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The TeamKinetic 2.7.0 Major Release is coming soon, and we want to tell you all about what to expect when the update drops.

This is the largest update to our user features so far in our release history!

Granular Permissions

Super admins can now select granular permissions for all your administrators. Permissions are split over the four areas of volunteers, opportunities, providers and system. Each administrator can have their own bespoke permissions set. There is also a handy set of presets for low, medium, and high-level permissions.

All your current administrators will have all permissions enabled EXCEPT the system permissions, and should experience very little difference to their current mode of operation.

POD administrators will still behave as before, but their limited access to opportunities and volunteers within their pod can be overwritten by the edit all opportunities and volunteer permissions. Any existing POD admins will have those permissions disabled so that the existing POD rules are still enforced.

Of particular note are the new system permissions that allow selected administrators to edit role and reference definitions as well as process role applications and submitted references. This is the first time that Super Admins can assign some roles that were previously Super Admin-only to general administrators.

The opportunity assignment options, as detailed in the next section, can be used to define which opportunities can be accessed by administrators without the edit all opportunities permission. In these cases, any opportunity that is created by an administrator or has been assigned to an administrator is viewable and editable by the administrator.

You can refine and update all your administrators from the Super Admin Menu > Admin Accounts.

Account assignments for opportunities

Super administrators can now assign individual administrators to particular opportunities. This has two effects.

Firstly, it enables the administrator edit access to the opportunity when they don’t have the edit all opps permission enabled.

Secondly, all enabled administrator email communications will be directed to both the assigned user and the regular central app email.

Administrators and providers can also assign a provider user to the opportunity, which affords no extra access but direct email notifications to the selected user in addition to the central provider email address.

Finally, you will notice that there is a nominal contact email box available to providers and administrators. Here, you can add any email address which will also be added to the email communications for this opportunity.

This has the advantage of not being connected to an existing user, so you could use mailing lists or group emails. Please take care not to use unauthorised emails that could enable some leaking of details to non-authorised contacts.

This nominal email feature can be optionally disabled to prevent the risk of data leakage.

GOVO Integration

This is great news as the GOVO platform is gearing up and people are starting to talk about it.

Available from your super admin menu > setup > integrations page you simply have to add your API key to start sharing your opportunities directly to your account at GOVO.

You can either choose to share when adding an opportunity or when editing an existing opportunity. GOVO supports remote/at home opportunities, flexible and sessional and any interested volunteers that find you on GOVO will be redirected back to apply on your TeamKinetic platform. Exciting times.

Tickets For Good – Another great way to reward your volunteers

We’ve teamed up with tickets for good to enable your volunteers that have logged hours to get their hands on free or heavily discounted tickets to a huge selection of top events. There is always a small booking/ticketing fee to pay and all tickets are on a first come first served basis.

We have to pre-authorise your organisation to make sure it meets the criteria Tickets for Good set out. If you are interested pop along to the super admin menu > setup > integrations to start the ball rolling.

New status options

As part of the revocation options, you can now elect to remove a volunteer’s future sessions when revoking access. This means that their names will no longer show up on opportunities for future sessions, so they should not be expected or allowed to participate.

New Font – What do you think

We have updated the admin system header and body fonts, we think the titles are more readable now. Hope you like it.

Did you know you can use the CSS editor in your super admin setup area to set your own custom fonts for your volunteer pages..? Open a ticket if you want to know how.

New search filters

Activity filter on bulk email

Changes to log all hours page

The log all hours page has had some changes after talking with out Wildlife Trust customers who had some good ideas to make it more useful.

We have added a provider filter so you can look for specific provider’s outstanding hours, adding some more details on what the rules are when bulk logging hours.

A little checkbox to filter in/out those sessions where some, but not all, the available hours have been logged by a provider/administrator. Usually if less than the maximum hours have been logged, it’s for a reason and you don’t want that to be overwritten by the maximum.

A total can now be found at the bottom of the results and we have excluded the flexible max hours number as it was confusing and doesn’t add anything as when bulk logging flexible hours it copies the volunteer log history if it has more hours than the provider/administrator log history.

New SMS sending rules

This is actually a sort of backwards development! The rules around unsolicited text messages have been tightened up and they now prevent us from using any sender ID we wish when we send text messages. We now have to provide details on the sender ID, what it will be used for and other details, plus a regular monthly cost.

So for these reasons, we have suspended the sender ID options in the account profile area and all SMS messages are sent with a TeamKinetic sender ID. Apologies for those that have got used to having the old Sender ID flexibility.

Auto-suggest timing for typing to speed up results

You may have noticed when using the universal auto suggest search (still the best place to look for individual volunteers, providers or opportunities!) that it doesn’t attempt to search until you pause your typing. So if you type the characters S I M O N in quick succession without pausing, it will search once for ‘simon’ it wont search for ‘s’ then ‘si’ then ‘sim…..’.

