Category: Events and Conferences Page 1 of 3

Empowering Volunteer Managers: The Digital in Volunteering Toolkit

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On 10th December 2024

In Events and Conferences, Volunteer Management

On 5th December, we celebrated the launch of the Digital in Volunteering Toolkit, developed by TeamKinetic, Gethyn Williams, and the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM).

This toolkit, designed with input from experts in volunteer management and technology, aims to help organisations navigate the ever-changing digital landscape with confidence.

You can download the Toolkit now, here.

Here’s a recap of the event and a look at what’s next for volunteer managers:

A Dynamic Panel

We kicked things off by discussing how to use technology in the most meaningful way. It’s not about jumping on the latest tech trends just because they’re shiny, but figuring out how digital tools can genuinely help tackle challenges.

This led to the idea of creating the toolkit – something that started as a small project but grew into a game-changer over the past year.

The online launch event gave us an excuse to bring together a fantastic panel of speakers to explore the opportunities and challenges of adopting digital tools in volunteer management.

Hosted by Ruth Leonard (AVM), the panel featured:

  • Chris Martin (TeamKinetic)
  • Alan Stevenson (Volunteer Scotland)
  • Maddy Desforges (NAVCA)

During the panel session, Maddy shared her struggle with CRMs. This probably hit home for a lot of people at the launch. It’s that classic problem of spending so much time putting data in, but being unable to pull out what you need when needed. Finding that sweet spot of efficiency and usability is still a work in progress for many of us. The Toolkit hopes to help you solve issues like that.

They also talked about the value of having ‘critical friends’. These are people who tell you when you’re off track and help you engage better with volunteers. It’s not just about having the right systems in place; it’s also about building relationships and keeping volunteers on the journey with you.

Exploring the Toolkit

After the panel, Gethyn Williams guided attendees through the toolkit’s contents. Packed with practical advice and insights, the toolkit is a resource to help organisations:

  • Assess their digital needs
  • Identify suitable tools and solutions
  • Overcome common barriers to adoption

If you’ve not yet accessed the toolkit, it’s available to download for free:

Digital in Volunteering Toolkit

The toolkit is a way to make tackling volunteer challenges less daunting. Think of it as breaking down a huge task into bite-sized pieces. It will help organisations get started without feeling overwhelmed. It looks at digital adoption through three lenses: scale, efficiency, and experience. Whether it’s about reaching more people, streamlining internal processes, or creating a standout volunteer experience, the toolkit uses these principles to guide organisations.

Bonus: it can even help build a strong business case for your volunteer programs.

We wanted this toolkit to feel different. It’s based on the real-world challenges that volunteer managers face daily. The feedback and iterations over the past year have shaped it into something truly tailored for leaders on the front lines.

Introducing the Community of Practice

The launch event also marked the beginning of a new Community of Practice, designed to create a space for volunteer managers to collaborate, share, and advocate for the role of digital technology in volunteering. You can sign up for the community of practice when you download the toolkit.

What the Community Offers

  • Learning: Peer support and shared knowledge to navigate digital challenges
  • Influence: Mobilising collective voices to shape the market and contribute to national conversations
  • Access: Priority access to Parts 2 and 3 of the toolkit, as well as early notice of training opportunities

Hosted by AVM and supported by TeamKinetic and Gethyn Williams, this vendor-neutral Community of Practice is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and drive positive change.

Looking Ahead

What’s next? More conversations!

Podcasting, blogs, and social media will play a big role in keeping the discussion alive, with experts and practitioners sharing insights on volunteering, tech, and everything in between.

As technology continues to evolve, the need for adaptable, innovative solutions in volunteer management has never been greater. The Digital in Volunteering Toolkit and the Community of Practice provide the resources and networks volunteer managers need to thrive in this dynamic environment.

We’re excited about the conversations and collaborations this initiative is going to spark. If you’re passionate about harnessing digital tools to enhance volunteering, we invite you to join us on this journey.

Download the toolkit now and stay tuned for updates and opportunities to engage with the Community of Practice. Together, we can shape the future of volunteer management.

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

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Have you enjoyed using TeamKinetic? If you could leave us a review on Capterra, we’d really appreciate it!

