Volunteering Vision Newsletter

Welcome to our Volunteering Vision Newsletter — a space where we share ideas, insights, and updates on how we’re reimagining volunteering for the future. As valued members and partners, your role is vital in building a more responsive, inclusive, and impactful volunteering community. Together, we’re creating opportunities that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and inspire collective action.

Join us as we shape what volunteering can look like—now and for the future.

A quick reminder that registration is open for our conference on 26 June. All the details are below!Volunteers are also welcome to attend so please encourage your volunteers to sign up. You may like to forward the invitation at the bottom of this newsletter to your volunteers.  

Best wishes,

Julie Yorston
Assistant Manager: Volunteer Centre

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the charity sector, worth by various estimates in the tens of billions of pounds annually to the economy. Imagine what would happen if that contribution suddenly wasn’t there? The charity sector and much of society as we know it would fall apart. This report explores the current data on volunteering. 

In a world defined by rising anxiety, disconnection, and division, the need for service has never been more urgent. Volunteering isn’t just a way to help others—it’s one of the most powerful ways we create meaning, reduce loneliness, and feel connected to something larger than ourselves. The simple act of volunteering, for example, has been found to improve both mental and physical health.

Volunteers play a critical role in the success of any organisation, particularly non-profit and community-based entities. Their importance stems from their selflessness and dedication to support a cause without seeking compensation. In addition to providing essential services, volunteers contribute to an organisation’s sustainability and foster community involvement.

Across the UK, charities are facing a crisis – a decline in volunteers. This dedicated workforce is the backbone of many organisations, providing vital support for everything from fundraising and administrative tasks, to direct service delivery. But a complex web of factors is leading to a worrying shortage.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the BHF. It simply would not be possible for the BHF to raise money to fund lifesaving research without their volunteers supporting them in almost 700 retail outlets, through community fundraising and events, and other volunteering opportunities.

Charity Digital explores the benefits of volunteering, how to recruit and manage volunteers, the importance of volunteer management systems, and explore volunteering opportunities and volunteering work in the UK.

Every small group needs to ensure a board of Trustees is in place. Come to this online session to find out about Trusteeship, as well as how to ensure your group complies with obligations such as policy formulation, safeguarding, and accountability correctly.

Where: Online
When: Thursday, 3 July 2025
Time: 10am - 12pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

This one-day course will explore the challenges of recruiting, retaining and managing volunteers. It is ideal for staff who have this responsibility as their role. If you have not already achieved 6 Point Promise accreditation this is an ideal opportunity to get started!

Herts Voluntary Organisations: £70      Statutory & Non-Herts Organisations: £400

Date: Thursday, 17 July 2025
Location: Ver House, Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, AL2 2DR
Time: 10am - 1pm: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers; 2pm - 5pm: Volunteer Management

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a powerful framework to show how your organisation is contributing to a sustainable future. Understanding this framework can help you attract donors, engage volunteers, and clearly communicate the difference you’re making. In this session, you’ll learn how to highlight your charity’s impact in a way that connects with supporters who share your values.

Date: Monday 30 June 2025                  Time: 11am-1pm                          Location: Online                                Pricing options: Fully funded (free) for staff and volunteers from Hertfordshire’s voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Outside of this category a small fee of £15 is applicable.