Category: News & Views Page 16 of 42

The launch of Kindocoin SBRI project and TeamKinetic’s involvement.

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On 14th April 2022

In News & Views, Press Releases, Volunteer Management

The Kindocoin SBRI project is officially launching Phase 2. TeamKinetic is honoured to be one of two companies spending the next 12 months developing and evaluating our prototype solution in a real-world setting. You can read a description of the product we’ll be working on here, along with more information from Health Innovation South East Scotland. 

The Wellbeing Hub is a volunteer-powered community care web solution. It enables volunteer managers to safely direct support and care to discharged patients. The Hub intends to reduce delayed discharge and readmissions by increasing people’s ability to self-manage or manage with volunteer support. 

The Hub integrates technologies in an innovative way, with safe data sharing that facilitates the partnering of volunteers and volunteer-led services. This allows patients to build a trusted and sustainable network of support.

Phase 1 demonstrated the administrative burden placed on volunteer managers, we know it is difficult for volunteer-led services to be responsive and to provide a scalable service. The Hub reduces that burden by managing complicated and sensitive data sharing, and facilitating patient support via safer volunteer management practices. 

We intend to link patients to third sector providers using our OpenReferral enabled service aggregator. Our data sharing features ensure front-line staff can find suitable services and have confidence that only appropriate information is shared.

Enabling volunteers to develop relationships with patients and providing pathways to community-based activity, will lead to lower planned care needs and should reduce future unplanned hospital visits. Integrating volunteers by ‘passporting’ and developing an ongoing pathway to community-based activity supported by volunteers, will produce a more flexible and sustainable volunteering network.

Patient safety is paramount; volunteers must meet the very highest levels of safeguarding certification. Volunteers who undergo such checks can move more freely between service providers through the use of digitally verified ID, online vetting and barring checks.

Patient outcomes linked to voluntary service intervention have been difficult to quantify. Using advanced data science, we will provide a new dimension of insight into the impact volunteers have on patients and their long-term outcomes. The Hub will provide new clinical insight and develop the case for community-based, volunteer-supported care.

Once again, we’d like to say how proud we are to be involved in a project like this. We’re excited to see what we can do, and how we can help! 

For information on how TeamKinetic can help you organise your volunteers, head to our website to start a free demo of our software or give us a call on 0161 914 5757.

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How to develop an inclusive and accessible volunteer experience

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On 13th April 2022

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

Being inclusive and accessible are integral to modern society – particularly so in the third sector. Allowing as many people as possible to get involved is great for everyone. This is something that we aspire to at TeamKinetic – we’re constantly striving to be as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Inclusive vs Accessible – What’s the difference?

A variety of people are pictured, promoting an inclusive and accessible environment.

Accessibility focuses on designing a user experience that meets the needs of everyone in your audience. Ensuring something is accessible is likely to be the difference between a user being able to do something or not.

Accessibility involves a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. Everyone deserves the same levels of access and no one should feel excluded.

Inclusivity, on the other hand, involves creating an experience with a wide range and variety of users in mind. This includes thinking about their various abilities, environments, situations, and contexts.

While inclusivity doesn’t address a specific user need, it does ensure that there are a range of tools and features that help all users feel comfortable. Inclusive measures (or lack of), are likely to be the difference between someone wanting to do something or not.

What are TeamKinetic doing?

With regular system updates, we’re continually looking for ways to improve the inclusive and accessible nature of our features. In the past, we have integrated several key accessibility measures into our system.

Now, our system has in-built adaptive technologies to help open the door for everyone to volunteer, from screen-readers to WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Our inclusive design looks at how we broaden our appeal so all users have an equal opportunity. We have done this via:

  • Dual language interface for our work in Wales.
  • Introducing blind recruitment processes.
  • Add-ons such as Recite-Me provide tools such as multilingual screen reading.
  • Site size and colour contrast adjust.
  • Other site translation (integrating Google Translate).

Organisations must adhere to laws surrounding accessible design, you can read more on the UK law here.

How can my organisation be more inclusive and accessible?

  • Do you face problems with attracting volunteers from diverse backgrounds?
  • Does the thought of creating a fully inclusive and accessible onboarding process overwhelm you?
  • Have you experienced barriers to making changes?

If you find that your organisation is struggling with any of the things mentioned above, the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) hosted a great session on this.

