Corporate Volunteering

Last week 75 Volunteer Managers from across Hertfordshire joined North Herts & Stevenage CVS for a morning of learning, networking and sharing ideas at the first Be The Good Volunteering Summit. Despite the heat, The Be The Good Summit brought together passionate people from across the voluntary sector with one shared purpose, to explore how we can create a stronger, more inclusive future for volunteering and retain loyal and committed volunteers - and let them go when they are ready to. Throughout the day, several themes emerged time and time again – inspiration, connection, collaboration, belonging, purpose and funding . While each organisation faces its own challenges, one message was clear; we are stronger when we work together. "How many of you have volunteered before?" Why do people volunteer? One of the most powerful discussions focused on the motivations behind volunteering. Whilst every volunteer has their own unique reason for giving their time, many common themes emerged. For some, volunteering is an opportunity to develop leadership skills or gain valuable experience that shape their career. For others, it's about feeling part of something bigger. As CEO of North Herts & Stevenage CVS, Hannah Morgan-Gray beautifully shared within her welcome speech: "It has enriched my life in many ways that I couldn't have imagined." Sharing her journey of her first volunteer experience as a teenager, to landing her first charity role, Hannah reflected on her journey, and career, of volunteering and charity work and proved a wonderful example that volunteering is something that becomes ingrained in us and seldom leaves us once we start. In addition to looking for employment or upskilling for a future career, various other reasons for volunteering were shared - wanting to meet local people having recently moved to the area, being passionate about the cause, a family member using their services, having a skill that was needed or wanting to take a leadership step up. Hannah Morgan-Gray delivering her welcome speech at the summit. Understanding today's volunteering landscape Volunteer engagement expert Rob Jackson FRSA delivered a thought-provoking presentation exploring how volunteering has evolved over recent years. He started by looking back to a time when communities relied on the kindness of volunteers during the Covid pandemic, which saw an initial surge in volunteering as many people found themselves with more free time. However, as workplaces reopened, people's availability changed once again. Family priorities have also shifted. Many retirees are spending more time caring for grandchildren or remaining in employment for longer, reducing the time they can dedicate to volunteering. Formal volunteering has seen a steady decline in volunteering since 2000, and since 2020 (and the start of Covid), participation is down around 9% and comparing to a decade ago, it's down 17%. During the second lockdown alone, around six million fewer people volunteered. However what was interesting was that despite these statistics, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have largely recovered volunteer numbers following Covid, England continues to lag behind. Contemplating why this was the case, he highlighted how wider societal issues affect volunteering: times of crisis, such as war or humanitarian emergencies, often inspire people to help and in contract, how financial pressures can reduce volunteering, particularly when volunteering comes with associated costs such as travel, uniforms or training. However, there was also optimism! Between 2000 and 2015, volunteering among 16–24-year-olds increased significantly, demonstrating that younger generations are willing to volunteer when opportunities meet their needs. Rob's overall message was clear: volunteering doesn't exist in isolation, it reflects what's happening across society and despite the number's of people volunteering decreasing, there are still people out there who want to volunteer, we may just need to change the way in which we ask for help. Are we making volunteering too difficult? Reflecting on the numbers, much thought spread across the room on whether we inadvertently make volunteering too difficult, with feedback from Rob that volunteering can sometimes feel too much like paid employment. Lengthy application forms, extensive onboarding processes, DBS checks and rigid expectations can unintentionally discourage people before they've even started. There is also a growing perception that volunteering requires a long-term commitment, when many people simply want opportunities that fit around busy lives. Rather than placing additional pressure on existing volunteers through what Rob described as "guilt-trip retention", organisations should focus on creating positive volunteer experiences that people genuinely want to return to and that the charity or organisation forms around them, rather than the volunteering moulding themselves to their needs. After all, volunteers are far more than extra pairs of hands; they become advocates, donors, future employees and ambassadors for our organisations and looking after our volunteers today helps strengthen charities, and our communities for years to come. Have we adapted volunteering to fit volunteers? One of the biggest takeaways from the summit challenged a question many organisations ask: "Why don't people volunteer anymore?" Instead, speakers encouraged