We are members of a national network of volunteer centre, recruiting and placing volunteers in the community. The Centres are independent organisations, all but one are part of Local Infrastructure organisations and the Council for Voluntary Services. All are registered charities.
The Centres support and develop voluntary action in York and North Yorkshire and are accreditied by Volunteering England, the intergrated national volunteer development organisation for England.
We work to support and increase the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility oif volunteering throughout York and North Yorkshire. Some are involved in the provision of public services (including transport scheemes, health ptogrammes, furniture projects, social care services etc). However all deliver on the 6 core funtions of the volunteering infrastructure as defined in the Compact
The six core functions of a Volunteer Centre
a. Brokerage
The VC’s primary function is to match both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community. The VC’s hold information on a comprehensive range of opportunities. They offer potential volunteers support and advice matching their motivation to volunteer with appropriate volunteering opportunities.
b. Marketing volunteering
The VC’s stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns .The VCs will manage and promote a national brand for volunteering.
c. Good practice development
The VC’s promote good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. They deliver training and accreditation for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure.
d. Develop volunteering opportunities
The VC’s work in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities.
The VC’s understand the potential offered by the local communities and work with them to realise this potential. The VC’s will target specific groups, which face barriers to volunteering. The VC’s work creatively to develop imaginative, non-formal opportunities for potential volunteers.
e. Policy response and campaigning
The VC’s identify proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering. The VC’s campaign proactively for a more volunteer-literate and volunteer-friendly climate.
f. Strategic development of volunteering
As the local experts on volunteering, The VC’s inform strategic thinking and planning at a local, regional and national level.