Event: Making an inclusive and accessible recruitment and onboarding experience

During the event, we heard from Amy McGarvey (Research Manager) from NCVO who shed light on the effect of the pandemic on volunteering. The key findings were:

  • Volunteer numbers in general decreased from pre-pandemic numbers. It is estimated that there is around 1/5 fewer people volunteering now in comparison to figures from 2019.
  • The number of volunteers with a disability has decreased.
  • Digital solutions are seen as a barrier and an enabler. Some felt excluded by the move to digital methods, whereas it may have opened the door for a more inclusive pool of volunteers.

We also learned that organisations have various barriers to inclusion. These are:

  • Lack of resources, time, and capacity.
  • Recognising everyone is different and being unaware of how to cater to every individual need. 
  • Volunteers not being honest about extra support they may need. 
  • EDI not being valued as much as it should be and facing resistance from others in the organisation when trying to make changes.

We learned that the volunteer experience can be made more inclusive by seeing volunteer well-being as a the focus. Cost-effective actions that celebrate volunteers and their differences are seen to be effective, e.g. celebrating a variety of cultural events, using diverse imagery in promotional materials, and ensuring all language is inclusive. Overall, making sure volunteers feel supported is a foundational aspect of improving your inclusivity.

Find out more about the event by going to the AVM website. 

You can also read our Is Your Pool of Volunteers Diverse and Inclusive? blog. It includes the latest sector stats as well as advice on how you can improve your own diversity and inclusivity.

Interested in volunteer management tools?

Why not take a look at TeamKinetic? You can even start a 30-day free trial with absolutely no payment details required. Just head over to our website.

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.

Are you getting the best from your opportunity descriptions?

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On 6th April 2022

In TeamKinetic Features, Volunteer Management

Opportunity descriptions can make or break whether someone decides to volunteer for you. If a potential volunteer can’t find an opportunity that excites them, then they probably aren’t going to join you on your organisations journey.

With your descriptions you can describe to your volunteers, and potential volunteers what’s possible for them within your organisation- let them know how they can use their skills, talents and drive to add to something bigger than themselves.

Descriptions can sometimes be a little boring, and packed full of information and language that can make a volunteer confused or disengaged with the opportunity within the first few seconds or so… When written correctly, you can inspire and motivate volunteers to sign up and jump onto the opportunity there and then. Your description also helps you find the right volunteer for the role.

Descriptions can also help when volunteers have joined an opportunity; it can give you a checklist of sorts when supervising volunteers on an opportunity- if a volunteer isn’t meeting expectations- has your description been too vague on what you’re looking for? An opportunity description should have done the leg work to get you in touch with a volunteer (or volunteers) who are the best fit.

Opportunity descriptions can be such an important communication tool towards your organisation. So how can you make sure your description is well-crafted?

What to include in your descriptions…

We’ve collated together a list of 10 sections to include on your opportunity description that can help your volunteers find the right role for them, and your organisation gets the best out of each and every volunteer.

  • Opportunity Title. Think about whittling down your entire description, in just a few words- that’s what your title should be. The title is one of the most important aspects of your opportunity, you want to entice your volunteer to know more.
  • Responsibilities. For a quick snapshot of the roles and responsibilities within the opportunity- include a quick bullet point round up. This will help give a volunteer a concrete process of what they’ll be doing day-to-day.
  • Time Requirements. Let volunteers know how much time would be required from them- a quick way to cut those volunteers out who may be looking for less hours (or have more hours to give!) Many opportunities will have a beginning and end date, so including that can help a volunteer decide too.
  • Location. This is pretty simple and self-explanatory. Adding a location attracts the volunteers in that area and stops any of those volunteers from joining if they can’t make the destination provided.

You could also include…

  • Working Environment. Add whether there’s a dress code, or any physical requirements needed for the job. Anything along these lines will work really well here.
  • Skills/Qualifications. It doesn’t have to be a massive list or paragraph, just the essentials that are needed to complete the opportunity. These will be skills that you feel are required for the role.
  • Training. If there is any training needed to be undertaken by the volunteer letting them know in the opportunity description means they can start to get prepared. You don’t have to go in depth about the training, but letting them know how to access it can help them get training completed before the opportunity starts.
  • Support. In what ways will your volunteers be supported on this opportunity?
  • Perks? Is there anything while on the opportunity that volunteers will receive? For example, will they have access to a free lunch or free parking? Adding perks onto your opportunity gives extra ‘bonuses’ to volunteers- what do you have to offer? Let potential volunteers know!