us to ask: "Have we adapted volunteering to fit volunteers?" Modern life has changed significantly. Work commitments, family responsibilities, the lasting impact of Covid, and the increasing cost of living all influence whether someone feels able to volunteer. Expenses were highlighted as a particularly important issue. If organisations expect volunteers to cover travel or other costs themselves, this creates barriers for many people. As discussed during the summit, volunteering cannot truly be considered equitable or inclusive if expenses aren't covered. Event Manager, Michal Siewniak posing questions for thought Finding new opportunities Rather than focusing solely on why people volunteer, the summit encouraged organisations to think about the barriers preventing people from getting involved. Some practical ideas included: Creating opportunities for volunteers to get involved before DBS checks and paperwork are completed, where appropriate. Making volunteering more flexible through simple approaches such as WhatsApp groups offering one-off opportunities rather than fixed commitments. Working more closely with businesses to expand corporate volunteering opportunities that fit around employees' working lives. Connecting with estate agents and letting agencies to share volunteering opportunities with people who are new to an area and looking to build local connections. Asking volunteers about their experiences elsewhere and collaborating with other organisations instead of competing for volunteers. The importance of collaboration consistently flowed throughout the summit. Whether sharing volunteers, supporting fundraising events or exchanging ideas, there is huge value in organisations working together rather than in isolation. Looking ahead Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the Be The Good Summit was that volunteering is changing and organisations need to change with it. By creating flexible opportunities, listening to volunteers, removing unnecessary barriers and embracing collaboration, we can build volunteer programmes that are more inclusive, sustainable and rewarding for everyone involved. As organisations, we must shift our focus away from simply asking what volunteers can do for us and instead consider what volunteering can do for them. Because when people find purpose, belonging and meaningful experiences through volunteering, everyone benefits. All images taken by Tony Prezio, Hitchin TV.

Volunteering is at the heart of our community here in Hertfordshire. As the way people engage with volunteering continues to evolve, it's more important than ever for organisations to come together to share ideas, difficulties and experience, as well as explore new approaches that inspire, support and retain volunteers. That's why we're excited to highlight the upcoming 'Be The Good' Summit: Reimagining Volunteering Together , taking place in Letchworth Garden City on Thursday 9th July . Hosted by North Herts & Stevenage CVS in partnership with Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and North Herts Council, this free event will bring together charities, community groups, faith organisations, social enterprises, trustees, volunteer managers, and sector leaders from across North Hertfordshire and Stevenage. A Chance to Shape the Future of Volunteering The summit is designed to spark fresh conversations about how volunteering can continue to thrive in our communities. Whether you're responsible for recruiting volunteers, leading an organisation or supporting community initiatives, this event offers the opportunity to step back, reflect and learn from others facing similar opportunities and challenges. Attendees will hear from Rob Jackson FRSA , an internationally recognised volunteer engagement specialist and one of the UK's leading voices on volunteer management and engagement. His keynote session will provide fresh perspectives on how organisations can better attract, retain and support volunteers in a changing world. Why Attend? By attending the Be The Good Summit, you'll have the opportunity to: Hear the latest national thinking on volunteering and volunteer engagement Explore practical approaches to volunteer recruitment and retention Connect with fellow community leaders and local organisations Share experiences, challenges and success stories Contribute to discussions shaping the future of volunteering across North Hertfordshire and Stevenage Event Details Date: Thursday 9th July Time: 9:00am arrival for a 9:30am start, finishing at 2:30pm Venue: Icknield Centre, Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1EF Cost: Free to attend Refreshments: Working lunch and refreshments provided Please note that places are limited to two attendees per organisation , and demand is expected to be high. Book Your Place The summit is now open beyond North Herts and Stevenage, to volunteer leads, executives, trustees and key stakeholders from organisations that are based in or operate within Hertfordshire. If you're passionate about strengthening volunteering and building more inclusive, flexible and meaningful opportunities for people to get involved in, this is the event for you. We encourage interested organisations to register early to secure their place and join the conversation about the future of volunteering in our communities. We look forward to seeing many local organisations there and working together to make volunteering stronger than ever!

