Category: Volunteer Management Page 1 of 12

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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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

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Empowering Heritage Preservation through Volunteer Management

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On 1st May 2024

In Heritage & Culture, News & Views, Volunteer Management

Heritage and culture organisations do vital work, preserving the legacies of our past for future generations. They rely on dedicated individuals and effective organisation. This is where volunteer management can be a great tool!

The Role of Volunteers in Heritage Preservation

Volunteers generously offer their time and expertise to nurture and protect our cultural heritage. Whether they’re cataloguing artefacts or leading tours through historic sites, volunteers foster a deeper connection between communities and their heritage.

Challenges in Volunteer Management for Heritage Preservation

While their contributions are incredibly valuable, managing heritage volunteers still comes with its own set of challenges. These include recruitment struggles, providing adequate training, coordinating schedules, and retaining engagement. It’s no doubt that heritage organisations face a fair few hurdles when optimising their volunteer programs.

Volunteer diversity can be a big issue for organisations in the sector. A 2019 report from the Heritage Volunteering Group raised questions about the lack of diversity and the roles volunteers play. Is this still the case in 2024?

Over the years, some great resources have been developed to address this issue. For example, take a look at this Make Your Mark webinar on how you can remove class barriers to heritage volunteering. This is just one of the factors which might be limiting your volunteer diversity.

Make Your Mark have also developed an Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit which is well worth a look at.

Digital resources and tools can help you mobilise a wider range of volunteers as you can recruit outside of your usual ‘bubble’ in a quick and easy way.

The Importance of Effective Volunteer Management

Effective volunteer management is the cornerstone in overcoming these obstacles and maximising impact. By implementing streamlined recruitment processes, offering comprehensive training modules, and fostering open communication channels, heritage organisations can fulfil the true potential of their volunteer base.

Best Practice Volunteer Management for Heritage

To ensure the success of a volunteer programme, organisations must prioritise best practices. This may include establishing clear roles and expectations, providing ongoing support and recognition, and embracing technology to streamline administrative tasks. For example, a volunteer management system. A VMS can save you countless admin hours and help you cultivate a great community of volunteers.

Within TeamKinetic, volunteers are allowed to self-serve – meaning they have an active role in filling out their profile, choosing which opportunities to join, and following opportunity types that interest them.

Overall, volunteer management stands as a powerful tool in heritage preservation. By recognising the invaluable contributions of volunteers and implementing effective management strategies, we can safeguard our cultural legacy for generations to come.

How are we involved with the heritage & culture sector?

We recently announced our partnership with the Heritage Volunteering Group. This collaboration marks a commitment to the preservation of heritage sites and their volunteers.

Our shared aim is to foster community engagement and amplify the impact of volunteer efforts within heritage and culture organisations. In line with this, we are supporting all HVG events as well as their 2024 conference.

HVG’s annual conference is taking place on the 26th and 27th of November. Make sure you get the date in the diary by clicking on this link.

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.

The Credits that Build Communities, Support Connections, and Reward Volunteering

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On 12th February 2024

In News & Views, TeamKinetic Features, Volunteer Management

Look out for a new way to reward volunteering with TeamKinetic and Tempo, in the meantime, enjoy this guest blog from Rachel Gegeshidze, CEO of Tempo!

Our mission at Tempo is clear and compelling: to build a national network of communities dedicated to making positive societal change. We believe in harnessing the power of individuals whose contributions are not only recognised but also valued. We achieve this through the innovative Tempo Time Credits system.

Reward volunteering with Tempo. Build communities. With communities. For communities.

History of Tempo

Founded in the Welsh Valleys in 2009, Tempo has emerged as a leading UK-based community development organisation committed to creating connected, fair, and healthier societies. Our extensive history is marked by successful partnerships with communities and public services, specialising in front-line delivery, strategic planning, and fostering collaboration among diverse entities.

Our experienced team, composed of community practitioners, public sector specialists, and trainers, works collaboratively with citizens, communities, organisations, and services to co-produce solutions at the grassroots level. We see ourselves as the thread that connects people, services, and businesses, serving as the key that unlocks the potential for them to create communities where they can thrive.
We focus on creating pathways to volunteering, emphasising community involvement and recognising people’s skills and strengths – a paradigm that accentuates what’s strong rather than what’s wrong.

