Volunteer Coordinators Network

Connecting you with other volunteer organisers

Quote in blue background saying: “The volunteer sessions have been great and very useful. A great way to network with other organisations and learn helpful things.” Steve from Just the Job

We provide practical guidance and support to volunteer coordinators and managers across North Yorkshire.

You can access support on a range of areas including: volunteer recruitment and retention, policies and procedures and operational good practice. We also facilitate a regular support network for people managing volunteers and host a free online directory of volunteering opportunities.

Upcoming network meetings

Share your experience of volunteer coordination, learn about new resources and policy development, and explore mutual topics of interest. In these inclusive network meetings, members set the agenda. Open to everyone who supports volunteers within North Yorkshire.

Previous network meetings

An overview of previous network meeting discussions, useful links and resources.

4 March: Culture eats strategy for breakfast

For this network meeting we were thrilled to welcome Matthew Hick, Head of Volunteering at The Science Museum Group and the Founder and Chair of The Heritage Volunteering Group (HVG).

Matt is a person of remarkable insight, vast knowledge, and extensive experience. He brings a unique blend of creativity to his work, making him a true innovator when it comes to supporting the sector.

Useful resources from the meeting:

Matthew Hick’s presentation: Culture eats strategy for breakfast
The Culture Design Canvas
Workshop booklet

5 December 2024: End of Year Review

12 September 2024: Involving Young People as Volunteers

1 July 2024: North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Please see the below the post-session resources from the meeting:

12 June 2024: Volunteers Week

Please see the below the post-session resources from the meeting:

13 March 2024: Outdoor and Rural Volunteering

Presentation from Paul Bamber from the North York Moor National Park. In his presentation Paul referred the Time Well Spent survey – drawing out data on why people volunteers – something which should be considered when putting together volunteer roles.
Paul also shared a link to the NCVO website which is a great starting point for information and guidance on involving volunteers.

Previous meetings

31 January: The Vision for Volunteering and Your Volunteering Priorities for 2024

Flipcharts: power, equality and inclusion, collaboration, experimentation and awareness and appreciation
Rachel Neale notes
Presentation
For those who were not able to make it, here’s a photo collage of the day

12 September 2023: Involving and Supporting Volunteers with Criminal Records

Community First Yorkshire presentation slides – Involving and Supporting Volunteers with Criminal Records
Giving Time presentation slides – volunteering for people with criminal convictions
Criminal Record Disclosure Template
Case studies
Risk Assessment Offence, Classification and Review guide
A copy of the Giving Time toolkit Andrina referred to is available here.

3 August 2023: Involving LGBTQIA+ Volunteers

Presentation slides
LBGTQIA+ Definitions and explanations
Queer identities introduction
Voices and Visibility wall chart
LGBT+ awareness and volunteer management slides
Intersectional Theory
The Gingerbread person
Charity Digital webinar slides – how to make language more inclusive

15 June 2023: A Volunteer Co-ordinator’s introduction to Neurodiversity

8 December 2022: Involving overseas volunteers

Presentation on overseas volunteers from Migration Yorkshire
Presentation from the Refugee Council
Overview presentation about the meeting
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities information on Certificates of No Criminal Convictions (CNCC)
Presentation from Transformations Leeds on involving overseas volunteers.

15 September 2022: Supporting older people with volunteering

16 June 2022: Involving young people with volunteering

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority presentation
Involving Young People presentation
Young trustees: what’s it all about?
Youth Volunteering in North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Alliance

March 2022: Sharing volunteers and collaboration

November 2021: Supporting volunteer mental health

July 2021: Adopting a flexible approach to volunteering

March 2021: Volunteering into employment

Volunteer coordinator news

Our six-weekly round up dedicated to everything volunteering. Subscribe here to get it delivered straight to your inbox every six weeks.

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Advertise your volunteering vacancies

If your organisation is looking for volunteers, you can advertise your volunteering opportunities for free on our Volunteering in North Yorkshire directory.

You can add and edit details of volunteer opportunities and respond to enquiries from potential volunteers on the website. Your opportunities can also be included in our weekly newsletter feature ‘Opportunity of the Week’. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Specialist resources

Our toolkits, resources and guides will support your organisation with everything from becoming volunteer ready to getting to grips with volunteer recruitment, support and management.

Volunteer management toolkit: A guide to involving, supporting and celebrating volunteers
Trustee recruitment toolkit: A guide to trustee recruitment
Volunteering information sheets

General resources

We have a wide range of general information applicable to different aspects of running a successful organisation which includes good governance; finance and funding; policies and procedures and operational good practice.

Contact us

To find out more about the network please contact Vicki Sharp communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk or by calling 01904 704177.

Sign up to the latest network meeting