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!

• Support us here: https://buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Time For Impact Volunteering Innovation Podcast on your favourite streaming platform!

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!

👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi

🎧 Episode Summary

In this crucial episode, we sit down with Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, to unpack the brand new 2024 volunteering figures for Scotland.

The data reveals a sector in recovery, with formal volunteering rates bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels. However, this positive headline masks a stark reality: significant inclusion gaps remain for people from deprived backgrounds and disabled people.

Alan discusses Volunteer Scotland's new manifesto, designed to tackle these issues and more head-on in the run-up to next year's elections.

We explore the volunteer action plan for Scotland.

We also explore the vital lessons the formal sector must learn from the mutual aid boom, and why employer-supported volunteering is in urgent need of creative, long-term reform.

1. The Good News: Scotland's Volunteering Rebound

• The 2024 Figures: We dig into the latest Scottish Household Survey data. Formal volunteering is up to 25% (from 18% in 2023), bringing it in line with the pre-COVID level of 26% in 2019.

• A Sector in Recovery: After a challenging few years, the data signals a welcome return of volunteers to formal roles.

2. The Challenge: A Stubborn Inclusion Gap

• Who is being left behind?

• Disability: There is a 15-percentage-point gap between the volunteering rates of non-disabled adults (28%) and disabled adults (18%).

• Deprivation: A 10-percentage-point gap exists between those with a household income over £30,000 (29% volunteer) and those with low incomes (19% volunteer).

• Why it matters: True "impact" means volunteering must be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability.

3. A Manifesto for Change

• Election Ready: With Scottish elections on the horizon, Volunteer Scotland is launching a new policy manifesto.

• Core Aims: Alan outlines the key "asks" designed to secure the future of volunteering and directly address these systemic inclusion barriers.

• A Call to Action: The manifesto is a tool for the entire sector to lobby for meaningful investment and policy change.

  
  

• Volunteer Scotland: volunteerscotland.net

• Latest Research: Find the 2024 volunteering figures and analysis on our website https://www.timeforimpact.co.uk/blogs/our-blogs/volunteering-figures-scotland-2024

• Volunteering Action Plan (VAP): Learn more about the strategic plan for volunteering in Scotland. https://www.volunteerscotland.net/news/launch-of-scotlands-volunteering-action-plan

We are pleased to offer these insights without charge. However, as a consultant working within the charity sector, my ability to continue sharing expertise and intellectual property through consultancy and training is how I earn my living. If you find this content valuable and wish to support future ideas and inspiration, a small contribution of £4 via my Buy Me a Coffee account would be hugely appreciated. There's no pressure, but any generosity is gratefully received. You can contribute here https://buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi Thank You 🙏

In this episode, we're shifting our focus from pure innovation in programs to the personal innovations required to be a leader in the volunteer sector. We are incredibly honored to be joined by the one and only Tobi Johnson, CVA.

While many of you will know Tobi from her exceptional Volpro training and the fantastic 'Volunteer Nation' podcast, this conversation goes behind the scenes. Tobi shares her personal leadership journey—the successes, the stumbles, and the crucial lessons learned from both.

We explore the realities of leadership, from battling imposter syndrome to the complexities of leading diverse teams and navigating the challenges of movement-building. This is a candid, inspiring look at what it truly takes to lead and innovate in the world of volunteerism.

Tobi Johnson is an internationally recognized expert and consultant in the field of volunteer engagement. She is the founder of Tobi Johnson & Associates and the President of VolunteerPro, an online professional development community for leaders of volunteers. Tobi is also the host of the popular Volunteer Nation podcast, providing practical tips and insights for engaging today's volunteers.

• The Leadership Journey is Not Linear: Tobi shares the pivotal moments and challenges that shaped her as a leader, emphasising that learning often comes from what goes wrong.

• Wrestling with Imposter Syndrome: A frank discussion about feeling like a fraud and the strategies Tobi has used to find her authentic leadership voice.

• Leading Diverse Groups: We explore the skills and mindset needed to effectively lead diverse teams of volunteers, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose.

• From Management to Movement-Building: Tobi discusses the leap from managing volunteers to leading a movement, and the unique challenges that come with inspiring collective action.

• Lessons from Theory and Practice: We touch on key concepts from academic work in the sector and how they apply in the real world.

• VolunteerPro: Tobi's online training and coaching community for volunteer managers.

• Volunteer Nation Podcast: Tobi's podcast full of actionable tips for leaders of volunteers.

• Book: Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice by Jurgen Grotz and Ruth Buchanan.

• Follow us on Linked-in

• Visit our website: www.TimeForImpact.co.uk

• Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!

Connect & Continue the Conversation:

Thank you for tuning in to Time for Impact! We are dedicated to bringing you the freshest thinking in volunteerism from professionals who are making a real difference.