Getting into deep conversations with LEGO Serious Play

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On 28th October 2024

In Events and Conferences, Volunteer Management

At the recent TeamKinetic Conference, we were treated to an engaging session led by Katherine Perrin, a freelancer with a rich background in charity management and social impact consultancy. Katherine’s passion for bringing fresh approaches to group dynamics and conversations made her session stand out, with a spotlight on the unique facilitation method known as LEGO Serious Play.

You can catch the session below:

Let’s take a closer look at how Katherine used creativity and play to unlock deeper insights in her workshop and how this approach can transform how we communicate and collaborate.

Meet Katherine Perrin

With nearly 15 years of experience in charity management, Katherine’s career has included a range of roles. From working on corporate projects to leading volunteer management and senior roles.

Her passion revolves around helping people and organisations have better, more meaningful conversations that lead to real impact. Katherine’s certification in LEGO Serious Play perfectly complements her wider work. She’s also an Action Learning Set lead, mentor, and certified coach. All these roles focus on supporting those working in the social good space to achieve their best results.

Wait, what is LEGO Serious Play?

For those unfamiliar with it, LEGO Serious Play is a facilitation technique. It uses LEGO bricks to help people express ideas, thoughts, and emotions through building. It’s not just playing with toys. The method encourages participants to use metaphors and storytelling as they build models. This offers a different, often deeper, way to communicate.

LEGO Serious Play


By engaging both hands and mind, LEGO Serious Play unlocks creative potential and makes it easier for participants to share their thoughts. Even thoughts that might be difficult to articulate verbally. The method is used in a variety of situations. From business strategy meetings to team-building workshops, and even problem-solving sessions. It’s all about breaking down barriers and enhancing engagement, and Katherine brought this concept to life during her session.

Using metaphor to open up

The session kicked off with an interactive exercise that got everyone thinking outside the box.

It’s sheep #4, isn’t it?


It was playful, but it also illustrated how using metaphors can encourage creativity and draw out more personal, thoughtful responses.

Katherine’s goal was to show how using simple, playful prompts can help people open up and engage more fully. And it worked. Attendees immediately connected with the exercise, sharing insights that went far beyond the typical “How are you?” responses.

Thinking deeper with LEGO blocks

What was clear throughout the session was Katherine’s enthusiasm for bringing fun into the workplace. But this doesn’t come at the expense of productivity – rather, it enhances it. By using facilitation methods like LEGO Serious Play, people may feel more comfortable expressing themselves and collaborating effectively.

Though LEGO Serious Play, is usually an in-person experience, Katherine expertly adapted it to the virtual setting. Allowing all attendees to participate from home with their own LEGO bricks.

She asked participants to build something that represented their answer to the question:

What strength do you bring to the team and why, and what’s your area for improvement?

There were some really great builds shown but unfortunately, these aren’t reflected in the recording, so if you did build something and take a picture, please send it our way!

Ovrall, Katherine emphasised the genuine, unforced joy that LEGO Serious Play can bring into professional spaces. While her session at the conference was on the lighter side, she explained that the method can easily adapt to tackle more serious topics, making it an incredibly versatile tool.

For Katherine, it’s all about choosing the right tools and metaphors to create a welcoming vibe and a comfortable atmosphere, no matter the focus of the session.

Final Thoughts

Katherine Perrin’s session at the TeamKinetic Conference showcased just how powerful innovative facilitation methods can be. By blending creativity with strategic communication, she demonstrated how tools like LEGO Serious Play can change the way we interact with one another in group settings.

It’s a reminder that bringing a little play into serious processes isn’t a bad thing! It can lead to more meaningful and impactful conversations, ultimately helping teams work better together.

Now, before we close off, we have to ask. Which sheep are you?

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Advancing volunteering in complex organisational systems

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On 15th October 2024

In Events and Conferences, Volunteer Management

Insights from Dr Helen Timbrell

In a world where volunteering is becoming increasingly crucial to organisational success, mastering the art of volunteer management is more important than ever. In our recent conference, we invited Helen Timbrell to come and explore this fascinating topic with our attendees. You can catch the session below:

Advancing volunteering in complex organisational systems with Helen Timbrell


A leading consultant, researcher, and coach in strategic volunteer development, Helen has extensive experience working with organisations like Citizens Advice and the National Trust. She offers a unique perspective on how organisations can harness the transformative power of volunteers to drive systemic growth and cultural change.

Being a volunteer manager is like being… Taylor Swift?

