Supporting volunteers

How to support volunteers

Supporting volunteers is an important part of their success in the organisation, and ultimately the retention of them. An effective support process can tackle any potential problems before they escalate. It’s important that support focuses on the person rather than the task. Support could include:

• Giving people the space and encouragement to share their thoughts and feelings
• Listening and, where appropriate, actioning what people say
• Being reliable for volunteers
• Increasing the other person’s self-esteem
• Providing practical assistance
• Providing any training required to fulfil the role

The level of support a volunteer requires could depend on the person, the skills and experience they had before starting the role or the level of complexity of the tasks you require them to complete.

What is important is that an appropriate support system is in place from the beginning of each volunteer’s involvement with you. Remember that supporting volunteers includes practical issues such as expenses and making sure volunteers are given up-to-date and comprehensive information.

Ways of offering support

All volunteers should have a named person within the organisation that they are in regular contact with, who will offer them ongoing personal support, allowing them to talk through any issues and problems that they have. This can be offered in a variety of ways, including:

• Regular, pre-arranged one-to-one support
• Informal day-to-day support, e.g. checking in
• Telephone support
• Review/development/evaluation sessions at fixed points during the year
• Getting in touch at key points, e.g. if issues have arose
• Group support such as getting staff and volunteers together to share ideas
• Peer support whereby experienced, long-standing volunteers support new volunteers
• Training– all volunteers should have the training necessary to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to carry out their tasks safely and effectively

A good support system will incorporate elements of practical, organisational, information and personal assistance to volunteers. What support will be provided and what form this will take should be agreed upon at the beginning of the person’s journey with the organisation. Remember that a volunteer’s needs may change during their time with you, so it is important to regularly review the way in which support is offered.

Next steps

Durham Community Action’s County Durham Volunteering team can help to support you and your volunteers and give them a positive and worthwhile experience. The team will guide you through the process of recruiting volunteers, posting volunteering vacancies, and what to do through the application process.

To start this process, you can contact the team on:

• Tel: 01388 742040
• info@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk
• County Durham Volunteering – Start volunteering
• County Durham Volunteering – Registering as an organisation