Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 1/69 - Volunteering and Big Local

Volunteering and Big Local

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 2/69 - Contents

Contents

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 3/69 - Executive summary

Executive summary

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 4/69 - addition to the 1,506 partnership member…

addition to the 1,506 partnership members2 across Big Local areas. There exists a wide range of roles, all supporting communities and involving residents in different ways. Often tailored to the needs and characteristics of the local community, these roles often involve events and activities that are highly varied and often innovative.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 5/69 - Most volunteers associated with Big Loca…

Most volunteers associated with Big Local consider their volunteering of benefit to their local community, and they value this. Although their first priority is often the project or activity their volunteering involves, they like that it offers opportunities to give back and feel connected through community participation or celebration.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 6/69 - where this approach has been taken, ther…

where this approach has been taken, there tend to be plans for it to continue after Big Local funding ends.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 7/69 - volunteer input into the fourth practica…

volunteer input into the fourth practical phase, deciding how allocated funds are used to deliver services or activities.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 8/69 - Community events and celebrations attrac…

Community events and celebrations attract a lot of volunteers and bring the community together One-off events attract the highest numbers of volunteers. Many people are needed to carry out such events, and they can all volunteer at once for a manageable amount of time. These activities are highly varied, and customisable to the characteristics and needs of the local community. They are often joyful and celebratory events, helping volunteers and community members take pride in their Big Local area.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 9/69 - Introduction

Introduction

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 10/69 - members, and many partnerships aim to in…

members, and many partnerships aim to involve the wider community in the local area to contribute to priority setting, decision-making and plan delivery.3

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 11/69 - gaps. We spoke to Big Local partnership …

gaps. We spoke to Big Local partnership members, LTO representatives, community organisations and other volunteers who were not partnership members. To widen our evidence-base and incorporate views beyond the case study areas, we held discussions with several Big Local workers and partnership members. We were also able to use Local Trusts quarterly rep report to ask reps in all 150 Big Local areas about volunteer involvement. When we had collated our findings and identified suggestions for good practice in working with volunteers, we wanted to test these out with a wider group of Big Local areas and ask for their input. We did this by running a workshop for Big Local partnerships as part of Local Trusts Keep Connected series of conversations, where we shared findings and held group discussions covering `How do you find volunteers and how do they find you? and `How do you manage and support volunteers?. In analysing all the information collected, we have tried to highlight the experiences of volunteers and partnerships and any advice that we think could be useful for widening community involvement and supporting volunteers.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 12/69 - Volunteering across Big Local areas

Volunteering across Big Local areas

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 13/69 - "Think about wording! Not everyone likes…

"Think about wording! Not everyone likes to be called a volunteer � there can be a stigma attached to it. Focus instead on activities that draw in people, not just the concept of `volunteering." (Paid worker)

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 14/69 - Types of volunteering roles

Types of volunteering roles

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 15/69 - volunteers at one time and tend to benef…

volunteers at one time and tend to benefit large sections of the community (for example Christmas fairs and carnivals). This pattern is similar to the national picture. The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) published its National Survey on the Volunteer Experience (Time Well Spent) in January 2019.7 It found that 23 per cent of volunteers do so exclusively for a one-off activity or dip in and out, compared to a very similar 21 per cent in Big Local. Event volunteering tends to offer a range of opportunities for different types of volunteers. Many time-limited events are community celebrations, or opportunities to bring the community together. These can attract large numbers of residents as participants, and often give them a chance to get involved in delivery through volunteering for a positive reason. In this way, these activities and events are often used by Big Local areas to connect the community, raise participation and involvement, and increase civic pride. One volunteer said: "I found it very uplifting to be part of this community." One Big Local areas carnival event is a good example of this, attracting hundreds of volunteers in celebration together annually.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 16/69 - One-off volunteering to coordinate an ev…

One-off volunteering to coordinate an event

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 17/69 - "The pandemic has proved people can work…

"The pandemic has proved people can work together. You need them to be on your side. Community spirit is really important."

