VOLUNTEER HUB FINAL REPORT

OCTOBER 2016

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Contents

Message from the Volunteer Hub 3

Objectives and Development 4

Volunteers 5

Organisations 8

Volunteer Hub Services 10

Case Study – Waddesdon Wednesday Club 14

Case Study – Buckinghamshire Mind 15

End 16

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MESSAGE FROM THE VOLUNTEER HUB

The value of volunteering to individuals and to society is extensive. For individuals who are

not in work or part of a regular social activity, volunteering is a route to finding employment

opportunities, developing skills and building the self-confidence necessary to improve

prospects in life. In the context of prevention, a greater number of volunteers mean an

increase in the supply of community‐based support volunteers such as befrienders for those

in‐need. It can also reduce demand for services by individuals who are more likely to be

resilient and connected as a result of their volunteering.

The Volunteer Hub provided support to organisations whose beneficiaries are vulnerable

and older adults. This report sets out achievements and impact of the Volunteer Hub service

between January 2014 and September 2016.

“Volunteering is a highly rewarding activity with far reaching benefits for the volunteer. For

example, for the unemployed, taking on a volunteer role is a perfect way of boosting a CV.

For an isolated person, attending a pub lunch run by a volunteer or receiving a volunteer

befriender can be their salvation. These vital services provide a link to the outside world and

often act as a gateway for other services and valuable support.”

Helen Cavill, Volunteer Hub Co-ordinator

Marsh Gibbon Pub Lunch Club L to R: Pub Lunch Co-ordinator Llew Monger, Pub Lunch Volunteer David,

Volunteer Hub Co-ordinator Helen Cavill

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OBJECTIVES and DEVELOPMENT

The Volunteer Hub supported voluntary organisations and volunteers to make the most of

the volunteer potential in the county in order to support the Prevention Matters service and

the wider prevention agenda.

The Volunteer Hub strengthened links between existing volunteer networks, providing

resources to support current services to achieve their outcomes more efficiently. This was

achieved by identifying priority areas in need of volunteer development, promotion of

volunteering, coordination of recruitment campaigns and ensuring best practice

recruitment, screening, training and support of new volunteers.

The Volunteer Hub developed strong working relationships with all Prevention Matters

partner agencies and beneficiaries resulting in collaborative working to provide better

outcomes. These included:

• Community Link Officers

• Community Practice Workers (CPW)

• Voluntary & Community Sector

• Volunteers

• Referral agencies such as mental health, employment support groups

Left photo: CLO Simon Garwood Right photo: CPW Rosemarie White, Simon Garwood, Bucks Mind, CIB

Gardening Service, Enrych Bucks, Stroke Association, Volunteer Hub

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VOLUNTEERS

The Volunteer Hub ran various campaigns which included befriending, driving and day care.

Various recruitment fairs and promotion of national events such as Volunteers Week also

raised awareness and the profile of volunteering. This resulted in over 600 people enquiring

about volunteering in their community. Whilst not all went on to volunteer through the

Volunteer Hub Service, we hope this piqued the interest of individuals who may have found

their own route to volunteer.

65% of enquiries returned an application for role matching and of these, 68% were referred

to organisations resulting in 48% being placed. Historically, around 50% of enquiries go

through to volunteer so this figure is in line with previous Volunteer Centre data.

The Volunteer Hub provided opportunities to enhance the capacity and quality of

volunteering. By gathering data from volunteers via application and feedback

questionnaires, we were able to analyse figures on new volunteer activity to inform on

numbers, volunteer profiles, trends, quality and value.

What the Volunteer Hub data tells us:

29% of volunteers are

unemployed

17% of volunteers are

retired

8%

of volunteers are students

13% of volunteers are 14-25 year olds

34% of volunteers

Are 30-49 year olds

19% of volunteers are

over 60

60% of volunteers are

female

15%

of volunteers are from the BAME

community

15% of

volunteers are self-classified

disabled

15%

are CPW referrals

36% of volunteers were referred

into the service

47%

have previously volunteered

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Volunteer Roles

The volunteer roles for organisations supporting vulnerable and older adults have similar

themes. All roles support the organisation to achieve their aims and/or increase capacity of

services.

