Volunteer Coordinators Network Update – 06/11/09

• Goodbye/Hellos
• Volunteer Coordinator Occupational Profile
• Hyson Green Volunteering Day
• DWP volunteer brokerage scheme update
• We’re the Volunteer Centre – talk to us!

Goodbye/Hellos

As you are probably aware, Kate Buchanan has now left her post of Youth Volunteer Development Officer to go off on her travels.  I would just like to thank Kate for her contribution to this blog and for her hard work in developing the VCN.

Hannah Andrews has taken over and has started the job this week, here she is…

“Hi, I’m really looking forward to building on Kate’s great work. I’m always keen to hear your views and opinions so please drop me a line on hannaha@nottinghamcvs.co.uk or pop in to the Volunteer Centre to say hi. Hannah Andrews, new Youth Volunteer Development Officer”.

Also new to the volunteering team is Fergus Slade…

“Hello, my name’s Fergus, I’m the new Volunteering Officer for Citizenship at the NCVS. It’s my job to seek out new opportunities for volunteering so that volunteers have as much a variety of opportunities as possible. If you want to say hello, meet up or just find out what I look like (Sully from Monsters Inc., apparently) I’m in the CVS sat by staircase 1, or you can contact me at my email address ferguss@nottinghamcvs.co.uk. Thanks!”

Volunteer Coordinator Occupational Profile

This is a new resource and outlines exactly what Volunteer Coordinators do. It makes for quite an interesting read and we would like to hear your views on how accurate it is and whether you feel it is a fair reflection on your roles.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/volunteer_work_organiser_job_description.jsp

Hyson Green Volunteering Day

Just to say a big thank you to Hyson Green Jobcentre who held their volunteering day last week. There was a really good turnout with representatives from The DAIN Project, Notts Police and Muslim Hands amongst others. Many people were interested in the Volunteer Centre stall with people looking to use volunteering as a stepping stone into employment.

DWP volunteer brokerage scheme update

The first figures for the controversial DWP volunteer brokerage scheme have been released with nearly 2,400 unemployed people completing a volunteer placement since the scheme was introduced back in April.

The target is to match 34,000 jobseekers to volunteer placements within 2 years (good luck!). The DWP remain confident of achieving this target and expect numbers to “rise significantly” in future months.

As ever, the stats don’t tell the whole story. For example, one off volunteering opportunities are contributing to the targets. Does volunteering in a field one Sunday afternoon really make a significant difference to somebody who has been on the dole for the last six months, thus giving them the edge in the labour market…?

We’re the Volunteer Centre – talk to us!

We see a real diverse range of people who visit the Volunteer Centre to find a suitable opportunity, with the help of our Volunteer Advisors. If your organisation is currently recruiting volunteers, please get in touch. We can promote your opportunities within the Volunteer Centre and online at www.do-it.org.uk.

If you have registered opportunities with us but are no longer recruiting, PLEASE LET US KNOW THAT YOU NO LONGER REQUIRE VOLUNTEERS!

By keeping us informed, it saves a lot of time for all concerned and also means that potential volunteers are not left disappointed.

Thank-you!

 

VCN Minutes – 20/10/09

Here are the minutes from last week’s VCN (short and sweet and drawn from memory as I didn’t make any notes so apologies if I missed anybody’s words of wisdom!)

 

VCN Meeting Minutes

20/10/09

Present:

Roy Bustin, Volunteer Centre

John Murray, Interfaith Council

Carl Biddle, TRACS

Robert Zuiko, STAA

Roy Crampton, Notts Amateur Swimming Association

Barbara Philips, Nottingham Mencap

Ruth Webster, Nottinghamshire YMCA

Sofia Crawford, The DAIN Project

John Murray – Interfaith Council

 

John came in to speak about the work of the Interfaith Council, outlining their values and the work they do to promote and celebrate all faiths in the local community. The core of their work is about getting people of different faiths together, taking part in various activities and awareness raising events.

