Creativity is key: Tips for engaging volunteers during Covid-19 and beyond
With core values of social justice and dignity, Wintringham is an organisation which addresses the pressing issue of housing and care for vulnerable senior community members. The importance of Wintringham’s work has been highlighted in the course of the past year, including adapting the work of its volunteers in a Covid-safe manner.
Wintringham’s volunteer coordinator Laureen Smith explains the approach to volunteer engagement and how Volunteer West’s programs helped stimulate creativity when it came to connecting during lockdown.
What was your first experience with volunteering?
I was working as a recreation coordinator prior to this position and looking to engage residents into particular social activities. Wintringham works on an individual recreation support program and to meet the interests of our residents and clients. We take steps to help deliver a diverse range of support through our volunteer program and to assist the residents to engage with their local and broader communities.
How long have you been a volunteer manager? What skills did you need to learn?
Wintringham is a specialised welfare company that provides housing and care to elderly, frail, men and women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. I have been in my current role for approximately four years and have worked with Wintringham for 28 years, working in a number of roles where I have gained volunteer management skills.
I have gained the skills to recruit volunteers, interviewing, and problem solving, reviewing our volunteer recruitment documents, so that they fall in line within the standards of aged care and volunteering.
In what capacity have you engaged with Volunteer West and how would you describe the experience?
I have been involved with Volunteer West for around three years, attending meetings and any training on offer. Which I have found to be very valuable in my role as it is a great way to meet other volunteer coordinators and a good platform for information sharing. This was especially true through COVID-19 as we all have had to become very creative to keep our volunteers engaged with our residents and clients.
“It’s important for volunteers to be treated as equals”
What do you find the most important part of empowering volunteers?
It’s important for volunteers to be treated as equals and not to refer to them as “Just a volunteer”. They are more than that.
What volunteer manager skills do you use with your organisation?
To continue to build a community of active, long-term volunteers for our organisation. Engage volunteers into meaningful roles, which contribute to the organisation’s purpose, goals and objective, also to value feedback from volunteers.
We acknowledge value and respect all volunteers involved, as volunteers are a valued stakeholder of our organisation and it is important that they be acknowledged throughout the year with birthdays, volunteer week, volunteer day, volunteer awards, newsletters and any updates that may affect their roles as a volunteer.
What is your number one tip for potential volunteer managers?
To be supportive, listen, use good communication skills and ensure that volunteers are treated as an equal and with respect at all times.
For more information on Wintringham and the valuable work conducted by Laureen and her peers, visit here.
For more information on Volunteer West’s volunteer manager resources and programs, visit here.