Stay tuned as we continue to bring you conversations with volunteerism leaders from around the world.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Time for Impact on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more professionals like you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who believes in the power of connection.

Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution.

This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account: ⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

Time for Impact has recently launched its sector wide Volunteer Experience Survey - to find out more go to https://www.timeforimpact.co.uk/volunteering-strategies/volunteer-surveys

The world of volunteerism has fundamentally changed since 2020. How can established organisations adapt to shifting demographics, motivations, and a post-pandemic market? In this episode, we go straight to the source of innovation and legacy, speaking with Karen Leies, CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the world's oldest guide dog organisation.

Karen shares the unique challenges The Seeing Eye faced and how they refused to stand still. We take a deep dive into their transformative partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyse the new volunteer landscape and develop a data-driven strategy. Discover how they are now marketing volunteer opportunities to entirely new audiences, and a focus on creating meaningful roles for families. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for any leader looking to energize their volunteer program and build a resilient community for the future.

Plus, for our UK listeners, discover the foundational role The Seeing Eye played in helping to establish the UK's own Guide Dogs for the Blind association.

About Our Guest:

Karen Leies is the CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the pioneering organisation that has been enhancing the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs since 1929. With a deep commitment to the organisation's mission, Karen leads a dedicated team of staff and volunteers in continuing a legacy of excellence and innovation in the guide dog movement.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Seeing Eye: Learn more about their incredible work, mission, and volunteer opportunities at www.seeingeye.org.

• Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Explore their work in the social impact sector at www.bcg.com.

• Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK): For our UK listeners, learn more about the organisation The Seeing Eye helped inspire at www.guidedogs.org.uk.

  
  

  Connect & Continue the Conversation:

  Thank you for tuning in to Time for Impact! We are dedicated to bringing you the freshest thinking in volunteerism from professionals who are making a real difference.

  Stay tuned as we continue to bring you conversations with volunteerism leaders from around the world.

  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Time for Impact on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more professionals like you.

  
  

  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who believes in the power of connection.

  
  

  Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution.

  This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account: ⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

What does the future of volunteering look like?

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Katerina Manoff, the dynamic CEO of the US charity, ENGin. Katerina, whose journey has taken her from Ukraine to Harvard and across the commercial and education sectors, shares how she is channeling her unique expertise into pioneering a new model for non-profits.

ENGin connects Ukrainians of all ages looking to improve their conversational English with a global network of fluent speakers. But it's the how that is truly impressive for us. We explore how ENGin has built a slick, user-friendly, and incredibly flexible digital platform that supports thousands of volunteers without sacrificing a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community feel.

Join us as we discuss the art of scaling volunteer engagement, the critical role of technology in building community, and the profound personal and professional growth that occurs on both sides of the screen. We delve into the power of individual stories to demonstrate impact and celebrate the meaningful, cross-cultural connections that are changing lives one conversation at a time.

I was so moved by ENGin's mission and model that I've even signed up as a volunteer myself!

About Our Guest:

Katerina Manoff is the CEO of ENGin. Born in Ukraine and educated in the United States, Katerina is a Harvard graduate who brings a powerful blend of commercial strategy and educational passion to the non-profit sector. Her leadership is shaping the future of digital volunteering, creating scalable solutions that foster deep human connection.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Crafting an Exceptional Volunteer Experience: How ENGin has made its onboarding and participation process so slick, user-friendly, and welcoming.

• The Power of Flexibility: Why modern, digital-first volunteering must be adaptable to volunteers' lives.

• Scaling with Soul: The challenges and triumphs of growing a volunteer base into the thousands while maintaining a strong sense of community.

• Tech for Good: Leveraging technology not just for efficiency, but to build genuine, inclusive communities.

• More Than Altruism: The unexpected pathways for professional and personal growth that volunteering can offer.

• The Impact of a Story: How sharing authentic experiences from volunteers and students demonstrates the true impact of the mission.

• A Two-Way Street: Exploring the mutual benefits of volunteering and the value it brings to both the student and the mentor.

• Beyond Borders: The importance of building meaningful, one-on-one connections across different cultures.

Resources & How to Get Involved:

• Learn more about ENGin's mission: https://www.enginprogram.org/

• Become a Volunteer: Inspired by our conversation? Join me and thousands of others making a difference. The commitment is flexible, and the impact is immense. https://www.enginprogram.org/volunteer

• Follow ENGin on Social Media:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65703219/admin/feed/posts/

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enginprogram/

• • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enginprogram/
  • Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/enginprogram.bsky.social
  • YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@ENGinprogram
  • Telegram: https://t.me/ENGinprogram

  
  

• Thank you for listening to Time for Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with someone who believes in the power of connection.

  
  

  Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution.

  This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account: ⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