Light Touch Volunteering

Light Touch Volunteering

AVM Conference, 23rd October 2014 Wendy McGauley, Leonard Cheshire

DisabilityClive Pankhurst, Diabetes UK

Introductions

• Definition• Pros and Cons• Case studies • Exercise • Questions

What is Light Touch Volunteering

• Quick and Easy engagement • Volunteer Empowerment.• Limited or Remote Supervision• Mass Numbers • Short or long term opportunities• Doesn’t suit all organisations or volunteer

roles

Pros and Cons

Pro’s

•Time effective

•Cost effective

•Flexible

•Self sustaining

•Quick and easy engagement

•Empowering

•Scalable

Con’s

•Less control

•Financial risk

•Reputational risk

•Safeguarding

•“Independent” volunteers/lack of supervision.

Solutions

• Strong structure

• Rewarding volunteer experience and journey.

• Clear volunteer impacts/outcomes

• Easy access to resources/remote support

• Management Data

• Strong Comms

We bring people with diabetes together – because sometimes

there’s nothing better than talking to someone in a

similar situation.

Diabetes UK Local Groups

Growing our groups: serving every community

Case Study – Leonard Cheshire Disability

• 3000+ volunteers – service based• Less than 5% in community.• Community volunteers to fundraise, campaign,

raise awareness.• Intended to make volunteer recruitment quick

and easy.• Slimmed down recruitment procedures.• New flexible Role Descriptions and resources• New volunteer definition, ambassadors

Community Volunteers – key differences – LCD

• Work in the community, not alongside vulnerable adults in services.

• No DBS Check.• Informal softer recruitment, one verbal or email

reference. • Minimal amount of personal information.• Induction replaced by information booklet.• Group and individual volunteering. • Can be short term, no time commitment.

Community Opportunities Examples

• Ebayer

• Community Event Champion

• 100 Club Secretary

• Local Funding Bid Researcher

• Social Media expert

• Supermarket Liaison Coordinator

Exercise

• A group discussion of light touch volunteering activity, 20 – 30 minutes.

Questions

• Contact Details:

• wendy.mcgauley@leonardcheshire.org

• Clive.Pankhurst@diabetes.org.uk