, such as work or family, so offering flexible schedules can help with retention. At the end of adding an opportunity within the TeamKinetic system, you are given a choice to list your opportunity as a flexible or individual session. A flexible opportunity is when you need a volunteer for a certain role but it’s not always on the same date when it’s needed. Meaning you have the date you want the volunteering role to be completed but you are flexible about when the volunteer attends. 

Option to choose individual or flexible sessions on the TeamKinetic system

Reward your volunteers

Volunteers dedicate their time and energy to support your organisation, so showing appreciation is crucial to keeping them engaged and motivated. 

You can easily reward your volunteers with our system. We have a few ways you can reward volunteers including achievement badges and even our Unique HourTrades feature which allows volunteers to swap their logged hours for special rewards. TeamKinetic will also send automated messages to your volunteers on milestones, such as their birthdays or when they reach a new achievement level. 

Provide feedback 

A positive culture can help volunteers feel valued and included, increasing engagement and retention. You can create a positive culture by encouraging a sense of community, providing opportunities for volunteers to socialise, and promoting a shared mission. Within the TeamKinetic system, you can have two-way feedback on every opportunity, which ensures your volunteers are kept happy and fulfilled.

Track performance and progress 

Monitoring performance and progress is essential to ensure that volunteers are meeting their goals and making an impact within the organisation.

Real-time, detailed, and effective analysis of all aspects of your volunteer programme helps you tell a clear story of your organisation’s social value. With TeamKinetic you can receive two-way feedback on every opportunity, so you can ensure volunteers are kept content and fulfilled.

Example of the Reports & Analysis Quick Stats page within the TeamKinetic system 

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, effective volunteer management is crucial to maximising engagement and impact. With these top tips, you can build a successful team of volunteers that make a meaningful contribution to your organisation’s mission.

Interested in speeding up your volunteer registrations and reducing administrative burden? Why not start with a volunteer management system? With TeamKinetic you can start a FREE trial today over on our website or book a demo!

Make sure you follow us to receive regular updates about the voluntary sector and learn more about the TeamKinetic system. 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

 

Have you enjoyed using TeamKinetic? If you could leave us a review on Capterra, we’d really appreciate it! We’ll even send you a little thank you.

Building Community Through Heritage Volunteering

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On 19th April 2023

In Community, Heritage & Culture

Heritage volunteering offers a unique opportunity to not only contribute to preserving and promoting cultural heritage but also to build and strengthen community ties. As volunteers work together to preserve historical sites, they become a part of a group. In this blog post, we share ways heritage volunteering can be used to create a community.

Shared goals

Volunteering for a heritage site allows people to come together around shared goals. Volunteers who are passionate about history and culture can work together to ensure that these sites and artefacts are preserved for future generations. As they collaborate, they share their knowledge and experiences, so they can build a sense of belonging to a group.

Sense of Ownership

Volunteering for a heritage site also creates a sense of ownership and pride in the community. When volunteers give their time and energy to preserving local heritage, they get a rewarding feeling for making an impact. They are invested in their work, and this creates a feeling of attachment and belonging to the community.

Social Connections

Volunteering for a heritage site is a great way to meet new people and make social connections. Volunteers come together and share a common interest in preserving and promoting heritage. As they work together, they get to know each other and develop friendships, which strengthens the sense of community and means people are more likely to continue volunteering.

Education 

Volunteering for a heritage site provides opportunities for education and engagement. Volunteers learn new aspects of history and culture, and they can share that knowledge with others. Volunteers can also learn new skills through volunteering. As they engage with visitors and other members, they develop a sense of purpose and value in their work, which contributes to the sense of community.

Key Takeaways…

In conclusion, heritage volunteering can be a powerful tool for bringing people together and building community. Heritage volunteers can feel part of a group and benefit from this. So why not consider volunteering at a heritage site in your community? You may be surprised at the impact it can have on you and those around you.

If you’re looking for a volunteer management system, why not take a look at us? You can start a FREE trial over on our website or book a demo! 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

 

Have you enjoyed using TeamKinetic? If you could leave us a review on G2, we’d really appreciate it! We’ll even send you a little thank you.

Get Ready For Volunteers Week 2023!

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On 12th April 2023

In Community, News & Views, Volunteer Management

Volunteers Week 2023 is fast approaching, so here are some ways to prepare for it! Volunteers Week is the annual celebration of volunteers in the UK. The important week is all about recognising and celebrating the hard work of volunteers. 

When is it taking place?

Volunteers Week will be taking place from the 1st – 7th of June. The week takes place in the Month Of Community, which is a whole month of dedicating time to come together to celebrate everything that makes communities great. Other events in the Month Of Community include Small Charities Week and The Big Lunch.

Volunteer-involved organisations across the UK will run activities to honour volunteers. Various activities will be taking place from volunteer recruitment events and open days to celebration and recognition events.

