Volunteering makes you happy!

I am not sure really where to begin. But many people like to volunteer for some many different reasons. To list those reasons would be impossible in this comment section. However, there are many other kinds of people who like to prey on vulnerable people and often pass all the requirements to get into those positions.

We have to remember that many voluntary roles also place people in high positions with an organisation therefore making many decisions without really consulting the people they serve.

The term "Investing in Volunteers" when awarded to some groups are often mislead by the "yes" people and not speaking or having questionnaires to all volunteers. This is unacceptable and should be re-examined to who actually gets the awards, the organisation or the individual.

My final point on this is there are some really good examples of volunteering and voluntary organisations maybe we need to take a leaf out of there books.

These comments are by no means an intention to offend anyone who works so hard and worth more than comments which I have made. If I have offended anyone please accept my apologise now.

Can I just ask around about something? Why is it so difficult for me to volunteer? I honestly don't get it. I'm trying my hardest and the door keeps getting closed in my face.
I want to work around people with drug and addiction issues, young people, young mothers...that sort of thing. I have bucket loads of experience with these kinds of subjects. I've got counselling qualifications and I'm studying psychology at the moment. So I just don't understand. I get sent emails saying there's a place available....I ring up staight away and all of a sudden it's been taken.
I don't mean to be short but I'm very frustrated. I don't want money I just want to help and be a part of something. Is there anyone out there that can lead me in the right direction?? Please!

Rechelle Griffin, Wiltshire

Hi @rechelle

Sounds like you've found opportunities so it's hard to know what to suggest without knowing more details. Have you spoken to your local Volunteer Centre? They might be able to help: http://volunteering.org.uk/WhatWeDo/Local+and+Regional/VolunteerCentreFinder.htm?county=Wiltshire

Your experience also shows how competitive some volunteering placements are becoming. I suppose that as the job market shrinks, more and more people are going to be looking for the same opps - especially if they can be connected to work.

But there are loads of volunteering opportunities in the areas you describe. So please don't give up, Keep looking (I'm sure you've tried www.do-it.org.uk already, but keep browsing there) and see who you can link up with here on i-volunteer.org,uk

At last, some good news!!

Hi @rechelle

A common issue - and it resonates with those of us on the other side of the world. Indeed I think it is a global issue. Ive heard so many times about this issue. but what exactly is the issue???

A volunteer contacts an organisation and expresses interest in volunteering with them.

They register their names or send in an application form. They never hear back from that organisation again!

In recent time I have read more about this occurrence. I am not too sure whether this is becoming more of an issue just because I read about it more though. Maybe people are highlighting it more. Or indeed maybe it is a bigger issue than we realise.

As well as being a full time manager of volunteers I also continue to volunteer in my community and I too have had a recent experience of offering my time but having the organisation “forget” that I did so!!

I often encourage managers of volunteers to do some volunteering themselves if they get the time. Apart from the myriad of good reasons for doing so it is always refreshing to see things from the “volunteer perspective”.

I think one aspect that we have ignored or neglected to discuss in our sector is the volunteer coordinator or manager who is struggling to keep up.

Volunteer managers and coordinators will know the drill.

An agency with lots of volunteers and the name and goodwill to take on many many more employ a "part time" volunteer coordinator. Now they can’t invest too much in this right? After all they are a not for profit organisation. Mind you they employ full time Marketing, PR, HR, Fundraising and Executive staff (and often interestingly enough title them managers!)

So the new volunteer coordinator commences working 5 days a fortnight. Their brief is to grow the program, manage existing programs, recruit, interview, orientate, train, supervise, manage, coordinate, Market the program, delegate, “be there” lead, influence, report, budget, develop a strategic plan, grow professionally, etc.etc.etc.

It’s a big job - volunteer coordination or management. It takes a lot of time. It’s a full time job. It needs resources. It requires planning. Great volunteer programs and outcomes don’t just materialize from thin air.

So while it is right to raise concerns about lack of response or slow response to volunteer enquiries lets just spare a thought for the stressed out part time coordinator who is dealing with an influx of applicants and who is expected to manage the existent volunteer team without a hitch in their part time capacity.

By not responding quickly enough or by not responding at all they are failing in effective volunteer management. And we in in volunteer management or volunteerism say J'accuse! But perhaps their organisations are the bigger culprits by not resourcing volunteer management in the first place???

Effective Volunteer Management will lead you in the right direction.

Volunteering might well make us happy. Effective and resourced Volunteer Management will make it more rewarding and will ensure that all applicants at least get heard!

An interesting post DJ. I would say an important part of volunteer management is recognising one's own limitations. Working part-time brings about its own challenges and I think it's important that responsibility for effective volunteer management should not rest solely with the "stressed out part time coordinator".

Everybody in an organisation should be aware of why they use volunteers and the procedures for dealing with prospective volunteers. Unfortunately, all too often those taking the plunge into the world of volunteering are met with an unenthusiastic and/or clueless response from those on the receiving end. By the time the coordinator has got back to a prospective volunteer the enthusiasm has been lost or they have found an organisation that actually wants them involved.

This is what my blog (http://thehappinessprojectlondon.wordpress.com) is all about - making the most of life and doing things for others.

I'm always looking out for ideas of volunteering for busy Londoners so would welcome any ideas for the blog. I have a section on small charitable acts that Londoners can do and believe that by doing little things often we can really make a difference.

Best wishes, Sasha @ The Happiness Project London