On Tuesday 4th March Voscur welcomed more than 30 volunteer managers, coordinators, supervisors and supporters from a diverse range of organisations to a special networking breakfast to launch our new project’s first phase, and programme of support. 

It was such a joy to spend time with each other in the beautiful Royal West of England Academy, who kindly hosted us – allowing for a wellbeing moment amongst the art for those who wanted to explore the exhibition. 

After time to grab breakfast Sarah Hickie, VCSE Development Advisor, welcomed everyone with some words about the reasons for the project, and why volunteer coordinators are crucial to the City. Finishing with a heartfelt thank you before handing over to Rebecca Mear, CEO, who shared some of her lived experience from her time as a Volunteer Coordinator – and of course more thank yous and appreciation for the vital work undertaken by Volunteer Coordinators.

The project’s first phase, ‘Valuing Volunteering’, will span nine months and will incorporate: 

• Continuing to build relationships whilst listening to the views and needs of frontline people supporting volunteers 

• Continuing in our co-convening of the Bristol Volunteer Organisers Forum 

• Facilitating a new email group, via Gagglemail, that affords the option to pose questions, share resources and support peers online, in-between in person opportunities 

• Increased, focussed one-to-one support through our capacity building offer – providing a sounding board, professional advice and signposting as needed 

• An increased support offer for coordinators supporting lived experience volunteers in communities of practice and communities for equalities and facilitating a reflective practice group for a small number of these people 

• Piloting new training sessions and working in partnership to deliver these, with a focus on topics such as boundaries and protecting from vicarious trauma and making these available at no cost 

• Upskilling ourselves, and making time to be up to date with the latest research, and learning, on this topic 

• Building new strategic relationships to further this work, and hosting a series of round table discussions, ahead of phase two 

This project would not be possible without the support of our project funder The Nisbet Trust and our launch event would not have been possible without The Royal West of England Academy (Charity) and Fennel and Twine.  

To find out more, or to request to be included in the email group mentioned above please email sarah@voscur.org