News releases
Home Secretary agrees to keep criminal record checks free for volunteers
Friday, 21 December 2012
Home Secretary Theresa May has today agreed that the new criminal record checking system will be free to volunteers, following calls from volunteering organisations.
Read more: Home Secretary agrees to keep criminal record checks free for volunteers
Member satisfaction poll results
Monday, 17 December 2012
A poll of Volunteering England’s members was conducted over three weeks in November-December 2012. It was publicised via the members’ newsletter, the website, page on Facebook and Twitter feed. It was also sent via the Volunteer Centre Manager's Google group.
Volunteering England welcomes judgment of Supreme Court on volunteers and employment legislation
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Volunteering England welcomes the judgment of the Supreme Court that employment legislation does not cover volunteers, in the case of X v Mid Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau.
Date set for NCVO and Volunteering England merger
Tuesday, 11 December 2012
The merger between NCVO and Volunteering England was finalised today, with the organisations set to formally come together on 1 January 2013.
Volunteering England’s 1,800 members will become NCVO members, while existing NCVO members will gain access to Volunteering England resources.
Read more: Date set for NCVO and Volunteering England merger
‘Minister right to protect voluntary trusteeship’ says Davis Smith
Tuesday, 04 December 2012
Volunteering England has today welcomed moves to safeguard the principle that charity trustees should be volunteers. In his response to Lord Hodgson’s Review of the Charities Act 2006, Civil Society Minister Nick Hurd has said that he will not implement the recommendation that large charities can automatically remunerate their trustees without Charity Commission permission.
Read more: ‘Minister right to protect voluntary trusteeship’ says Davis Smith
Voluntary sector reiterates calls for CRB system to be free for volunteers
Friday, 30 November 2012
Volunteering England has reiterated a call for the Government to confirm whether the long-awaited online system that will make Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks portable will be free for volunteers.
In a letter sent today to the Home Secretary 
(251.8Kb) , Theresa May MP, a group of voluntary sector organisations led by Volunteering England repeats the request made previously in an open letter printed in Third Sector, December 2011.
Read more: Voluntary sector reiterates calls for CRB system to be free for volunteers
Justin Davis Smith announced as NCVO executive director for volunteering
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Volunteering England chief executive, Justin Davis Smith, will lead NCVO’s new volunteering directorate under the organisations’ merger proposals, NCVO announced today.
As executive director for volunteering and development, Dr Davis Smith will be NCVO’s senior ambassador for volunteering.
Read more: Justin Davis Smith announced as NCVO executive director for volunteering
The volunteering legacy of London 2012
Thursday, 27 September 2012
The volunteers were the astonishing success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Even hardened voluntary sector professionals like me, who for the past seven years have been talking up the opportunities the London 2012 Games could bring to the volunteering world, were blown away. The question now is what happens next.
NCVO and Volunteering England merger talks progress
Thursday, 13 September 2012
In separate meetings today (13 September) the Boards of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Volunteering England have taken another step towards merger by agreeing to merge subject to due diligence.
The Trustees received reports that the formal talks had reached agreement on key elements in merging the two organisations, covering brand and identity, governance and organisational structure (see appendix below for details in full).
As previously announced (21 June), the merged organisation will be known as the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and the brands of Volunteering England and the Institute for Volunteering Research will be maintained. A new strapline has now been agreed: “Championing Volunteering and Civil Society”.
Read more: NCVO and Volunteering England merger talks progress
Drop in local authority funding to over half of Volunteer Centres
Tuesday, 04 September 2012
A survey of Volunteer Centres in England has found that over half that receive funding from the local authority had it cut in the past year.
52 per cent experienced cuts of up to 80 per cent, with half of those losing at least a fifth of local authority funding. The average cut was 25 per cent.
Read more: Drop in local authority funding to over half of Volunteer Centres
Volunteering England: making it easier to run a voluntary organisation
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
The work of Volunteering England to Free volunteering from red tape features centrally in a government progress report on making it easier to set up and run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation.
Read more: Volunteering England: making it easier to run a voluntary organisation
New CRB ID guidelines unnecessarily restrictive
Tuesday, 07 August 2012
The new CRB identity checking guidelines applicable from 28 May 2012 appear to be unnecessarily restrictive when applied to refugees and asylum seekers.
We have therefore written a joint letter to the Minister of State for Immigration with the Employability Forum which sets out our concerns and requests a reconsideration of the guidelines.
Trustees: expenses, yes; wages, no.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Volunteering England opposes Lord Hodgson’s recommendation in his review of the Charities Act 2006 that charities with an income above £1 million should have the power to pay their trustees.
We have therefore written an open letter with a number of other civil society leaders to the Minister for Civil Society.
Volunteers revamp 1948 Olympic venue
Tuesday, 10 July 2012
On 5 and 6 July, 100 volunteers from Deutsche Bank descended upon Herne Hill Velodrome to help improve facilities and make a difference.
Involve, a project of Volunteer Centre Southwark, worked with over 100 Deutsche Bank volunteers to transform the outdoor spaces at Herne Hill Velodrome. It included repainting of the entrance way and gates, the creation of a large track cycling mural and an 'island flower bed' featuring a two metre box hedge bicycle.
