The government has invested £600,000 into Vision for Volunteering, a 10-year initiative supported by more than 300 charities.
Funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will support the next 18-month stage of the project led by NCVO, NAVCA, Volunteering Matters, Sport England and Association of Volunteer Managers.
DCMS’ investment will be used to hire a dedicated staff team for the project, which aims to make England the best place in the world to be a volunteer by 2032.
Recruiting staff to lead the project
The Vision for Volunteering aims to increase awareness and appreciation of volunteering, give volunteers and communities power, have an equitable and diverse volunteer base across England and promote collaboration and experimentation.
NCVO, one of the partner organisations, is using DCMS’ funding to recruit three positions for the team: project lead, network and engagement officer and learning and storytelling officer.
Salaries range from £34,695 to £50,000. The deadline to apply is 4 January. The organisations leading the project are asking for applications from people who are passionate about creating a better volunteering experience.
The project will be overseen by a board with a new independent chair. Alongside existing partners, two new organisations will be recruited to ensure the board reflects the diversity of the volunteering community.
Both will be appointed in the new year. NCVO specified it hopes job adverts will go live in January and that the chair and two new organisations will be in place by March.
A spokesperson for the Vision for Volunteering project said: “We are delighted that DCMS have recognised the importance of this and are supporting the journey to achieve this change.
“It sends a vital signal about the importance of volunteering in England that the government has committed to support this project.”
Stuart Andrew: ‘Helping to shape the national conversation around volunteering’
Minister for civil society Stuart Andrew said: “I am proud that Britain has so many volunteers who are the backbone of their communities. From supporting the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to looking out for their neighbours, millions of people regularly go above and beyond to help others.
“Whilst many volunteers were here long before the pandemic, I'm determined that our culture of volunteering remains as strong as ever. So, I'm pleased to support phase two of the Vision for Volunteering, which will boost the power of this crucial public role over the coming decade and promote its positive social benefits.
“The five themes of the Vision set out an ambitious agenda for the sector, helping to shape the national conversation around volunteering. I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on people’s lives.”
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