Volunteers, V-base, and Do-It

In order to carry out effective brokerage, Volunteer Centres use a programme called V-base that enables them to upload volunteering opportunities onto the national Do-It website, www.do-it.org

Do-It is a national database of volunteering opportunities, fronted by a website, and operated by Youthnet.  It allows people to search for volunteering opportunities, often being directed to their local Volunteer Centre to gain further information on opportunities they are interested in. (expand)

Volunteers, V-base, and Do-It

In order to carry out effective brokerage, Volunteer Centres use a programme called V-base that enables them to upload volunteering opportunities onto the national Do-It website, www.do-it.org

Do-It is a national database of volunteering opportunities, fronted by a website, and operated by Youthnet.  It allows people to search for volunteering opportunities, often being directed to their local Volunteer Centre to gain further information on opportunities they are interested in.

On average, 150,000 visitors look at the Do It website every month, and 40,000 go on to register for at least one listed opportunity. There are over 1 million opportunities on Do-it, provided by over 350 Volunteer Centres and national charities, that anyone can search using their postcode.  

Local organisations must go through a Volunteer Centre to post onto the Do-It website, while national organisations can purchase the software and post their own opportunities, though many of them post local branch opportunities onto Do It through their local Volunteer Centre.  

While all Volunteer Centres may use Do-It to search for volunteering opportunities, all their local opportunities are kept on the V-base programme, which enables them to not only store information on volunteering positions, but also to store information about volunteers, and to match volunteers to opportunities.

Volunteer Centres also match volunteers to opportunities in other ways, without using V-base or Do-It, through personal knowledge of the local community, organisations, and volunteers.

The package of services offered by Volunteer Centres is often referred to as the “six core functions” which are outlined below. (collapse)

The Six Core Functions of a Volunteer Centre – a rounded and complete service

Volunteer Centres (also known as Volunteer Development Agencies, or VDAs) are quality assured by Volunteering England.  In order to use the Volunteer Centre brand, Volunteer Centres must demonstrate that they operate quality services across six “core functions.”  Core functions are the services that all volunteer centres must provide to gain Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA), though volunteer centres may also undertake additional activity, such as the delivery of direct community services, for example social transport schemes.   The six core functions are: (expand)

The Six Core Functions of a Volunteer Centre – a rounded and complete service

Volunteer Centres (also known as Volunteer Development Agencies, or VDAs) are quality assured by Volunteering England.  In order to use the Volunteer Centre brand, Volunteer Centres must demonstrate that they operate quality services across six “core functions.”  Core functions are the services that all volunteer centres must provide to gain Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA), though volunteer centres may also undertake additional activity, such as the delivery of direct community services, for example social transport schemes.   The six core functions are:

1.  Brokerage VDAs primary function is to match both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community. VDAs hold information on a comprehensive range of opportunities. They offer potential volunteers support and advice matching their motivation to volunteer with appropriate volunteering opportunities.

Often, front-line organisations may only be aware of the brokerage service, as this is a very visible part of what Volunteer Centres.  Brokerage is, however, only a small part of the Volunteer Centre range of services.

2.  Marketing volunteering VDAs 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 .VDAs will manage and promote a national brand for volunteering.

Volunteering enjoys a high profile because its benefits are promoted widely.  Whilst individual organisations may promote specific volunteering opportunities, Volunteer Centres also promote the benefits of volunteering to individuals and to the private, voluntary, and statutory sectors, thereby encouraging volunteering to be seen as a positive activity that people want to take part in.  This happens through a variety of events, publications, competitions and awards ceremonies that highlight volunteering achievements and build interest and enthusiasm for volunteering.

3.  Good practice developmentVDAs 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.

While many organisations use the services of Volunteer Centres to recruit their volunteers, there are many more organisations that benefit from the good practice guidance and training that Volunteer Centres provide.  

o In some districts, Volunteer Centres bring together volunteer managers fro a variety of front-line organisations to share good practice and information.

o A comprehensive training package is being delivered by Volunteer Centres across York and North Yorkshire, offering tailored training to front-line volunteer managers.

o Volunteer Centres produce and distribute good practice information sheets, handbooks and guides to support organisations to recruit, manage, and retain their volunteers.

4.  Develop volunteering opportunities VDAs work in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities. VDAs understand the potential offered by the local communities and work with them to realise this potential. VDA will target specific groups which face barriers to volunteering. VDA work creatively to develop imaginative, non-formal opportunities for potential volunteers.

5.  Policy response and campaigningVDAs identify proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering. VDAs campaign proactively for a more volunteer-literate and volunteer-friendly climate.

Regionally and Nationally, Volunteer Centres respond to legislative and policy changes that affect volunteers and volunteering.  The York and North Yorkshire Centres have a representative on the current Volunteer Rights Enquiry, and respond regularly to consultations through Volunteering England.

6.  Strategic development of volunteering As the local experts on volunteering VDAs inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.

At a regional and national level Volunteer Centres are able to campaign on policy issues, influence local and national policy on the use of volunteers, and develop volunteering opportunities strategically.  The York and North Yorkshire Volunteer Centres are members of the Yorkshire and Humber Volunteer Centre Organisers Network, and have a representative on the England Volunteering Development Council.  Volunteer Centres are also active on their LSPs, are represented on the NYSP, and through the Infrastructure Strategy are working hard to ensure that there is support for volunteering across the county. (collapse)