Question:
I am co-ordinating the delivery of the UK School Games for 2008 which is coming to the West of England (Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, N.Somerset and S.Glos) as part of the run up to the London 2012 olympic and Paralympic Games.We need to put together a volunteer army to help deliver this event and also build a volunteer platform for sport in the West and therefore wonder whether Volunteering England might be able to help locally. I recognise that there are a number of Volunteer Centres in the West but could do with being able to combine efforts for this event. I would therefore value any input you might have. I have already asked for info on V-Base as a potential way to manage the volunteer requirements and am in contact with VOSCUR in Bristol. Any additional help would be much appreciated.
Answer:
The games sound very exciting! It is great that you’re thinking so far ahead. I think this will help in your preparation to involve volunteers.
I can suggest that you do 5 things…
1. Get in touch with local organisations who could help:
Your local Volunteer Centre for example can help you with how to find and keep happy your volunteers on the day. They may provide support for free, or they may charge – just so that you’re ready in either eventuality (it will depend on how much you’re inviting them to get involved with).
Recruiting volunteers via www.do-it.org.uk would be ideal – as this talks to the database that Volunteer Centres also use. They both work best when utilised together (so that Volunteer Centres are right up to speed on what data you’ve inputted to do-it).
As well as contacting your local Volunteer Centre, it is worth contacting your local County Sports Partnership (let them both know you've spoken to the other as they often work together). Your CSP is likely to have experience and contacts in this area specific to sport. They also employ someone whose role is to develop volunteering in your area.
As well as your local Volunteer Centre and CSP, through them you can contact your local university and local sports clubs. These organisations are an excellent first place to look for "ready-made" teams of people which can make management easier.
Before you start contacting any of these organisations: first think about exactly what roles will be required, when volunteers will be needed and what skills they will need (this kind of good practice will be available from your Volunteer Centre - and your CSP should be able to advise you too). You can then have more success in targeting your recruitment. Have a look at the Good Practice Bank and the Information sheets for advice on planning for volunteers.
2. If you are running a really big event, or a series of events it is worth having a look at the Investing in Volunteers standard.
You can use the standard without attaining the quality mark, or you can pay to become accredited – starting planning about 18 months before your event would be an ideal timescale (so this is not for everyone!). To fully achieve the quality mark, costs etc… would be determined on your size/ no of volunteers/ no “sites”.
3. Become a member of Volunteering England. Apart from the usual benefits, one of the great things for you is you can reach all our Volunteer Centres, and 2000 members through inputting information to our monthly members update.
4. Raise the profile of your work by writing an article for Volunteering Magazine – which is available online to our members only.
5. Check out our hints and tips on involving volunteers on the information team website and the good practice bank.
I hope some of these help. I’ve tried to be select – and provide both free and “costed” suggestions.
