2. 2
Contents
Message from the Volunteer Hub 3
Objectives and Development 4
Volunteers 5
Organisations 8
Volunteer Hub Services 10
Case Study – Waddesdon Wednesday Club 14
Case Study – Buckinghamshire Mind 15
End 16
3. 3
MESSAGE FROM THE VOLUNTEER HUB
The value of volunteering to individuals and to society is extensive. For individuals who are
not in work or part of a regular social activity, volunteering is a route to finding employment
opportunities, developing skills and building the self-confidence necessary to improve
prospects in life. In the context of prevention, a greater number of volunteers mean an
increase in the supply of community‐based support volunteers such as befrienders for those
in‐need. It can also reduce demand for services by individuals who are more likely to be
resilient and connected as a result of their volunteering.
The Volunteer Hub provided support to organisations whose beneficiaries are vulnerable
and older adults. This report sets out achievements and impact of the Volunteer Hub service
between January 2014 and September 2016.
“Volunteering is a highly rewarding activity with far reaching benefits for the volunteer. For
example, for the unemployed, taking on a volunteer role is a perfect way of boosting a CV.
For an isolated person, attending a pub lunch run by a volunteer or receiving a volunteer
befriender can be their salvation. These vital services provide a link to the outside world and
often act as a gateway for other services and valuable support.”
Helen Cavill, Volunteer Hub Co-ordinator
Marsh Gibbon Pub Lunch Club
L to R: Pub Lunch Co-ordinator Llew Monger, Pub Lunch Volunteer David,
Volunteer Hub Co-ordinator Helen Cavill
4. 4
OBJECTIVES and DEVELOPMENT
The Volunteer Hub supported voluntary organisations and volunteers to make the most of
the volunteer potential in the county in order to support the Prevention Matters service and
the wider prevention agenda.
The Volunteer Hub strengthened links between existing volunteer networks, providing
resources to support current services to achieve their outcomes more efficiently. This was
achieved by identifying priority areas in need of volunteer development, promotion of
volunteering, coordination of recruitment campaigns and ensuring best practice
recruitment, screening, training and support of new volunteers.
The Volunteer Hub developed strong working relationships with all Prevention Matters
partner agencies and beneficiaries resulting in collaborative working to provide better
outcomes. These included:
• Community Link Officers
• Community Practice Workers (CPW)
• Voluntary & Community Sector
• Volunteers
• Referral agencies such as mental health, employment support groups
Left photo: CLO Simon Garwood
Right photo: CPW Rosemarie White, Simon Garwood, Bucks Mind, CIB
Gardening Service, Enrych Bucks, Stroke Association, Volunteer Hub
5. 5
VOLUNTEERS
The Volunteer Hub ran various campaigns which included befriending, driving and day care.
Various recruitment fairs and promotion of national events such as Volunteers Week also
raised awareness and the profile of volunteering. This resulted in over 600 people enquiring
about volunteering in their community. Whilst not all went on to volunteer through the
Volunteer Hub Service, we hope this piqued the interest of individuals who may have found
their own route to volunteer.
65% of enquiries returned an application for role matching and of these, 68% were referred
to organisations resulting in 48% being placed. Historically, around 50% of enquiries go
through to volunteer so this figure is in line with previous Volunteer Centre data.
The Volunteer Hub provided opportunities to enhance the capacity and quality of
volunteering. By gathering data from volunteers via application and feedback
questionnaires, we were able to analyse figures on new volunteer activity to inform on
numbers, volunteer profiles, trends, quality and value.
What the Volunteer Hub data tells us:
29%
of volunteers are
unemployed
17%
of volunteers are
retired
8%
of volunteers are
students
13%
of volunteers are
14-25 year olds
34%
of volunteers
Are 30-49 year
olds
19%
of volunteers are
over 60
60%
of volunteers are
female
15%
of volunteers are
from the BAME
community
15%of
volunteers are
self-classified
disabled
15%
are CPW referrals
36%
of volunteers
were referred
into the service
47%
have previously
volunteered
6. 6
Volunteer Roles
The volunteer roles for organisations supporting vulnerable and older adults have similar
themes. All roles support the organisation to achieve their aims and/or increase capacity of
services.
