News and Events
Manifesto for Volunteering launched by Volunteering England
As the General Election approaches, Volunteering England has launched its manifesto and a Volunteering Pledge to encourage MPs and candidates to show their support for volunteering.
Changes in Vetting and Barring Scheme
Changes to the scheme were announced on 14th December 2009. This followed a review by the Independent Safeguarding Authority after there was an outcry that volunteers were being deterred from working with children because of the VBS requirements. Visit our updated VBS page.
New Charter aims to strengthen ties between volunteers and staff
The TUC and Volunteering England signed a Volunteers’ Charter in December to strengthen ties between paid staff and volunteers.
The Charter sets out a series of principles for employers to follow to encourage a good working relationship between volunteers, employers and paid staff. The Charter principles describe the complementary role that volunteers should have with paid staff. The TUC will be publishing new guidance to accompany the Volunteers Charter. For the full text of the Charter, please visit the TUC website
LGBT Survey for Hertfordshire
There are over 60,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Hertfordshire. A survey with the aim of improving services and experiences will run from Jan 25th to March 22nd 2010. The questionnaire can be completed online or a copy of the questionnaire can be downloaded via the website www.lgbtvoicecounts.co.uk. You can also email survey@lgbtvoicecounts.co.uk or call 07508416076 to request a questionnaire in English, another language or another format.
Launch of new social network for volunteering
i-volunteer, a new social network for people who love everything and anything to do with volunteering has been launched. You have to join to take part but it's free and is straightforward to use. www.i-volunteer.org.uk
Dramatic 73% rise in volunteer recruitment figures in Hertfordshire
Volunteer Centres in Hertfordshire are experiencing a very significant rise in volunteer recruitment in 2009.
The average increase across all Centres is 73% for April to October 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.
The increase in interest in volunteering is down to 2 things:-
Recession. Many people have time on their hands and wish to use it to maintain their skills (or learn new ones) and give something back to the community. Volunteer Centres are working with JobCentres to help unemployed people gain new skills and become more employable through volunteering.
Valuing Volunteering in Hertfordshire campaign. This 2008 campaign increased recruitment through the Volunteer Centres by 23% in 2008/9 and continues to have an effect.
With unemployment numbers continuing to rise and the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, volunteer numbers are set to keep rising. Volunteer Centres are delighted to observe this, but they now urgently need to secure resources which will help them meet the demand for their services.
A spokesperson for the Volunteer Centres said "right now there is a golden opportunity to increase community involvement. We can play a key role in this, but only if Centres are properly resourced". (All Volunteer Centres are independent registered charities).
A Volunteering Strategy for Hertfordshire 2009 - 2021
Volunteering contributes to community life, the personal well-being of Hertfordshire people and the county’s economy.
Valuing Volunteer Management in Hertfordshire Award 2009
At the Annual Volunteer Centres Hertfordshire Open Meeting on June 17th 2009, Parentline Plus walked away with the Valuing Volunteer Management in Herts Award 2009.