Joint statement from Volunteering England and NCVO on merger talks
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Volunteering England and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations are commencing formal discussions with a view to merging. The Board of Trustees of both organisations have agreed the recommendations of a joint working party to enter into formal merger discussions over the summer and autumn 2012.
Read more: Joint statement from Volunteering England and NCVO on merger talks
Deputy Prime Minister thanks volunteers
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, has recorded a message of thanks to volunteers on behalf of the Government to mark Volunteers' Week.
The risk of promoting personal insurance to volunteers
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Due to the increased interest in volunteering, some organisations have begun urging volunteers to purchase personal accident and public liability insurance. Volunteering England and the Sport and Recreation Alliance are concerned this could contribute to the perception amongst the general public that by helping others they place themselves at risk.
Read more: The risk of promoting personal insurance to volunteers
Volunteers' Week 2012: inspiring and celebrating
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Volunteers’ Week is an annual campaign which celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Up and down the country, individuals and organisations will hold events to celebrate the contribution of volunteers and inspire others to take part. There are already over 170 listed on the Volunteers’ Week events map.
Freeing volunteering from red tape
Friday, 25 May 2012
This article appeared at civilsociety.co.uk.
Last week the Cabinet Office published Unshackling Good Neighbours: One year on, a progress report on the recommendations of Lord Hodgson’s Red Tape Taskforce.
Working group publishes code of practice for volunteers
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Following the May 2011 publication of Unshackling Good Neighbours - the report of the red tape taskforce chaired by Lord Hodgson that considered how to cut red tape for small charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - Volunteering England and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) convened a working group of the voluntary & community sector and the insurance industry.
Read more: Working group publishes code of practice for volunteers
Loss of core funding threatens Volunteer Centre network
Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Volunteering England warns that the recent loss of core local authority funding to several Volunteer Centres will lead to the fragmentation of the Volunteer Centre network and undermine the vital support they provide to the local community.
Read more: Loss of core funding threatens Volunteer Centre network
2012 could be the year of the volunteer – but investment is key
Friday, 20 April 2012
As ivo goes live today our Chief Executive, Justin Davis Smith CBE, wrote this article highlighting the importance of volunteering and the challenges it currently faces.
Every year, over 20 million people across England and the UK volunteer, donating more than 100 million hours to their communities every week. It has been estimated that the economic value of this activity is worth in excess of £40 billion to our economy.
So on 1-7 June, Volunteering England, individuals and organisations up and down the country will hold events to celebrate that contribution during Volunteers’ Week. We also hope it will inspire even more to take an active role in their communities.
Read more: 2012 could be the year of the volunteer – but investment is key
Strategic partners publish guide to avoiding job substitution
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Volunteering England has today published a guide to help organisations address the issue of job substitution, (435.6Kb) particularly when facing cuts in funding for services, in partnership with Locality, NAVCA and NCVO.
As the budgets of many organisations in the voluntary and public sectors are cut, the issue of job substitution – when volunteers replace paid staff – has become critical. This guide is to help organisations ensure they do not substitute paid staff posts with volunteers.
Read more: Strategic partners publish guide to avoiding job substitution
Member satisfaction poll results
Tuesday, 03 April 2012
A poll of Volunteering England’s members was conducted over three weeks in March 2012. It was publicised via the website, page on Facebook and Twitter feed. It was also sent via the Volunteer Centre Manager's Google group.
Volunteer Centres continue to excel despite significant decline in local authority funding
Monday, 02 April 2012
Volunteer Centres continue to excel in supporting volunteers and tackling pressing social issues despite a sharp decline in funding from local government.
The Annual Return for Volunteer Centres, conducted by the Institute for Volunteering Research at Volunteering England, found that funding from local government across the network declined on average by 12 per cent between 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Volunteering England welcomes Public Services (Social Value) Bill
Monday, 05 March 2012
Volunteering England has welcomed the passing of the Public Services (Social Value) Bill through Parliament, which will require public authorities to consider economic, social and environmental impact when commissioning and procuring services.
This is a crucial development for the thousands of organisations across the country that involve volunteers. In particular, this could be a game-changer for small organisations that find it difficult to compete with large contractors despite their local knowledge.
Read more: Volunteering England welcomes Public Services (Social Value) Bill
Justin Davis Smith addresses London Funders
Monday, 05 March 2012
On 2 March, Volunteering England Chief Executive Justin Davis Smith addressed London Funders on the reality of supporting organisations that involve volunteers in the current policy and funding climate.
As well as highlighting the value of volunteering, the organisations that involve them and the bodies that support them to do so, Justin urged funders to think about what more could be done to encourage greater collaboration between volunteering support agencies.
Winner of Matt Spencer Award announced
Friday, 24 February 2012
University of Southampton medical student Nathan Highton has been named as the winner of the Matt Spencer Award 2012.
The award is celebrated during Student Volunteering Week (20 to 26 February) in recognition of a truly inspiring student volunteer. SV Week is delivered by Volunteering England and sponsored by Santander.