Developing a Volunteer Policy

 

The group then discussed the advantages of the volunteer policy. Issues raised included the difference between a policy and a volunteer agreement, what should be included and the importance of reviewing it regularly. This led to a discussion about volunteer recruitment methods, use of application forms, references and CRB. It was agreed that more information about the new Vetting and Barring scheme would be useful for a future VCN meeting.

 

Do Volunteer Coordinators get enough support?

 

This generated some interesting comments from the group. Everybody was in agreement that funding (or lack of it) was a problem, and more support from line mangers would be much appreciated! It was also stated that managing volunteers was only part of a role for many, leaving some feeling over stretched.

The importance of monitoring was mentioned, as it gives an indication of success. However, monitoring for the sake of it was seen to be ineffective and the general view was that programmes like V were more concerned with chasing statistics rather than valuing the volunteer.

Some members of the group had attended previous training sessions at NCVS to support their role and would be interested in further training opportunities at the Volunteer Centre in the future.

Hot topic – Volunteering for profit – is it ever ok?

 Whilst the group could see the potential benefits of gaining practical experience in the workplace, the opinion was that volunteering should only be for not for profit organisations. The group felt that using volunteers to contribute to profits was exploiting people and leading to direct job substitution.

 

 

 

VCN meeting agenda – Tuesday 20th Oct 2009

 

The next VCN meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th October, 2-4pm  at NCVS, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FB.

Here’s the agenda…

1. Welcomes/Introductions

2. Guest Speaker

Building on from our last meeting surrounding Equality and Diversity issues, we with be joined by a representative from Nottingham Interfaith Council who will be discussing their work and the contribution that faith groups can make to the community.

3.  Developing a Volunteer Policy

What is a Volunteer Policy?  Why do we need one?  What should it include?  What should we do with it?  What makes a good one?

We’ll be covering both the broad and finer details of the Volunteer Policy – find out whether it’s worth the bother!

Feel free to bring a copy of your own organisation’s Volunteer Policy to share with the rest of the group.

4. Break

A chance to network, catch up with others and make yourself a nice cup of tea/coffee (sorry, no biscuits).

5. Do Volunteer Coordinators get enough support?

We all know the importance of providing regular support and supervision to volunteers, but how well are you supported in your roles?

We’ll be finding out what support structures are in place at your organisations and asking whether we need to start loving ourselves more!

5. Hot Topic – Volunteering for profit – is it ever ok?

• Are volunteers just being used to cut down on staff costs?
• Should volunteers be contributing to profits?
• If it benefits people, why not?

We will be interested to hear your views in what’s sure to be a lively debate.

Please note that only paid members of the Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Network can attend the bi-monthly VCN meetings

Are you part of the VCN yet? 

Or, do you know someone who might like to join? 

The Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Network (VCN) is a group of managers and co-ordinators of volunteers.  We offer support, from helping you to recruit quality volunteers to keeping them happy in your organisation. 

To join Call Roy or Kate on 0115 934 8400 or email volunteercentre@nottinghamcvs.co.uk to find out more.

 

Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Network update 29/09/2009

 

 

• Q&A charities, volunteers and the law – Guardian article
• Response to Vetting & Barring media coverage
• Royal recognition for volunteers
• FREE training
• Impact of the third sector – research project
• Jobs
• NCVS training

 

Q&A charities, volunteers and the law – Guardian article

The second installment of a series of articles in the guardian on charity law, touches on many aspects of volunteering that we often get asked questions about here at the Volunteer Centre.   Click here to see the full article.

 

Vetting & Barring update

As you’re probably aware there has recently been a huge amount of media coverage on the new Vetting & Barring scheme and there has been lots of conflicting information that has confused a great number of people.  We’d like to draw your attention to the following press release that the CRB has recently issued in response to the media coverage, which hopefully will clarify a few things….

Please click here to view the full statement.

