Following a government commitment in response to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering’s report ‘Manifesto for Change’ earlier this year, Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has published its renewed guidance on volunteering whilst on benefits.

Employers have been urged to place more value on volunteering in their recruitment process and promote it as an effective tool for staff development. The ‘Discovering talent - Developing skills’ report, by youth volunteering organisation V, draws on evidence to show how volunteering in community projects can help young people develop self-confidence, communication and team work skills.

Play your Part is a toolkit for teachers to help encourage pupils to play an active role in community projects; it can be used to support Citizenship, Drama, Geography and PSHE lessons.

Employers have been urged to place more value on volunteering in their recruitment process and promote it as an effective tool for staff development. The ‘Discovering talent - Developing skills’ report, by youth volunteering organisation V, draws on evidence to show how volunteering in community projects can help young people develop self-confidence, communication and team work skills.

Source: Workforce Hub

 Many people who work in a UK Voluntary and Community Sector Organisation will often find themselves with a responsibility for developing and implementation a volunteer strategy. These National Occupational Standards define the whole spectrum of activities involved in the “Management of Volunteers” and will help you to carry out this role effectively.

Volunteering England has just published an 'Impact Report' which highlights the work of VE over the past 12 months and provides an outline of its key objectives for the next 3 years. Dr Justin Davis Smith Chief Executive, Volunteering England states: "The last 12 months has been a period of significant development and achievement for volunteering and Volunteering England.

A volunteering strategy for health and social care will articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality.   The consultation will run until 30 September 2008, with a view to publication of a final strategy and implementation plan in early 2009.  

The study was funded by Capacitybuilders as part of the ChangeUp programme delivered by the Volunteering Hub. It was undertaken by the Institute for Volunteering Research, with Carol Goldstone Associates and GfK NOP conducting the fieldwork. This study explored the capacity of organisations to involve and mange volunteers.