Volunteering England is committed to the modernisation of the network of volunteer centres. The aspiration is a network fit for purpose – all-inclusive, high quality, rationally-configured, sustainably funded and effective. This is built into our long-term strategy in Building on Success and is also enshrined in the Compact Code.
To help deliver this vision Northampton Volunteering Centre was commissioned by the Volunteering Hub, funded by Capacity Builders as part of the ChangeUp programme, to identify the components, outcomes and formula of a sustainable funding framework for quality accredited volunteer centres, including models for unitary authorities and two-tier authorities (that is county and district councils).
This piece of work has identified the key factors affecting the cost and performance of volunteer centre services, identified the true cost of providing some of the services, and developed a formula that allocates resources at a local authority level and a number of possible delivery mechanisms.
Where next?
As part of the Freely given, but not cost free campaign we will be targeting the governance structures of Volunteer Centres to engage them with proposals. We will also be preparing resources for Volunteer Centres and Funders.
Volunteering England accepts that we need to consult fully and widely with a range of stakeholders on the evolution and implementation of the modernisation proposal and l look forward to receiving your views and comments.