 

Royal recognition for volunteers

If you didn’t already know, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and it recognises contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers.  Friends, family or members of the public can nominate at any time during the year but anyone who would like to be considered for the 2010 Awards, must send their completed nomination forms in by 5th October.  This is a great chance to recognise any volunteers who you feel deserve an Award for their contribution to their local community.  For more details please click here.

 

FREE training

An organisation called Vision Development Consultants are offering FREE training for the following courses:

• 1 day emergency first aid work
• 2 day first aid refresher
• 3 day first aid certificate
• 2 day paediatric first aid
• 1 day manual handling
• Understanding the ‘Top 10′ skills that employers want

To be eligible for this free training, people must be:

• Over 16
• A Nottingham City resident
• Unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week 

Interested?  Download the diary of training and the booking form here

 

Impact of the Third sector – research project

NCVS are looking for an established research team to provide information about the scale and impact of Nottingham’s third sector.  This will build on, but not replicate, previous studies.  To find out more about how you can get involved, please have a look at the Impact of the Third Sector research document.  The closing date for responses is Friday 9th October.

 

Jobs

Dance 4 – 2 jobs – 9th and 6th October

NCVS – Funding Advisor (Nottinghamshire) – 7th October

NCVS – Volunteering Officer – Active Citizenship (Contract til March 2010)- 14th October

NCVS – Volunteering Officer – 14th October

NCVS – Strategic Volunteering Officer – 7th October

The Children’s Society – Senior Project Worker – 2nd October

Karimia Institute – 3 jobs – 30th October

 

NCVS Training

Becoming a registered charity – 4th November

Managing meetings – 19th November

Planning for success – 2nd December

A beginner’s guide to budgets – 10th December

 

 

Volunteer Coordinator’s Network Update – 04/09/09

 

• Creative Consultation with Young People
• NCVS CRB disclosure checking service
• Help needed for National Survey
• Volunteer recruitment for 2012 Olympics
• Nottingham Community Volunteering Programme
• Nottingham Training Network Awards

 

Creative Consultation with Young People

Artsplan is the largest specialist provider of specialist youth arts training courses and publications in the UK and they are delivering a one day course on Wednesday 21st October 10-4.15 pm at Lakeside Arts Centre in Nottingham.    The course is suitable for anyone looking to consult with young people through engagement in creative participatory activities.  The workshop has been created in partnership with a range of organisations that have demonstrated creative consultation techniques with young people. 

For more information and or to book a place, please contact a member of the Artsplan team on artsplanbookings@artswork.org.uk or call 02380 682535.

 

NCVS CRB disclosure checking service

If you work with children or vulnerable adults, you may need a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) discolosure check.  NCVS can help you make your CRB checks simple, secure and affordable. 

We carry out full CRB disclosure checks across the UK in all sectors.  We offer:

• Expert advice and support from start to finish
• A speedy, thorough checking service to reduce delays
• All the forms you need and how to fill them in step by step
• Quality training on CRB policy and procedure
• The latest advice and suppport on the new Vetting and barring system

To discuss your needs, check our prices and request our step-by-step information pack call us on 0115 934 9590 or email crb@nottinghamcvs.co.uk.

 

National Survey by Nottingham Trent University PhD Researcher

The Volunteer Centre has recently been appoached by a PhD Researcher, Eddy Hogg, at Nottingham Trent University who is working in conjunction with Age Concern and Help the Aged and conducting a national survey to explore the extent organisations work with older volunteers.  He would be most grateful if you could you spare 10 minutes to fill in the survey and help him to explore the motivations of both older people and the organisations which they engage with.

To go to the survey please click here. 

Information given will be completely anonymous, but if you are interested in helping Eddy further with the study, please leave your email address and the level of your organisation’s engagement with people over 50 at the survey’s site.  The info will be stored separately to your answers.  Thanks on his behalf.

 

Volunteer recruitment for 2012 Olympics

The recruitment process of volunteers for the 2012 Olympics will get under way some time time next year, with LOCOG (that’s London Organising Committee of the Olypmic Games) taking the decision to handle all volunteer management in-house.  They are looking for 70,000 volunteers to get involved in various roles including sport, medical and technology. 