Role of Volunteer Referred Placed

Admin/ Office Volunteer 76 35

Advice/ Support 15 8

Befriender 125 54

Catering 16 4

Day Centre/ Activities 51 20

Driving 26 15

Gardening 16 7

General Helper 36 25

Mentor 15 10

Other 33 22

Total 409 200

13%

general

helping

18%

administration

support

27%

befrienders

“I would just like to thank you for all of

your help. I’d really struggled to find

anywhere that would take me, but I

absolutely love helping at PHAB.” 17 year

old student volunteer placement

“I wanted to say thank you for finding me

a great organisation to volunteer with - it's

going so well!” Placement for a newly

qualified yoga teacher with Age Concern

Marlow

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What our volunteers have told us

We undertook feedback via questionnaires once volunteers had been placed for three

months. Results show the benefits of volunteering for both the individual and the receiving

organisation.

87%

are still volunteering

78%

volunteer for up to 10 hours a

month

22%

volunteer for more than 11+ hours a month

85%

feel the role is matched to

their skills and interests

54%

received in-house training

for their roles

89%

feel supported by the charity

they volunteer for

82%

say they have received good

support from the Volunteer Hub

91%

feel they have made a positive

difference by volunteering

49%

feel volunteering has increased their

skill set

35% say volunteering has helped with

employment

91%

enjoy volunteering

92% reported an increase in confidence

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ORGANISATIONS

The variety of services offered to the voluntary sector was well received and has been

paramount for some who have been able to maximise their own services. An exit survey was

undertaken with results extracted below:

If used, how pertinent were the following services to your organisation rating High (4) to low (1)

4 3 2 1

Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 92% 8% 0% 0%

DBS Checks 55% 9% 27% 9%

Volunteer Role Description Template 41% 27% 14% 18%

Volunteer Role Promotion 50% 29% 13% 8%

Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 31% 27% 23% 19%

Advice and Information 39% 32% 21% 7%

Volunteer Recruitment Events 39% 26% 22% 13%

Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 26% 30% 17% 26%

Information via Newsletter 31% 27% 35% 8%

If the services were used, how would you rate them? Excellent Very Good

Good Poor

Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 57% 29% 7% 0%

DBS Checks 44% 33% 22% 0%

Volunteer Role Description Template 44% 31% 25% 0%

Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 35% 17% 26% 22%

Advice and Information 38% 19% 42% 0%

Volunteer Recruitment Events 28% 11% 44% 17%

Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 21% 21% 53% 5%

Information via Newsletter 23% 15% 62% 0%

Which aspect of the service did you find most valuable

Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 17%

DBS Checks 7%

Volunteer Role Description Template 0%

Volunteer Role Promotion 10%

Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 21%

Advice and Information 21%

Volunteer Recruitment Events 3%

Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 7%

Information via Newsletter 14%

“The Volunteer Hub ran targeted promotions

which resulted in 3 volunteers being referred to

me. We now have 6 volunteers in total and

growing!” Empower to Cook

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ORGANISATIONS CONT…

The Volunteer Hub has been publicising Do-it.org to

organisations so they can maximise promotion of roles.

A ‘how to’ Do-it.org guide was produced as well as

offering to set up an account and/or advertise on their

behalf. Research has been conducted on the number

of roles on this platform and there has been a steady

increase of Prevention Matters organisations

advertising roles.

As part of the exit survey, we asked organisations:

If recruiting volunteers, are you using Do-it.org to promote your roles?

Yes 62%

No 24%

Not recruiting at present 14%

If no, do you require further assistance to enable you to do this?*

Yes 18%

No 82% *Communications were sent to those requesting help with Do.it.

We are also pleased to report that satisfaction rates for our services were high with 89%

reporting they are satisfied with the services received and 90% saying they would recommend

Community Impact Bucks to others.

To what extent do you agree with the following: You are satisfied with the service you have received from Community Impact Bucks?

Strongly Agree 42%

Agree 48%

Neither Agree or Disagree 10%

Disagree 0%

Strongly Disagree 0%

Don't Know 0%

To what extent do you agree with the following: You are likely to recommend Community Impact Bucks to others?

Strongly Agree 46%

Agree 43%

Neither Agree or Disagree 11%

Disagree 0%

Strongly Disagree 0%

Don't Know 0%

“Great to see you this

morning at CDAR's global

HQ in Latimer. Thank you

very much for your liberal

advice and for so much of

your time.” Chiltern Dial a

Ride

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VOLUNTEER HUB SERVICES

DBS Checks

The free DBS service was valuable for smaller groups with a total of 208 being undertaken

for groups listed below – this has enabled volunteers to support their service delivery.