Role of Volunteer Referred Placed
Admin/ Office Volunteer 76 35
Advice/ Support 15 8
Befriender 125 54
Catering 16 4
Day Centre/ Activities 51 20
Driving 26 15
Gardening 16 7
General Helper 36 25
Mentor 15 10
Other 33 22
Total 409 200
13%
general
helping
18%
administration
support
27%
befrienders
“I would just like to thank you for all of
your help. I’d really struggled to find
anywhere that would take me, but I
absolutely love helping at PHAB.” 17 year
old student volunteer placement
“I wanted to say thank you for finding me
a great organisation to volunteer with - it's
going so well!” Placement for a newly
qualified yoga teacher with Age Concern
Marlow
7. 7
What our volunteers have told us
We undertook feedback via questionnaires once volunteers had been placed for three
months. Results show the benefits of volunteering for both the individual and the receiving
organisation.
87%
are still
volunteering
78%
volunteer for up
to 10 hours a
month
22%
volunteer for
more than 11+
hours a month
85%
feel the role is matched to
their skills and interests
54%
received in-house training
for their roles
89%
feel supported by the charity
they volunteer for
82%
say they have
received good
support from the
Volunteer Hub
91%
feel they have
made a positive
difference by
volunteering
49%
feel
volunteering has
increased their
skill set
35%
say volunteering
has helped with
employment
91%
enjoy
volunteering
92%
reported an
increase in
confidence
8. 8
ORGANISATIONS
The variety of services offered to the voluntary sector was well received and has been
paramount for some who have been able to maximise their own services. An exit survey was
undertaken with results extracted below:
If used, how pertinent were the following services to
your organisation rating High (4) to low (1)
4 3 2 1
Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 92% 8% 0% 0%
DBS Checks 55% 9% 27% 9%
Volunteer Role Description Template 41% 27% 14% 18%
Volunteer Role Promotion 50% 29% 13% 8%
Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 31% 27% 23% 19%
Advice and Information 39% 32% 21% 7%
Volunteer Recruitment Events 39% 26% 22% 13%
Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 26% 30% 17% 26%
Information via Newsletter 31% 27% 35% 8%
If the services were used, how would you rate them? Excellent Very
Good
Good Poor
Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 57% 29% 7% 0%
DBS Checks 44% 33% 22% 0%
Volunteer Role Description Template 44% 31% 25% 0%
Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 35% 17% 26% 22%
Advice and Information 38% 19% 42% 0%
Volunteer Recruitment Events 28% 11% 44% 17%
Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 21% 21% 53% 5%
Information via Newsletter 23% 15% 62% 0%
Which aspect of the service did you find most valuable
Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training 17%
DBS Checks 7%
Volunteer Role Description Template 0%
Volunteer Role Promotion 10%
Volunteer Referrals to your Organisation 21%
Advice and Information 21%
Volunteer Recruitment Events 3%
Advice/Information regarding Do-It.org 7%
Information via Newsletter 14%
“The Volunteer Hub ran targeted promotions
which resulted in 3 volunteers being referred to
me. We now have 6 volunteers in total and
growing!” Empower to Cook
9. 9
ORGANISATIONS CONT…
The Volunteer Hub has been publicising Do-it.org to
organisations so they can maximise promotion of roles.
A ‘how to’ Do-it.org guide was produced as well as
offering to set up an account and/or advertise on their
behalf. Research has been conducted on the number
of roles on this platform and there has been a steady
increase of Prevention Matters organisations
advertising roles.
As part of the exit survey, we asked organisations:
If recruiting volunteers, are you using Do-it.org to promote your roles?
Yes 62%
No 24%
Not recruiting at present 14%
If no, do you require further assistance to enable you to do this?*
Yes 18%
No 82%
*Communications were sent to those requesting help with Do.it.
We are also pleased to report that satisfaction rates for our services were high with 89%
reporting they are satisfied with the services received and 90% saying they would recommend
Community Impact Bucks to others.
To what extent do you agree with the following: You are satisfied with the service you
have received from Community Impact Bucks?
Strongly Agree 42%
Agree 48%
Neither Agree or Disagree 10%
Disagree 0%
Strongly Disagree 0%
Don't Know 0%
To what extent do you agree with the following: You are likely to recommend
Community Impact Bucks to others?
Strongly Agree 46%
Agree 43%
Neither Agree or Disagree 11%
Disagree 0%
Strongly Disagree 0%
Don't Know 0%
“Great to see you this
morning at CDAR's global
HQ in Latimer. Thank you
very much for your liberal
advice and for so much of
your time.” Chiltern Dial a
Ride
10. 10
VOLUNTEER HUB SERVICES
DBS Checks
The free DBS service was valuable for smaller groups with a total of 208 being undertaken
for groups listed below – this has enabled volunteers to support their service delivery.