This same technique has now been applied to the volunteer auto suggest searches when adding volunteers to sessions, adding meetings and everywhere else you see that volunteer search dialogue.

It reduces the time it spent searching and helps prevent timing issues with the appearance and fading of the list of auto suggested names.

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

By Alex Evans

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

By Alex Evans

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:

Trends Shaping the Future of Volunteering (and what volunteer leaders can do about them!)

By Alex Evans

On 20th October 2025

In News & Views

At this year’s TK Conference, Gethyn Williams shared his insights into five big trends shaping the future of volunteering and what they mean for volunteer managers on the ground.

From AI to inclusivity, his message was clear: volunteering doesn’t exist in a bubble. The way people volunteer is changing, just as fast as the world around them. The good news? With the right approach, these changes bring more opportunities than challenges.

Let’s dig into the five trends and how you can make them work for your organisation.

1. Reaching the Next Generation

First, Gethyn explored reaching the next generation through micro volunteering. Micro-volunteering, remote roles, and flexible shifts can open your organisation to new volunteers.

I’m sure you’re all aware what micro volunteering is by now. If you’re not, it basically refers to small, manageable tasks that volunteers can do. These are often online and sometimes available as one-off opportunities or tasks.

So what sort of opportunities can you offer to entice the next generation into volunteering?

Younger volunteers often want to make a meaningful impact and see a clear link between their time and the difference it makes. They’re drawn to opportunities that align with their values. Whether that’s social, environmental, or community-focused.

However, they also have less time and prefer short-form content – the TikTok generation! That’s where micro volunteering comes in. One-off tasks, or flexible roles that can be done remotely, fit this need perfectly.

Micro-volunteering doesn’t replace longer-term commitment, and you don’t have to solely rely on these short tasks. But it opens doors for people who might not otherwise volunteer. And, when done well, can lead to longer-term commitment.

2. AI and Volunteering

AI is the ‘big one’ right now. It’s dominating conversations everywhere. Like other digital trends, it started outside the volunteering world, but it feels time for volunteer managers to find useful, ethical ways to apply it to their work.

Gethyn shared how he’s been using AI to analyse survey responses, especially long, open-ended ones that can take days to review. AI tools can sort feedback, detect patterns, and even analyse sentiment. All faster and more objectively than we might manage manually.

The real discussion, Gethyn said, is whether AI should be our co-pilot or our replacement. He asked us to imagine a system that could do it all…

Imagine an AI tool that could automatically screen volunteer applications, predict a candidate’s likelihood of long-term retention with 85% accuracy, and schedule their first shift – all without human input.
Gethyn Williams

Sounds efficient, right? But it also raises big ethical questions: What happens to personal connection? How do we handle bias or fairness?

The session poll captured this tension perfectly. Attendees saw both opportunities (less admin, faster onboarding, freeing up time for engagement) and dilemmas (loss of human warmth, accuracy issues, and even the environmental impact of AI’s energy use).

So what now?

We say start small and stay human. Try AI where it genuinely helps, like cutting down on repetitive admin, but keep people at the heart of every decision. AI should be your co-pilot, not your replacement.

3. National Recruitment Platforms

National online recruitment platforms are another hot topic in volunteering right now. With tools like The Big Help Out, GoVo (the new RVS platform), and Reach Volunteering’s relaunch, there’s no shortage of innovation in how people find opportunities.

Gethyn suggested that strong recruitment strategies will use a mix of local and national platforms. Local ones for community connections, and national ones for reaching those who’ve never volunteered before.

But there’s a tension: are these platforms delivering the right volunteers, or simply ready volunteers who want to get started now? Both have value, but they serve different needs.

“Do national platforms work for our convenience, or for the volunteer’s? Maybe the trick is finding the balance.”

Advice for you…

Experiment, share what works, and don’t expect one platform to do it all. Volunteers, like everyone else, have their preferred brands and channels. Meeting them where they are is part of the challenge… and the opportunity!

4. Open Data

Open data might sound dry, but it can be exciting when you look at what it can do.

Gethyn compared it to the open banking revolution, where shared data standards transformed how financial systems talk to each other. Imagine the same for volunteering platforms. Data flowing freely between systems to make recruitment, reporting, and collaboration smoother for everyone.

There’s already work underway to create open data standards for volunteering, supported by the Digital in Volunteering Community of Practice. It’s a great place for volunteer managers to get involved and help shape what that looks like.

He also raised an intriguing idea: a national volunteering data hub. While the UK already has solid research, we still lack certain insights. What’s the average conversion rate from enquiry to placement? How long do volunteers typically stay involved? Which groups aren’t volunteering and why?

