Category: Volunteer Management Page 1 of 13

TeamKinetic has over a decade of experience working in the volunteer management sector. In these blogs we offer our insight and hope to shed light on new tips for volunteer managers everywhere.

With a main focus on digital solutions, we’ll take you through best-practice advice for volunteer management and operating in the third sector as a whole.

Digital in Volunteering: One Year On – Have Your Say in Shaping the Future

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On 14th November 2025

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

This month marks one year since the launch of the Digital in Volunteering initiative – a sector-wide effort to understand how digital tools are transforming volunteering. It also serves to help volunteer managers build the confidence, capability, and connections they need to thrive.

From recruitment platforms and online training tools to CRM systems and new ways of keeping volunteers engaged, one thing is clear: digital isn’t just an add-on anymore. It’s central to how volunteering works today.

Over the past year, the initiative has grown rapidly across the UK voluntary sector. While digital in volunteering continues to evolve, we’re already seeing real innovation, shared learning, and a growing appetite to build on this progress.

What’s been achieved so far

The vision behind Digital in Volunteering is simple. To empower volunteer managers with the tools, knowledge, and peer support they need to use digital confidently and purposefully.

The Digital in Volunteering Toolkit

A practical resource designed to help volunteer managers adopt digital approaches with confidence. Whether you’re starting small or scaling up. From assessing your organisation’s digital maturity to embedding inclusive practice, the Toolkit has already supported hundreds of people across the sector.

Access the Toolkit here.

The Digital in Volunteering Community of Practice

Now more than 300 volunteer managers strong, the Community is a space for sharing ideas, learning together, and supporting one another on the digital journey. Built by volunteer managers, for volunteer managers, it’s a collaborative network that’s only just getting started.

Through webinars, discussions, and case studies, one clear message has emerged: the future of digital in volunteering will be shaped by practice, not platforms.

Join the Community of Practice.

Help shape what comes next

As the initiative looks ahead to 2026, the team wants to understand what volunteer managers need most. What’s working? What’s missing? And where is more support needed?

You can help by completing the 2025 Digital in Volunteering Survey. It takes just a few minutes, and your insights will directly shape the support, learning, and resources offered next year.

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/FA4LdJpqtQRwfyJe8

Everyone who takes part will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 voucher.

Your experience matters. Your contribution will help strengthen volunteering across the UK.

What’s next?

The initiative will continue to grow with the sector, focusing on:

  • New Toolkit content shaped by your feedback
  • More examples of digital practice from peers
  • Support on emerging topics such as AI and accessibility
  • Events and discussions led by practitioners, not tech vendors

This isn’t about digital for digital’s sake. It’s about helping volunteering thrive in a connected world.

Get involved

If you’re passionate about how digital can make volunteering more inclusive and impactful, here’s how to take part:

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed so far and to those joining the journey now. Together, we can continue to unlock digital’s potential for volunteering, one practical step at a time.

Measuring the Impact of Volunteers: A Practical Guide

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On 27th October 2025

In News & Views, Volunteer Management

Volunteers bring so much to organisations. They strengthen communities, boost well-being, and often change lives. Including their own!

However, capturing that impact can feel daunting. Especially when funders want neat numbers, but volunteers deserve recognition that goes deeper than statistics.

The good news? There isn’t just one way to measure impact. At our 2025 Conference, we heard from Joanne Irvine and Will Watt. They’re two leading voices in this area who are approaching volunteer impact from slightly different angles.

Joanne’s work shows how involving volunteers in the process of collecting qualitative data can uncover stories that statistics alone can’t capture. Whereas Will is well-experienced in turning the social and economic value of volunteering into hard data.

By combining storytelling methods with economic evaluation, volunteer managers can build reports that tick boxes for stakeholders while showing the human side too. Here’s how…

Go Beyond Hours Logged

Traditional measures, like the number of hours given or the cost of replacing volunteers with paid staff, are a useful starting point. But they only capture one part of the picture.

  • Economic value: Tools like social value calculators can estimate the financial worth of volunteering in terms of improved well-being, health, and community services supported.

    Will Watt’s company, State of Life, has developed a simple guide to social impact to help you start thinking about calculating your programme’s social value.
  • Social impact: Data shows that weekly volunteering boosts life satisfaction, reduces loneliness, and builds trust in communities.