Aylesbury Deaf Coffee Morning Club
(ADCMC)
Nigerian Community Association
Aylesbury Monday Contact Club Quainton Day Centre
Bedgrove Good Neighbours Scheme Quarrendon Community Café
Carers Trust Thames Space - St Mary's Aylesbury
Friends of Wendover Health Centre Stoke Hammond Community Hall
Haddenham Community Vehicle The Healthy Living Centre CIC
Healthwatch Bucks The Strategy
Healthy Living Centre Good Neighbours
Scheme
Voices and Choices
High Wycombe Community Hub Waddesdon Wednesday Club
Lifeline - Amersham Kings Church Winslow Community Car Scheme
Lindengate Women's Cultural Arena (WCA)
“Thank you so much for coming out to
Winslow today, it made the whole
process so easy, coupled with your
efficiency in setting up the online part.
I would certainly recommend this
model for doing the [DBS] checks.”
Winslow Community Car Scheme
The security knowing the volunteers
are screened and safe to work with
our members has made a huge
difference. We can ask for any level of
assistance from Community Impact
Bucks and we get it. As a group this
gives us strength to move forwards
and to thrive.
Waddesdon Wednesday Club
11. 11
Training
The Volunteer Hub developed free training for volunteers engaging with older and
vulnerable adults. The training enabled volunteers to support people in their care and raised
awareness of risks they may have faced. It was particularly beneficial for volunteers from
befriending services, good neighbours’ schemes, and those who directly supported
vulnerable adults and elderly people at home.
436 volunteers were trained during the project. Of those who returned feedback forms 84%
were very satisfied and 15% fairly satisfied with the training offered, whilst all said they
would recommend the course to others.
Training Numbers trained
Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training covering Lone Working,
Safeguarding, Health & Safety and Effective Communication
386
Trustee Training workshops covering Minute Taking, Get Fit for
Funding, Roles, Accountability & Responsibilities and How to Run
Effective Meetings
50
“I thought the course was brilliant,
thank you. It was very
enlightening.”
“Thank you for organising for me
to go on the course in Wing – it
was excellent and very helpful.”
"The advice and practical experience we
received from the professional trainers
increased our awareness and gave us
several strategies for coping with less
mobile passengers. Many thanks to the
Volunteer Hub for their excellent
organisation"
Friends of Wendover Health Centre
12. 12
Organisations and roles
306 organisations in Bucks supporting older and vulnerable adults were registered with the
Volunteer Hub accessing information via a newsletter or direct services including volunteer
recruitment, promotion, one to one advice, DBS or training. The Hub had 412 volunteering
roles registered in Buckinghamshire ready to match to volunteers via interests and location.
The Volunteer Hub also held many Volunteering Advice Surgeries, providing one to one
support and follow up.
“Helen and Gillian have provided a fantastic service
to Lindengate. Over the last 2 years our volunteer
numbers have increased from a handful to over
120 and we couldn't have managed that without
the support of the team.” Lindengate
“The Volunteer Hub have been firm allies of our
club through the help and assistance they have
always offered. The support offered and given is
priceless to our group and in turn to our members.”
Wednesday Contact Club
“The advice surgery was very
informative and has given me lots
of information / actions to tackle.
Thank you!” Parkwood Healthcare
“Thank you so much for such an
informative meeting and your links
with other appropriate contacts.
This was very useful.” Thames
Valley Restorative Justice
13. 13
Events
Promotion of volunteering was carried out at various events below, raising the profile of
volunteering and organisations in Buckinghamshire.