Aylesbury Deaf Coffee Morning Club (ADCMC)

Nigerian Community Association

Aylesbury Monday Contact Club Quainton Day Centre

Bedgrove Good Neighbours Scheme Quarrendon Community Café

Carers Trust Thames Space - St Mary's Aylesbury

Friends of Wendover Health Centre Stoke Hammond Community Hall

Haddenham Community Vehicle The Healthy Living Centre CIC

Healthwatch Bucks The Strategy

Healthy Living Centre Good Neighbours Scheme

Voices and Choices

High Wycombe Community Hub Waddesdon Wednesday Club

Lifeline - Amersham Kings Church Winslow Community Car Scheme

Lindengate Women's Cultural Arena (WCA)

“Thank you so much for coming out to

Winslow today, it made the whole

process so easy, coupled with your

efficiency in setting up the online part.

I would certainly recommend this

model for doing the [DBS] checks.”

Winslow Community Car Scheme

The security knowing the volunteers are screened and safe to work with

our members has made a huge difference. We can ask for any level of

assistance from Community Impact Bucks and we get it. As a group this gives us strength to move forwards

and to thrive. Waddesdon Wednesday Club

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Training

The Volunteer Hub developed free training for volunteers engaging with older and

vulnerable adults. The training enabled volunteers to support people in their care and raised

awareness of risks they may have faced. It was particularly beneficial for volunteers from

befriending services, good neighbours’ schemes, and those who directly supported

vulnerable adults and elderly people at home.

436 volunteers were trained during the project. Of those who returned feedback forms 84%

were very satisfied and 15% fairly satisfied with the training offered, whilst all said they

would recommend the course to others.

Training Numbers trained

Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training covering Lone Working, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Effective Communication

386

Trustee Training workshops covering Minute Taking, Get Fit for Funding, Roles, Accountability & Responsibilities and How to Run Effective Meetings

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“I thought the course was brilliant,

thank you. It was very

enlightening.”

“Thank you for organising for me to go on the course in Wing – it was excellent and very helpful.”

"The advice and practical experience we

received from the professional trainers

increased our awareness and gave us

several strategies for coping with less

mobile passengers. Many thanks to the

Volunteer Hub for their excellent

organisation"

Friends of Wendover Health Centre

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Organisations and roles

306 organisations in Bucks supporting older and vulnerable adults were registered with the

Volunteer Hub accessing information via a newsletter or direct services including volunteer

recruitment, promotion, one to one advice, DBS or training. The Hub had 412 volunteering

roles registered in Buckinghamshire ready to match to volunteers via interests and location.

The Volunteer Hub also held many Volunteering Advice Surgeries, providing one to one

support and follow up.

“Helen and Gillian have provided a fantastic service

to Lindengate. Over the last 2 years our volunteer

numbers have increased from a handful to over

120 and we couldn't have managed that without

the support of the team.” Lindengate

“The Volunteer Hub have been firm allies of our

club through the help and assistance they have

always offered. The support offered and given is

priceless to our group and in turn to our members.”

Wednesday Contact Club

“The advice surgery was very

informative and has given me lots

of information / actions to tackle.

Thank you!” Parkwood Healthcare

“Thank you so much for such an

informative meeting and your links

with other appropriate contacts.

This was very useful.” Thames

Valley Restorative Justice

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Events

Promotion of volunteering was carried out at various events below, raising the profile of

volunteering and organisations in Buckinghamshire.

Action for Employment Fairford Leys Wellbeing Event

Amersham Dementia Awareness Fair Health and Wellbeing Event at The Gateway

Amersham Hospital Healthy Living Centre Volunteer Fair

Amersham Volunteer Fair Job Centres Aylesbury & Wycombe

Autism Conference Maximus Wycombe Job Club

Aylesbury College Fresher’s Fair 2015 Older People’s Conference

Aylesbury College Fresher’s Fair 2016 Paradigm Housing Volunteering event

Aylesbury Volunteer Fair RAF High Wycombe Volunteers Fair

BNU Freshers Week Shopping centres in Aylesbury & Wycombe

BNU Jobs Fair Staff Health Fair at Chiltern District Council

BNU Uxbridge Social Care event STARS Wycombe Job Club

Buckingham Befriending Fair Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Burnham Library Health Fair Time Out for Seniors (TOFS Event)