Believe it or not, Helen Timbrell drew a brilliant parallel between Taylor Swift’s relentless tour schedule and the role of volunteer managers. Just like Swift, volunteer managers are expected to keep showing up, night after night, no matter what challenges they’ve faced before. Helen pointed out that the job can feel endless and exhausting, with constant expectations from others.

Taylor Swift "Look what you made me do"

She noted that being a volunteer manager, like being a solo performer, can feel quite exposing, even if you have a team behind you. You’re often the one in the spotlight, carrying the weight of responsibility. But, when done well, both are great at building a sense of community and recognising the contributions of those around them.

Helen also compared the criticism faced by both Taylor Swift and volunteer managers, often unrelated to the real issues at hand.

The Limits of Responsibility

Volunteer managers, she explained, are often asked to solve problems that aren’t actually about volunteering. She gave the example of an organisation worried that increasing the number of volunteers might make staff feel undervalued. While this was framed as a volunteering issue, Helen pointed out that the real problem lay in organisational culture and staff recognition.

“Problems” that “show up” in volunteering are often not about volunteering or caused by volunteering. However, leaders of volunteers recruitment are often asked to “solve” those problems.

Similarly, she discussed how the lack of diversity in volunteer teams is often seen as the responsibility of volunteer managers. In reality, it’s tied to broader issues around equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the organisation. Helen stressed that these are systemic challenges that can’t be tackled by volunteer leaders alone.

Focusing on the Right Priorities

Do you find yourself getting drawn into surface-level, tactical tasks that can divert attention from more significant, long-term strategic work? Often, volunteer managers are asked to address highly visible issues that seem urgent but don’t lead to sustainable change. Helen encouraged everyone to step back and consider where their time and energy would have the most meaningful impact. Don’t get sidetracked by problems that don’t require your direct involvement.

Advancing volunteering in complex organisational systems

Recognising the Bigger Picture

Helen encouraged us to think of ourselves not just as volunteer managers, but as organisational development specialists. Using the metaphor of a “telescope”, she described how your perspective should be shifted. Instead of narrowly focusing on volunteering, take a broader look at how the entire organisation’s culture impacts volunteering. By doing this, you can influence positive change on a larger scale.

Advancing volunteering in complex organisational systems

Helen also introduced the concept of “less sponge, more mirror”. A handy way to say that you shouldn’t absorb all the problems yourself. Instead, reflect them back to the organisation and involve others in finding solutions.

Protecting your Health and Well-being

The pressures of volunteer management can be overwhelming. It’s easy to take on too much, especially when faced with high expectations and limited resources. Helen shared her experience of feeling personally responsible for solving organisational challenges during her time at the National Trust. She emphasised that it’s crucial to set boundaries and recognise what’s within your control.

So what next?

Helen’s session was a call to rethink the way volunteer managers approach challenges. Shift your focus from tactical fixes to strategic influence. Build partnerships across organisations, and recognise your limits. Protect your own well-being while also creating more sustainable, impactful change.

It was an inspiring reminder that while volunteer management is tough, you don’t have to tackle it all alone. You can lead by fostering collaboration and focusing on what really matters.

We encourage you all to explore the additional resources provided below and think about how they can help you in your career. By embracing these insights and strategies, you can rethink your approach to volunteer management, ensuring a thriving and impactful volunteer programme.

Useful resources

Advancing volunteering in complex organisational systems with Dr Helen Timbrell at the TeamKinetic Conference 2024

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

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TeamKinetic 2024 Conference

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On 27th August 2024

In Events and Conferences, News & Views

The TeamKinetic Conference will take place on Wednesday the 25th September. We’ll be bringing together voices from across the third sector to discuss the latest hot topics from the world of volunteer management. You can get tickets now for just £10!

We have a great lineup of speakers for you, just click any name to find out more!

Dr Helen Timbrell: People and Organisational Development Consultant

Katherine Perrin: Social Impact Consultant

Liverpool City Region Panel

Janet Lewis-Jones: Investing in Volunteers Assessor

Claire Feeney: Senior Web Analyst at EMCode

Gethyn Williams: Non-Profit Development

The Agenda

(Subject to change)

Speakers

Dr Helen Timbrell

People and Organisational Development Consultant

The challenges we experience when looking to grow and develop volunteering within organisations are rarely “just” about volunteering, and yet often colleagues and leaders look to us as volunteering teams to “solve” these wider problems. In this session, Helen will reflect on her experience working in and consulting with organisations, and explore how we might get better at identifying and working through the wider system issues that might get in our way. Helen will advocate for volunteering leaders to take an organisational development perspective to their work and share some of the advantages of doing so.