Shared data could also help answer these questions and lead to smarter decisions across the sector. As Gethyn put it:

“Maybe it’s time we talked more seriously about open data in volunteering and what it could make possible.”

5. Rise of the Digital Volunteer

This “bonus round” from Gethyn looked at the growing rise of digital and skilled volunteering. Moving beyond quick micro-tasks to harness professional expertise for good.

These volunteers often lead with their skills rather than a specific cause. As Gethyn put it, their “professional skills” fader is turned right up, and that opens up exciting new possibilities. They don’t need to live nearby or even know your charity. These volunteers are motivated by the chance to use what they know to make a difference.

He invited us to imagine charities as “gigs for good”, where small, time-limited digital projects tap into professional talent. Think of tasks like improving SEO, designing templates, revamping a website, or creating social media videos. The kind of digital wish-list items that could be done in under 10 hours by a skilled volunteer.

Platforms like Reach Volunteering are seeing growth here, especially since COVID. Professionals are looking for flexible, meaningful ways to contribute online.

Gethyn encouraged everyone to take a fresh look at their digital to-do list and see what could be turned into a short, contained project. Give volunteers a simple way to build skills, confidence, and capacity across the sector.

Key Takeaways for You

Digital is here to stay: the question isn’t if you go digital, but how.
Experience is everything: volunteers expect the same ease and care they get from any modern service.
Learn from outside the sector: marketing, UX, and data principles aren’t just for businesses; they work brilliantly in volunteer management too.
Start small, learn fast: test, and tweak. You’ll learn more by doing than by waiting for the ‘perfect’ system.

So, now’s the time for you to think about how you can take these emerging trends and apply them to your own work. Perhaps you’d like help with taking on the points raised in Gethyn’s session?

The Digital in Volunteering Community of Practice is a place for anyone involved in volunteering to come together, share ideas, access key resources, and join regular workshops on using digital in volunteering. Not to mention, it’s the only place you can access the Digital in Volunteering Toolkit! Best of all, it’s completely free. You can join now via this link.

If you want to contact Gethyn for further advice, you can find him at gethynwilliams.net

As always, you can find TeamKinetic via our links below:

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

By Alex Evans

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

Next-Level Admin Permissions are Coming

By Rolf Herbert

On 6th October 2025

In Application Features and Tutorials, TeamKinetic Features, Technical Updates

We know we have been talking about this new feature for many months but now we are thrilled to share a sneak peek at one of the most requested updates we’ve built: Granular Admin Permissions.

Managing your volunteers, opportunities, and providers is about to become more powerful and flexible than ever. Our new permissions system gives you total control over who can do what within your TeamKinetic platform – from creating opportunities and editing volunteers, to managing providers, background checks, and system settings.

You’ll be able to:
✅ Assign tailored access levels to match every role in your organisation
✅ Mix and match permissions to suit your workflows for every user
✅ Confidently delegate tasks without compromising data security
✅ Scale your admin team with precision and peace of mind

This update marks a huge step forward in making TeamKinetic even more adaptable for organisations of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re a national network or a local volunteer hub, you’ll soon have the tools to customise admin access with unprecedented detail.

Take a look at this clip from our conference where we introduce this feature, along with Flows:

We’re putting the finishing touches on this release and we can’t wait for you to try it out.

Stay tuned for the full rollout announcement, feature deep dive, and training resources soon.

TeamKinetic Conference 2025: Beyond Recruitment

By Alex Evans

On 4th September 2025

In Events and Conferences, News & Views

This year, the TeamKinetic Conference goes beyond recruitment to explore everything that happens after volunteers join your cause.

Recruitment is just the start.

Every volunteer journey begins with a “yes”, but what happens next determines whether that spark of enthusiasm turns into a long-term commitment, a powerful story, and lasting social impact.

From first-day welcomes to long-term recognition, from gathering feedback to using data for better decision-making, our 2025 programme will dig into the practices, tools, and ideas that keep volunteers engaged, supported, and thriving.

Why “Beyond Recruitment”?

Too often, conversations about volunteering stop at finding the right people. But retaining, motivating, and empowering volunteers is where the real magic (and challenge!) lies. We’ll be bringing together experts and thought leaders to share insights that help you:

Build stronger volunteer communities
Measure and communicate impact
Use data and digital tools to improve volunteer experience
Foster inclusion and belonging
Keep volunteers motivated for the long haul

You’ll leave with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and new connections to help you get the best from your volunteers and give them the best in return. Whether you’re a volunteer manager, charity leader, or anyone working in volunteer engagement, you’ll find inspiration to take your work further.

Key Details

Date: Wednesday, the 24th of September

Time: All day, between 9:30am and 4:30pm. Not free all day? No problem, feel free to drop in and out where you like.

