Council for Voluntary Service |
 | |
OVERVIEW
In 2004 a major development in the Voluntary Sector took place with the inauguration of a single body for Volunteering – called Volunteering England. As most volunteering is undertaken on a local basis, Volunteering England wanted to introduce a corporate branding associated with quality for local development agencies. The Volunteer Bureau at Warwick District decided that the advantages for volunteering with this national profile would improve volunteering across the District. Attaining Volunteer Centre status has meant that the Volunteer Centre at CVS – Warwick District, now has six core functions as outlined below:- | |
|
Brokerage
The primary function is to match both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community. The Volunteer Centre holds information on a comprehensive range of opportunities (at present over 300) and offers potential volunteers support and advice matching their motivation to volunteer with appropriate volunteering opportunities. Chris Lancaster, the Volunteer Centre Manager, refers to this service as the “dating agency for volunteering”! If you want to know more about all local volunteering opportunities visit the national volunteering website www.do-it.org.uk. |
| o |
Marketing volunteering
 The Volunteer Centre stimulates and encourages local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns. With the rise in importance and use of the internet, the Volunteer Centre has extensive coverage on all aspects of volunteering and this can be found at www.cvswd.org.uk - just click on the orange “Volunteer Centre” button on the left-hand side of the site.
Good practice development
The Volunteer Centre promotes good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer-involving organisations. In addition, the Volunteer Centre delivers training for volunteers, volunteer co-ordinators and the volunteering infrastructure.
Develop volunteering opportunities
The Volunteer Centre works in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities.
The Volunteer Centre understands the potential offered by the local communities and works with them to realise this potential. The Volunteer Centre will target specific groups that face barriers to volunteering and will work creatively to develop imaginative, non-formal opportunities for potential volunteers.
|
|
|
Policy response and campaigning
The Volunteer Centre identifies proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering. The Volunteer Centre campaigns proactively for a more volunteer-literate and volunteer-friendly climate.
Strategic development of volunteering
As the local expert on volunteering, The Volunteer Centre informs strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level, including impacts of local and national government policy.
Chris Lancaster sums up what outcomes are expected. She says “The Volunteer Centre aims to make volunteering more accessible, fun and enjoyable for individuals of all ages.” She added, very pointedly, “without volunteers no voluntary organisation would be able to serve our community.”
Volunteering is the gift of time...
|
|