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 18/69 - including new partnership members, plus …

including new partnership members, plus people with specific interests in gardening and environmental activities. We were told by the rep that since then:

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 19/69 - report estimated some 17 per cent of Big…

report estimated some 17 per cent of Big Local volunteering involved environmental groups, gardening or litter picking. It is not possible to say that this is all due to the difference between Big Local and other volunteering, as the NCVO survey preceded COVID-19, while our study largely followed lockdown and we know that the pandemic caused people to value green spaces more. However, the hyperlocal nature of Big Local puts partnerships in an optimal position to attract informal volunteers to help improve their local neighbourhood. This has been even more important since the onset of the pandemic.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 20/69 - community organisations, funded to provi…

community organisations, funded to provide activities such as coding, multi sports, cooking and gaming.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 21/69 - Support, befriending and wellbeing

Support, befriending and wellbeing

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 22/69 - Although food provision is relatively co…

Although food provision is relatively common, we found that the ways in which partnerships were sharing food varied. Partnerships gave examples including food banks, a community pantry, a community fridge, meals on wheels, and caf�s supported by volunteers. In one area food was provided through a discounted breakfast club in a community centre. One key volunteer we spoke to has a disabled daughter and cannot work; she enjoys volunteering in the caf� as a way of giving something back and feeling included, and because it has the added benefit that she can bring her daughter along. In one area there is a `Life after the Foodbank project offering weekly cookery classes to show people how to cook and get them together to help build confidence and reduce isolation. These classes are family-orientated, the food supplies are provided free by the partnership, and the food can be taken home. The classes are facilitated by a drama group commissioned by Big Local, and the venue and cooking facilities are all provided by the partnership. Most of the volunteers who support the project are women who are not in paid work, many with low levels of confidence. Some havent lived in the area long; others are from different generations of the same family, and most are previous beneficiaries of the foodbank. A `Treat and Chat project, started by a volunteer, responded to the problem of social isolation observed when delivering food parcels � another type of project that is visible and very local. Treat and Chat has attracted around 25 local volunteers to support people who are elderly and disabled, delivering food but going beyond this to stay and talk and give back to others within the community. Food always seems to act as an incentive: some examples of volunteering combine food with another activities, such as repair caf�s. For these, volunteers come together to repair items in a space where tea, coffee and cake are also on sale, encouraging people to stay and talk and promoting a sense of belonging, as with shared interests and enthusiasms.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 23/69 - Key points: Volunteering roles and activ…

Key points: Volunteering roles and activities � what works?

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 24/69 - The importance of

The importance of

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 25/69 - Some Big Local partnerships have been ke…

Some Big Local partnerships have been key to maintaining and preserving these community assets and what they represent. In one case study area, the threatened closure of the community hub galvanised community opposition in 2017, led by the Big Local area. This was very successful and created a strong sense of local ownership and loyalty towards the centre. In another case study area, the early focus of the partnership was also saving a community centre from closure. In a third, the consistent funding of groups in community centres has helped to create volunteering roles and opportunities, and they have also funded an extension to the centre itself.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 26/69 - residents to take up volunteering roles …

residents to take up volunteering roles related to their interests, skills and resources.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 27/69 - Working this way, the centre helps local…

Working this way, the centre helps local residents with the funding of activities and services and residents are able to shape activities in line with their own interests and perceptions of community need. These opportunities raise awareness of Big Local and give residents opportunities to influence how Big Local money is spent, and services are delivered without getting involved in the partnership, or decisionmaking groups. In many cases, Big Local-related community centres offer:

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 28/69 - Key points: the role of community centre…

Key points: the role of community centres

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 29/69 - The roles, skills and time commitment of…

The roles, skills and time commitment of volunteering

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 30/69 - � raising money or taking part in sponso…

� raising money or taking part in sponsored events

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 31/69 - frequently people wish to volunteer, wit…

frequently people wish to volunteer, with the largest number wanting to volunteer periodically, starting from as little as one day per year. As we have already seen, it is also evident that the topic or theme is important, with around a quarter of people willing to volunteer indicating "only if it is something I am really interested in", and around one-fifth willing to offer their help if the volunteering relates to their area of expertise. However, there were a further 11 people who would consider anything, and eight who would like to lead a project, indicating the range of involvement people might be willing to undertake.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 32/69 - 3. Funding and running a venue or commun…