Tickets: £10, or free for all TeamKinetic users. Get yours now via this link.

Speakers

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

Joanne Irvine – Social Impact

Will Watt – State of Life

Andrew Newman – The ODI

Amy Cole – Tempo Time Credits

Gethyn Williams – Non-Profit Development Specialist

Speakers

Tobi Johnson

President of Tobi Johnson & Associates
Founder of VolPro

Keynote Session

What does gardening have to do with volunteer management?

Quite a lot, as it turns out.

In this keynote, Tobi Johnson will explore how building healthy, sustainable volunteer programs is less about quick fixes and more about cultivating the right conditions for growth.

Tobi Johnson is a leading voice in volunteer engagement, known for blending fresh ideas with practical strategies that help programs truly thrive. With a reputation for sparking new ways of thinking, she brings energy, clarity, and inspiration to the challenge of engaging, supporting, and celebrating volunteers.

She’s also the host of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, where she shares practical tips and inspiring conversations each week on how organisations can grow thriving volunteer teams and harness the power of people to fuel change.

Joanne Irvine

Social Impact | Strategy | Evaluation

Session: Enhancing Volunteer Retention Through Participatory Evaluation

This session looks at how we can move beyond counting hours and pounds to better capture the real social value of volunteering. Using participatory evaluation, it explores how showing volunteers the impact of their efforts can both empower them and improve retention – drawing on research from Glasgow Life’s volunteer programme.

Once a volunteer is in the door – how do you keep them there? As we continue to see volunteering decline and as the voluntary sector grapples with the new and different expectations and ways in which volunteers want to get involved, it may be time for some new approaches.

One key consideration is that volunteers sign up to ‘make a difference’ but what if they don’t see the impact they are making? Yet volunteering impact is commonly measured in activities and numbers – of events held, volunteers mobilised and number of hours volunteered calculated against the minimum wage and rarely captures the impact on the communities they serve. The financial value doesn’t show the full value – and certainly not the outcomes or the impact – of what volunteering achieves. As the people, charities and organisations from the third and public sectors in the UK fighting for equality and social inclusion, we are increasingly feeling the pressure to speak the language of funders and government: return on investment, value for money and percentage contributions to GDP. That’s because we depend on getting the funding we need to be able to do what we do best: help people.

However, if even we are putting the emphasis on economic capital and measuring our success in GBP, who will be left to tell the human stories? What if we could better capture the real social value of what we do whilst also empowering volunteers to be involved in the process, so they also see the impact of their efforts? This session will explore how participatory evaluation can help evaluate and capture a richer and more holistic social value of volunteer-led services and contribute to volunteer empowerment and retention. It will do so using learning from research carried out by Joanne on the social impact of a Glasgow Life volunteer programme.

About Jo

As a social designer with a background in international development cooperation, Joanne advocates for the social inclusion, human rights and the empowerment of marginalised people and communities to achieve equality for all. She is passionate about participatory design and putting people at the centre of strategy, social design, learning, innovation and evaluation. Jo has longstanding experience with the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Migration Agency, providing technical assistance, capacity development, strategic planning and policy advice to help governments embrace diversity, reduce inequalities, and support communities become more inclusive and prosperous.

She has been fortunate to have lived in Spain, Tunisia, Egypt, Belgium and Switzerland and has travelled and worked extensively with many countries’ local and national authorities, charities and UN partners worldwide. After returning to Scotland in 2023 and pursuing further education with the Glasgow School of Art, she is enjoying combining her experience in the third and public sectors with her passion for participatory design and innovation. She is now Chair of the Board of Trustees of Volunteer Glasgow and a consultant leveraging design-led research and participatory design to enhance strategic planning, fundraising, evaluation and research for charities and the UN.

Joanne holds a BA and MA in Hispanic Studies and French from Glasgow University, an MA in International Development Cooperation and European Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, a Diploma in Forced Migration and Human Rights from the UN University of Peace and an MDes Design Innovation and Citizenship from the Glasgow School of Art. As a lifelong learner, she is also working towards a BA in Visual Communications with the Open University.

Connect with Joanne on LinkedIn.

Will Watt

Director, State of Life

Session: The Economic Value of Volunteering

Will Watt, founder of State of Life, will be joining us at the conference to share his expertise on measuring social value and impact in volunteering.

Will is a named advisor on the 2021 HM Treasury supplementary guidance on wellbeing. He founded State of Life (formerly Jump Projects) in 2016 after leading research into the economic value of sports volunteering in collaboration with Lord Gus O’Donnell. The study became a case study in the What Works Centre for Wellbeing.