Tempo’s Impact

At the heart of Tempo’s transformative initiatives is the Time Credit tool. A groundbreaking concept designed to motivate individuals to contribute their time to community causes. Since its inception in 2011, Tempo has empowered over 35,000 individuals to donate their time to local projects, actively involving them in the design and delivery of public and community services. In our 2023 annual survey, an astounding 40% of respondents had never or only occasionally volunteered before receiving Time Credits, underscoring Tempo’s success in cultivating a culture of civic engagement.

The impact of our programs is profound, touching the lives of individuals, communities, and organisations. Tempo remains unwaveringly dedicated to shaping a future where communities thrive, individuals are empowered, and societal well-being takes precedence. As a beacon of progress, Tempo stands as an exemplar of the positive change achievable through dedicated community development. Join us on our journey as we continue to build a national network of empowered communities and contribute to a brighter, more connected future for all.

Tempo’s vision

Together, we forge a connected, fairer, and healthier society. With the belief that everyone has something to contribute, we leverage Time Credits to unlock local community assets. Our greatest strength lies in our people.

The 18-month journey with TeamKinetic has been transformative. Aligned with TeamKinetic‘s ‘Volunteer First’ mantra, we aim to engage and support individuals on their volunteer path, providing information and choices while recognising and valuing their time, skills, and knowledge.

The exciting synergy of our platforms now talking to each other heralds the launch of our collaboration to communities. This breakthrough will amplify the benefits of volunteers, empowering more individuals to contribute, be valued, and recognised for their time.

Rachel Gegeshidze, CEO at Tempo

How Time Credits Reward Volunteering

Tempo Time Credits are a unique and innovative tool developed by Tempo. Time Credits serve as a community currency that individuals earn for volunteering their time in various community projects and initiatives. The earned Time Credits can then be redeemed for accessing services, events, or activities within the community. This not only encourages and rewards volunteerism but also promotes a sense of community engagement and reciprocity.

Individuals receive Time Credits via Tempo’s Time Credit platform. They use the platform to search for opportunities to redeem Time Credits in Tempo’s local and national recognition network. This includes a wide range of community organisations as well as higher profile opportunities such as the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, the Tower of London and the Millennium Centre.

Time Credits can be used across the Tempo national network. Time Credits received in Cardiff can be used in London or gifted to a family member to share the gift of time.

Discover more

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.

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

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Review and Refresh your Volunteer Management

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On 24th January 2024

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

As we embark on a new year, you may be feeling that it’s time to refresh your volunteer management style. Whether you do or do not currently use TeamKinetic, there is always room to improve your process and maximise volunteer management opportunities.

Digital Deep Dive

Are you making TeamKinetic work hard for you? With a wealth of features and regular updates, it is easy to overlook certain areas! Setting aside time to review your use of TeamKinetic will save time in the long run. Booking a session with our implementation manager will help you directly address the redundant areas of your system. Or, attend free masterclasses to address specific areas. For example, if you want to improve your use of transactional and bulk emailing, our ‘communicating with users’ masterclass is coming up! Simply go to Help and Support > Extra training in your system.

If you are not a TeamKinetic user, that does not necessarily mean you don’t do anything digitally! Reviewing your current volunteer management will reveal the areas for improvement. For example, a disorganised scheduling or rota system. Knowing your current sticking points is a great start if you decide to streamline your volunteer management. This can help frame your volunteer management software search.

Networking

Touching base with other organisations in your local area or network can also be insightful. Peer-to-peer learning is a way to test whether your volunteering patterns are also being seen by others. Together you can tackle these issues and even become part of a region-wide volunteering network. For example, TeamKinetic users in the Liverpool City Region have joined forces. As a result, volunteers can access opportunities from across the region. If you are currently a TeamKinetic user, through referral you can build your network and experience the benefits of a wider volunteer community. 

Are you Listening to your Volunteers?

Encouraging your volunteers and admins to leave feedback on volunteering opportunities is a great way to stay on track. As with your other volunteer data, feedback can be monitored and tracked within your TeamKinetic volunteer management system. Responding to the feedback is the most crucial step. Think of your volunteers as a part of your team, providing clarity and direction. Do you periodically send out volunteer surveys? Surveys can also be distributed from within TeamKinetic. Surveys will help to paint a broader, more long-term picture of the impact of any amendments you have made in response to feedback.