The award was set up in memory of Matt Spencer to recognise the work of outstanding student volunteers. Matt epitomised student volunteering - he cared deeply about people, the exploitation and oppression they face, and he passionately challenged it with his lateral approach.
Volunteering England and Forestry Commission sign joint commitment
Friday, 03 February 2012
Volunteering England and the Forestry Commission have demonstrated their commitment to working together by signing a memorandum of understanding.
Read more: Volunteering England and Forestry Commission sign joint commitment
Sector leaders oppose charging volunteers for portable criminal records checks
Friday, 23 December 2011
23rd December 2011
We are calling on the Government to affirm its commitment to volunteering by making portable Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks free to volunteers.
Whilst the Government has confirmed that CRB checks themselves will remain free for volunteers, a decision has yet to be made about the cost of the online system that will ensure volunteers will not have to be checked every time they begin a new role.
Read more: Sector leaders oppose charging volunteers for portable criminal records checks
Volunteering England update: October – December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
This is the third edition of our quarterly update, providing you with information about our work and how you can get involved. It includes:
- Highlights from the last quarter of 2011.
- New developments.
- Progress with projects and policy work.
- Looking back on 2011.
As always, feel free to contact us via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- veupdate October – December 2011 (1.5Mb) (PDF)
New faces join Volunteering England board
Friday, 11 November 2011
Volunteering England welcomes five new trustees following its 2011 AGM. The votes have now been counted and we are pleased to announce our new member-trustees as:
Work Programme providers should pay voluntary organisations for their services
Tuesday, 08 November 2011
Minister for Employment, Chris Grayling MP, has confirmed that Work Programme providers should enter into contractual relationships with voluntary organisations if they wish to access their services.
Read more: Work Programme providers should pay voluntary organisations for their services
Volunteering England responds to reports of plans to collaborate with other sector bodies
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Statement by Sukhvinder Kaur Stubbs, Chair of Trustees for Volunteering England, in response to the story in Third Sector (20 October) on collaboration between volunteering bodies.
Read more: Volunteering England responds to reports of plans to collaborate with other sector bodies
Challenge to support volunteers for NGOs and government
Tuesday, 06 September 2011
Read more: Challenge to support volunteers for NGOs and government
Motor insurers promise not to charge volunteer drivers a premium
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Read more: Motor insurers promise not to charge volunteer drivers a premium
Letter to the Prime Minister offering help in the wake of the recent riots
Friday, 12 August 2011
Read more: Letter to the Prime Minister offering help in the wake of the recent riots
£1.9 million boost for volunteering in recession-hit communities
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Read more: £1.9 million boost for volunteering in recession-hit communities
The community response to the riots deserves to be celebrated
Tuesday, 09 August 2011
Read more: The community response to the riots deserves to be celebrated
Volunteering England welcomes new local infrastructure fund
Friday, 15 July 2011
The Transforming Local Infrastructure programme implements the Government’s proposal in the Giving White Paper and is administered by Big Fund. The programme is making £30 million available for an 18 month period to provide better support for frontline civil society organisations by rationalising and transforming local infrastructure services.Read more: Volunteering England welcomes new local infrastructure fund
Award of CBE in Queen's Birthday Honours for Dr Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive of Volunteering England
Monday, 13 June 2011
“On behalf of the Board of Volunteering England, I extend my congratulations to Justin for this honour. It is well deserved and a powerful endorsement of the respect he commands, the efforts of his team and the value of volunteering. The honour reflects the significant role that Volunteering England has played in promoting voluntary action and recognises Justin's influence in shaping the new agenda.”
Volunteering England responds to Mr Christopher Chope’s Private Member’s Bill
Friday, 10 June 2011
Read more: Volunteering England responds to Mr Christopher Chope’s Private Member’s Bill
Volunteering England welcomes White Paper on Giving
Monday, 23 May 2011
Read more: Volunteering England welcomes White Paper on Giving
Welcome for Lord Hodgson’s Task Force report on cutting red tape
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Read more: Welcome for Lord Hodgson’s Task Force report on cutting red tape
Response to report of retired police officers in West Midlands being asked to return to the service as volunteer special constables
Thursday, 05 May 2011
Bank of America Merrill Lynch sponsors Volunteers’ Week 2011
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Read more: Bank of America Merrill Lynch sponsors Volunteers’ Week 2011
New Volunteering England archive documents the history of volunteering in England
Monday, 18 April 2011
Read more: New Volunteering England archive documents the history of volunteering in England
Budget result for volunteer drivers
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Announcement of Office for Civil Society Strategic Partners
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Read more: Announcement of Office for Civil Society Strategic Partners
Volunteer Rights Inquiry calls on organisations to raise standards of volunteer management
Wednesday, 02 March 2011
Employee volunteering and the Civil Service
Monday, 21 February 2011
Freedom Bill announcement on safeguarding
Friday, 11 February 2011
Local spending cuts threaten volunteering movement
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Read more: Local spending cuts threaten volunteering movement