State of Life helps organisations clearly show the difference they make in people’s lives. Launched in March 2020, the company’s approach is recommended in the UK Government’s guidance for using trusted, comparable measures of impact. Since 2016, State of Life has worked for the UN, NCS, Parkrun, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Girlguiding, the FA, National Trust, BT, the LTA, Sport England, Fields in Trust and more.

Its online tools and services make it easier and more affordable for charities, councils, and businesses to measure the real-world benefits of their work, so they can focus on making lives healthier and happier.

Visit the State of Life website.

Andrew Newman

Principal Data Specialist at The ODI

Session Title: Designing an open data infrastructure for volunteering

This session explores how an Open Data approach could reshape volunteer brokerage and open up new possibilities for collaboration across the sector.

Through a mix of ideas, examples, and interactive discussion, participants will be invited to imagine what a shared standard for volunteering data might look like, and consider the benefits it could bring to organisations, platforms, and volunteers themselves.

You’ll leave with fresh perspectives on how greater openness and interoperability could unlock growth, accessibility, and innovation in volunteering.

About Andrew

Andrew Newman is a data specialist with over 20 years’ experience leading and managing data teams and initiatives at the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). He brings a broad range of expertise in data, alongside a people-focused and collaborative approach. Passionate about building communities and fostering collaboration, Andrew works to deliver services that drive real change and improvement.

About The Open Data Institute (ODI)

Founded in 2012 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt, the ODI is a non-profit organisation dedicated to building trust in data. Independent and non-partisan, it works with partners across business, government, and civil society to drive transparency, accountability, and innovation. Through training, consultancy, and research, the ODI helps organisations use data more responsibly and with greater confidence, positioning itself as a trusted voice at the heart of the data economy.

Find out more about The ODI here.

Amy Cole

Head of Programmes Wales, Tempo Time Credits

Session: Tempo Time Credits – Engaging the Many

How can we build more inclusive communities where everyone feels they have something valuable to give? Tempo Time Credits offer a practical way to engage people from all walks of life, rewarding time and contribution instead of money.

In this session, Amy will explore how the model works, share real-life stories of impact, and highlight how organisations are using Time Credits to reach, engage, and empower wider groups of people. Participants will gain insights into how to harness the power of recognition, reciprocity, and shared value to foster stronger, more connected communities.

About Amy

Amy Cole is the Head of Programmes for Wales at Tempo Time Credits, where she leads on the design and delivery of innovative programmes that empower individuals and communities through the power of Time Credits. With a strong background in community development and partnership working, Amy has extensive experience in creating opportunities that enable people from all walks of life to contribute their time, skills, and energy – and be recognised for it.

Passionate about inclusion, wellbeing, and social impact, Amy works with local authorities, charities, health boards, and grassroots groups to ensure Tempo’s model reaches those who benefit most. She is committed to building stronger, more connected communities across Wales by championing collaboration, reciprocity, and shared value.

About Tempo

Tempo Time Credits is a national charity that helps people get involved in their communities through volunteering. By connecting local organisations and partners, Tempo creates networks where people can give their time, be recognised for their contributions, and access new opportunities.

Volunteers earn Tempo Time Credits for the time they give, which can be exchanged for activities and services with local and national Recognition Partners. This reward and recognition scheme not only celebrates the vital role volunteers play but also helps to build stronger, more connected communities.

Find out more on their website.

Gethyn Williams

Non-Profit Development

Session: 5 Current Trends in Volunteering – and How Digital can Help

This session unpacks five key digital trends shaping volunteering today – from AI to recruitment outreach – and shows how leaders can adapt ideas from wider digital practice. It introduces Part 2 of the Digital in Volunteering Toolkit, with practical use cases to help apply digital tools effectively in volunteer management.

One of the big takeaways of our work on the Digital in Volunteering initiative is how very little of what’s happening in digital is unique to volunteering. Leaders of Volunteers increasingly need to know enough about digital developments to be able to consider and apply them in the volunteering space, often borrowing knowledge and translating approaches to digital from wider spheres.

AI is one obvious example – yes it offers possibilities of transformational change, but how can we apply those strengths best in volunteering?

Or perhaps in our recruitment outreach – digital channels and platforms have revolutionised how we communicate with volunteers, but we may also need some marketing skills in order to really make the most of them.

Volunteering doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and neither does digital. That’s where part 2 of our Toolkit is coming from – deep dive use cases into current areas of volunteering practice where digital is playing a role.

In this session, we’ll explore five current trends relevant to volunteering, the role digital is playing in each and how you can use Part 2 of our Toolkit to help your practice adapt to them.