Helen is a consultant, researcher and coach with a specialisation in strategic volunteering development and supporting volunteering leaders. Clients include Citizens Advice, Cats Protection, Scouts Association, Dogs Trust and SSAFA. Helen previously held the roles of Director of People and Organisational Development at Samaritans and Versus Arthritis. Prior to this, she was Director of Volunteering and Participation at the National Trust.

Helen’s PhD explored geographical variations in volunteering. In 2020 she published “What the bloody hell are you doing here?” research exploring the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic volunteers in four organisations. She has an MBA, is a chartered member of the CIPD and holds an MSc in Coaching and Behavioural Change.

Find out more on Helen’s website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Katherine Perrin

Social Impact Consultant


LEGO®SeriousPlay® is a unique, tactile way of exploring topics. The method encourages people to use metaphor – using the LEGO® bricks to build models that represent their thoughts and ideas. Highly accessible, democratic and gently playful, it’s a surprisingly powerful way to facilitate deep conversations and gain new insights on key issues. Its flexibility is one of its greatest strengths – you can use it for team-building and personal exploration, through to vision and values, strategy and impact.

Katherine brings nearly 15 years of charity management experience across corporate projects and operational/senior management roles (including volunteer management). She has a passion for supporting individuals and organisations to have better conversations and deliver greater impact. Her certification in the LEGO®SeriousPlay® method is the perfect complement to her wider work in facilitation, as well as being an Action Learning Set lead, mentor and certified coach in the for-social-good space.

Visit Katherine’s website, and connect with her on LinkedIn.

You can also listen to the podcast episode we recorded with her here!

Liverpool City Region Panel


Chris will host an exciting panel discussion with various key figures from our partnership across the Liverpool City Region. Claire Redford-Kerr and Lauren Jones will join us to discuss the impact of technology in enhancing collaboration between volunteer centres across Liverpool. 

The Liverpool City Region Volunteering Orbit, powered by TeamKinetic, 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.

Lauren Jones

Lauren serves as the Volunteer Centre Coordinator at Volunteer Centre Sefton (VCS). The Centre plays a crucial role in supporting the sector with all aspects of volunteering and collaborates closely with partners and other CVS organisations across the Liverpool City Region to promote and sustain volunteering in the area.

With over twelve years of professional experience in the sector, primarily as a Volunteer Coordinator, Lauren has been in her current role for two years. She is passionate about assisting organisations with volunteer infrastructure and is dedicated to continually enhancing the Centre’s offerings. On a personal level, Lauren has been involved in various forms of volunteering and fundraising since childhood. She currently volunteers with her Miniature Shetland therapy pony, Squirrel.

Claire Redford-Kerr

Claire is the Place-based Lead for Halton at Halton & St Helens Voluntary and Community Action. She leads on volunteering across the organisation, providing guidance and support to staff involved in place-based project delivery. Claire plays a key role in shaping local priorities by serving on strategic boards, partnerships, and networks within the Halton area.

Janet Lewis-Jones

Investing in Volunteers Assessor


Janet’s session will explore the importance of enhancing volunteers’ experiences through good practice. It will look at everything, from recruitment to exit, using the Investing in Volunteers framework and accreditation journey.

Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the quality standard for all volunteer-involving organisations. It aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience and to ensure organisations acknowledge the contribution made by volunteers. 

IiV is a development tool that uses a quality framework to demonstrate best practice in volunteer involvement and management. The process will support you and your organisation with the development of your volunteer programme and highlight the effectiveness of your work with volunteers. 

Details of how you can go through the accredited journey as well as information on the benefits of achieving IiV status can be found at Home – Investing in Volunteers

Janet Lewis-Jones has extensive experience in the criminal justice sector and with non-profit organisations. She worked briefly as a psychologist in the prison service before spending nearly two decades with a national charity, where she became the National Director of Operations, managing contracts worth over £12 million, 450 staff, and 2000 volunteers. 