Once you’ve written your description, make sure you read it over! If you saw this opportunity advertised, would you want to join up? Think about if someone who doesn’t know much about your organisation was to stumble across the opportunity, what would they think?

And there you have it!

While our checklist of opportunity descriptions may be quite long, you don’t want to overwhelm your volunteers. Your description should give them all the helpful information they need straight away- any other information can come afterwards.

Potential volunteers should be able to scan the page and know the jist of the opportunity and what is being asked of them. 

If you’re looking for a volunteer management system, don’t hesitate to get in touch! Give us a call on 0161 914 5757, or email us at info@teamkinetic.com. You can also start a FREE trial here! 

How TeamKinetic can help with UK-based volunteering for Ukraine.

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On 1st April 2022

In Community, News & Views, Security and GDPR, TeamKinetic Features, Volunteer Management

For well over the past month, we’ve been updated by news outlets about the war in Ukraine. From Snake Island and “Ghost of Kyiv” to young Amelia, symbolising hope with Let It Go (who has since performed the Ukrainian national anthem in Lodz); we doubt there has been a single person who has felt unaffected by what’s happening.

But it’s what people across the world have chosen to do in these times that we would like to focus on – and how we, as a volunteer management system company, can help. We see day in, day out the work and dedication of volunteers and the impact they’ve made to the lives of those they help; it’s why we do what we do!

At the beginning of the month, nearly 20,000 foreign volunteers travelled to Ukraine. While it’s been advised not to travel to Ukraine, the number of volunteers looking to help within their own countries has only increased. Volunteering for Ukraine continues to cover healthcare, travel and refugee assistance (just to name a few). It lies with refugee assistance we believe our system can be of most benefit.

In recent weeks, the government has announced that Britons will be allowed to open up their homes to millions of Ukrainian refugees displaced by current events- this route will work for an initial 12-month period, matching refugees with those who have offered up free accommodation. From national organisations to the local charities around you, help is needed. 

At TeamKinetic, we pride ourselves on the features in our system which allow for fast setup, recruitment and deployment of volunteers to help the set up of such schemes. Our tools help the rapid deployment of volunteers needed in situations such as the one facing Ukraine and its people.

Our instalment of DBS checks has only increased the pace at which volunteers can be approved and well on their way with helping those in need. While we may not know the ins and outs of every organisation’s recruitment needs, it’s been our promise from our very first day to continuously develop our system to accommodate as many organisations as possible. Our DBS checks are one of the many ways we employ important safeguarding within TeamKinetic while maintaining a swift recruitment.

To keep track of the thousands of homes opening their doors, reaching out a hand and the people they will be embracing, is a mammoth task. Our system’s functions can help with recording all information needed to ensure those refugees entering the UK for shelter know they are safe. Our personalisation means no matter what your organisation is looking to collect, or put out to volunteers, it is all accessible in TeamKinetic.

We have a number of organisations starting and developing programs to help Ukrainian refugees – something we are honoured to play a small part of. We want to ensure that anyone who needs a quick start, rapid deployment of volunteers and a platform to do so can find it at TeamKinetic.

It is easy to sit in a country, surrounded by our family members – the people we love – and think there is nothing we can do to help a country roughly 1,949 miles away. But it would be foolish to think such. We can help right where we are, helping those families who’ve travelled 1,949 miles to find safety; to find even a glimmer of hope that one day, they will be able to return to Ukraine. To return home. 

How to get your volunteers embracing management software…

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On 23rd March 2022

In TeamKinetic Features, Volunteer Management

Over the past few years, there’s been a real focus on walking away from stacks of papers, and investing in an online volunteer management system. While we may be biased, we have to agree! No matter where you are on your journey, keeping your volunteers in the loop will help volunteers start embracing your new system. 

So how can you give those encouraging pushes to your volunteers, to help them start embracing your online system?

Embracing Your Vision.

Let your volunteers know what you’re planning! Your volunteers are vital to your success as a program, so let them in behind the curtain of your volunteer program. While you might not be up and running straight away, keeping your volunteers in the loop brings a sense of community. Every milestone you hit can be shared, and celebrated, with everyone who adds to the organisation.