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

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Guest Masterclass: Joanne Irvine

By Rolf Herbert

On 16th April 2025

In Events and Conferences, Training

We are very pleased to extend our Midweek Masterclass programme by welcoming some great guests on to give you some of their insight and expertise. This time around, we have Joanne Irvine, a social designer, facilitator, evaluator, migration and sustainable development expert, and, to top it all off, chair of Volunteer Glasgow!

Wednesday, May 7th 2025, Online

Evaluating What Matters: Exploring how to capture and showcase social value beyond the pound

However, even if we are putting the emphasis on economic capital and measuring our success in GBP, who will be left to tell the human stories? This is important as when we humans talk about money, it makes us less pro-social. This means that the policy-makers who decide how and where to spend money are less likely to be focusing on social needs when discussing how much it’s going to cost. What if we could see past the pound and stop measuring what is easy and start better understanding and valuing our well-being and all the amazing work that goes into supporting it?

This session will explore how participatory design and leaning into values like joy, connection, and confidence can help evaluate and capture a richer and more holistic social value of projects and services that promote well-being and social inclusion. It will do so using learning from research carried out by Joanne Irvine on the social impact of a Glasgow Life volunteer programme. The session will be participatory and invite participants to reflect on the role of the third and public sectors in promoting more qualitative approaches to measuring social impact.

Evaluating what matters: exploring how to capture and showcase social value beyond the pound

Last year, I was researching volunteers and volunteering in Scotland. My research uncovered some really interesting insights. One was that the promotion and communication around volunteering tends to be more focused on the opportunities, challenges and benefits for the volunteer individually and much less on the benefit or impact on communities. The latter is harder to measure yet understood as crucial for volunteer satisfaction and recruitment because volunteers sign up to make a difference and they want to be able to see that difference. It is also necessary to attract funding and support. This led me to start thinking about creative ways to better capture the social value and impact of volunteering on communities and I embarked on a partnership with Glasgow Life to carry out a social impact evaluation on their volunteering programmes.

From my initial desk research, it became clear that our market society demands that we evaluate everything in exact quantities. Most of the social impact reports and efforts I was seeing were measuring people in numbers, volunteering in hours given and results in activities. Even measuring social value tends to be captured by very quantitative elements such as the number of volunteer hours, per cent of profit donated and number of people supported. This is useful at a macro level and has been a great way to get public procurement and private sector to think about how to contribute to social good but it doesn’t tell us much about what is working and the impact it’s having.

What is our role as the third and public sectors?

As the people, charities and organisations from the third and public sectors in the UK fighting for equality and social inclusion, we are increasingly feeling the pressure to speak the language of funders and government: return on investment, value for money and percentage contributions to GDP. That’s because we depend on getting the funding we need to be able to do what we do best: help people and close the inequalities gap. For example, Volunteer Scotland has just released the results of a study it has commission on the social value of volunteering in Scotland which has calculated a whopping contribution of £2.3 billion in terms of economic and social value (not including the costs of volunteering).

When I tried to find the total value of Scotland’s economy, the earliest estimate I could find was for 2023 and it was £218 billion. Comparatively, this means the volunteering sector in Scotland contributes about 1% to Scotland’s GDP. When government officials are looking at sectors and deciding where to make cuts or invest, I am not entirely sure that 1% will sound very important to them unless they know what the impact of that 1% is actually achieving for society. I am sure that the support and care provided to the millions that need it go way beyond quantitative measures.

Moreover, when I asked some volunteers how framing this as a contribution to GDP made them feel, it was a mixed bag. Some thought it was great and couldn’t believe it was so much, some were offended at how their work could be quantified in this way and some felt that their work was being commodified. In fact some volunteers were suffering from a cognitive dissonance between the sense of purpose, feeling part of a community and other benefits they get from volunteering and the feeling of being taken advantage of, trapped in a consumer society they disagree with and feeling pressured into volunteering to help right the wrongs of capitalism gone awry.

Are we perpetuating the ‘economy’ bias?

So even if we are putting the emphasis on economic capital and measuring our success in GBP, who will be left to tell the human stories? This is important as when we humans talk about money, it makes us less pro-social (read David Dylan Thomas’ book ‘Design for Cognitive Bias’ for more).

Let me say this in another way: the policy-makers who decide how and where to spend money are less likely to be focusing on social needs when discussing how much it’s going to cost. Moreover, some studies have also shown that increased wealth inequality can decrease empathy and make individuals more self-focused, potentially reducing pro-social actions.

This is crucial in the context of a difficult fiscal environment in the UK where funding is increasingly limited and public and third sector actors are struggling to maintain their services, show the importance of their work, raise funds and attract and retain staff and volunteers. Yet this work is more urgent than ever: we find ourselves facing unprecedented inequalities whereby the gap between the rich and the poor is only getting bigger at home and globally. We are suffering from a mental health crisis. Loneliness and isolation are on the rise and hyper-individualism and mistrust of government institutions and charities means people are disengaging from civic life and we are seeing a worrying decline in volunteering.