This may have made you wonder where there is any record of what your volunteers think! A lot of volunteering opportunities rely solely on verbal communication. Of course, in-person recognition and feedback are very valuable. However, when it comes to reviewing your volunteer programme, this can cause difficulties in providing substantive evidence of the volunteer experience. Consider implementing digital methods of recording volunteer feedback.

Communicate with Colleagues

Don’t assume that others in your department use TeamKinetic in the same way as you. Check in with your other admins to discover how they make the system work best for them. Booking on to one of our free open training sessions as a group is a great refresher and can help your team to regroup and align your efforts. 

Equally, if you do not have a volunteer management system in place, you must work together. Initiating talks over the positives and difficulties of your current volunteer management is part of the review and refresh process. You may be unaware that another of your colleagues is struggling to collect volunteer references, for example.

Refer to Standards and Frameworks

Our upcoming Digital Toolkit in partnership with the AVM is set to be a go-to for organisations looking to improve their digital volunteer management. We are working to help Volunteer Managers and Leaders to consider and adopt the digital tools, systems and approaches that are right for them. If you have any questions or requests please contact Gethyn Williams, here. This a toolkit shaped by those who will benefit most! 

Adhering to some Third Sector processes and accreditations can help boost the standard of your volunteering programmes. For example, ‘Investing in Volunteers’ or Volunteer Scotland’s ‘Volunteering Charter’.

Key Takeaways

Volunteer feedback, attendance, page visits and much more are logged within TeamKinetic. Don’t just collect volunteer data, review it! The third sector is a big community, make the most of this through networking and accessing the resources available to you. Similarly, communicate effectively within your organisation to ensure you are making the most of your current tools. If you would like a more formal refresh or extra training, TeamKinetic are always on hand to help! If you are not a TeamKinetic user and would like to see the system in action and discuss tailoring TeamKinetic to your needs, get in touch through the live chat pop-up here.

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:

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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.

How the Culture Pass could revive event volunteering

How the Culture Pass could revive event volunteering

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On 8th November 2023

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

It’s no secret that volunteering numbers have taken a hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Culture Pass has been introduced into European countries to try and revive young people’s interest in the arts, but could it also kickstart a boost in event volunteering?

What is the Culture Pass?

Young people across various European countries are being offered a “culture pass”. In general, the pass is offered to people turning 18 years old.

The pass gives young people the opportunity to experience music, theatre and arts for free.

Italy

Introduced in 2016, giving 18-year-olds €500 to spend. Data shows that the majority (83%) have spent their money on books, followed by music products and concert tickets. The system will be reformed in 2024 so that vouchers are only given under certain conditions. Passes will then be given to 18-year-olds from low-income families (income below €35,000 per year) and those who achieve top grades in school.

France

Launched in 2021 to give 18-year-olds €300 to spend within two years. Their app-based pass encourages spending on art experiences, books, musical instruments, online subscriptions and more from French companies/publishers. Following success with 18-year-olds, the scheme was extended to give those aged 15 – 17 money towards cultural experiences too. Each year, 15-year-olds receive €20, while 16 and 17-year-olds receive €30 through the app.

Spain

Starting from 2022, 18-year-olds were given €400 to spend within a year.

Divided into three sections:

  • €200 can be spent on live arts.
  • €100 can be spent on physical cultural products (books, magazines, newspapers, etc.).
  • The remaining €100 to be spent on digital media/consumptions.

Cinema, video games, shows and books were the biggest areas of interest for people using the vouchers. There are calls for the voucher to offer a bigger % of the total to spend on books.

Germany

Brought in from 2023, giving 18-year-olds €200 to spend across two years. Singular purchases are limited in value to encourage a variety of experiences. The pass can only be used on experiences provided by German suppliers, e.g. online platforms such as Amazon and Spotify are not included. The scheme could be extended to 15 to 17-year-olds if successful, like in France.

How can they help?

These passes were mostly introduced to battle the negative impacts of the COVID pandemic on the sector and young people’s lives. Many people were deprived of cultural experiences as a result of lockdowns and this pass aims to introduce them to a variety of arts – especially those who may not have the financial means themselves.

