Latest Viewpoint - What did you say?

Thank you to everyone that came along to the latest Viewpoint event on the 21st that examined the Government's commitment to the Big Society idea and how volunteers fit into the plan! The notes from the evening are included below:

Sylvia Horton Presentation

Key Questions / Comments from the night:

• When is a volunteer, not a volunteer?

When someone does something expecting no return - that is a volunteer! But the feel good factor and CV enhancement are also factors...there was a longer discussion around the existence of pure altruism in the country and whether the Big Society idea exploits existing volunteers. The legal definition of a volunteer also plays a role as some volunteers do in fact get paid but yet still call themselves volunteers.

• What support do volunteers need to take on more of a role?

This group discussed the need for good management support for volunteers and in clearly defining what their role is.

• What is the difference between an intern, a volunteer and a work placement?

There was a feeling amongst the group that in the past internships and work placements, which count as volunteering, have been reserved for the privileged or for family relations of executives. This will have to change in the future, as those who could benefit most from volunteering opportunities are sometimes those given the least support to find them.

• How can increased volunteering generate income and new business? Can it?

The Big Society idea needs to be careful that it doesn't communicate an idea of increased responsibility and pressure on existing volunteers. Volunteers are not staff and at times the idea that they can fill an empty job is unwise and will lead to reduced services. When volunteers can be utilised in organisations, they can greatly increase its effectiveness by improving the skills of organisations or by increasing its capacity. As long as we don't rely on volunteers to be totally responsible for services!

• How should we communicate volunteering opportunities in the current economic climate?

Very carefully as advertising volunteer roles at times of austerity could sound like they are replacing paid staff that are now out of work. We should be clear from the start what the volunteer support is needed for and what is expected.