Managing volunteers is an extremely complicated role requiring skills similar to those of personnel / HR managers. In some ways the management of volunteers is more challenging, as volunteers tend to come from very diverse backgrounds and have a variety of motivations. Without the sanction of an employment contract or salary, volunteer managers must demonstrate a great deal of flexibility, understanding and empathy towards their volunteers.
Volunteering Kirklees is a member of Volunteering England, a practitioner’s network to share good practice and ideas in the management and coordination of volunteers. Membership of this group will enable us to expand our knowledge base and offer a better service to organisations in Kirklees.

‘Since first contacting VAK when the Oxfam Book Barn was opened to volunteers we have had nothing but praise for their professionalism, quality and commitment to their work.”  Jeff Miller, Oxfam Book Barn Huddersfield 

We offer a number of services to support Volunteer Supervisors and organisations working with volunteers which include:

• Distributing email newsletters to volunteer supervisors to provide information around volunteers, exchanging information, sharing good practice ideas, offering peer support.
• Providing relevant training as part of VAK’s annual training programme.
• Assisting groups to find volunteers by advertising opportunities with your organisation in the Volunteer Centre and via the Do-it website.
• Promoting your organisation through our outreach and promotional work in our community.
• Providing help and advice on the recruitment and management of volunteers.
• Disseminating good practice ideas and guidance from the extensive library of research and advisory materials available in Volunteering Kirklees.
• Highlighting major issues of concern to volunteers in VAK’s VOICE magazine.
• Offering tailored support to new organisations registering with us, including an initial visit and follow up consultancy from VK staff.
• Organising events to promote volunteering and celebrate the contribution of volunteers, especially in Volunteers Week.
• Raising issues of concern to volunteers with policy makers, politicians and the media.
• Providing a voice for volunteers to local agencies and multi-agency groups.
• Working towards a greater local awareness and understanding of volunteering.
• Facilitating a Volunteer Supervisors Network Meeting once every 2-3 months across Kirklees to meet up, network and share current issues affecting volunteers.