Insights
There’s plenty charities can do online to promote volunteering during Volunteers’ Week, even though traditional in person events have had to be curtailed due to COVID-19
Volunteers’ Week 2020 takes place this week (June 1-7) as an annual event to recognise the amazing contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering.
Event organisers NCVO have had to cancel UK-wide activity due to take place during the week due to COVID-19.
But the week of thanks is still very much taking place online. Organisers have made sure that a raft of online resources and ideas are still available to help charities recognise their volunteers.
This includes communications and logo packs, with imagery to use across social media and on charities’ websites.
Charities are urged to use the logos that avoid the word “celebrate” and stick to the more generic messaging of thanks. Organisers say it is important for charities to focus messaging of campaigns during the week to take into account COVID-19, “which changes how people may react to a celebration campaign”.
It advises using messaging and imagery that conveys “time to say thanks” rather than “time to celebrate”.
A social media content resource pack is also available, which include countdown imagery, such as “one day until….” Volunteers’ Week. This pack also contains a template letter to supporters to help charities further thank their volunteers. A banner to help charities decorate their Twitter profile has also been created.
Other online resources from the week’s organsiers focus on promoting volunteering among the media and MPs and the importance of “saying thank you”.
Above all charities should “keep telling volunteering stories” online, say organisers.
“People are stepping up to help in ways we’ve not seen before in the UK. Telling their stories is a great way to recognise and thank them for all the great things they’re doing,” adds the latest advice from Volunteers’ Week organisers.
Among charities backing the week on social media, using imagery and the hashtag #Volunteersweek2020, is Bolton Carers Support. In one Tweet it quotes one of its carers saying “my volunteer is my lifeline. She has made such a difference to my life”.
Next week is #VolunteersWeek2020. We will be celebrating our volunteers and the difference they make to our lives as staff and carers.
— Bolton Carers Support (@boltoncarers)
In the words of one carer " My volunteer is my lifeline. She has made such a difference to my life"
Be a @boltoncarers volunteer. pic.twitter.com/rOujKqSLiqNext week is #VolunteersWeek2020. We will be celebrating our volunteers and the difference they make to our lives as staff and carers.
— Bolton Carers Support (@boltoncarers) May 28, 2020
In the words of one carer " My volunteer is my lifeline. She has made such a difference to my life"
Be a @boltoncarers volunteer. pic.twitter.com/rOujKqSLiq
Another to take part is Northampton General Hospital Volunteers, which is to provide updates each day during Volunteers’ Week.
Looking forward to #celebrating the #inspirational people that give their #time to #help others. Next week is #VolunteersWeek2020. We will be updating you on what we are doing each day next week. Please #Like and #RT to share the news. #sharethelove #gooddeedsaregreatreads pic.twitter.com/g8jLpybVth
— NGHVolunteers (@NghVolunteers)Looking forward to #celebrating the #inspirational people that give their #time to #help others. Next week is #VolunteersWeek2020. We will be updating you on what we are doing each day next week. Please #Like and #RT to share the news. #sharethelove #gooddeedsaregreatreads pic.twitter.com/g8jLpybVth
— NGHVolunteers (@NghVolunteers) May 28, 2020
Technology experts are also urging charities to ensure they get involved in the week online even though COVID-19 has limited face-to-face events.
Ritam Gandhi, Founder of Studio Graphene, says: “Volunteers’ Week 2020 comes at a particularly trying time. While the event has been put on hold as efforts are rightly directed towards those impacted by COVID-19, there is no reason that we cannot still recognise the inspiring solidarity that non-profit organisations, businesses and individuals alike have shown in recent months.”
Media Volunteer Hub
To help promote volunteering opportunities within charities for media and marketing experts the Media Trust has created a Volunteer Platform. This matches communications professionals wanting to volunteer with charities in need of help.
The Media Trust has also produced a guide to volunteering to help those in the creative industry learn more about employer supported skills based volunteering initiatives.
Tackling digital exclusion
Meanwhile, thinktank the International Longevity Centre (ILC), is stressing the importance of volunteers to help bridge the digital divide and teach people new skills in lockdown so that they can better access support.
It is calling on the UK government to set up a nationally coordinated volunteer service to teach digital skills at those at risk of exclusion. In the UK, an estimated 11.9m lack digital skills for everyday life, with older adults at a higher risk of digital exclusion.
“The digital divide is very real. And it’s not just preventing people from downloading the newest app or shopping online, but in the context of the ongoing pandemic, it is putting the lives and health of the digitally excluded on the line, says ILC Research Fellow Sophia Dimitriadis.
Volunteers’ Week looks like providing the perfect opportunity to encourage volunteering and pay tribute to those already giving up their time and expertise for free to support charities.
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