It can also be a time where you can be transparent with your volunteers as you work on understanding your new platform. TeamKinetic’s implementation is as slow or as fast as you like; whenever you’d like to debut your new volunteer management system, we’ll be ready!  If it’s going to take a little while longer- let your volunteers know! You’ll develop a stronger connection with your volunteers if you update them on how your organisation plans to move forward.

Remember, your volunteers don’t need to know everything that’s going on behind the scenes. Leaving them with a few updates along the way will excite them for what’s to come. Once you’re up and running, make sure to let them know the important ‘stuff’; how can you register? How to join an opportunity? Where can you reach us for support?

Volunteer Access.

For many organisations, some of their volunteers don’t have access to online devices like a computer or a smart-phone. So as you plan your transition to an online platform, think about the ways in which you can reach those volunteers who might not be online or internet ready.

Why not offer regular drop in sessions where volunteers can pop in, and register in-person. You can also support new volunteers who may need some training or a welcome chat! For volunteers who might not fully understand the system, show them the basics first! Build up from there and your volunteers will be embracing the system as they go. 

It’s not something we really have to say, but make sure you have a team supporting your volunteers. You’ve been using the system in training, and everyday use. Your volunteers will be using the system for the first time- so expect  a lot of questions from volunteers! Try encouraging your volunteers to spend time on the site getting to know where they can find everything and what the basic functions are…

Let your volunteers know about the features…

One way to indulge volunteers into a platform is to let them know about the features that suit them best. Some of the best features we’ve found that are loved by volunteers are…

Online registration. Volunteers have an easy-to-follow, easy to access registration process and profile that they can keep coming back to keep track of when they’re volunteering, the opportunities they like and what’s happening within the organisation. A volunteer site is a great place for all of this to sit!

Achievement badges. When a volunteer hits a certain number of volunteer hours, or has been awarded volunteer of the month at an organisation, an achievement badge popping up against their profile can be the biggest encouragement for a person to carry on volunteering. At TeamKinetic, we’ve seen first hand how achievement or participation badges have motivated volunteers to volunteer more. It also lets them know how much they’re valued at your organisation.

Communication. At TeamKinetic, we believe that two-way communication is a massive factor in keeping your volunteers coming back to volunteer time and time again. Not only can both pirates keep in touch with updates, but organisations can show that they’re around for their volunteers- check in with them and see how they’re doing! Where a volunteer feels valued and listened to, they’ll continue to return.

Time to start embracing volunteer management?

Hopefully this has helped you understand how to engage your volunteers on your new system or help them come round to the online space you’ve provided! If you’re looking for a volunteer management system, why not try a free trial with us at TeamKinetic over on our website.

Or book in a demo with us! Simply call or email on 0161 914 5757 or katie@teamkinetic.co.uk.

 

How are you matching your volunteers to the right roles?

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On 16th March 2022

In Volunteer Management

Volunteering is a two-way process. A volunteer has to decide whether the roles and responsibilities given to them by an organisation work for them. The organisation also needs to find volunteers who fit the opportunities they offer. Are both parties getting the best out of themselves? Do volunteers feel they’re helping out in the most effective way they can?

Make sure you take the time to really get to know your volunteers. Find opportunities that really fit into who they are and what they’re interested in. So, how can you find out what your volunteers are interested in?

The art of asking…

The simple answer is to ask. But really, there’s a lot more to unpack. As pandemic restrictions have come to a close in the UK, the chance to meet volunteers face-to-face is back. If you’re looking to meet with potential volunteers, keep it relaxed and informative. Let your volunteers open up to you.

The main thing is to make sure your potential volunteers feel at ease.

We’ve heard a lot of talk about post-pandemic social anxiety, so we’ve made a quick checklist to help ease your worries and make sure you have everything you need heading to a meeting…

  • Make sure your future volunteer has your contact details – it will be useful to them, just in case! 
  • Meet at an informal, relaxing venue. Why not position it as two people going for a coffee to catch up. Let them know it will just be an informal chat. 
  • Think about some open questions you could ask to get conversation going and learn more about why they would like to volunteer. Is there anything in particular they are interested in helping with? 
  • It’s a two-way process! Expect to answer some questions a potential volunteer might have about what they’ll be taking on.