    Joanne’s work supports highlighting the human impact behind the numbers. It brings meaning, emotion, and context to outcomes. And by doing so, it supports fairer policies, stronger funding cases, and a shift toward valuing social, environmental, and community well-being alongside economic measures.

Think of hours logged as the foundation, layering in well-being and social impact creates a full story around the data.

Capture Stories and Lived Experiences

Numbers impress funders, but stories move people. Volunteers often describe benefits like:

  • Increased confidence
  • New friendships
  • A stronger sense of purpose
  • Better physical and mental health

Simple methods like open-ended questions in feedback forms, sticker voting at events, or even casual conversations can reveal these outcomes. Sharing them alongside statistics creates a fuller, more relatable picture.

See a snippet of Joanne’s work with Glasgow Life below, and read the full report via this link.

Involve Volunteers in Evaluation

When volunteers are invited to help shape how impact is measured, they feel more valued and engaged. This participatory approach:

  • Deepens trust and retention
  • Uncovers hidden benefits managers may miss
  • Helps align evaluation with what truly matters to volunteers

It doesn’t need to be complicated. Something as simple as asking volunteers what success looks like to them can make a difference.

Recognise What Volunteers Want Most

Research into volunteer motivations highlights six recurring themes, captured in the GIVERS framework:

  • Growth: opportunities to learn and develop skills
  • Impact: evidence that their work makes a difference
  • Voice: inclusive language and invitations to help, not just “volunteer recruitment”
  • Experience: enjoyable, easy-to-access opportunities
  • Recognition: simple thanks and public appreciation
  • Social connection: friendships, networks, and reduced loneliness

Designing your evaluation around these motivators ensures you’re measuring (and delivering) what matters most.

Build Reports That Speak to Everyone

Different stakeholders care about different things. A strong impact report should combine:

  • Statistics for funders and policymakers: such as the economic value of well-being improvements or the cost saved to public services.
  • Stories for communities and volunteers: quotes, case studies, and personal accounts that show the human side of volunteering.
  • Practical context: explaining what those numbers and stories mean in real-world terms (e.g. “One volunteer enables nine others to play sport”).

Make your reporting credible, relatable, and actionable with this blended approach.

Final Thoughts

Measuring the impact of volunteers doesn’t have to be a choice between numbers and stories. By blending economic evaluation with qualitative, participatory methods, you can create reports that satisfy funders, inspire communities, and, most importantly, show volunteers how much they matter.

Because the true value of volunteering isn’t just in what people give, it’s also in what they gain.

Find out more

Joanne Irvine

If you want to find out more about Joanne’s work and this approach to measuring the impact of volunteers, you can check out this paper she worked on with Ruth Leonard. You can also see her slides from the Conference here.

Will Watt

Visit State of Life’s website to see how Will might be able to help you measure the social value of your work. You can also see his conference slides here.


And, as always, you can find TeamKinetic via our links below:

Growing a Thriving Volunteer Culture: Lessons from Tobi Johnson and Ruth Leonard

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On 14th October 2025

In Volunteer Management

What does volunteer management have in common with gardening? According to experts Tobi Johnson and Ruth Leonard, when it comes to creating a thriving volunteer culture, quite a lot!

In their session at our latest conference, they invited everyone to rethink how they nurture volunteers, drawing powerful parallels between cultivating healthy soil and building supportive environments where people can thrive.

Together, they explore how thoughtful planning, experimentation, and care can transform a volunteer programme into a living, self-sustaining ecosystem.

Planting the Right Seeds

Every garden begins with planting. For volunteer managers, that means thinking carefully about how you bring new people into your organisation. Just like seeds, each volunteer holds unique potential. With the right support at the right time, they can grow in unexpected and valuable directions.

Key takeaway: Recruitment isn’t only about filling gaps. It’s about creating the right conditions for volunteers to thrive in ways that support both their own motivations and your organisation’s mission.

Nurturing Growth with Care and Consistency

A healthy garden needs consistent watering and care. And so do your volunteers! Tobi and Ruth highlighted the importance of communication, recognition, and trust as the “nutrients” that sustain long-term engagement. Volunteers who feel valued and supported are far more likely to stay and contribute meaningfully.

Key takeaway: Build regular check-ins and feedback into your volunteer programme. Even simple recognition, like saying thank you and sharing achievements, keeps your volunteer culture resilient.