You can read the full article by following the link:

http://thirdsector.co.uk/news/Article/930341/Charities-left-volunteer-recruitment-Olympics/

 

Nottingham Community Volunteering Programme

Nottingham City Council and One Nottingham are developing a volunteering programme for the city as part of their response to the recession.  The purpose of the programme is to generate significant numbers of volunteer placements which would help unemployed people stay in touch with the world of work, build their own employability and contribute to their communities.  Volunteers would be encouraged to take up vocational training and basic skills courses as part of their placements.  The programme is expected to start in the autumn.  Please see below for details about a workshop explaining more…

 

You are invited to a workshop to help develop the details of the programme and to register your interest.

10am – 12noon, 15^th September

at the Nottingham Mechanics Institute, 3 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham.

 

Please register for the workshop by emailing Anne-Marie Ainger at amainger@ntlworld.com or calling 07812 608455.

 

Nottingham Training Network Awards

Nominations are now open for the NTN Awards, with some catergories that may be relevant to your volunteers.  It would be great to see lots of volunteers nominated.  Be quick, the closing date for all entries is 12 noon Thursday 1st October 2009.

For more info, visit

http://www.ntn-wbl.org.uk/awards.htm

 

Volunteer Coordinator’s Network Update – 21/08/09

• vinspired National Awards
• Young people’s volunteering grants
• Citizenship Consultation
• Good practice case studies wanted
• VCN Minutes

vinspired National Awards

If you’re working with young volunteers, why not nominate them for one of the ten awards on offer by vinspired?  This is an excellent way of recognising the vital contribution that young people make to your organisation.  It is a great opportunity to say thank-you to them for being such a fab volunteer.

 

For more information about the awards on offer go to http://www.vinspired.com/awards/national-awards/nominate

 

Young People’s Volunteering Grants

Global Charities, in partnership with Global Radio and v, the Youth Volunteering Charity, have launched a new round of the v young volunteer grants scheme for organisations across England. Funding of up to £10,000 is available for organisations that can provide NEW volunteering opportunities for 16-25 year olds.  Volunteering opportunities must be delivered within England, by May 2010.

You will need to be quick as all applications need to be in by 4th September 2009.  So if you’ve got a creative idea for a project involving young people, get cracking with your application.

More info at http://www.vinspired.com/v/news/254-p10000-grants-for-youth-volunteering-available

 

Citizenship Consultation

The Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Act which offers the opportunity for migrants to speed up their citizenship application by engaging in community work or volunteering is now law. 

The consultation is now open to look at how the “earned citizenship” element of the Act can be delivered by voluntary and community organisations in partnership with Local Authorities.  To find out more and to have your say, go to

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/consultations/221878/earning-the-right-to-stay/

 

Good Practice Case Studies Wanted

Volunteering England are currently on the look out for examples of good practice in the managment of the relationship between volunteers and paid staff.  I’m sure there’s loads of you with stories of good practice so here’s your chance to tell everyone about it.

So if you can provide a case study, sent it to Stephen Brown -

Stephen.brown@volunteeringengland.org

VCN Minutes

A few of you came to the VCN meeting yesterday, please click here to view the minutes.

VCN meeting agenda – Thursday 20 August 2009

 

Hi all, please find below the agenda for the next VCN meeting which will be on Thursday 20 August, 2-4pm at NCVS, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB.

 

1.  Welcome and introductions

2.  Guest Speaker  

Claire Rintoul, Deputy Chief Executive of NCVS will be joining us to talk about Equality and Diversity to introduce it as a running theme for forthcoming VCN meetings

3.  Nottingham city, who lives here?  

We’ll be testing your knowledge on the city we live in with some quiz questions and thinking about how this knowledge can inform your volunteering ethos

4.  Break

A chance to network and catch up with others

5.  What would you like from the VCN?

We’d like to hear your views of the VCN and if there is anything you would like us to include in future meetings

6.  Hot Topic – Recession

A chance to discuss how the recession is affecting you in your role and your organisation and how we can meet some of the challenges we face in volunteering

 

Please note that only paid members of the Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Network can attend the bi-monthly VCN meetings

Are you part of the VCN yet? 