3. Funding and running a venue or community centre creates volunteering opportunities. Organisations or volunteers can run activities for local residents, with the venue costs subsidised by the partnership, and further volunteers can in turn support the activities.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 33/69 - Key points: Volunteering roles, skills a…

Key points: Volunteering roles, skills and time commitment

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 34/69 - Who wants to be a

Who wants to be a

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 35/69 - As well as making time available to volu…

As well as making time available to volunteer, sometimes being a parent acted as a driver to start volunteering � for example, as childrens activity group leaders or school governors.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 36/69 - Religion and philosophy Faith and philos…

Religion and philosophy Faith and philosophy of life were drivers for a lot of the volunteers we spoke to, with the value and importance of helping others and being involved in your community upheld by many religions.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 37/69 - as a repair caf�, the experience of the …

as a repair caf�, the experience of the organiser indicated that large-scale promotion was unnecessary. His advice was: "Build it and they will come".

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 38/69 - method is usually word of mouth � either…

method is usually word of mouth � either from a friend or family member or someone associated with Big Local who has developed trust and confidence with the person volunteering. Marketing and comms have been successfully used to highlight to local residents the changes and benefits Big Local volunteers bring to the community and, by making this visible, to attract more volunteers.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 39/69 - Gendered groups may attract volunteers w…

Gendered groups may attract volunteers who might not otherwise step forward. This is partly about creating a safe space for people, and partly about targeted people with specific, traditionally gendered interests. So-called mens sheds, for example, have been particularly successful in engaging elderly and isolated men, and womens groups have had more success in some areas than mixed gender groups in attracting women from ethnic minorities.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 40/69 - One partnership member stressed the impo…

One partnership member stressed the importance of having all the right elements � such as expenses forms � in place and ready, even for informal volunteering, so people dont start to feel put upon or out of pocket and wonder what theyve taken on. "We try to anticipate what might come up or be an obstacle, then clear the pathway," they said.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 41/69 - The Big Local volunteers we spoke to fre…

The Big Local volunteers we spoke to frequently mentioned community. Some talked about how their local connections were strengthened through their volunteering. One volunteer, who had progressed to paid work as a volunteer coordinator, said:

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 42/69 - Progression into employment

Progression into employment

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 43/69 - The whole familys sphere of activity has…

The whole familys sphere of activity has changed significantly as a result of Ms work. Ms sons now pick and choose what they want to do more and feel confident to go beyond the immediate neighbourhood, to other community centres in the area for activities such as football. M says: "Big Local has opened everything up; it feels safer and more secure. You can come in and chat, its open to everyone."

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 44/69 - Key points: Who wants to be a volunteer?

Key points: Who wants to be a volunteer?

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 45/69 - What works in working with

What works in working with

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 46/69 - are not paid or fully formalised, some f…

are not paid or fully formalised, some forms of leadership, guidance and support for volunteers is necessary.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 47/69 - areas with a specific volunteer support …

areas with a specific volunteer support role, 19 have plans to retain the volunteer support role when Big Local funding ends in 2026.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 48/69 - potential volunteers, and avoiding compe…

potential volunteers, and avoiding competition for volunteers between organisations.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 49/69 - where necessary; however, the responsibi…

where necessary; however, the responsibility for the volunteer themselves is with the hosting organisation.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 50/69 - little policy as possible, within reason…

little policy as possible, within reason. Do you need it? Is it relevant to us? It moves us away from adopting excessive policies wholesale."

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 51/69 - Key points: What works in working with v…

Key points: What works in working with volunteers

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 52/69 - Volunteering as a route to distributing …

Volunteering as a route to distributing decision-making

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 53/69 - organisations. This means that the mecha…

organisations. This means that the mechanisms of involvement available to volunteers were similar to, or the same as, the general community. However, their opportunities to input � and the likelihood of them doing so and being heard � were greater than for those who dont volunteer.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 54/69 - This example has so-called task groups f…

This example has so-called task groups formed by the partnership, with at least one partnership member involved. The groups involve smaller teams of individuals helping to decide how projects are being managed and delivered. In theory, community members and volunteers can be involved in this more practical stage of decision-making.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 55/69 - member volunteering was the formal decis…

member volunteering was the formal decision-making type we might associate with the so-called civic core, but their other volunteering roles provide a valuable way to connect with community members and better understand the community and local priorities. One rep pointed out:

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 56/69 - through contacts and connections with pa…

through contacts and connections with partnership members, and motivated by religious principles and a desire to help and support others.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 57/69 - the delivery lead for a programme for yo…

the delivery lead for a programme for young people across the consortiums area, keeping the money and services local.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 58/69 - draws in a wider range of volunteers bey…

draws in a wider range of volunteers beyond the Big Local partnership, and facilitates the sharing of information, policies, and procedures.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 59/69 - Conclusion

Conclusion

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 60/69 - dependent on the actions, priorities and…

dependent on the actions, priorities and facilities available to partnerships. Nevertheless, we also found that Big Local areas often underestimate the amount of volunteering their partnership supports or facilitates. This is principally for two reasons: first, many partnership members do not recognise informal volunteering and what people tend to think of as just `helping out as volunteering; second, there can be a problem of attribution, wherein partnerships have funded an activity or organisation that in turn is supported by volunteers. Volunteers, and to a lesser extent partnership members, tend to associate volunteering with the nature of the activity, or the organisations or venues that are funded, and so the role of Big Local is not always recognised.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 61/69 - important contributing factor to persona…

important contributing factor to personal development, self-confidence and wellbeing, and generally improved quality of life, both directly and indirectly. People gain personal benefits and appreciate the improvements and greater connectedness in their communities. Big Local residents told us how volunteering makes them feel good and involved in their communities, and how they love feeling of making a difference.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 62/69 - Recommendations: How to enable and grow …

Recommendations: How to enable and grow local volunteering

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 63/69 - � Activities often dont require a regula…

� Activities often dont require a regular commitment, are relatively accessible and potentially less intimidating than other types of volunteering. They are also easier to walk away from than activities in an indoor space if people feel anxious.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 64/69 - Finding the right type of activity to in…

Finding the right type of activity to interest a volunteer is important � but the volunteer roles also need to match the volunteers needs, capabilities and availability. Some Big Local areas recruit for specific volunteering roles, and others create environments (such as volunteer fairs) where volunteers can meet with organisations who have volunteer roles available.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 65/69 - Appendix: Methodology

Appendix: Methodology

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 66/69 - In order to identify volunteers, the stu…

In order to identify volunteers, the study team utilised what is known as snowball sampling, which involved engaging local partnerships and asking who they suggest we talk to, examining local plans and plan reviews, and using contacts to identify people who were volunteering informally (that is, not associated with partnerships). A visual representation of this sampling approach is shown overleaf.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 67/69 - Witton Together Big Local and W12 Togeth…

Witton Together Big Local and W12 Together Big Local. These interviews provided additional context and supplementary information on how volunteering outside partnerships works in other areas. Representatives survey In addition to interviews, we added some questions to Local Trusts survey of Big Local reps from 150 Big Local areas. The aim of the survey was to gain understanding of the broader picture of volunteering across Big Local areas. The questions focused in particular on the number of volunteers involved outside of the partnership; the activities those volunteers are involved in; successful strategies for attracting volunteers, especially more diverse types of volunteers; who supports and manages volunteers and in what ways; and any challenges faced in relation to volunteers beyond the partnerships. Representatives were asked to estimate volunteer involvement based on their knowledge of their partnerships. Workshop We hosted an hour long "Keeping Connected" session on March 15 2022. Participation in research is time consuming; it needs to actively benefit the partnerships involved. This session was as opportunity open to all partnerships, to come together and discuss peoples volunteering journeys, how partnerships can attract and support volunteers, and how Big Local has encouraged volunteers to link to other community members and grown community leadership. The session allowed attendees to discuss any challenges and opportunities relating to volunteering outside the partnership and share learning about volunteer involvement in their communities.

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 68/69 - References

References

Volunteering-in-Big-Local.pdf - page 69/69 - Written by Jenny Wood, Maxine Houston, N…

Written by Jenny Wood, Maxine Houston, Niamh Storey, Holly Nelson, Safiyyah Abdul-Karim, and Ashley Philp of ERS. �ERS: Working collaboratively to evaluate & measure impact with integrity, honesty and professionalism ers.org.uk