A range of partners help to make Volunteers Week special each year. This year’s partners include National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Volunteer Scotland, Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland) and Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Click here if you are interested in getting in touch and becoming a partner for 2023!

How to prepare and get involved

Volunteers Week is just a couple of months away so it might be a good idea to start planning now. There are many small ways you can recognise your volunteers which don’t need to break the bank! 

Social Media 

Social media is an easy, free and effective way of recognising your volunteers which can be shared with all of your followers. Use the hashtag #VolunteersWeek to say thank you to your volunteers. You can share stories of the impact your volunteers have made and encourage them to share their own volunteering journies. 

Celebrations

You could host small parties or awards nights to celebrate your volunteers. Highlight your volunteers’ successes to show them how their hard work has helped your organisation. You can show them the impact they have made within the organisation and reward them with a certificate. Volunteers Week have a free certificate template you can use here. 

Events

Running an event is a great way to get everyone together and spread the message. The Big Lunch is a great example of this. The event for neighbours and communities takes place every year in the UK. Running an event doesn’t have to be expensive, it can be run online or in a local park. You can then spread the word by promoting the event on social media! 

Here are some tips for planning your event.

Recruit and support

You can use Volunteers Week to promote the benefits of volunteering to help gain interest and encourage others to volunteer for your organisation or volunteering programme. You can also promote training for your volunteers to keep them supported, NCVO offers plenty of training material which can be found on their website. 

We have some ideas from previous blog posts for celebrating and recognising your own volunteers’ hard work which you can read here and here. 

Resources to use

The Volunteers Week website has lots of free resources you can start using now to promote the week. You can encourage your volunteers to share the resources on their social media pages too! 

Start getting involved and celebrate and inspire volunteers around the UK!

If you’re looking for a volunteer management system, why not take a look at us? You can start a FREE trial over on our website or book a demo! 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

 

Have you enjoyed using TeamKinetic? If you could leave us a review on G2, we’d really appreciate it! We’ll even send you a little thank you.

TeamTalk: Season 2, Episode 6 – Piers Martin

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On 12th April 2023

In News & Views, TeamTalk Podcast

Welcome back to Season 2 of our TeamTalk podcast. This season, we are talking to thought leaders, customers and stakeholders from the world of sport and physical exercise as we dive deeper into the world of volunteering.

We are also joined again by our co-host Imo Greatbatch. Imo is currently the Head of Volunteering at England Netball, she is passionate about volunteering in sports and is offering her knowledge and insight on the topic. 

In this TeamTalk episode, we were super excited to be joined by Piers Martin from Premier League. The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system.

Piers is Head of Leadership and Academy Workforce Development at the Premier League and the Chair at UK Deaf Sport. He has worked with a range of organisations such as Sports Resolution UK, Manchester Metropolitan University, British Basketball, and British disabled fencing to name just a few. During this episode, Piers discusses his journey through sport and shares his leadership knowledge.

Thanks to Piers for joining us!

A big thank you to Piers. It was great to catch up and hear his journey into how he got to his role at Premier League. It is without a doubt that you will finish this episode feeling inspired! 

Listen now on Spotify and all other podcast streaming platforms:

You can also access the episode on YouTube below with subtitles:

If you have any topic or guest requests- let us know! Contact us over on our socials, send over an email (isabella@teamkinetic.co.uk) or contact us over on our website. 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

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How Can AI Help Volunteer Managers?

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On 5th April 2023

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

Artificial intelligence solutions are changing the world of business with new AI-powered chatbots such as ChatGPT. The chatbot has the ability to increase efficiency and productivity and has the potential to make your life as a volunteer manager a whole lot easier. AI can be a valuable tool for volunteer managers in various ways. 

It can help with recruiting volunteers 

ChatGPT can be used to engage with potential volunteers and answer their questions about the organisation, opportunities, and requirements. This can help with the recruitment process to provide a more personalised experience for potential volunteers. It can also help volunteer managers identify the most suitable candidates for a particular volunteer role.

Describing roles and opportunity descriptions 

Define the requirements of each volunteer role, including the skills and experience needed, the time commitment required, and the role’s location.

How useful can ChatGPT be?  

Below I have tested out some ways that you can use ChatGPT which with some minor edits made here and there to cater the answers to your organisation can save you a lot of time. 

Firstly, ChatGPT could help with writing recruitment material like examples of questions to ask volunteers during the recruitment process. You can cater the question for the specific role you are interviewing the volunteer for and then just like that a list of 15 adequate questions to ask your volunteer!

Question asked: “What are a list of questions I could ask during a volunteer interview for the role of a charity shop assistant?”