Since becoming a freelancer in 2004, Janet has advised and assessed various quality standards for not-for-profit organisations. She is a Registered Assessor for the matrix Standard, an Assessor and Lead Assessor for the Investing in Volunteers Standard, and has worked with the Volunteer Centre Quality Assurance (VCQA) and UK Community Foundations (UKCF) quality standards. Janet also holds an SFEDI-accredited Level 5 Certificate in assessment processes and practices.

Claire Feeney

Senior Web Analyst at EM Code


Claire will present an introductory session on Google Analytics 4 (GA4), focusing on how organisations and charities can leverage GA4 to gain deeper insights into volunteer engagement, identify popular content, and collect actionable data. This session is designed to equip volunteer managers with the knowledge needed to enhance their strategies and improve their overall volunteer management through insight leveraged from GA4.

Addressing the current challenges facing the third sector, including declining donations and volunteer numbers, Claire will help audiences to understand how GA4 can be used to gather critical data that can inform recruitment and engagement efforts.

Find out more about EMCode.

Gethyn Williams

Non-Profit Development


TeamKinetic’s new Digital in Volunteering Toolkit, developed with AVM members, is about to be launched. In this session, you’ll get an advanced look at its content and structure, as well as an overview of the key insights and points of learning for Volunteer Managers gained through its production. The purpose of the toolkit is to help Volunteer Managers adopt the digital tools and approaches that will best serve their needs, supporting a ‘growth mindset’ powered by digital innovation.

Gethyn provides strategic and operational support services to charities and non-profit organisations, helping them tackle challenges in order to grow and thrive. He has twenty years experience across the UK non-profit sector. 

Find out more about Gethyn on his website, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Stay tuned for more information regarding our speakers and agenda! But in the meantime..

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

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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.

Launching the new TeamKinetic App and Tempo Integration

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On 27th February 2024

In Events and Conferences, News & Views, TeamKinetic Features, Technical Updates

Thank you to everyone who attended our launch event for the new TeamKinetic app and Tempo integration! We hope everyone is as excited about these developments as we are now! If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know in this blog post.

Please also see this folder for all the key docs you need, including all the presentation slides.

Session Recording

The recording from the session can be watched below, or via this link, please see the chapters for all key moments:

New TeamKinetic App

You can download our app for free on iOS and Android now. Just search ‘Volunteer with TeamKinetic’ or click the links below.

If you are an enterprise user wanting to discuss adopting a white-labeled app, please fill in this form. 

Key Questions About the App

Q: When will features such as resources, hour trades and ID badges be available in the app?

A: They’re coming in the next update, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

Q: Does the app send reminder notifications for upcoming opps, new opps, feedback reminders, messages, etc?

A: It will send notifications (if allowed) about key things such as upcoming sessions. We could look to add further notifications (e.g. for feedback and logging hours) in the future.

Q: Will providers and Admins be able to log in to the app?

A: Not currently. We’re looking at how we can better support these users on mobile, we’re looking at developing a separate app for these users in the long-term. But right now, they can still log in to TeamKinetic through their mobile device’s browser to take TK on the go.

Tempo Integration

If you’re interested in rewarding your volunteers with Tempo Time Credits you can get started now.

See the slideshow below for full details on how to get it set up.

If you need to get in touch to discuss your options, please see the image below to find out who to contact.

Chat with Chris: https://savvycal.com/Chris-Martin-fd7fab21/Tempo 

Chat with Rachel: https://savvycal.com/rachelgegeshidze/9d48a957

Interested in finding out more about Tempo? Visit their website and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

See also: our blog explaining the integration in more detail.
Tempo’s guest blog about the work they do and their impact.

Key Questions About Tempo

Q: Is Tempo looking to create networks in new areas, such as across Scotland?

A: Yes! Tempo are currently working with a few organisations across Scotland to look at how they can widen their network and provide experiences for users in Scotland. If you’re interested in contributing to this, please reach out to Rachel.

Q: Can Tempo account for legacy hours within TK?

A: Yes, that’s a decision you can make when you implement Tempo. This may involve setting a date to determine when hours are counted from.

Q: Can my volunteers use credits for experiences outside of our area?

A: Yes, volunteers can redeem credits for experiences anywhere! They can also gift credits if they’d like.

Q: Do Tempo Time Credits affect benefits?

A: No, Time Credits are seen as gifts so will not have an impact on people’s tax or benefits. Credits always have a time value, not a financial value.