Or, do you know someone who might like to join? 

The Volunteer Co-ordinators’ Network (VCN) is a group of managers and co-ordinators of volunteers.  We offer support, from helping you to recruit quality volunteers to keeping them happy in your organisation. 

To join Call Roy or Kate on 0115 934 8400 or email volunteercentre@nottinghamcvs.co.uk to find out more.

Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Network Update 84

 

• VCN meeting date
• Vetting and Barring toolkit for employers
• New resource to support people with mental health problems
• Free mental health awareness training
• Make A Difference Day
• National Citizenship Survey 08/09
• Hardship Fund
• Training
• Jobs

VCN meeting date

Don’t worry, the date hasn’t changed again.  This is just a reminder so that everybody knows our next VCN meeting will be on Thursday 20 August, 2-4pm at NCVS, 7 Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG1 3FB.  Please remember the VCN meetings are only open to those who are paid members of the network.  If you would like to become a member of the VCN please email us at volunteercentre@nottinghamcvs.co.uk

We hope to see as many of you there as possible and the agenda will be up on the blog shortly, so watch this space as they say.

Vetting and Barring toolkit for employers

The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has produced an online toolkit for employers to find out more about the new Vetting and Barring Scheme.  

The toolkit is available at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/toolkit/.

New resource to support people with mental health problems

The Shift Line Managers’ Resource is a practical guide to managing and supporting people, including volunteers, who are experiencing stress, distress and mental health problems in the workplace.  It supports organisations by offering practical advice on recruiting, retaining and supporting people with mental health problems thereby promoting the mental health and wellbeing of staff and reducing discrimination.

Shift has produced this resource in partnership with the Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions, Health and Safety Executive and Health Work Wellbeing.

The guide is free and you can request printed copies by sending your postal address to employers@nmhdu.org.uk.

You can also download copies from the Shift website at http://shift.org.uk/employers.  

Free mental health awareness training

Leading on nicely from the previous section, Changing Your Mind is a free training programme run by Framework.  Workshops are free and a resource pack is available for £15 (inc. VAT). The aim of the project is to shake off the stigma associated with mental health which still exists.

For more information about this training, contact Anne Barker on:

07837 300 919 or email anne.barker@framework.org (although I tried her and she’s on leave until 10th August)

Make A Difference Day

CSV are looking for organisations to take part in organising events and to put on activities as part of Make A Difference Day which promotes volunteering and encourages people to “make positive change in your community”.

To find out more and download the handbook, go to their website which is www.csv.org.uk/difference

 

National Citizenship Survey 08/09

The National Citizenship Survey 08/09 was published earlier this month and makes interesting reading for those interested in figures and percentages…

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/citizenshipsurveyq4200809

So, it seems volunteering figures have dropped 2% from last year. Does this come as a surprise to anyone…?

Hardship Fund

One of the things to come out of this year’s budget was the introduction of the Hardship Fund. 

The Hardship Fund will provide grant support to third sector organisations in England delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society that have been affected by the recession.

More info at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/thirdsector

Training

Smile No Bullying training  – several dates

Putting the fun into fundraising - 12th August

Notts Rainbow Heritage Centre training – 20th and 26th November

Jobs

St Anns Advice Centre – Advice Workers – 3rd August

Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Network Update 83

  

• VCN Meeting Date Change
• BBC Children in Need Committee Members
• OEM Partnership event on volunteering
• Volunteering whilst on benefits
• Strengthening relations between paid staff and volunteers
• BTEC diploma in health and social care

 

VCN Meeting Date Change

Just a reminder that the next VCN meeting will be on Thursday 20th August 2-4 pm.  The agenda will follow soon…

 

BBC Children in Need Committee Members

BBC Children in Need are looking for Committee Members in the Central Region (including Nottinghamshire) to advise the trustees on which organisations should receive funding in this region.  Around £5 million was distributed last year to organisations making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

Click here to find out more.