Action for Employment Fairford Leys Wellbeing Event
Amersham Dementia Awareness Fair Health and Wellbeing Event at The Gateway
Amersham Hospital Healthy Living Centre Volunteer Fair
Amersham Volunteer Fair Job Centres Aylesbury & Wycombe
Autism Conference Maximus Wycombe Job Club
Aylesbury College Fresher’s Fair 2015 Older People’s Conference
Aylesbury College Fresher’s Fair 2016 Paradigm Housing Volunteering event
Aylesbury Volunteer Fair RAF High Wycombe Volunteers Fair
BNU Freshers Week Shopping centres in Aylesbury & Wycombe
BNU Jobs Fair Staff Health Fair at Chiltern District Council
BNU Uxbridge Social Care event STARS Wycombe Job Club
Buckingham Befriending Fair Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Burnham Library Health Fair Time Out for Seniors (TOFS Event)
Community Action Network Event TVP Domestic Violence Awareness Day
Community Impact Bucks Conference Volunteering Advice Surgeries
Community Impact Bucks Funding Fair Waddesdon Get Active Event
Community Impact Bucks Trustee Forum Whiteleaf BAME Carers Advice Day
Community Roadshow Steeple Claydon Whiteleaf World Mental Health Day
Dementia Awareness Event Amersham Wycombe College Fresher’s Fair 2014
Dot Dot Dot Launch Event Wycombe Decides Community Event
Duke of Edinburgh Display Stand Wycombe Library Mental Health Event
Education and Youth Service Wycombe Volunteer Fair
Equalities Conference Various libraries including High Wycombe,
Buckingham & AylesburyESOL event High Wycombe
“The day was a great success; we met new
volunteers, the local MP and like-minded
organisations.” Enrych at Aylesbury
Volunteer Fair
“Thanks very much for organising the
Volunteer Fair last week. I had 12
conversations with visitors about
volunteering and had one very keen lady who
I've been in touch with. We had 7 volunteer
enquiries in the week - at the most we would
normally get 1 or 2 enquiries!” Lindengate
14. Featured Organisation: Waddesdon Wednesday Club
The Wednesday Club is a charity-run day club for older residents of
Waddesdon and the surrounding area. The club was established
thirty-five years ago in 1981 and some of the supporting volunteers
have been with the club since it began.
The purpose of the club is to offer a day of warmth through
friendship, food and laughter.
Activities are geared to be suitable for the ages of the members,
their abilities and personal interests and every Wednesday at
Waddesdon Hall everyone has a nutritious two course hot meal and
refreshments throughout the day. Entertainment can simply be
music played for us or a speaker with an interesting topic and the
ability to keep us all enthralled or a quiz or exercises.
What was the challenge if any?
To enable the club to remain viable - new volunteers are continually needed and the Volunteer Hub has been very
supportive with considerate assistance. We have received two very good referrals that produced new volunteers.
DBS clearance was another area in which we received huge support. Promotion of the club, through help with flyers,
has been fantastic and very professional.
Support from Community Impact Bucks
One to one advice from the Volunteer Hub on volunteer management, recruitment and retention
Free DBS checks for 10 volunteers
Volunteers referred via the Volunteer Hub
Volunteers accessing the free Vulnerable Adults Awareness training
Help with promotion
The community transport focus has been greatly supported by CIB and continues to be of great interest to
the club. We strive, together, to provide a transport service for the elderly and other local groups.
What difference did this make?
The security knowing the volunteers are screened and safe to work
with our members has made a huge difference. We can ask for any
level of assistance from Community Impact Bucks and we get it. As a
group this gives us strength to move forwards and to thrive.
Community Impact Bucks have been firm allies of our club through
the help and assistance they have always offered. The support
offered and given is priceless to our group and in turn to our
members. Paula Kinsella – Co-ordinator
14
Left to right: David Liddington MP, Volunteer
Emma, Co-ordinator Paula Kinsella
15. Featured Organisation: Buckinghamshire Mind
Buckinghamshire Mind is an independent charity providing high quality services to support and represent people
with mental health needs in the local community. We work to provide a voice for people with mental health needs
to fight stigma.
Buckinghamshire Mind is run by local people for local people and we’re responsible for our own funding and the
services we provide.
What was the challenge if any?
Volunteer recruitment is always a challenge but having an organisation offering extra promotion and a matching
service has enabled us to capitalise on gaining volunteer interest from other routes.
Support from Community Impact Bucks
One to one advice from the Volunteer Hub on volunteer management, recruitment and retention
Volunteers referred via the Volunteer Hub
Volunteers accessing the free Vulnerable Adults Awareness training
Help with promotion
Attending recruitment fairs organised by Community Impact Bucks
What difference did this make?
“We have always received an excellent training service from Community
Impact Bucks’ Volunteer Hub. Our staff and volunteers who have
attended the Vulnerable Adults Awareness Training, through the
Volunteer Hub, have always given positive feedback and the 3 hour
course has been valuable to their roles within Bucks Mind. As a charity it
is very useful that we are able to access free training for our volunteers.”
Imogen Flack - Education and Training Co-ordinator
“In terms of recruitment, 8 volunteers have been referred via the
Volunteer Hub and the Volunteer Fair was a success for our organisation
as I handed out more than 15 volunteer application forms. I was also able
to network with other charities and give out information about our
charity and the services we provide on the day. They have been a great
support and provided valuable information regarding recruitment.”
Reena Thomas - Befriending and Volunteer Coordinator. Reena Thomas at
Aylesbury Volunteer Fair
15