Embracing Experimentation

Not every plant grows where you expect it to. The same applies to volunteering. Given the space to experiment, volunteers often uncover strengths or skills they didn’t even know they had.

Key takeaway: Flexibility is powerful. Allow volunteers to try different roles or projects, and be open to evolving opportunities. This can bring fresh energy and reveal hidden talents.

Diversity Builds Strength

Just as biodiversity makes a garden more resilient, diversity enriches volunteer culture. Different perspectives, experiences, and skills create stronger, more adaptable teams.

Key takeaway: Actively nurture diversity and inclusivity. A broad mix of volunteers doesn’t just reflect your community, it strengthens your organisation’s ability to grow and respond to new challenges.

Protecting and Celebrating the Harvest

Gardeners know the importance of protecting their crops and celebrating the harvest. Volunteer managers should do the same. Protecting your culture means ensuring contributions remain meaningful and aligned with your purpose, while celebration reinforces a sense of shared achievement.

Key takeaway: Don’t only measure outputs, celebrate outcomes. Share stories, recognise milestones, and show volunteers the bigger picture they’re helping to create.

Final Thoughts

Tobi and Ruth’s session was a great reminder that volunteer management isn’t just a process, it’s something you nurture. With a bit of planning, care, creativity, and a focus on diversity, volunteer managers can grow a vibrant culture that keeps thriving year after year. Like a garden!

At TeamKinetic, we know how important your role is, and we’re here to give you the tools and support you need to grow your own flourishing ‘garden’ of volunteers.

Get in touch today

Unlocking the Power of Volunteer Management: The Benefits of Joining the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM)

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On 16th July 2025

In Volunteer Management

Volunteer management is at the heart of many organisations, from charities to community groups, and effective leadership is crucial to ensuring both the individual and the organisation feel the full benefits. The Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) connects, develops and empowers you to lead, support and manage volunteers effectively by offering a wealth of resources, learning and development and networking opportunities.

Here’s a closer look at the membership benefits that make AVM an invaluable asset for volunteer managers across the UK.

1. Development and Learning Opportunities

AVM places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and development. Members gain access to a variety of events designed to enhance skills and knowledge:

  • Discounted Access to Events and Conference: Members receive discounts on public peer learning events and the annual conference, ensuring they can engage with leading experts and stay updated on best practices in volunteer management.
  • Member-Only Events: Exclusive events such as member forums and free think-ins, these sessions provide a platform for in-depth discussions and learning among peers.

2. Mentoring and Networking

Building connections and learning from others’ experiences is vital in volunteer management:

  • Mentoring Programme: AVM’s mentoring initiative pairs experienced professionals with those seeking guidance, fostering personal and professional growth. This programme is exclusive to AVM members and opens twice a year.
  • AVM Connect: A facilitated networking scheme that matches members with peers to share experiences, challenges, and solutions, helping to build a supportive community. This is also exclusive to AVM members and runs 5-6 times a year.
  • Face-to-face meetings: AVM has established regional networking groups across the UK to facilitate in-person peer support.

3. Exclusive Resources and Content

Members have access to a treasure trove of resources to support their work:

  • AVM Replay: Members can access a series of short webcasts and recordings from past events, offering insights into innovative practices and thought leadership in the sector.

4. Advocacy and Representation

AVM serves as a collective voice for volunteer managers, advocating for the recognition and development of the profession:

  • Representation: Through its activities, AVM works to raise the profile of volunteer management and influence policy and practice in the sector.

Membership Options

Recognising the diverse nature of volunteer management, AVM offers flexible membership fees:

  • Individual Membership: Annual fees are based on salary, with reduced rates for those managing volunteers in a voluntary capacity.
  • Organisational Membership: Organisations can choose the Learning & Development package that best fits their size, ensuring all staff and volunteers benefit from AVM’s offerings.

Joining the Association of Volunteer Managers provides a comprehensive support system for those dedicated to leading and developing volunteer programmes. From professional development and networking to exclusive resources and advocacy, AVM equips its members with the tools and community needed to excel in volunteer management. Whether you’re an individual professional or part of an organisation, AVM offers a pathway to enhance your impact and contribute to the growth of volunteering across the UK.

Join AVM today to feel the full benefit of connecting with fellow leaders of volunteering to make change happen together.

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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.

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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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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.

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:

Twitter       Facebook       LinkedIn       YouTube       Instagram       Podcast

 

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

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