The response that was generated: 

  1. What inspired you to apply for a volunteer role as a charity shop assistant?
  2. What previous experience do you have in retail or customer service?
  3. How do you handle difficult customers or situations?
  4. What skills do you think are important for this role?
  5. How would you describe your communication skills?
  6. Can you describe a time when you demonstrated teamwork and collaboration?
  7. What is your availability and commitment to volunteering?
  8. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?
  9. What are your expectations from volunteering at a charity shop?
  10. How would you describe your approach to fundraising and promoting the charity shop’s mission?
  11. Are you comfortable working with cash and handling financial transactions?
  12. How would you respond if you noticed a colleague or customer engaging in unethical or inappropriate behaviour?
  13. What do you know about the charity or cause that this shop supports?
  14. How would you respond to a donation that is not in a saleable condition?
  15. Are you comfortable with standing for extended periods of time and performing physical tasks, such as lifting and carrying items?

We all know the importance of recognising the hard work of volunteers and it’s important to show you appreciate their hard work. So I then asked ChatGPT to write me a thank you letter which can be sent to a volunteer to acknowledge their efforts. Again with some minor edits to cater towards the role and your organisation, it’s quite a sufficient letter. 

Questions asked: “Put together a thank you letter for a volunteer who has completed charity shop work”

The response that was generated:

On behalf of [Charity Shop’s Name], I want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your hard work and dedication as a volunteer. Your time and effort have made a significant impact on our organization, and we could not have achieved our goals without your support.

Your commitment to serving our customers and ensuring that our shop operates smoothly has not gone unnoticed. You have demonstrated a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and excellent communication skills throughout your time with us.

Your contributions have helped us to raise much-needed funds for our charity, and your efforts have enabled us to continue providing support to those in need. Your enthusiasm for our cause has been contagious, and your kindness and compassion have touched the lives of many.

We are so grateful for the time you have given to us, and we hope that you have found the experience to be rewarding and fulfilling. We would be honoured if you would consider volunteering with us again in the future, as your presence would be greatly missed.

Once again, thank you for your invaluable contributions to our organization, and for being a part of our mission to make a difference in the world.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Charity Shop’s Name]

Lastly, I tried asking the bot to write me a role description. Writing role descriptions can be time-consuming so knowing that ChatGPT can write you a generic role description is valuable. 

Question I asked: “Can you create a role description for what a charity shop volunteer might do?”

The response that was generated:

Role: Charity Shop Volunteer

Overview:

As a charity shop volunteer, you will play a vital role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the shop and helping to raise funds for our charity. You will work alongside other volunteers and staff members to ensure that the shop runs smoothly, provides excellent customer service, and generates revenue to support our charitable mission.

Responsibilities:

Greet customers and provide a friendly and helpful shopping experience
Assist customers with their purchases, answer questions, and provide information about our charity and its mission
Sort, price, and display donated items, ensuring that they are clean, in good condition, and meet our quality standards
Manage the shop’s inventory and restock shelves as needed
Operate the cash register, handle cash and card payments, and reconcile daily sales
Ensure that the shop is clean, organized, and safe for customers and volunteers
Assist with other tasks as needed, such as social media marketing, fundraising events, or donation pickups

Requirements:

A commitment to our charity’s mission and values
Strong communication and customer service skills
Ability to work well in a team and follow directions from staff members
Attention to detail and the ability to sort and organize donated items effectively
Comfortable handling cash and using a cash register
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift or carry items up to 25 pounds

Benefits:

The opportunity to support a worthy cause and make a difference in your community
Gain valuable retail and customer service experience
Meet new people and work as part of a friendly and supportive team
Develop new skills and knowledge related to retail operations, inventory management, and fundraising

Time Commitment:

We ask for a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week, ideally on a regular schedule. However, we understand that schedules may vary and can be flexible to accommodate your availability.
Training and Support:

We provide comprehensive training on all aspects of the role, including customer service, cash handling, inventory management, and safety procedures.
You will be supported by our staff members and other volunteers, who will be available to answer your questions and provide guidance as needed.

Key Takeaways…

Overall, AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT can help volunteer managers save time, increase efficiency, and improve the effectiveness of their volunteer programs. With some editing to cater towards your organisation, using ChatGPT can create a good starting point for writing opportunity descriptions, recognition letters and interview questions. However, it is important to also use your own expertise and not rely completely on AI as it may not always be accurate.

If you have any other ideas for how ChatGPT could help the workload of volunteer managers, have a go for yourself and test them out then tweet them to us @TeamKineticUK

If you’re looking for a volunteer management system, why not take a look at us? You can start a FREE trial over on our website or book a demo! 

 

You can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

TeamTalk April: Roundup

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On 5th April 2023

In Newsletter Roundup

Hello and welcome to TeamKinetic’s TeamTalk April newsletter in blog form!

This roundup is designed to let you read more about what’s going on within TeamKinetic, the third sector, and the world in general.

If you’d like to subscribe to the TeamTalk newsletter, please send an email over to me at alex@teamkinetic.co.uk and we’ll get you on the list!

To read our roundup of stories we think you need to know about, click to go to the next page below, or choose a story from the list:

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