So my question is, should we be speaking their language or should we be fighting for the non-economic value and impact of our work to be duly recognised and measured differently? Perhaps we need a combination.

Some interesting research by Sue Carter Kahl at the University of San Diego for the Initiative for Strategic Volunteer Engagement is also showing that at least some funders want more than just the numbers. I certainly don’t have the perfect solution here (sorry!), but I have a point of view and an example to share and I would welcome people’s views and feedback.

Looking past the pound: a values-based approach

In the research I carried out, I asked how participatory design might help qualitatively evaluate and show the social impact of Glasgow Life’s volunteering programmes. I used a combination of participatory design and design ethnography methodologies to measure the social impact and design a new values-based evaluation framework and a social impact report.

I achieved this by rolling out a collaborative process that got the people benefiting from the programme and the volunteers to define the social impact and value of the programme according to their own lived experience. The data I collected was qualitative and based on semi-structured and unstructured interviews, workshops using engagement tools, a survey with open-ended questions and observation. I analysed the data and experimented by coding it against relevant human values, and then reviewed the results to understand what values were coming out strongest. I then tested and validated the results with the volunteers, staff and participants of the target volunteer programme, which was a weekly Health Walk.

The results?

What emerged was evidence that the health walk is so much more than just a one-hour walk a week with three walk leaders and over 20 community members achieving an average of around 6,000 steps per walk. Multiply that by 22 walks across Glasgow every week with 76 volunteers, which means a total average of 86,944 volunteer hours. Multiply these hours by the minimum wage, and that’s over £1 million value per year to our economy… (See what I did there?)

Rather, it became clear that much more social impact could be measured and showcased than what was being captured. The evaluation showed just how much their Health Walk programme enhances social connection, social inclusion, physical health, mental health, confidence and joy. I combined this with the quantitative data usually collected every year through an annual survey. I was then able to connect this to broader strategies such as Scotland’s National Performance Framework and Scotland’s Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027.

From these results, I developed a simple evaluation framework based on the top five values that emerged from the data and connected these to clear outcomes and results based on the evidence. The idea was to ensure that this could serve as a new way to capture and showcase the social value and impact of the Health Walks every year.

Celebrating volunteers and all the benefits of volunteering

When it comes to evaluation and capturing data, it’s always a good idea to know why you want it, what you need and who it is for. In this case, Glasgow Life wanted to focus on showing volunteers their impact. As I mentioned above, one of the difficulties volunteer-involving organisations have is attracting and retaining volunteers. This is recognised in Scotland’s Volunteering Framework as a key outcome: “There is an environment and culture which celebrates volunteers and volunteering and all of its benefits”. So I used the new evaluation framework and data I had collected to design a simple, lively social impact report that served as a thank you to the walk leader volunteers.

The report turned into what I can only describe as a cross between a photo book and a zine with quotes, case studies and data points to help get the message across. You can find it here.

It’s not fancy or complicated, it’s just different and focuses on showing the qualitative aspects. When I shared the report out over a lovely thank you lunch, the effect it had was palpable. The walk leaders couldn’t quite believe it and even the walkers were reminded how much the volunteers did for them. It was a beautiful moment of shared meaning for everyone and I was very glad I was able to help create it.

Quotes

“It’s great fun being a walk leader and heartwarming to know that it means so much to the walkers – very special indeed!”
Volunteer

“I have to say, I filled up when I read the report. It’s very uplifting to read about the impact that the role we do has on people”
Volunteer

“It just goes to show you that we don’t thank them enough for what they do for us”
Walker

Some reflections

Unlike calculating social value in GBP, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all all solution to capturing and showcasing social impact qualitatively. This makes it hard then for the third and public sectors to be able to collectively show value.

However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. Barriers to this include the time and effort needed of course as well as a general preference for ‘exact’ data, ‘certainty’ and clearly measurable data that makes qualitative data not as trusted or valued. I think we have a duty to change that. The thing is, we are talking about measuring the social impact of efforts to deal with complex social issues and there is nothing certain or easy about that.

One thing we can be certain of is that social issues are messy, interconnected and difficult to solve. Social issues need social solutions first, then both the human and financial resources to resolve it. So why can’t we frame our work and the impact it has in a social way? It’s just too important not to.

More about Joanne

As a social designer with a background in international development cooperation, Joanne advocates for the social inclusion, human rights and the empowerment of marginalised people and communities to achieve equality for all. She is passionate about participatory design and putting people at the centre of strategy, social design, learning, innovation and evaluation. She has longstanding experience with the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Migration Agency providing technical assistance, capacity development, strategic planning and policy advice to help governments embrace diversity, reduce inequalities and support communities become more inclusive and prosperous.

