In this section, you’ll find support resources, including good practice guides, research evidence, sector-specific training, development opportunities, and upcoming workshops and events to further enhance your volunteer programmes.
Many organisations across the sector offer extensive guidance and resources on engaging and involving volunteers. At this stage of the process, we recommend thoroughly reviewing these materials to gain a clear understanding of both the requirements and expectations for volunteer-involved organisations. This will help you effectively support volunteers and make your opportunities more appealing. Explore the resources available via the links below.
The Volunteer Scotland website provides a wide range of guidance and resources to help organisations effectively engage and support volunteers. These include best practice guides on volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention, as well as templates for developing volunteer policies. The resources also cover topics like inclusivity and responding to challenges such as COVID-19, ensuring comprehensive support for volunteers. Additionally, the website offers detailed information and guidance on the disclosure process, including important updates on system changes and how they may impact organisations, along with recommended steps to take.
VolunteerWiki is an online resource developed by Volunteer Edinburgh, offering comprehensive guidance for volunteer managers. It covers various aspects of volunteer management, including recruitment, training, policy development, and support for volunteers with specific needs. The site provides example policies, templates, and forms, all free to download, and emphasizes best practices, particularly in the UK. Additionally, it encourages contributions from experienced volunteer managers to enhance its content, fostering a community of knowledge sharing.
The Third Sector Dumfries & Galloway website offers several downloadable resources focused on volunteer recruitment. These include templates and guides for creating role descriptions, volunteer recruitment strategies, and best practices for onboarding volunteers. There are also specific toolkits aimed at improving volunteer engagement and retention, which are particularly relevant during challenging times like the cost-of-living crisis. These resources are designed to help organisations effectively attract and manage volunteers.
The Voluntary Sector Gateway website offers a range of downloadable resources to support organisations, with a focus on volunteer recruitment. These include guides on developing volunteer policies, creating effective volunteer roles, and strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers. Additional resources cover topics like governance, fundraising, and safeguarding, all designed to enhance the capacity of voluntary organisations to attract and manage volunteers effectively.
The Volunteer Midlothian Good Practice Toolkit offers a range of free, adaptable templates to help organisations manage volunteers effectively. These resources cover key areas such as volunteer recruitment, management, and evaluation. The toolkit supports organisations in developing a structured and consistent approach, offering guidance on tasks like policy creation, interviewing, role descriptions, and supervision. It also includes tools for tracking volunteer expenses and feedback, ensuring a comprehensive approach to volunteer involvement and management.
The Clackmannanshire TSI Volunteering Development Resources section provides tools to organisations to help manage volunteers effectively. It includes templates and guidance for creating volunteer policies, agreements, and risk assessments, as well as recruitment, selection, and supervision procedures. Additionally, it covers essential aspects like insurance, expenses, disclosure checks, and support processes. These tools are designed to support best practices in volunteer management, ensuring compliance and enhancing the volunteer experience.
The Make Your Mark in Volunteering campaign supports everyone in Scotland to volunteer with history, nature and culture organisations by promoting heritage volunteer opportunities and sharing inclusive volunteering best practice. Although the campaign is focussed on the heritage sector, their hub of inclusive volunteering resources is applicable to the wider voluntary sector.
The Make Your Mark Inclusive Volunteering Toolkit: supports voluntary organisations in Scotland to make their volunteer programmes more inclusive. The toolkit was informed by focus groups with marginalised people, surveys of voluntary organisations and extensive desk-based research on inclusive volunteering. The toolkit is part of Scotland’s Volunteering Action Plan, and was created in partnership with the University of Strathclyde. It was funded by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Access Toolkit here
Befriending Networks is the network for befriending organisations. They provide access to sector-specific training, events, resources, and awards that promote quality in befriending. They offer a comprehensive range of resources and free networking events intended to connect and strengthen the befriending sector. Some resources and events are exclusive to members of Befriending Networks.
The Community Transport Association offers a variety of resources to help community transport operators recruit, retain, and support volunteers. These include best practice guides, toolkits, a volunteer recruitment guide, tips for retaining volunteers, and a toolkit for trustee recruitment. For further support, the CTA team provides advice, guidance, and links to external resources on volunteer and trustee management.
Demonstrate your commitment to high standards and continuous improvement by considering these development opportunities. Each can help ensure a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved.
The Volunteer Charter outlines ten key principles that help foster good relationships in a volunteering environment. It is open to any group or organisation from any sector that involves volunteers. Pledging to uphold and promote the Volunteer Charter will have a meaningful impact on volunteer experiences, volunteer practices, and the overall culture of volunteering in Scotland.
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK’s quality standard for good volunteer management. It offers a framework to assess, improve, and demonstrate the effectiveness of your volunteer involvement. Achieving IiV shows both current and potential volunteers that they are valued and that your organisation provides an exceptional volunteer experience.
By attending these sessions and completing these online learning events, you can gain insights into best practices, network with peers, and stay updated on the latest trends. These opportunities help ensure your organisation remains effective, innovative, and well-supported in its volunteer management efforts.
Help shape the future of volunteering in Scotland and share your valuable insights and experiences.
Explore the National Recruitment Campaign section for even more! Discover inspiring stories from volunteers and organisations, along with guides, tips, and resources – everything you need to enhance your volunteer programmes and take the next steps.