Managing the UK’s Volunteers

Did you know there are an estimated 24 million people who volunteer each year* adding roughly £21.5 billion to the UK’s economy**?  In order to properly train individuals who manage, supervise or lead volunteers, Lantra Awards has developed the Level 3 Award in Volunteer Management.

Lantra Awards, one of the UK’s leading awarding and accrediting organisations, has created the Level 3 Award in Volunteer Management to help individuals build the skills needed to manage volunteers more effectively and to be more confident no matter what industry or sector they work in.  

Lesley Barr, Head of Product Development for Lantra Awards said: “This qualification is designed to empower individuals with skills to inspire and lead volunteers across the UK.  As they are such an important addition to the UK economy, it is vital that those who manage them have the skills needed to maximise the contributions made through volunteering.”

This qualification helps individuals and the organisations within which they work to develop an awareness of the way they manage volunteers.  It may also provide a progression route into paid employment, other management opportunities or further study such as work-related, competency-based qualifications. Learners on this course will develop:

• The skills to analyse the requirements for volunteer work, and plan the working methods to carry it out

• A basis on how to match resources to planned activity, record keeping and negotiation with colleagues and stakeholders

• The ability to effectively communicate to a team of volunteers

• A structured approach towards maintaining records and monitoring outcomes

• The skills for evaluating volunteer work and giving feedback to encourage reflection and individual development

• An understanding of the importance of effective communication in supporting volunteers

• The knowledge required to undertake a SMART analysis

• The ability to agree individual responsibilities with volunteers

• Strategies for dealing with problems that may arise while managing volunteers.

Lesley continued: “As volunteers are generally unpaid, they can come from various backgrounds with different levels of motivation and dedication.  The Level 3 Award in Volunteer Management is designed to give managers the tools and skills they need to get the most out of their volunteers, no matter what their background and previous experience.”

To find out more about the Volunteer Management Qualification, visit the website or email. 

*Citizenship Survey 2009-10
** Civil Society Almanac 2010