{"id":7242,"date":"2021-03-18T14:50:40","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T14:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/teamkinetic.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7242"},"modified":"2021-07-22T10:19:39","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T09:19:39","slug":"should-i-be-using-sms-text-messages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teamkinetic.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/03\/should-i-be-using-sms-text-messages\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Be Using SMS Text Messages?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Yes, yes and yes. That is the first thing you see when you Google ‘Should I be using SMS text messages when managing volunteers?’. And the research isn’t wrong, using texts as a form of communication to your volunteers is incredibly beneficial. Not only does it improve communication, but it can also increase engagement and volunteer return rates. And let’s not forget the speedy responses that come from sending text messages, perfect for those time-sensitive situations.
However, the one thing you don’t really see when you Google this question is how beneficial SMS texts are from someone who is currently using them.<\/p>\n

This is where we come in. If you are considering using SMS text messages but are still a bit unsure, hear from Claire at Halton and St Helens Volunteer Centre about her personal experiences using them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halton and St Helen’s Volunteer Centre<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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First, a little bit of background. Halton and St Helens is an organisation that provides advice, information and development support to voluntary, community, non-for-profit, faith organisations and volunteers in the Boroughs of St Helens and Halton. Here, Claire spoke to us about her experiences using SMS text messages in her TeamKinetic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) When did you start using the SMS text message feature?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

So, we started to use the text message feature fairly early on into the first lockdown of the pandemic. It was also around the same time that we first launched our TeamKinetic portal. <\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to this, it was around March\/April that we had quite a substantial funding grant come through, which allowed us to buy a great big text bundle. And I already knew of the texts and how they worked from the work we have done with TeamKinetic before.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) How do you use your text messages? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Initially, we used text messages for our volunteers who were supporting local residents during the pandemic with the community tasks. We would use the function to send a text to show they are a verified volunteer for us, this was pre the ID cards. It was a quick and easy way for us to give them something that was mobile that they could show the person they were working for that they were a verified volunteer. <\/span><\/p>\n

When the ID cards came into play on the community task dashboard, we started to use the texts to message our \u2018Street Champions\u2019 about ongoing tasks that hadn\u2019t been picked up that needed to be done. I\u2019d say that is the main way we used them now.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Do you find the SMS text messaging feature helpful in communicating to and engaging volunteers?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Yes, definitely. Between that and emails, we can have more of an impact in terms of communicating straight away with volunteers. And it\u2019s that instant impact that is important for us particularly when there is an urgency in terms of volunteer support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently we have also used them with our vaccination volunteers. For example,  when volunteers have dropped shifts and we have then asked other volunteers to quickly log in and see if they can pick up a shift. So, that\u2019s been really helpful as we\u2019ve now had full commitment and maximum volunteers throughout our vaccination programme which is great.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) How have you benefited from the SMS text message feature compared to a time when you didn\u2019t use them?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For me, it\u2019s just an added bonus in terms of being able to communicate quite directly with that we\u2019re not always in connection with and we don\u2019t see physically. It wouldn\u2019t even matter that much when we’re back into the \u2018new normal\u2019 after COVID-19 and we do see people on a regular basis. This is because the text messages would still be a massive benefit in terms of that quick turn around and communication with volunteer around shift patterns etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, we have worked with the TeamKinetic portal for years at Warrington Hospital, and we have never used the text message feature with them. This is mainly because we have never had the funding to be able to do that. But, again with some added funds, we have been able to out a little bit of a bundle on there too. So, we have now used it for when we have needed to contact our away finders, when there\u2019s been an urgent need for people to support the vaccination centre, or when we\u2019ve needed a quick turnaround on support. I think we could probably do that again going forwards, even when we start to bring our volunteers back, it will be a great tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

We also use them differently in the Hospital in terms of the communication that we do in Halton and St Helens through the Volunteer Centre. So, with the Hospital it\u2019s linked directly to a phone number which helps that two-way communication. With the Volunteer Centre, we actually just link it to a name so they understand it\u2019s just from us and there\u2019s no response from that.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) What would you say to another organisation that is considering using the SMS text message feature but is still unsure?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For me, it\u2019s a great way of quickly communicating and getting action from volunteers very quickly too. Particularly if you have got an event on for example or you are providing urgent response support;  it\u2019s a great way of supporting that quick action of volunteers to get engaged, get involved, and get moving.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking About Buying SMS Texts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If after reading this, you realise SMS texts would benefit your organisation and your volunteers, then check out this video explaining how to take up the offer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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