Thank you for reading about the new TeamKinetic App and Tempo Integration. As always, please get in touch if you have any questions. 

Thank you for being a part of the TeamKinetic community!

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

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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.

TeamKinetic 2023 Conference Roundup

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On 11th October 2023

In Events and Conferences, News & Views

The TeamKinetic 2023 Conference took place on Wednesday the 27th September. We brought together voices from across the third sector, all discussing the latest hot topics from the world of volunteer management.

This year, our theme was: 

The changing world and its potential impact on volunteering.

If you attended the conference, we’d love if you could take the time to fill in our evaluation form: https://forms.gle/16sA1PBDYbWRYf9P7

All responses will be taken on board to help us make next year even better.

We kicked things off with an intro to the Association of Volunteer Managers, you can find out more about the AVM and all the great work they do for the sector here: https://volunteermanagers.org.uk 

Next, we had a great Keynote from Rob Jackson on the conference theme (The changing nature of work and what this may mean for volunteering). He touched on the potential of AI and the implications for volunteer engagement professionals. He believes that AI currently has the potential to:

  • Create jobs
  • Provide health benefits
  • Give us freedom from the mundane
  • Allow us to focus on what’s uniquely human

 Meanwhile, Rob mentioned that the implications for people working in volunteer management/engagement may include:

  • Practical applications
  • New volunteer roles
  • Enhance our influencing
  • Prioritise the people side of our role

Connect with Rob by visiting his website and social media, all his important links can be found here.

New to TeamKinetic: App and Integrations

In our final session before lunch, we heard about all the new TeamKinetic App and Integrations from Rolf, as well as some recent new updates people might have missed. See this session below, or click here.

If you’re a TeamKinetic user, please register your interest in the new app and integrations here: https://forms.gle/THuCk4PLMrTZT6Yc7

See Rolf’s slides by clicking here.

Workshops

Creating Volunteer Pathways for Everyone with Tempo

Rachel Gegeshidze (CEO) & Brian Ratcliffe (Director of Operations) gave us a great presentation on how to create pathways into volunteering for everyone.

Rachel and Brian also spoke about the benefits of using Tempo Time Credits to reward your volunteers and the impact they make.

Catch up on Tempo’s session here:

If you’d like to find out more about Tempo, visit their website: wearetempo.org

Register your interest in the new app and integrations.

Streamlining the DBS Process with First Advantage

Lee Weightman (Senior Customer Manager) delivered an interesting presentation on how organisations can use First Advantage’s background check system to speed up processes.

Watch Lee’s session here:

If you’d like to find out more about First Advantage, please visit their website.

Register your interest in the new app and integrations.

Volunteer Experience: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Steve Hall (one of our Directors here at TeamKinetic) delivered an engaging session on how to improve the volunteer experience within your TeamKinetic system. There are a variety of things you can do within TeamKinetic to take your system to the next level, including custom CSS and adding your own volunteer onboarding resources.

Watch the full session here:

Designing volunteer roles for the twenties

Molly Sweeney (Volunteering Project Manager) from Groundwork London joined us to discuss how people can most effectively advertise their opportunities to volunteers. She mentioned the current issues people face:

She also proposed three models of volunteer types that can then be used to create opportunities which will improve engagement.

See the full session below, or click here:

Measuring Impact using the Logic Model

Timo Becker (Doctor of Philosophy and Professor) dialled in from Germany to share conceptual frameworks with us, such as the Logic Model.

Watch Timo’s session here:

Digital Volunteer Toolkit

Last but definitely not least, Gethyn Williams dropped in to talk to us about the Digital Volunteer Toolkit we’re building in collaboration with AVM.

The toolkit aims to help Volunteer-Involving Organisations adopt digital tools and approaches that are right for them. You can help shape the toolkit by responding to this poll about the issues you face in volunteer management: https://forms.gle/8qJDzbyxuLuSTEHp6

Watch Gethyn’s session below:

Again, thank you to everyone who attended the conference, we hope to see you again next year!