It has been argued that young people making use of the passes will just stick to what they know and favour experiences such as live concerts and video games. However, it is suggested that a large percentage of purchases using the vouchers are going on books from local booksellers, creating a new generation of readers. Furthermore, this is still a valuable resource to offer, giving young people an opportunity to develop a lifelong appreciation of culture, no matter what they choose to spend it on.

If you’re not in the habit of going to see a play or a film or an exhibition in your late teens and early twenties, then you’re not likely to prise yourself away from the couch to go out to cultural events later in life.

Maureen Kennelly, director of the Arts Council

Aside from this, it is also true that the arts sector has struggled, almost coming to a standstill during the pandemic. In Spain and Germany, the cultural vouchers were specifically implemented as a way to assist the cultural/creative sectors. They experienced substantial setbacks due to reduced customer traffic and revenue during the pandemic, but these vouchers have no doubt injected life back into the sector.

But is their success something that we can replicate in the UK?

The case for a UK Culture Pass

While the UK offers universal free admission to national museums, there is no sign of a widespread ‘culture pass’ being introduced for young people. This doesn’t mean no effort is being made on a local level. In Cornwall, they’ve created a ‘Culture Card’, offered to young people (11 – 25) who have been in care at any stage in their life. This card gives free access to various cultural sites across Cornwall, such as museums, art galleries, and national trust sites.

The success of these schemes is clear across the four countries mentioned throughout this post. We have four different examples to look at, learn from, and adapt to suit the UK – it seems like a no-brainer. Of course, the financial investment from the government will be a large barrier to implementation, but the support it will provide to the sector and general economy, and the improvement to people’s wellbeing will surely balance this investment.

Boosting Event Volunteer Engagement

Giving young people a chance to not only have new cultural experiences, but to build habits around the arts, opens the door to boosting the sector in the long-term. In addition, it would provide a gateway for them to get into volunteering within the arts.

Diverse Volunteer Pool

The pass might also attract a more diverse audience to cultural institutions, which could lead to a more diverse pool of potential volunteers. A broader range of backgrounds and experiences can enrich the volunteer community. These volunteers are also likely to be more diverse as there will be no financial barriers, allowing people to get involved regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Enhanced Volunteer Recruitment

Cultural organizations may find it easier to recruit volunteers when more people are engaged with their activities. The pass can serve as a gateway to introduce potential volunteers to these institutions.

Generally, one of the large barriers to volunteering is a lack of free time. This barrier is likely to be lessened among young people. They also have encouragement through external ventures such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which requires a certain amount of time spent volunteering.

Do you think the UK should implement a culture pass? How would you structure it? And what would be included? Even without the implementation of a culture pass, it’s worth thinking about how we can make events more accessible to young people.

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

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P.S. 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.

A Fresh Look at Digital in Volunteer Management

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On 3rd October 2023

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

This post was written by Gethyn Williams

What role can digital play in effective volunteer management in 2024? 

That’s the question under consideration by TeamKinetic and the Association of Volunteer Managers as they embark on an exciting initiative – the creation of a new Toolkit for Digital in Volunteering – helping Volunteer-Involving Organisations to adopt the digital tools and approaches that are right for them.

Digital technology has for many years played an integral role in volunteering, whether through scaling up how we advertise our opportunities online, streamlining the onboarding process or improving how we communicate with our volunteers.

Sometimes a new advance in technology comes along and has a dramatic, instant impact, revolutionising our approach and unlocking fresh value that we couldn’t have previously imagined.

However, at other times it can feel as if digital evolves under its own agenda, developing functionality that may or may not address the challenges we face in real-world volunteer management. 

Helping volunteer-involving organisations to ask the right questions and adopt the digital technologies that best meet their needs, on their own terms, is the purpose of this new Toolkit.

Why now?

No-one steps in the same river twice

Heraclitus, 500 BCE

That change is our only constant may be a well-understood idea, but in recent years the volunteering landscape seems to have changed more rapidly and dramatically than at any point in recent history. 

The impact of the Covid era has deeply affected both who volunteers and their expectations, perhaps permanently. Initiatives such as the Vision for Volunteering encourage us to recognise this and adapt our approaches, or risk losing more volunteers as these trends continue.

