Volunteer your skills
Why a "Volunteer your skills" campaign?
Listening to voluntary groups and organisations, Kent Volunteers
discovered a need for a range of professional or specialist skills
to help voluntary groups to run certain aspects of their
organisations. In response to this, Kent Volunteers is running a
Volunteer your skills campaign. The campaign aims to attract people
to volunteer their specialist skills and expertise and match these
skills with the needs of voluntary groups and organisations.
Find out how others have volunteered
their skills to make a difference.
What sorts of skills
are needed?
Kent Volunteers conducted a survey of nearly 100 voluntary
organisations and groups in Kent during July and August 2009. The
survey revealed that the sorts of skills most needed are:
- Grants and external funding (39%)
- Marketing / communications (34%)
- Finance / accountancy (31%)
- IT / technology (29%)
Many organisations (28%) also need trustees and committee
members to help run the organisation. Over a fifth of respondents
were looking for volunteers with the following skills:
- Creative (photography, performing arts music)
- Business administration
- Education and teaching
Many sports clubs need volunteer coaches and several
organisations said they need legal services, health and safety
advice and social care / health expertise.
The survey also revealed that over half of all those responding
said they have current vacancies for people with these sorts of
skills.
How can I get involved?
The next step is to contact one your
local volunteers centre and tell them what sorts of skills
and expertise you would be able to give.
They will be able to tell you whether there is a need for your
skills in the local area and put you in touch with the group or
organisation. If they don't currently have a volunteer vacancy that
matches your skills, they will be able to register your interest
for future vacancies. As all the volunteer centres in Kent are
taking part in the scheme, it may also be possible to place you
with an organisation in another area if you don't mind
travelling.
Does your voluntary group or organisation need professional or
specialist skills?
If your voluntary organisation or group needs volunteers with
particular skills, then contact your local Volunteers Centre to
register your vacancy. The Volunteer Centre will then be able to
match your skills need with the volunteers registered with
them.
'Lend a hand' campaign
The Kent Community Development
Managers Group have devised the 'Lend a hand' campaign as a
way of promoting civic participation opportunities to residents
across the county.
This includes activities such as:
- Taking part in consultations
- Joining a forum
- Being part of a neighbourhood committee
- Volunteering
The campaign can be used by public and voluntary sector
organisations and templates are included in the campaign toolkit,
which inlcudes Posters, Postcards/flyers, Typical
article/interview/casestudy and example Press Release.
Canterbury City Council has developed this toolit for councils
across Kent to use, to give the campaign a consistent brand and
message across the county and ensure its effectiveness.
Currently the 'Lend a hand' campaign is 'live' in
Canterbury and Sevenoaks Districts. For further information about
the campaign email Kathryn.hearnden@canterbury.gov.uk
or lendahand@sevenoaks.gov.uk.