The Value of Highly Motivated Volunteers

Having highly motivated volunteers can be invaluable to organisations of all sizes. It doesn't matter if you have two members of staff or twenty, having volunteers can help you deliver the vital work that is needed for the communities you support. Not only that, but volunteering allows your organisation to utilise a wide range of skills and experience, as well as lived experience.

And the impact of volunteering isn't just felt by organisations, in a recent survey the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) found:

• The majority of volunteers feel like they make a difference through their volunteering (90%), and they most commonly feel they make a difference to an individual’s life (47%) or a particular group of people or issue in society (44%).

• Many report social benefits from their volunteering. Almost nine in ten volunteers say they have met new people. Young people aged 18–24 (77%) and 25–34 (76%) are the age groups most likely to say their volunteering helped them feel less isolated.

• Over three-quarters of volunteers (77%) reported that volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing. This benefit was more widespread than physical health benefits (53%).

• Improved employment prospects are the lowest ranked of the listed benefits (34%) but are more commonly reported among 18–24-year-olds (69%) than older groups (14% of 55+), and public sector volunteers (41%) than those giving time to civil society organisations (32%).

• Those who volunteer through employer-supported volunteering report the same benefits as those doing other forms of volunteering (primarily around enjoyment and fulfilment). Career-related benefits rank lower.

• Most volunteers cite benefits that match their initial motivations for volunteering (to meet people, gain skills, etc) but they also report additional benefits.

Whilst the benefits of volunteering seem clear, it can be difficult to recruit and maintain highly motivated volunteers. The 2023 Leeds Volunteering Strategy asked volunteers what organisations could improve about their volunteering offer, the responses were overwhelmingly focussed on:

• Communication

• Support for existing volunteers

• Clarity about the role

• Simple application processes

This shows that improvements can be made to volunteering and is where our brand new training course 'Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers' comes in! This training will give you the opportunity to explore ways that you can attract people to your organisation and motivate them to keep making a difference in your community.

You will learn:

• What motives people to volunteer

• The barriers people experience to volunteering

• Volunteer movement and progression

• Creating attractive roles for volunteers

• Recruitment options and approaches

• Inclusive practice and equity in volunteer recruitment

• Building effective relationships with volunteers

So if you need help in recruiting and motivating your volunteers, sign up for the course today!