Family Volunteering
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Transcript of Family Volunteering
Family Volunteering
The story so far…
Why family volunteering:
Family groups volunteering already
Family groups enquiring
Further involvement for project participants
Fits with NT strategy
Lack of information across sector
The story so far…
Innovation group:
Trials
Case studies
Development of toolkit
Persuading document
Funding for Project Officer (Big Lottery Fund)
Toolkit
Toolkit contents:
What is family volunteering?
Risk
CRB guidance
Insurance
Documentation
Marketing
Reward and recognition
BLF Funding – Project Officer
Aims:
Develop range of exciting family volunteering opportunities
Train staff and volunteers appropriately
Develop a family volunteering programme
Evaluate impact on families and the organisation
Share learning across sector
So what did the families do…
…clean a handling object collection…make bird boxes…build a dry stone wall…trial interpretation…create a perfect photo shoot…make artwork for a ‘family map’…show other family groups around…present a family tour to other family groups…clean some very old railings…make family learning fun…advise on what family groups visiting places might want or need…litter pick…clear woodland…create their own family orchard…build a wildlife habitat…care for an allotment…play georgian games…develop trails…tell others about family volunteering…evaluate all of this….!...
So what did the families do….
Quotes
‘This is great, my mum would have a fit if she saw me now, I’m not usually allowed near sharp heavy things’ (holding a slasher hook)
Child at Family Volunteering Day, shrub clearing
‘I had never been here before today. It always seemed like a ‘big house’, a bit scary to come in to. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was! The kids asked if we could come next week….!’
Parent at Family Volunteering Day, conservation cleaning
‘I want my kids to grow up to look after things around them – this was a fun way of doing and learning about that together’
Parent at Family Volunteering Day, litter picking
Key Challenges
‘Wow, that sounds brilliant. It is something I am interested in, butcan't see in the slightest how it would work here’.
Learning and Community Officer, National Trust
Perceptions of staff and volunteers (working with family groups)
Concern (risk and insurance, the unknown, no work will get done)
Limitations of current structures (inflexible roles)
Family groups may have barriers to volunteering (concept of volunteering, practicalities – transport, childcare)
Key Lessons
Family volunteering:
Looks different at each property
Needs staff and volunteer ‘buy in’
Requires clear guidance on elements of risk
Works best if well organised
Needs to be approached with a ‘can do’ attitude
Should to be trialled
Face to face marketing and recruitment works well
Reward and recognition should not be forgotten
Benefits
Family groups can:
Gain access to a place and its expertise
Feel a sense of achievement
Gain new skills
Build confidence
Make friends
Learn new things
Spend quality time together
Enjoy themselves
Places can:
Diversify their volunteers
Gain access to specialist advice
Broaden perceptions
Get jobs done
Feel more family friendly
Challenge their existing practice
Build staff / volunteer confidence
Make local links
Widen their volunteering offer
Top tips to get started
Get staff and volunteers involved from the start
Examine your existing volunteering processes
Link up with a local family involving organisation
Use face to face marketing techniques
Hold a taster day
And…
Have fun!