Take a look at this Charity Comms post about how to communicate with your volunteers! 

Can unique interests help volunteer roles?

While many volunteers are matched to opportunities based on their capabilities, it’s a nice touch to see if they have any personal interest in exploring something new. Dig a little deeper into what types of opportunities your volunteers are looking for and if you can accommodate them, why not give them a chance!

We all know that while volunteers want to help, they also want to get something out of it too. By helping in roles/responsibilities they’re maybe not well versed in, they’re learning something new. This means your organisation ends up with a pool of volunteers with a wider range of capabilities on offer. 

If you can’t meet a potential volunteer, why not create a quick interest questionnaire? Completed questionnaires can help you understand more on how your volunteers want to use their skills to help the organisation and those in need. It also helps the organisation make no preconceived judgements on where a volunteer would be “most useful.”

In addition, this information helps determine what opportunities a volunteer tends to jump on. Knowing their interests can help keep them engaged and returning to help. 

Are you delegating or dumping volunteer roles? 

“Skilled delegation of volunteer team duties is an art that many managers, even experienced ones, struggled with.” 

Before matching volunteers, it’s always a good idea to double check your delegation. We’re all busy, and while we try to communicate with each other the best we can, your delegation could leave a volunteer feeling unsatisfied. You may find that a volunteer will have problems if their skills or interests are being ‘ignored’…

I’m sure some may have experienced a frustrated volunteer. They may feel opportunities or tasks are ‘dumped on’ them, or that they are left to complete tasks on their own. Not only does this decrease productivity but it also wears down team morale and retention rates.

If a volunteer feels under-valued, or they aren’t happy with how they’re volunteering, it’s likely they won’t return. How you delegate is something everyone should be taking a look at. Improving your delegation skills means you can meet everyone’s needs and gives you the strongest chance to make a difference within your organisation.

Looking for a volunteer management system?

Are you looking for a volunteer management system? Look no further. Start a FREE trial with us here, and take a look at all we have to offer!  

The Lasting Impact of the Pankhurst Family

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On 8th March 2022

In Charity, Heritage & Culture, News & Views

In 1903, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded on 10 October at 62 Nelson Street in Manchester, home of the Pankhurst family. It was an independent women’s movement with the motto ‘Deeds not words’.

Museum of London on Twitter: "News that Asquith had called an election quickly reached the Women's Social and Political Union and plans for a peaceful deputation of the WSPU to the House

The fight for the right to vote

The WPSU fought tirelessly to obtain the right to vote for women. They started out with an array of peaceful tactics. However, these proved ineffective and led to a complete lack of government action.

The WPSU grew exasperated, leading them to more violent acts and illegal activity such as attacks on public property. From these acts, many members were imprisoned. In Holloway Prison, WPSU leader Emmeline Pankhurst staged a hunger strike, aiming to improve conditions for other suffragettes in nearby cells. Other suffragettes who were imprisoned joined Pankhurst in her strike. However, this resulted in brutal force-feeding for the women.

I shall never while I live forget the suffering I experienced during the days when those cries were ringing in my ears.

Emmeline Pankhurst on the force-feeding, ‘My Own Story’ [1914]

The force-feeding and suffering the women underwent in prison caused an uproar across the country. These negative public relations resulted in the development of the Cat and Mouse Act. This act would allow the release of prisoners facing ill-health due to hunger strikes.

The cycle of suffragettes being imprisoned, staging hunger strikes, and being released due to ill health continued for years. Between 1912 and 1914 the WPSU instigated a bombing and arson campaign targeting public buildings and infrastructure. This was a much more violent approach, resulting in the departure of key members, and was only ended due to the start of World War I in 1914.

The Women’s Party

In 1917, the WPSU was dissolved and Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst founded the Women’s Party. Their slogan was ‘Victory, National Security and Progress’, hoping to tie the right for women to vote in with World War I victory.

The right to vote obtained?

In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed. This allowed some women to vote so long as they fit the following criteria:

  • aged 30 or over
  • resides in the constituency
    • or who occupied land/premises with a value over £5

This Act also abolished previous restrictions for men, extending the vote to virtually all men over 21 years old. Therefore, although this was a victory for women, it still did not produce the political equality the movement had been fighting for. It did, however, give women over the age of 21 the right to stand for election as a Member of Parliament.

