Digital platforms to recruit your next volunteers

Simply Connect

 

Simply Connect is volunteer management and ’matchmaking’ software to help recruit, track and manage volunteers. They work with a third of Volunteer Centres nationally along with councils and Voluntary Services to provide a coordinated and managed volunteer response designed to minimise the risk to vulnerable people and make sure the necessary safety checks are in place. They have launched a free online registration service for people wanting to help during the pandemic.

 

Charities working in wellbeing, health and support for the socially isolated and vulnerable in the community can also benefit from volunteers to help expand their services digitally.

 

What they say: “We help Volunteer Centres, charities and Local Authorities to help people make the perfect volunteering ‘match’ and support people into the right role for them, whether this is formal volunteering, befriending, or a one-off volunteer response.

 

Bringing our unique experience we’ve rapidly responded to the need to support vulnerable people during the pandemic, and have developed a new COVID-19 response system.”

 

 

Volunteering Matters – Charity Connect

 

Volunteering Matters is an organisation dedicated to delivering volunteer programmes, leading on policy and research around volunteering, and building corporate volunteering programmes for businesses.

 

They’ve launched an online volunteering matchmaking services for businesses to offer their skills during the crisis, covering areas from business planning and project management to IT, logistics, press and media support and legal advice.

 

What they say: “With over 20,000 volunteers supporting over 85,000 people in over 100 community programmes, we’re leading the UK in volunteering practice, policy and partnerships. At this crucial time, we have issued a call to businesses who want to support charities through volunteering their skills services and logistical support.

 

If we don’t have the right skills or answers, we will also source ideas from thought leaders on strategies to support your COVID-19 efforts, or connect you with the right people who can.”

 

 

 

Business in the Community - National Business Response Network

 

Similarly to Charity Connect, the Business Response COVID-19 website was created to connect businesses with skills to the charities that need support.

 

You can view what charities and other organisations have requested so far, running the gamut from tablets and other gadgets to online support for pupils learning remotely, to volunteers to make calls remotely to people in isolation or help with food distribution.

 

The platform was set up by Business in the Community, a membership organisation for businesses around corporate social responsibility.

 

What they say: “Through Business in the Community’s vast regional and local connections and leaders, we are able to identify national and local community needs. The network then connects businesses who have the resources to help.”