If you haven’t already, please fill in our survey on the conference here: https://forms.gle/16sA1PBDYbWRYf9P7

If you have any questions about the conference don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email alex@teamkinetic.co.uk or you can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

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Why Sports Conference Roundup

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On 20th September 2023

In Events and Conferences, News & Views

TeamKinetic recently attended the Why Sports ‘Improving Health and Increasing Activity Conference’ at the Royal Society of Medicine. Focusing on preventative health measures, the conference featured voices from the public, leisure, education and sports sectors. It was an informative, thought-provoking day punctuated by 8 themed sessions including a panel discussion hosted by TeamKinetic’s director, Chris. Here’s our Why Sports Conference roundup! 

So, Why Sports?

It’s common knowledge that activity is beneficial for the mind and body. Healthier people live happier lives. Those at the Why Sports conference want to turn this knowledge into concrete action. As Mike Farrar from Ukactive articulated at the conference opening, we must align the physical activity sector with the health sector.  When scaled, case studies and pilots by the likes of Sport England and Ealing Council can create widespread, real-life outcomes.

Social prescribing links together groups, services, people and activities within communities to address the social, emotional and practical influencers on health and wellbeing. Active Travel Lancashire have taken an approach that prioritises activity in communities by encouraging local cycling and walking. 

Keep offering support. In a couple of years time, the data will highlight the benefits of these ambitious schemes.

Declan O’Regan, Active Travel.

Without the likes of Gemma Hyde from the Town and Country Planning Association, such schemes could not be scaled. Gemma defined the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods, why they benefit people’s health and, importantly, how can we make them happen. Using architectural design to remove barriers to activity is a significant undertaking that sparks much debate. The benefits of such a setup reach beyond health. If done in an inclusive, viable manner, 20-minute neighbourhoods can greatly benefit the environment and economy. 

The Conference encouraged partnerships of all kinds; between charities, community groups, councils and the NHS. Such partnerships provide direction and outcomes that can inform government policy and implementation. For the second time, Raleigh Bikes was a Why Sports sponsor. Birmingham and Southall’s free bike schemes evidence the power of activity once social and economic barriers are removed.

TeamKinetic Panel

Volunteering isn’t just about giving; it’s about gaining too! Alongside some brilliant keynotes, the TeamKinetic panel inspired some fantastic discussion. TeamKinetic’s Chris Martin was joined by Leila Bendrimia from GLL, Bryony Hudson from Active Lancashire and Lee Malkin from Everybody Health and Leisure. The panel spoke on what volunteering means to their organisations and the difference that effective volunteer engagement software has made. The connections between leisure trusts through the Active Kindness Programme showcase the power of volunteering in the sports, health and leisure sectors. Here are some snippets from the panel discussion:

Ask your volunteers why they are there, this is crucial for volunteer retention.

Leila, GLL.

When reporting back to our board about how volunteering is going, with TeamKinetic we can dissect data at the click of a button.

Lee, Everybody Health and Leisure.

Volunteering brings all the good vibes and best out of people, but having TeamKinetic lets us translate this into something tangible you can justify to your trustees or board.

Bryony, Active Lancashire.

Final Roundup  

The Why Sports  ‘Improving Health and Increasing Activity Conference’ built upon our existing awareness of the benefits of activity. Hearing from industry professionals and analysing case studies will inspire and inform the implementation of additional activity-based initiatives.  

Sheffield Hallam University developed the 5I’s ‘Easier to be Active’ Framework in partnership with Sport England, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, The Richmond Group of charities, and others. The framework overviews the necessary considerations when seeking to help people to live more active, healthy lifestyles. If you’re looking to incorporate activity into your organisation through volunteering or other schemes, this framework is a helpful starting point!

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.

TeamKinetic 2023 Conference

By

On 4th September 2023

In Events and Conferences, News & Views

Click here to read the TeamKinetic 2023 Conference Roundup.

The TeamKinetic 2023 Conference will take place on Wednesday the 27th September. We’ll be bringing together voices from across the third sector. All discussing the latest hot topics from the world of volunteer management. This year, our theme is: 

The changing world and its potential impact on volunteering.


Get ready for an exciting online event that will bring together professionals from across the third sector. The TeamKinetic 2023 Conference is your chance to connect, learn, and grow with like-minded individuals.

The conference will feature a diverse range of sessions covering various topics related to volunteer management, digital solutions, and the future of volunteering.

Throughout the event, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from industry experts, participate in engaging discussions, and gain valuable insights that will help you excel in your own role.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, the TeamKinetic 2023 Conference is designed to inspire and empower you. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with fellow volunteer managers and expand your network.