Women finally achieved the same voting rights as men in 1928, with the Equal Franchise Act.

A lasting legacy

On Thursday 14 June 1928 Emmeline Pankhurst died, at the age of 69. Today she is remembered as a pioneer for women’s rights and her impact is not forgotten. For example, The Pankhurst Centre in Manchester is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of women’s fight for the right to vote.

The Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid)

In 2014, The Pankhurst Centre and Manchester Women’s Aid merged with the shared goal of women’s liberation and support for women. The Pankhurst Centre is home to a museum and a variety of women-only activities. While Manchester Women’s Aid is the city’s largest provider of domestic abuse services. Many are unaware that a large portion of the work done by these organisations is due to the hard work of volunteers.

We found out more about The Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid) when Chris sat down with Abi Froud to record an episode of our new podcast – TeamTalk.
Abi is the Volunteer Coordinator, giving her first-hand experiencing managing the Trust’s volunteers.

You can listen to the episode here:

Volunteers’ Activities

To kick things off, Abi told us about the main services delivered by the Trust.

The Trust currently has over 150 registered volunteers who get up to a whole range of activities. One day they might be in the museum, the next they could be cooking lunch for a group of women.

The demographics of the Trust’s volunteers is predominantly women, with 95%, but within that Abi notes that they are quite diverse. Their volunteers are also mostly younger and they’re very engaged which is amazing to see!

The Impact of COVID

When we asked about the impact of COVID, it was clear that it affected the Trust’s work. It’s clear that their volunteers are very hands-on and a lot of the work they do requires face-to-face activity.

Despite this, a door was opened for the development of remote activities such as a telephone befriending service and getting volunteers involved in research for the museum. After COVID restrictions lessened, the number of volunteer registrations spiked with more and more people wanting to get involved.

People were coming back from COVID and thinking about what their values are and what they want to do. I think [The Pankhurst Trust] align[s] with that.

Abi on the spike in registrations

With COVID also came a rise in the use of digital solutions. Here’s where we come in…

How TeamKinetic helped

Abi notes the ability to quickly and easily communicate with her volunteers as a key benefit of having a digital volunteer management system. She also noted that when she first came into her role, the details stored against each volunteer profile really helped her get to know her volunteers.

She also noted the logistical side, with the system making the process of volunteering more effective. TeamKinetic gave them the ability to create rotas, send out weekly emails, and have volunteers log their own hours.

Abi also touched on the reluctance of some volunteers to get involved with digital, but acknowledges the system’s user-friendliness.

I think quite often you’ll tell someone: “We use an online system for our volunteering”
You see a bit of a drop in their face. A lot of the people that we work with, they’re not necessarily super tech savvy. Then I show it to them and they think “Oh actually I think I can do it!”.

Abi on showing new volunteers the system

Want to Get Involved Yourself?

Want to help out at The Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid)? You can register to volunteer or check out their volunteering opportunities by clicking the links.

The work they do is so valuable to the local community, but if you don’t feel like you can volunteer right now, you can check out other ways to help on their website.

Need Your Own Volunteer Management Solution?

If you think TeamKinetic can help you like it helped The Pankhurst Trust (Incorporating Manchester Women’s Aid), reach out to us! We can give you a tour of the system and set you up with a trial site to see if it works for you. You can find us on our website – just start a live chat. You can also find us on social media:

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Screening Volunteers with TeamKinetic

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On 2nd March 2022

In TeamKinetic Features, Volunteer Management

When it comes to recruiting new volunteers, there are a range of factors to consider regarding safeguarding. Screening volunteers is essential to ensure they’re the right person for the job. This might include criminal checks and references, especially in an organisation such as a hospice.

Any good volunteer management software should facilitate these checks, making the process as efficient as possible.

Starting the Journey: Registration

So you have a volunteer ready and willing to give their time. But first, they need to register. Any good system should allow you to customise your volunteer registration forms to get the information you need. After all, every organisation is different – checks needed by one may not be needed by another. TeamKinetic allows you to create a range of custom questions to add to registration.

Not only this, but once the volunteer has registered you can add further questions for them to complete in their profile at any time.

Criminal Checks in TeamKinetic

Now you have your registered volunteer, you might want them to undergo a criminal check.
In TeamKinetic you can add details of a volunteer’s criminal check within their profile.