Joanne holds a BA and MA in Hispanic Studies and French from Glasgow University, an MA in International Development Cooperation and European Policy from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, a Diploma in Forced Migration and Human Rights from the UN University of Peace and an MDes Design Innovation and Citizenship from the Glasgow School of Art. As a life-long learner, she is also working towards a BA in Visual Communications with the Open University.

Thank you to Joanne for writing this lovely guest blog. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Now, we’re going to do something we don’t usually do, and that thing is opening this Masterclass to everyone – not just TeamKinetic users! So please do join us (for free!) to hear Joanne speak about her research and the complex topic of social value.

Add the details below to your calendar:

Date: Wednesday 7th May
Time: 10:00 – 11:30am
Joining Link: https://meet.google.com/zed-jord-iaf

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Native TeamKinetic Mobile App Update – 1.0.5

By Rolf Herbert

On 15th April 2025

In Application Features and Tutorials, News & Views, Technical Updates

We are pleased to announce that the next major update of our native TeamKinetic mobile apps is ready for launch. We’ve brought the parity between the desktop and mobile versions closer and fixed bugs and made usability improvements.

HourTrades

You can now view and process HourTrades on the mobile app, all the same functionality that is available on the desktop app is now here as well.

Resource Area

Volunteers can now access the same resources as when using the desktop app right from their dashboard in the mobile app.

Supports all the various types of resource options; links, text, downloads etc.

Opportunity Badges

We now display the opportunity badges as tags in the search results page. When viewing the opportunity, you can see the icons and names of the badges associated with the opportunity.

HTML Opportunity Descriptions and Event Description

The mobile app will now correctly display the new HTML content that we have added to your opportunity description text. You can now add links and styling to your descriptions and see them all on the mobile app.

Additionally, we have added support for HTML in the event page, which has been available in the desktop version for a while now.

Session Descriptions

The new session info descriptions that you can add to individual sessions are also supported in this new mobile release. You can add unique text and links to each individual session.

Paged Search Results

When you perform an opportunity search, you’ll get the first 25 results immediately, and then as you scroll down, we’ll present the next set to you.

This greatly improves the speed at which we can return the first set of results and provides a super easy way to get to the next set; just pull down on the screen to reveal the next 25 results.

Opportunity Chat Room Visibility

When the opportunity chat room functionality was switched off, the icon for the chat room was still shown, although the chat room was not functional. This obviously caused confusion and has now been fixed.

There are over 35 smaller updates and changes, from fixing typos to making the ordering of sessions make more sense. Update and give it a whirl.

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My First HVMN Conference Experience

By Alex Evans

On 11th April 2025

In Events and Conferences, Hospice, News & Views

A blog by Barbora Marsalkova

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending my very first HVMN Conference in Leeds. If you’re from the hospice sector, chances are we may have crossed paths over the past year. Finally getting to meet so many incredible people in person, hear their stories, and share experiences was truly a highlight.

This year’s conference took place at the beautiful Horizon Hotel in Leeds. The venue was spacious, which was a blessing given the number of sponsors and exhibition stands – no risk of feeling cramped! Our stand had a prime location right next to a coffee machine, which, if you ask me, is a small but significant win.

The TeamKinetic stall at the HVMN Conference

I spent two days immersed in conversations, listening to stories from hospices across the country – their challenges, their worries, but also their wins and hopes for the future. There’s something incredibly inspiring about being in a room full of people so dedicated to making the world a better place. Yes, my social battery was running low by the end of each day, but I left with a renewed sense of hope and excitement for what’s ahead.

Lessons learned

Leaving the event after two days was bittersweet – I only wish it happened more than once a year! But more than anything, I felt grateful to be part of such a passionate and resilient community.

Each day was packed with insightful speakers who weren’t afraid to tackle big, sometimes controversial, topics. And that’s what made these talks so impactful. They reminded everyone in the room that they’re not alone in their struggles. It’s easy to forget how isolating this kind of work can be until you’re in a space where others openly share the same feelings. The camaraderie in the room was undeniable. It’s no wonder so many people left with big smiles on their faces.

From TeamKinetic’s perspective, it was fantastic to see our clients in person and catch up over a coffee. I had the chance to chat with many people, including those who didn’t end up using our system – it was still lovely to check in and see how things were going.

Having attended a few conferences during my time at TeamKinetic, I can say that each one has its own unique character. What makes the HVMN Conference stand out is that everyone there is in the same boat. There’s an unspoken understanding, a shared mission, and even the formation of friendships.

I’m already looking forward to next year!

Find out more about the Hospice Volunteer Managers Network here.

As always, you can find TeamKinetic on social media and listen to our podcast:

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