Here are some brief notes on what was discussed at the session on how to encourage volunteering.
- Not ‘out there’ enough
- Volunteers need to get more from it
- Preconceptions are wrong and there’s a need to break down stereotypes
- Volunteer development programmes
- Work experience – volunteers can be difficult for local companies
- Need to consider transport
- Planning needed around accommodation
- Why have volunteers (passion v work experience)
- How can they be utilised long-term?
- Can volunteers help raise engagement
- Diversity of roles needs to be planned
- Demographics – many volunteers retired?
- Volunteer section should be a part of any bid
- Widening participation and more active communities
- Research to assess success
- This kind of information needs to be in any bid
- Communication – interaction and discussion space needed
- Tying into Twitter and Facebook
- Geography an issue?
- Use libraries for communication – increase use of, and museums too
- Feedback to volunteer coordinator for any issues (eg training etc)
- Need for allocation of funding in bid for volunteer recruitment and retention
- Volunteer aspect needs to be developed to help sustainability.