Coupled with this, we are living through a period of huge social change, impacting further on people’s propensity and willingness to volunteer, testing well-founded but increasingly outdated approaches to recruitment and retention.

So what role can digital technology play in helping us cope with these transitions? 

You’ve probably looked at digital options for your programmes many times in the past – but given that technological development also moves at pace perhaps now, given the change we’re experiencing on all fronts, is a great time to look again at the role digital plays in your operation.

What’s in the Toolkit?

TeamKinetic’s mission has always been to enable volunteer-involving organisations to make the most of digital’s potential, so the questions this Toolkit need to answer should come from you – the leaders in volunteering.

And whilst we can anticipate some of the big areas we should probably include, such as:

  • How do we prepare for the impact of AI? 
  • How can digital help us be more inclusive? or 
  • What exactly is open data and its potential?  

…there’s no better way of getting to the heart of an issue than by listening to our customers and the challenges they are facing, in their own words. 

After all, a question well-stated is a problem half-solved.

How can I get involved?

So if you’d like to help shape the Toolkit, or there’s a particular digital angle you’d like it to address, we’d love to hear from you. You can:

Complete our poll – four short, multiple-choice questions that will help us understand your priorities better. You can access the poll here: https://forms.gle/8qJDzbyxuLuSTEHp6

Send us a message telling us what you’d like to see, in your own words.

Or, if you’re a member of the AVM there’s an opportunity to join a roundtable to explore the Toolkit’s structure and content, currently scheduled for the 21st of November. Stand by your inboxes for further details.

Thanks for reading 🙏

Notes and Further Links 

The Digital Toolkit will be a resource owned by and developed for the Association of Volunteer Managers and its members. 

Its creation is sponsored by TeamKinetic and will be built by Gethyn Williams, an independent volunteering strategist, working closely with partners and taking input from AVM members and wider stakeholders. 

We anticipate the release of the Toolkit in Spring 2024.

Conducting Volunteer Interviews

By

On 30th August 2023

In Volunteer Management

Volunteer interviews are often a crucial step in the volunteer recruitment process. It is here that you can really get a sense of a person and their suitability for your organisation. However, conducting volunteer interviews is different to paid role interviews! Whether the potential for volunteer impact is small or big, volunteer interviews must be thoughtful and selective. 

Interviewer Responsibilities

As an interviewer, it is your responsibility to lay the groundwork for a productive volunteer interview. Volunteer interviews are usually more informal than interviews for paid roles and are conducted for the purpose of getting to know the candidate as opposed to checking credentials. If necessary skills or requirements are entered in TeamKinetic, only suitable candidates will be invited to interview. 

Remember that interviews are a two-way process. First, briefly outline the volunteer role and your organisation. This helps to put the interviewee at ease and affirms the focus of your discussion. Candidates should be given the opportunity to ask questions of their own in response to the information you have provided. A keen interest in the role and your organisation is always a positive!

Potential Questions

The informal nature of volunteer interviews can make it more difficult to select and sort volunteers. Having some core questions that structure the interview will make it easier to identify your chosen volunteer/s. Here are some question categories and examples to guide you when conducting volunteer interviews:

Personal

  • What motivates you? 
  • Do you prefer working independently or collaboratively?
  • What do you like to do in your free time?

General

  • Do you have any personal connection to our organisation?
  • What attracted you most to this volunteering opportunity?
  • What other volunteering experience do you have, if any?

Situational

  • What would you do if you were faced with an unhappy patient/customer/etc?
  • If you felt that someone in your team was behaving inappropriately, what would you do?
  • Describe a volunteering situation that would require you to be empathetic.

Volunteer Selection

Use your checklist of core questions for each interview to ‘score’ interviewees. In combination with your personal impression and wider discussions that took place, a scoring system in response to specific questions ensures your interview process is fair. More broad observations you can make include:

Interviewee Green Flags

  • Confident responses
  • Referring to examples in their answers
  • Genuine personality
  • Admitting weaknesses
  • Knowledge of the organisation

Interviewee Red Flags

  • Vague responses
  • Unclear intentions
  • Not prioritising values
  • Lack of knowledge about the organisation

Interview Tips for Volunteers

Make sure that you have an understanding of the organisation that you wish to volunteer for. Knowing the purpose of the organisation will guide you towards being the best volunteer you can be! 

