Best practice resources for Volunteer Recruitment & Management
Everything you need to run a successful volunteer programme, from improving recruitment and retention to strengthening your impact, resilience, and reputation. We have a wide range of practical tools and resources to support anyone working with volunteers.
You do not need to be a large charity or have a dedicated volunteer manager to get volunteering right. When it is done well, it supports recruitment and retention, and volunteers can become some of your strongest ambassadors and supporters.
Before you involve volunteers, take time to think about how they can best support your organisation. Define clear, appropriate roles before recruiting so each opportunity works for both the volunteer and your organisation. Volunteers should have a positive, rewarding experience while helping you deliver your mission. They do not replace paid staff; they complement existing roles and add value.
Involving Volunteers Essential Checklist
This short checklist is a great place to start. It includes key policies and documents to help you consider what you need to have in place, as well as review and update what you already have. The next section goes into more detail on specific topics.
Download Volunteer Centre Sutton Involving Volunteers Essentials Checklist
Involving Volunteers Further Resources
A successful volunteer programme starts with a clear understanding of why you involve volunteers, what makes the experience rewarding for them, and how they help you deliver your mission.
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Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and volunteers should be made aware of your safeguarding policy. It should also cover the activities volunteers are involved in, helping to protect both service users and volunteers themselves.
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A volunteer role description explains what a volunteer will be doing and what is expected of them. It gives a clear picture of the role so people can decide if it is a good fit.
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Once you have a clear idea of the opportunities you can offer volunteers, the next step is to think about the kind of people who would be interested in those roles, how you will attract them to your organisation, and what your application process will look like.
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Making volunteering open and accessible widens your pool of potential volunteers, helps people feel valued, and attracts volunteers who are more likely to stay and be engaged.
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Key steps to welcoming a new volunteer once they have been appointed, including induction, training, essential paperwork, and ongoing support.
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