 

OEM Partnership event on Volunteering

 

 

 

 

 

9th September in Derby

The Partnership event will bring together stakeholders from across the region to debate the regional priorities for organisations that co-ordinate volunteering.  The event will:

• identify the regional volunteering priorities for coordination at regional level
• improve understanding between the third sector and statutory bodies of the roles, benefits and issues relating to volunteering in the region
• inform the audience on current developments in relation to volunteering
• discuss specific contexts and issues in relation to volunteering e.g. coordination of N16 across the region, volunteering and its role and potential for addressing worklessness, volunteering and health (from a volunteers and recipient beneficiary perspective), the relationship between age and volunteering and workshops on the support needs and rights of volunteers

Speakers and Workshops:  As part of the programme, there will be a panel of speakers providing viewpoints on volunteering from local, regional and national perspectives including Sarah Benioff (OTS), Mel Chevannes (West Midlands EVDC) and a Volunteer Centre Manager.  Workshops will include the themes listed above and more.

To register your interest please email office@one-em.org.uk

 

Volunteering whilst receiving benefits leaflet

This leaflet advises on regulations on volunteering for benefit claimants and is displayed in Job Centres across the country.   If you would like to order copies for your organisation or download the free pdf version of the document please go to the Department for Work and Pensions website. 

 

Strengthening relations and between paid staff and volunteers

Volunteering England and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have recently been working on principles and guidelines to help organisations strengthen the relationship between volunteers and paid staff.   This is especially important during the recession where volunteer-involving organisations are facing many more challenges.   They have now completed the first draft and are keen to hear your thoughts on it.  To view the draft guidelines click here.

 

FREE BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care

Castle College are offering a FREE course for anyone looking for a change in career, wanting to get back into work or feeling like they have what it takes to work in the care industry.  The course is a BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care (equivalent to 4 GCSEs grade A*-E).  There are no course fees for people on benefits or those who don’t have a level 2 qualification.

Please pass this information on to anyone you know that may be interested…perhaps a volunteer in your organisation that could benefit from such a course?

More Information

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact the Health and Social Care Team at Castle College on 0115 884 2401/2427.

 

Training

Applying for large grants - 21st July

Vetting and Barring briefing - 23 July

Introduction to Volunteer Management - Thursdays 20th, 27th August and 3rd September

 

 Jobs

NCVS – Commissioning Officer (Children’s Services) – Maternity Cover – 27 July

Mencap - Catering Tutor – 31 July

Social Enterprise East Midlands – Business Support Co-ordinator – 7 August

Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Network Update 82

• VCN meeting change of date
• Volunteering in the media
• Funding resources
• Proposals for a code of practice for volunteer brokerage
• NVAC Meeting rooms: New pricing structure
• Training
• Jobs
• Summer Volunteering

 

VCN meeting date change

Just to let you know that the VCN meeting that was due to take place on Tuesday 7th July 2009 has been cancelled due to the various staff changes here at the Volunteer Centre.

The next meeting will be Thursday 20th August 2-4pm

 

Volunteering in the media

The role of volunteers will be celebrated on 12 July on BBC Radio 4 in the programme ‘In Something Understood’.

They will be focusing on the voluntary organisation,  ’Tools for Self-Reliance’, as well as highlighting the wider issues surrounding working with volunteers and functioning as a voluntary organisation.

 

Did anyone see the BBC series, ‘Mary Queen of Charity Shops’?  If so, we’d be interested to hear your thoughts on whether it was a true indication of volunteering, or whether you thought it gave volunteers a bad name.

Is media exposure of volunteering a good thing…?

 

Funding resources

One of the biggest barriers facing Voluntary and Community Sector staff and volunteers is accessing funding to support training and other areas of workforce development.