Your interviewer wants to know that you will enjoy your role. Therefore, demonstrating enthusiasm for a voluntary position is particularly important. Your enjoyment and sense of purpose will be your primary motivators.

Ask questions! When researching the organisation, take note of the things that you would like to hear more about. Equally, feel free to ask any questions when the interviewer describes the role and organisation. This will show that you are interested and proactive.

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Post-Pandemic Volunteering: Lessons and Opportunities

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On 2nd August 2023

In COVID-19, News & Views, Volunteer Management

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, including the world of volunteering. As a result, there are valuable lessons to be learned and new opportunities to be seized with post-pandemic volunteering. 

So what are these lessons? What can we learn from the pandemic and how can we explore emerging opportunities for post-pandemic volunteering?

Resilience and Community Spirit

The UK yo-yo-ing in and out of lockdowns created a new kind of resilience and community spirit that many neighbourhoods may not have seen before. Those who were able to help their vulnerable neighbours were happy to do so, from befriending to shopping deliveries, the power of individuals coming together to support one another was highlighted during this time. This renewed sense of community can continue to inspire and drive volunteering efforts in a post-pandemic society. 

These small acts of service during the pandemic have shed light on the power of micro-volunteering. Perhaps people now realise that they can volunteer and help their communities without long-term commitments. This perception of volunteering as a long-term commitment may have deterred people in the past due to busy lifestyles and other obligations. Micro-volunteering allows people to get involved and improve their communities in a way that works for them.

Remote Volunteering and Virtual Engagement

One of the significant adaptations during the pandemic was the rise of remote volunteering and virtual engagement. This shift presents new opportunities for volunteer engagement – especially for those who may face challenges in the form of geographical or physical limitations. 

Remote/virtual volunteering is accessible, inclusive, and again, allows for more micro-volunteering opportunities. Offering volunteering opportunities that are remote opens you up to a new, wider range of potential volunteers. Remote volunteering gives flexibility, not only to volunteers but to the opportunity providers too.

Health and Safety Considerations

The COVID-19 pandemic brought health and safety to the forefront of our collective consciousness. We learned valuable lessons about the importance of implementing proper health and safety protocols in all walks of life, including volunteering. These protocols protect both the volunteers and the communities they help. 

As we continue to navigate a post-pandemic world, these lessons will guide us to create safer environments for volunteers to do the work they love and improve the well-being of everyone involved. Prioritising health and safety considerations in volunteer programs can create an environment that protects volunteers, beneficiaries, and the wider community. 

Reimagining Volunteer Roles and Skills

During the pandemic, traditional volunteer roles were re-evaluated and re-purposed to dynamically meet the needs of local communities. COVID-19 prompted people to learn new skills and adapt. The shift to remote communication caused many people to learn how to use digital technologies for the first time – something that will no doubt be handy in the years to come. It has also opened the door for new volunteering opportunities centred around aiding people use these technologies who may have difficulty on their own.

The adaptability of people during this difficult time is admirable. The ever-changing world in which we live is likely to throw up new challenges again, but we can be confident in the population’s ability to adapt and respond in order to help their community.

Mental Health and Emotional Support

One big impact of the pandemic and lockdown was a rise in social isolation. People who lived alone were suddenly separated from society. To combat this, we saw a large increase in befriending services, with people giving their time to regularly contact someone within their community to combat those feelings of isolation.

Aside from that, the pandemic also took a toll on mental health generally. It highlighted the importance of taking care of your mental health and the need for good access to mental health services. Incorporating mental health resources and prioritising emotional well-being within day-to-day volunteer programs is now crucial. This approach not only enhances the support available to volunteers but also allows them to better serve and empathise with those they assist, building a better community.

You can do this by:

  • Regular training for all volunteers about mental health awareness
  • Providing resources and information about local services they can use
  • Peer support networks
  • Regular mental health check-ins
  • Promoting open conversations about mental health

Continually evaluating the resources you provide to your volunteers is also essential. Remember to keep everything up-to-date and relevant to make the best impact!

Enjoyed this blog? Why not join us at our 2023 Conference, where we take a look at the changing world and its potential impact on volunteering. You can get your ticket now for the low price of £10!

Get Your Ticket to the 2023 TeamKinetic Conference

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