The system will then keep you updated on any checks that have expired or are due to expire soon – handy, right?

You can also filter volunteer searches by those who have been checked.

Managing References in TeamKinetic

So now you’ve got a volunteer who has undergone criminal checks and is ready to go. But wait – what about references?! In TeamKinetic, you can create your own reference forms. These can then be emailed to the referees given by volunteers, or filled in yourself. They’re then kept within the volunteer’s profile on your system.

Creating Reference Forms within TeamKinetic is easy. It’s all done within the system and you can add a range of question types, such as Yes/No, multiple choice, and free text.

Reference Forms can then be:
– Assigned to volunteers.
– Emailed to the referees.
– Completed manually on their behalf.

All completed reference forms will then be saved to the volunteer’s profile for future… well.. reference.

And there you have it – a volunteer who has gone through all necessary checks and is ready to go!

Do you need help screening volunteers?

Start a free trial with TeamKinetic to see if our system has the right tools for you. Starting a free trial is easy and only requires basic information such as your name and email. Just go to our website to get started.

What Qualities Make A Good Hospice Volunteer?

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On 24th February 2022

In Hospice, Volunteer Management

Every hospice volunteer, specifically those working in direct care, are often in contact with patients and their families for a few hours a week. This, more than likely leads to a long-term commitment requested by hospices to ensure patients are able to bond with the same volunteer throughout time.

It’s safe to say that volunteers play such an important role in hospices; which is exactly why you have to find a hospice volunteer that is the right fit to offer support. So, what are some qualities to look out for?

What Qualities Are Hospices Looking For? 

Hospice volunteers have to be able to listen intensively and hold conversations with patients. Many patients will spend time talking about their lives, families, and what regrets or memories they have. As this is a sensitive time for patients and their families, volunteers can help by being a listening ear, giving no judgment.

Volunteers are given an opportunity to learn and develop their understanding – and a patient’s understanding – of finding peace. Being able to control their emotions can be a benefit. Many conversations revolve around death and grief, being in touch with those feelings, and knowing when to be emotional can help build a bond with a patient, helping them (and possibly themselves) with the acceptance of death.

Volunteers who are able to understand the physical and emotional boundaries needed when volunteering in hospice care can be deemed as essential. Having personal limits is not only essential, it helps create the safest care possible to those patients and their families- a limit means that it may make it easier to disconnect from the patient and family, once the patient has passed.

The Quality of Comfort…

Hospices will be looking to those volunteers who have a comfort level for those patients who may need assistance. Many patients experience deteriorating functioning in their final weeks of life. They may start to need help with daily tasks, which is where volunteers come in. Volunteers should be able to feel comfortable in these situations- from dressing to feeding. Training is most likely to be provided by hospices, so volunteers can assist patients effectively.

For hospice volunteers, being kind is a necessary quality to have. Having compassion can give immense comfort to those coming to the end of their life, along with comforting any family members too. It is important for volunteers to have respect for life in all ways, including religion, views, and cultures.

A volunteer’s company can be the best quality for them to have. With a myriad of commitments, a patient’s loved ones may not be able to be around all the time. This is why it’s crucial for volunteers to be around, providing comfort and keeping patients company throughout the day.

Volunteers are most likely going to be matched with a patient that they then frequently visit; during these visits they can talk, read, apply holistic therapies, write letters, or even document their life. It’s a time to connect with a patient and comfort them at this point in life. 

Volunteers are one of, if not, the most important piece of hospice care…

It’s easy to sit here and type out the qualities found in hospice volunteers up and down the country, but the work they do to provide comfort and support to patients and their families is something to be proud of. They’re one of, if not, the most important pieces in hospice care.

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.

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How Volunteer Management can Help Hospice Challenges

By

On 16th February 2022

In Hospice, Volunteer Management

Most Hospices rely on volunteers to support the work they complete- they help ease the challenges faced. Volunteers have been important since the modern hospice movement, founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in the 1960s…

In the next 10-15 years, hospice’s will face challenges and high demand from the UK’s ageing population. People are now living for a longer time with complex and chronic health conditions. A Help the Hospice survey found that 7 out of 10 people think the pressure on hospice care will ‘rocket’ in the coming years. 

 So how can Hospices make sure their volunteer management systems keeps up with this demand, and ensures volunteers feel connected to the hospice they help?

