We've redefined our volunteering offer

Following feedback from our recent Volunteer Survey, we have worked hard to understand the experiences of our volunteers, both past and present. And with their help we have focused on how we can improve the recruitment, engagement and development of our volunteers.

On Sunday 31st October we held an online event to welcome existing and new volunteers to learn about how we've redefined our volunteering offer, including the exciting development of our remote and online opportunities. 

The evening was hosted by our Consultant Volunteer Coordinator Leonie Lewis and we were joined by special guest speaker Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE

Robert highlighted that whilst Hertfordshire is considered an affluent county it also has two areas which feature on the the top 10% most deprived areas in the UK (source 2019 indices of deprivation). 

The demand for volunteering has grown significantly since the Covid-19 crisis as more and more people find themselves in need of support. Our own activities have increased by almost 40% as we’ve responded to more weekly requests from UK charities – such as emergency food banks, housing associations and asylum seekers’ drop-in centres. In the last 12 months our network of charity partners has grown rapidly and we now work with over 60 UK organisations who support the UK’s most vulnerable people, including those that are homeless, isolated, single parent families, people with mental health issues and refugees and asylum seekers. 

In September alone, we delivered essential aid to over 17,000 people as we mobilised our Afghan Refugee Appeal. The response from our community has been phenomenal, and on occasions a little overwhelming, so it was a blessing and a relief to welcome 60 new volunteers to the team last month. So our online event couldn't have been more timely. In addition the the event, we have also developed a suite of materials to support our volunteers so that they have all they need on their volunteering journey with us. 

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

Our volunteering opportunities vary depending on need. Currently we need support with the following roles: 

- Drivers
- Fundraising Coordinators
- Community Shoppers
- Community Neighbourhood Champions
- eBay Support Volunteers 

That said, we want the experience of our volunteers to be rewarding, so if the opportunities mentioned above are not of interest but you have something else in mind, we are always interested to hear new suggestions. And there are of course other ways you can support us. 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT US

  • Champion us on social media
  • Offer your professional skills
  • Take part in a sponsored event
  • Donate goods - (new and unused) toiletries, stationery and underwear (all ages)
  • Collect / donate designer goods and unwanted gifts for our eBay store
  • Help promote our donate by text number

Our volunteers can give as little or as much of their time as they're able to. We have over 300 volunteers who support us, and many of our volunteers do so on a regular basis. Their support is invaluable to ensure the engine keeps running and those living in desperate need us receive the help they need, so we appreciate any time that can be spared. 

If you'd like to discuss any of the roles we have available in more detail or you'd like further information of how you can start your volunteering journey with us, please do get in touch by emailing me directly: rosalind@goodsforgood.org.uk

 

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