Community champions from across Hertfordshire were recognised and celebrated during Volunteers' Week at the Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair, bringing together members of the public, charitable organisations, volunteers and community leaders for a day highlighting the power and importance of volunteers in our community. Now in its 4th year, the Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair organised by GoVolHerts hosted 35 organisations from across Hertfordshire to share the incredible work they do, for a day of connection, networking and opportunity. The fair has become a signature event in Hertfordshire’s Volunteers’ Week celebrations. The event also gave a nod to GoVolHerts’ involvement in May’s national campaign, A Million Acts of Hope, with its own ‘One in a Million’ awards. Volunteers’ Week thanks all volunteers for all they do; these new awards were a chance for organisations to shine a spotlight on the particularly special and impactful contribution of individual volunteers who have really gone the extra mile. Organisations participating in the Fair were invited to nominate volunteers whose contributions made them their One in a Million, and given the opportunity to share their story. Of the many nominations, five winners were selected: Kevin Allchorne at Music 24, Julie Fordham at Hertfordshire Health Walks, Lyndsay Abbott at Garden House Hospice, Angela Johnson at British Schools Museum and Beth Molloy at Marie Curie. Hearing the winning acceptance speeches was incredibly touching, with all citing how rewarding volunteering has been for them just as much as the organisations. Beth Molloy designated herself a ‘volunteering addict’, and Angela Johnson loves ‘every brick of the British Schools Museum’ and getting ‘the chance to bring history to life’, proving that volunteering opportunities don’t just give meaning to the organisations they support but also the individuals who support them. Other nominees who were given a special mention included Mark Smith and Heather Cotton from Hertfordshire Health Walks, Caroline Palliser from Reach Out Hertfordshire, Duncan and Judy Rodgers from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Olanike Bejide from Greater Level Network, Jackie Burrows at Services for Young People and Albert Sharman from Growing Resilience in Teens. The celebrations were attended by a number of VIPs and dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Anna Rankin, Major of Stevenage Cllr Lloyd Briscoe and Labour MP Alistair Strathern, as well as Hertfordshire and local Councillors, who joined attendees in recognising the remarkable achievements of local volunteers and community champions. Reflecting on the work charities do and the necessity for volunteers for them to continue, Robert Voss said: ‘We have just under 4,000 charities in Hertfordshire and I say to each and every one of them, I wish you didn’t exist but am I glad you do. Volunteering is not only great for the charity but is a wonderful opportunity for the individual. Talk to anyone who volunteers and they will tell you, what they get out of it is huge – it really is a wonderful therapy. Even a day a month, a day every three months, you will get something out of it and so will the charity you support.’ With Volunteers' Week having drawn to a close, the success of the volunteer fair and the celebration of Hertfordshire's One in a Million nominees and winners stands as a testament to the generosity, commitment and community spirit that continues to thrive across the county. For more information about volunteering opportunities in Hertfordshire, visit govolherts.org.uk Lyndsay Abbott, One in a Million winner from Garden House Hospice and Hannah Morgan-Gray, CEO at North Herts and Stevenage CV S Hannah Morgan-Gray, CEO at North Herts and Stevenage CV S, Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss, Anna Rankin, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Cllr Lloyd Briscoe Mayor of Stevenage, Emily Butterworth Project Lead at GoVolHerts North Herts & Stevenage CVS team, supporting the running of the fair L to R, top row: Opal Reid, Michal Siewniak, Deborah Smith, Andy Nazer, Kimberley Buet, Jon Brown, Sally Griffin, Michelle Crowe, Emily Butterworth. Middle row: Amanda Treadaway, Hannah Morgan-Gray. Bottom row: Bec Down, Katie Edwards. Nick Payne, Volunteer Photographer