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.