Community Action Network Event TVP Domestic Violence Awareness Day

Community Impact Bucks Conference Volunteering Advice Surgeries

Community Impact Bucks Funding Fair Waddesdon Get Active Event

Community Impact Bucks Trustee Forum Whiteleaf BAME Carers Advice Day

Community Roadshow Steeple Claydon Whiteleaf World Mental Health Day

Dementia Awareness Event Amersham Wycombe College Fresher’s Fair 2014

Dot Dot Dot Launch Event Wycombe Decides Community Event

Duke of Edinburgh Display Stand Wycombe Library Mental Health Event

Education and Youth Service Wycombe Volunteer Fair

Equalities Conference Various libraries including High Wycombe, Buckingham & Aylesbury ESOL event High Wycombe

“The day was a great success; we met new

volunteers, the local MP and like-minded

organisations.” Enrych at Aylesbury

Volunteer Fair

“Thanks very much for organising the

Volunteer Fair last week. I had 12

conversations with visitors about

volunteering and had one very keen lady who

I've been in touch with. We had 7 volunteer

enquiries in the week - at the most we would

normally get 1 or 2 enquiries!” Lindengate

Featured Organisation: Waddesdon Wednesday Club

The Wednesday Club is a charity-run day club for older residents of Waddesdon and the surrounding area. The club was established thirty-five years ago in 1981 and some of the supporting volunteers have been with the club since it began.

The purpose of the club is to offer a day of warmth through friendship, food and laughter.

Activities are geared to be suitable for the ages of the members, their abilities and personal interests and every Wednesday at Waddesdon Hall everyone has a nutritious two course hot meal and refreshments throughout the day. Entertainment can simply be music played for us or a speaker with an interesting topic and the ability to keep us all enthralled or a quiz or exercises.

What was the challenge if any?

To enable the club to remain viable - new volunteers are continually needed and the Volunteer Hub has been very supportive with considerate assistance. We have received two very good referrals that produced new volunteers. DBS clearance was another area in which we received huge support. Promotion of the club, through help with flyers, has been fantastic and very professional.

Support from Community Impact Bucks

One to one advice from the Volunteer Hub on volunteer management, recruitment and retention

Free DBS checks for 10 volunteers

Volunteers referred via the Volunteer Hub

Volunteers accessing the free Vulnerable Adults Awareness training

Help with promotion

The community transport focus has been greatly supported by CIB and continues to be of great interest to the club. We strive, together, to provide a transport service for the elderly and other local groups.

What difference did this make?

The security knowing the volunteers are screened and safe to work with our members has made a huge difference. We can ask for any level of assistance from Community Impact Bucks and we get it. As a group this gives us strength to move forwards and to thrive.

Community Impact Bucks have been firm allies of our club through the help and assistance they have always offered. The support offered and given is priceless to our group and in turn to our members. Paula Kinsella – Co-ordinator

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Left to right: David Liddington MP, Volunteer Emma, Co-ordinator Paula Kinsella

Featured Organisation: Buckinghamshire Mind

Buckinghamshire Mind is an independent charity providing high quality services to support and represent people with mental health needs in the local community. We work to provide a voice for people with mental health needs to fight stigma.

Buckinghamshire Mind is run by local people for local people and we’re responsible for our own funding and the services we provide.

What was the challenge if any?

Volunteer recruitment is always a challenge but having an organisation offering extra promotion and a matching service has enabled us to capitalise on gaining volunteer interest from other routes.

Support from Community Impact Bucks

One to one advice from the Volunteer Hub on volunteer management, recruitment and retention

Volunteers referred via the Volunteer Hub

Volunteers accessing the free Vulnerable Adults Awareness training

Help with promotion

Attending recruitment fairs organised by Community Impact Bucks

What difference did this make?

“We have always received an excellent training service from Community Impact Bucks’ Volunteer Hub. Our staff and volunteers who have attended the Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training, through the Volunteer Hub, have always given positive feedback and the 3 hour course has been valuable to their roles within Bucks Mind. As a charity it is very useful that we are able to access free training for our volunteers.” Imogen Flack - Education and Training Co-ordinator

“In terms of recruitment, 8 volunteers have been referred via the Volunteer Hub and the Volunteer Fair was a success for our organisation as I handed out more than 15 volunteer application forms. I was also able to network with other charities and give out information about our charity and the services we provide on the day. They have been a great support and provided valuable information regarding recruitment.” Reena Thomas - Befriending and Volunteer Coordinator.

Reena Thomas at Aylesbury Volunteer Fair

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