Secure your ticket now!


You can join us at the conference for just £10, tickets are available through this link.

The event is entirely online. This allows us to welcome people from across the UK and beyond in an accessible way.

Find out more:

Our Speakers

The Agenda

Our 2022 Conference

Integrated Care Systems Conference 2023 Offer T&Cs

By

On 7th March 2023

In Events and Conferences, News & Views, NHS

We’re excited to head to the Integrated Care Systems Conference 2023. The event, hosted by Govconnect, will be taking place at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. We’ll be heading down on the 23rd March to meet with people from across the sector and share the work TeamKinetic has been doing recently.

Find out more about Integrated Care Systems below.

As part of our attendance, we’re excited to be offering an exclusive offer to the attendees of the event. They can start using the TeamKinetic Volunteer Management System at a reduced rate! Attendees who take advantage of this limited-time offer will receive 25% off their first year.

We’ll be handing out flyers at the event from our exhibition stand, they have an exclusive code on them. All you need to do is follow these steps:

  • Head over to our website: https://teamkinetic.co.uk
  • Start a free trial
  • Input the code on the flyer in the ‘Promo code’ box

    and that’s it!

  • If you’d rather not start a trial and instead talk directly to one of our team, you should find a chat box on the website, you’ll be put in direct contact with one of the team between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

You can find out more about the event over on the Govconnnect Events website.

Terms and Conditions apply. The code can be used from 23/03/2023 until expiry on 23/06/2023. The code can be used either when a trial is started or in correspondence with one of the TeamKinetic team. The offer gives you 25% off the fee of your first year using the system. The first year at 25% off offer starts from the date of your first payment, if the system is used after this period, standard charges will apply. Standard prices can be found on our website at https://teamkinetic.co.uk/pricing. This offer can only be used once. Offer only open to attendees of the Integrated Care Systems Conference 2023 using the code when making their trial site (proof of attendance may be required). Please direct any questions about this promotion to alex@teamkinetic.co.uk.

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.

International Volunteer Managers Day 2022

By

On 19th October 2022

In Events and Conferences, News & Views, Volunteer Management

What is IVM Day?

IVM day is an annual day to celebrate the profession of volunteer leadership. World Volunteer Managers Day 2022 will be taking place on Saturday 5th November and this year’s theme for the day is “Many Backgrounds – One Profession – Stronger Together”. 

The day was founded in 1999 and was developed in order to bring recognition to individual Managers of Volunteers and their roles in the mobilisation and support of the world’s volunteers.

There is a group of key leaders and organisations from around the world that are helping to spread the word about IVMDay. This is known as the International Supporters Group. 

IVM has some important values which they stand by. They believe Volunteer Managers change the lives of volunteers themselves and of those served by volunteers. Volunteer Managers provide the leadership and direction that allows people to build a good and just society. Without professional leadership, people’s time, talents and efforts could be wasted.

The Committee 

The committee members are a dedicated team of global volunteers who are driving the promotion of IVMDay internationally. 

The committee has a range of 5 volunteer managers from all around the world who have worked in different areas of the voluntary sector. From the UK, Rob Jackson is part of the committee. Rob runs his own consultancy and training company and has worked with Volunteering England and was involved in the creation of AVM. Rob was also our keynote speaker at our TeamKinetic 2022 Conference where he shared ideas about what the future might hold for volunteering.

 

Ways To Spread Awareness and How To Get Involved

On the IVM website, there is plenty of content they have produced which can be posted to social media, on your website or printed out to be put up in volunteer centres.

On the IVM day website, they have suggested several different ways you can celebrate volunteer managers on this day. To spread awareness of IVM day you can post a link to the IVMDay web page on your website. Other ideas include sending cards, letters or emails to thank your colleagues for all the hard work they do and to show your appreciation for them. 

Janet Compton, Head of Volunteering at PDSA National Volunteering Centre said she sent “thank you cards printed with the IVMD logo and sent it to all locations in PDSA that work with volunteers”, another idea from the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry was offering volunteers the opportunity to write a thank you note to their supervisor at the museum. They provided hand-made cards and volunteers had to write their personal messages. 

If you would like to start getting involved, tweet us at @TeamKineticUK using the picture below to share what you were before you became a Volunteer Manager using the hashtag #IVMDay.

Content ideas for Social Media on IVMDay

 

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

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

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