In this episode of the Time for Impact podcast, Chris Wade and his co-host Matt Cobble engage in a conversation with Amanda Naylor OBE, CEO of Volunteering Matters. The discussion centres around the transformative power of volunteering and its role in fostering community cohesion and social justice. Amanda shares insights into the Vision for Volunteering initiative, which aims to reshape the volunteering landscape by emphasising mutuality, empowerment, and inclusivity. The episode highlights various innovative projects, such as the RSVP program for senior volunteers and community-led solutions like the hearing aid repair initiative in Scotland. The conversation underscores the importance of flexibility, experimentation, and collaboration in volunteering, advocating for a shift from traditional service models to more community-driven approaches.

Keywords

Volunteering, Community Cohesion, Social Justice, Vision for Volunteering, Mutuality, Empowerment, Inclusivity, RSVP Program, Hearing Aid Repair, Community-Driven

Takeaways

• Volunteering is a powerful tool for social change and community cohesion.
• The Vision for Volunteering initiative emphasises mutuality and empowerment.
• Community-driven solutions are more effective than traditional service models at engaging volunteers.
• The RSVP program engages senior volunteers in meaningful activities.
• Hearing aid repair initiative in Scotland showcases community innovation.
• Flexibility and experimentation are key to successful volunteering projects.
• Volunteering Matters focuses on inclusivity and removing barriers.
• Volunteers gain as much as they give, creating mutual benefits.
• Collaboration and sharing power enhance the impact of volunteering.
• Volunteering is an act of optimism and hope.

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Links.

Volunteer Maters https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/

Volunteer Matters Impact Report https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/about-us/impact/

Volunteer Maters Strategy and ecosystem. https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/shaping-the-future-of-volunteering-together/

Dom Pinkney's article mentioned - what if everyone stopped volunteering https://www.works-4u.com/what-if

Vision for Volunteering. https://www.visionforvolunteering.org.uk/

Guest: Esther Champion, Myrtos Consultancy

In this insightful episode of the Time For Impact Volunteering Innovation Podcast, Chris and Matt are joined by Esther Champion from Myrtos Consultancy. Esther specialises in guiding organisations, employers, and volunteer-involving agencies to make their activities truly inclusive for individuals with a history of being in prison.

Together, we challenge the misconceptions surrounding this demographic and dive deep into how the voluntary sector can become a crucial bridge for reintegration. If you have ever worried about the risks of involving ex-offenders or wondered how to adapt your management style to support them, this conversation is essential listening.

• The Power of Reintegration: How volunteering plays a vital role in helping people successfully reintegrate into society, reducing isolation and providing a constructive path forward.

• Building Worth and Confidence: We discuss the psychological impact of volunteering, specifically how it rebuilds self-worth and confidence, serving as a powerful tool in preventing reoffending.

• Adapting Our Approach: Esther shares expert advice on how volunteer managers need to adapt their recruitment and support structures to effectively facilitate the future contribution of people with a criminal record.

• Reputation vs. Reality: We tackle the elephant in the room—risk. We explore why involving people with a history of the criminal justice system is actually beneficial for a charity’s reputation, demonstrating values of redemption and community support, despite perceived risks.

Esther Champion is the founder of Myrtos Consultancy. She is a dedicated specialist helping organisations navigate the complexities of inclusivity for people with a history of offending. Her work focuses on breaking down barriers to employment and volunteering, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.

• Connect with Myrtos Consultancy: https://www.myrtosconsultancy.com/

Does your organisation feel stuck? Are your volunteer programmes in need of a refresh?

Beyond the podcast, Time For Impact is here to help you rethink and revitalise volunteering within your charity or agency. We offer bespoke consultancy and training designed to innovate your strategy and maximise your social impact.

• Find out more about our services: www.TimeForImpact.co.uk

We are passionate about bringing you these conversations free of charge to help the sector grow and innovate.

If you enjoyed this episode and found value in our discussion with Esther, please consider saying thank you to Chris and Matt by buying us a coffee. Your support helps us keep the microphones on and the ideas flowing!

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In this episode of the Time for Impact Podcast, host Matt Cobble is joined by Anne-Marie Zaritsky, the Head of Volunteering and Inclusion at the learning disilbilities charity, Mencap.

Together, they explore the mechanisms behind Mencap’s success in creating a genuinely inclusive environment. Moving beyond tick-box exercises, Anne-Marie shares how the charity ensures volunteering is accessible not just for people with learning difficulties, but for everyone.

Crucially, this conversation challenges the idea that large charities must have a "blueprint" for every issue. Matt and Anne-Marie discuss why Mencap does not try to speak for all communities. Instead, they explore the charity's role as a convenor—creating the space for local people to come together, share their lived experience, and build the solutions that actually work for them.

• Universal Inclusion: How Mencap breaks down barriers to make volunteering accessible and inclusive to all, creating a model that benefits the wider community.

• From Blueprint to Convenor: Why Mencap avoids top-down answers in favour of bringing local people together to solve community-specific issues.

• Representation at Every Level: How people with learning difficulties are involved in shaping Mencap’s work, from the ground floor to governance.

• Bridging HR and Volunteering: Maximising the learning exchange between volunteering departments and HR to create a holistic approach to inclusion.

• The Culture "Glue": A dive into how Mencap’s organisational culture binds these elements together and enables their continued success.

We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into inclusive leadership.

Please remember that Time for Impact is more than just a show—we are a dedicated resource for the third sector.

We provide strategic insights for charities and volunteer professionals, offering services that include:

• Strategic Consultancy

• Professional Training

• Impact Measurement Tools

• Experience Surveys and Data Analysis

  
  

If you are looking to elevate your organisation's impact, get in touch with us to see how we can help.

If you found value in this episode and would like to say thank you, you can support the production of the show by buying us a virtual cup of coffee!

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