Volunteering in 2025 and Beyond - Online conference

Volunteers are an incredible asset to a charity. They give their time, effort and skills to the charity they choose to support and are vital in its success. And for many charities, volunteers are the lifeline that enables them to continue to support their beneficiaries. But in order to add this value, volunteers must be utilised correctly, managed well and supported throughout.  

Furthermore, recent research has shown formal volunteering has not returned to pre-pandemic levels* with many charities struggling to recruit the volunteers they need, presenting a huge challenge for the sector. With this in mind, it is vital that Volunteer Managers, Co-ordinators and teams keep up with emerging trends and look to innovate for success. 

Join us for a transformative day as we look at many aspects of volunteer management including recruiting, engaging and retaining volunteers and how to manage challenging situations. We will also examine emerging trends, the role of digital inclusion and AI in volunteering. 

You will hear from a range of speakers who are experts in volunteering. You will also be able to network with other volunteer managers to share advice, knowledge and current challenges.  

At the end of the day, we hope you will leave the event inspired and come away with practical advice, guidance and tips to work more effectively and efficiently with innovation in mind. 

*Community Life Survey 2023/24: Background and headline findings – GOV.UK  

Who should attend? 

This conference is for anyone currently working with volunteers to learn best practice, share knowledge and network with others doing a similar role. 

It’s also relevant for charities looking to take that first step into utilising volunteers to support their services and how to do this successfully. 

The conference is especially relevant for: 

• Volunteer Managers 
• Volunteer leads 
• Anyone working closely with volunteers 

What’s included in the price? 

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions, session talks and networking sessions 
• Access to all presentations and handouts 
• Recordings of all sessions
• A digital copy of The Complete Volunteer Management Handbook  

Agenda

09.40: Welcome – Event chair: Emily Hughes, Trustee, DSC and Head of Volunteer Experience, Girlguiding.

09.45: Keynote –The Future of Volunteering: Building Strategies for Success in a Changing World 

Whether you are just starting to develop your volunteer strategy or want to take it to the next stage, this opening session will explore how to design and implement a strategic plan that aligns with your charity’s mission to future-proof your activity.In this session, we will discover how innovative strategies can drive meaningful action and impact.We will also explore emerging trends around accessibility and examine how micro-volunteering and virtual volunteering can be part of your strategy. 

10.30: Recruiting the Next Generation of Volunteers

Formal volunteering has not returned to pre-pandemic levels* so recruiting and retaining volunteers has never been more critical. Furthermore, as there is an increase in remote working, volunteers want more flexible options. This session will help you to think about modernising your volunteer experience and how to attract a new generation of volunteers including the use of ad hoc and micro-volunteering. We will also cover guidance and strategies to boost recruitment and how to make volunteering more accessible. * Community Life Survey 2023/24: Background and headline findings – GOV.UK 

11.15: Break

11.30: Measuring the Value and Impact in Volunteering 

Understanding the value of volunteering is key to developing a sustainable and growing volunteer programme. And with added pressure to demonstrate this value to funders, your leadership team and other important stakeholders, it has never been more important to tell your story. In this session, we will look at how to use data to demonstrate this value. We will also look at the key leadership skills required to navigate and overcome internal challenges. 

12.30:  Networking

12.45:  Lunch

13.45: Panel Discussion: Trends and Opportunities  

In order to future proof our activity and work, we need to be aware of the trends and opportunities in volunteering. The role of digital inclusion is also becoming increasingly important and can assist in creating positive outcomes. But how does any of this work in practice? 

Join us as we discuss: 

• Current trends and the impact of these 
• The opportunities digital inclusion bring  
• How AI fits into the volunteering world  
• Practical actions to bring back to your organisation 

14.30: Overcoming the Challenges of Managing Volunteers 

Managing volunteers comes with unique opportunities and unique challenges. In this session, we will explore the common obstacles and how to overcome them including conflict resolution. We will also discuss effective strategies for motivating volunteers, setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and fostering open communication channels with volunteers. 

15.15: Break

15.30: Unlocking the full potential of Volunteering – Engaging and Retaining Volunteers 

In our closing session, we’ll celebrate the incredible impact of engaged volunteers and the ripple effects their contributions create in communities and organisations. In this session, we will look at how to create a team of fully engaged volunteers and how to retain them to achieve lasting impact. We’ll discuss volunteers’ motivations and how to tailor experiences to meet their needs, highlight ways to keep volunteers inspired and how to recognise and reward them for their valuable contributions. 

16.15: Closing remarks

16.30: Conference ends

• Check out your speaker biographies here.

Prices  

Early bird: deadline 31 March 2025 

• Band A: £145 

• Band B: £155 

• Band C: £175 

Regular price bands from 1 April 2025 

• Band A: £155 

• Band B: £165 

• Band C: £185