In response to this, NCVYS (National Council for Voluntary Youth Services) and NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) have created the Funding Guide to Workforce Development(PDF version December 2008). Funding scheme changes since the release of the funding guide are detailed within the update >> Funding Scheme Changes June 2009(PDF)

The Volunteer Management Programme is the fund announced by government in direct response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering and Volunteering England’s work to implement its recommendations. The £3 million fund will be available over a two year period.

 The fund has the following objectives:

• To remove financial and geographic barriers to access to volunteer management training
• To provide support to all volunteer managers in all sectors, especially those that manage volunteers as part of a broader portfolio of work
• To build the capacity of volunteer managers to involve more volunteers
• To improve the recognition of the importance of volunteer management, especially in organisations that do not currently consider it to be a priority
• To encourage greater strategic engagement between the national volunteering infrastructure and the skills agenda.

For further information, including our initial ideas for the strategic element of the programme and answers to some frequently asked questions, visit the news section of the website.

 

Volunteer brokerage code of practice

This was an article in the Third Sector Daily arguing the case for a more formalised approach to volunteer brokerage…

By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector, 23 June 2009

Lack of sector-wide code of practice is causing confusion, says conservation charity

Conservation charity BTCV has called for a debate on the desirability of a national code to define an industry standard for volunteer brokerage.

Miles Sibley, development director at the charity, said brokerage had been an area of growth over the past few years and a range of codes and quality accreditations existed.

But he said adherence to most of these was voluntary and there was no sector-wide standard. Organisations involved in volunteer brokerage, including BTCV, CSV and volunteer centres, should debate whether a code would be useful, he said.

Sibley said a code could include guidelines on the cost of brokerage and the extent to which brokers should be obliged to inspect the workplaces volunteers go to. It could also provide quality assurance and clarify the role of brokers in advising volunteers about their entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance and providing local discussion networks.

The standard would be effective if it was branded and marketed in a similar way to the Investors in People standard, said Sibley.

“It would need to be a badge that brokerage organisations would want to wear and would be embarrassed not to have,” he said. “Alternatively, the code could be embedded in the procurement process, so that organisations were obliged to meet its standards to fulfil contracts with the Government and local authorities.”

Mike Locke, director of public affairs at Volunteering England, said he would welcome a debate on the issue. But he said the wide range of brokerage activities meant it could be difficult to implement a standardised system and it would need to be carefully planned to avoid extra bureaucracy.

 

NVAC Meeting Rooms: new price structure

We offer quality meeting, conference and training rooms to suit from 2 to 90 people in Nottingham city centre.

Following customer feedback, we have changed how we charge for our meeting rooms. The new pricing now gives you much better value for your money. 

Our new pricing structure includes: 

• New room pricing
• Free equipment hire, refreshments and support
• Special discounts for Monday and Fridays and block bookings
• Further discounts for voluntary and community groups
• Last minute rooms charged by the hour

 All our rooms are air conditioned and have full disabled access with disabled parking.

 Plus, any profit we make goes straight back into our local voluntary and community sector!

 

Training

NCVS training programme as follows…

Roles and responsibilities of management committees – 2 July

Applying for large grants – 21 July

Vetting and Barring Briefing  - 23 July

Introduction to volunteer management – Thursdays 20, 27 August and 3 September

 

NCVS – spring/summer training programme

HLG – training programme

 

Jobs

Nottinghamshire County Council are recruiting for a Voluntary Youth Development Worker…

http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/jobs/jobvacancies-detail.htm?vacancyID=13892

 

Summer Volunteering

 

 

 

 

 

Here at the Volunteer Centre and vinvolved team we’re getting lots of interest from people that would like to give their time for something over the summer season.

 Do you need any volunteers for any summer activities or projects that you or your organisation is planning over the coming months? 

If so please get in touch with Roy at the Volunteer Centre on 0115 934 8400 royb@nottinghamcvs.co.uk or Kate on 0115 958 5089 katebu@nottinghamcvs.co.uk