Exploring what works and the current challenges.

The role of volunteer managers can be demanding, most are responsible for a long list of responsibilities including: recruitment, training and ensuring volunteer recognition…Volunteer managers play a significant role in making sure volunteers have the right resources to volunteer adequately.

A volunteer management system can help volunteer managers collect contact information, preferences, volunteer schedules and stay in touch with volunteers to ensure volunteers know exactly where to go to find the support they need. Luckily, we know a good volunteer management system you can look into- us! You can start a FREE trial with us on our website, and start your volunteer management journey today…

After that little plug, it’s back to business. The covid-19 pandemic has raised some concerns around volunteering in the future, and while all hospices are different, there are some concerns felt across the UK. These include: 

  • Management structures and cultures across hospices for volunteering. 
  • The importance of volunteers towards hospices. 
  • In a post covid world- how will volunteering look?

In other words, volunteers not only help inside hospices, but in the community too. If your volunteer management system doesn’t work effectively, these coils pose a risk for the reputation of your hospice if your volunteers aren’t comfortable.

Managing your volunteers.

Volunteer Managers have found managing volunteers as time consuming and ‘not easy.’ To relieve this pressure, hospices have undergone strategic changes which have been pivotal to understanding more about hospice volunteers and how they can best support staff. 

Similarly, there is some concern that managing volunteers and managing paid staff isn’t always distinct. Specifically the distinction between HR and Volunteer service management is becoming blurred between their roles and skills.

Having a separate volunteer management system for volunteers ensures that your volunteers would know exactly what the roles and responsibilities will have within a hospice. This service can help manage a professional and consistent volunteer programme that works for everyone.

In order to achieve full potential, systems should also listen and engage with volunteers. A two-way communication system is beneficial for hospices looking for retention and improving the overall volunteer experience. With TeamKinetic, we have numerous ways you can communicate with your volunteers. Notifications, email, SMS text- the list goes on. Why so many options? Preferences. Not all volunteers want to be emailed- some may want to receive an SMS text. Above all- communication is key. 

The executive team and inclusivity.

A hospice’s executive team is important in driving a positive and inclusive culture across the whole hospice. Inclusivity within hospices is about treating staff and volunteers equally, but also ensuring access to training and support for all. Everyone should be treated with respect and treated fairly. 

For some there is still a feeling of ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture within hospices. This is divisive and can stop the potential of a volunteer programme being successful. This, along with changing volunteer roles due to the pandemic, has meant that the full nature of volunteering is changing.

However, there is a fear that hospice’s could get left behind and may not be able to compete for volunteers with our programmes. A volunteer management system can help with this. At TeamKinetic, we help recruit, retain and realise your volunteers and the potential they have. If you’d like to have a chat about what we offer, email us at katie@teamkinetic.co.uk  or call us on 0161 914 5757. 

For many, covid-19 has put these issues in the forefront of conversations within hospices, and how they are going to run their volunteer programmes in the future.

The challenges faced through covid-19.

It’s known that hospices attract a demographic of elderly volunteers, which has also been the demographic most affected by the pandemic. This means that hospices have fallen short of active volunteers, as those in older demographic groups need to take extra care (even if they’ve had the vaccine, with new variants, the future is still rather uncertain).

Along with this, volunteer roles have also adapted and changed given the situation we’ve found ourselves in. It’s become the perfect opportunity for hospices to look at their volunteer programmes and assess how appealing it is for other demographics. Can certain roles attract younger volunteers? This may mean looking at changing roles to add more flexibility or expanding wider networks.

Looking into the future, managing volunteers is crucial for the sustainability of hospices. If you’d like to know more about how hospices can become more sustainable, you can read our blogs on our website: ‘How Can Hospices Become More Sustainable, Part One and Part Two’. 

Looking for a volunteer management system?

If you’d like to look into developing a volunteer management system, why not start a FREE trial with us! Head over to our website and within minutes, you can be exploring your new volunteer management system. 

With our system you can: 

  • Recruit more volunteers than ever before. 
  • Fully customise your site and volunteer registration. 
  • Communicate with your volunteers easily, all in one place. 
  • Motive and reward your volunteers with our achievement badges or create your own!
TeamKinetic, Volunteer Management System. For hospices and their challenges.

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