Volunteering Services in Kingston Upon Thames
Volunteers’ Week is a national campaign held every year between the 1st and 7th of June. Volunteer-involving organisations are encouraged to say a huge thank you to their volunteers. Check out our 2021 Organisation Campaign pack, for everything you will need to host a successful Volunteers Week celebration.
We spoke to Liam at Alfriston Outreach Service about how they are involving volunteers in their work. Looking forward, Alfriston Outreach Service want to carry on involving volunteers, moving away from short term practical tasks to befriending and volunteer-led activities. With a set of pre-COVID volunteers, the current food delivery volunteers and the future recruits, the Alfriston team is planning ahead and looking forward to welcoming their service users back at the Centre.
Alfriston Outreach Service is a Day Centre that offers a range of services such as activity packs, shopping/delivery, prescription pick-up, hearing aid batteries, laundry, crisis support, and technology support to Kingston residents. In the past, a typical day would see many residents walking into the Centre to socialize and interact with other service users. However, since March 2020 they have remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they have been contracted by Kingston Council to provide support for older people such as delivering food and other essential supplies.
Volunteers have always played a key role at the Alfriston Outreach Service Centre taking up everyday tasks to support their services. Although the Centre has traditionally recruited volunteers through word of mouth, they’ve found Team Kinetic (Volunteering Kingston’s volunteer management platform) much more effective for recruiting and managing volunteers. According to the Alfriston Outreach Service, the platform’s user-friendly outlook with simplified interactive features has been a game changer.
It was during the initial days of the lockdown when Liam and his manager found it very challenging to manage the office-based tasks alongside travelling to various parts of the Borough to deliver food. So they decided to recruit for two roles that needed one or two volunteers and received an overwhelming response from twenty-five volunteers who were keen to get out to help those in need and offer their share of service towards the community.
Without volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to do this. Once we got in touch with Volunteering Kingston, everything happened very quickly and it made things run a lot smoother.
The volunteers who came on board to support with the food delivery role have been delivering more than just the essential supplies, they have been delivering smiles, a hearty chat and acting as an observant eye to check on the well-being of the service users. For example, one volunteer reported that a service user seemed a little confused during their interaction, which led to the Alfriston team checking on the resident to make sure they received the support they needed. Alfriston Outreach Service fully appreciates how volunteers have come forward during these tough times to spread goodwill in the community. To further amplify this, there are plans to include the volunteers in an Easter Egg delivery in the coming weeks. We at Volunteering Kingston think that this is a fantastic idea and perhaps the volunteers could dress up as Easter bunnies? Just a thought!
Lots of people get the volunteering urge in the run-up to Christmas, from the desire to teach their children that there is more to the day than presents to the need to clear their head after too many mulled wines, it Is always a period for people to give their time.
This year, with many of the usual celebrations altered or stopped altogether, many people will be even more keen to volunteer.
For organisations, managing volunteer interest during a busy time can be a challenge. Please see the tips below for how to support and involve volunteers – and make the most of the season of goodwill.
Regardless of restrictions, people have always been permitted to volunteer outside their home if necessary. People who are extremely clinically vulnerable are advised not to go to work or volunteer outside of the home. When recruiting for roles which involved leading the home, please inform volunteers of the steps you have taken to keep them safe and ask them to confirm that they are not in a group asked to take extra care.
Organisations must take precautions as much as possible when using volunteers to deliver services in person. Please check our resource bank and the government guidance on how to keep people safe. Please get in touch with us if you’d like some bespoke advice.
As we will be spending a lot more time at home why not encourage people who want to volunteer to get involved from the comfort of their sitting rooms? This is a great way of softening the blow to people who wanted to get out there volunteering, as well as keeping your current volunteers engaged and feeling rewarded.
* Writing Christmas cards to service users – whether you give out their names (with permission) or just have people write ‘Hello’, this can be great if you are supporting people likely to be lonely this Christmas.
* Zoom carol services.
* Lots of people have clear-outs before and after Christmas – so encourage them to donate to your charity shop or why not look into creating an eBay shop?
* Socially distanced Santa fun run. Rather than a parade of Santas running down the high street, you could have people run their usual running route in fancy dress and encourage people to spot Father Christmas ‘in the wild’.
* Families will be looking for lots of activities to get the little ones busy over the Christmas holidays. Here are some ideas that engage families – they could be charged for as part of a fundraising campaign, but it is worth bearing in mind that many families will be struggling with finances this year, therefore, price accordingly – you could also allow entries based on ‘pay what you can’.
* Recording Christmas messages for service users – a great task for existing volunteers. They could record themselves singing Christmas songs, reading Christmas stories (for children in particular) and tell so-bad-they’re-good cracker jokes.
Once someone has been involved in a small way, they often are interested in volunteering more. Make sure to follow up with volunteers (if they consent!) with details of any volunteering opportunities in the new year.
Some people, after a difficult year, will be looking forward to the festivity and joy of this period. Others may find it hard to celebrate this year, especially if they have suffered from bereavement or are facing a lonely Christmas.
You may find that you want to focus more on 2021 and a fresh new start that the new year brings. Focusing in on the benefits that any new volunteers might bring, or what you are planning in the new year may be more effective.
Of course, there are many people who do not celebrate Christmas. Consider noting other religious holidays in your communications.
Some Jewish people volunteer on Mitzvah Day which this year was held on 15 November. We spoke to Rebecca Singerman-Knight, the Deputy Chair of Kingston Liberal Synagogue, who said:
“We have been involved in two volunteering projects for Mitzvah Day this year. For the first, our members recorded videos of themselves singing favourite songs or reading poems, and we compiled a playlist to share with elderly residents in Jewish Care homes across the country who have been suffering this year due to lack of visitors. You can watch the playlist here.
We are also running an ongoing project in which our members are putting together personal hygiene bags for homeless people and we will be delivering these to Kingston Churches Against Homelessness at the end of November”.
Why not get in touch with your local place of worship to ask if they are interested in celebrating a particular holiday through volunteering.
If you have people interested in volunteering who you can’t accommodate, encourage them to read this festive volunteering blog and find out more about activities they could take up this festive season.
You could also encourage them to search for roles using our new website.
Remember, we are always here to help and support with any aspect of involving volunteers.
The diversity of trustees, or charity board members, tends not to reflect the demographics of the communities they operate in. Many charities recruit informally and through their existing networks; resulting in poor diversity among the board and a risk of a disconnect between organisation and beneficiary.
Appointing a board that reflects the community you work with improves your decision-making, meaning more effective client services. Diversity brings unique talent, knowledge, and inspiration to charities; generating an influx of new ideas and inspiration. By recruiting trustees from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds and ensuring a healthy changeover, organisations can help keep the board fresh and provide professional development opportunities to more people.
If you’re currently recruiting new trustees Volunteering Kingston would be happy to promote your opportunity to their pool of volunteers. Get in touch with Molly from Volunteering Kingston on enquiry@volunteeringkingston.org.uk for more information.
There is a great opportunity emerging from the RBK Library Service. They are inviting individuals and groups to use their library spaces to share skill sets and passion that others would find useful or enjoy. If you have an idea that you would like to share with others but are unsure how to go about it or where to hold it, then read on further to find out more.
The RBK Library Service can offer you the space for free and support you with the setting up and promotion of your idea. Whether it is learning new skills, sharing passion, a one-off or a long term venture, they are keen to hear from Kingston residents who are fourteen and over.
As social distancing is the present priority, initially they can offer a virtual room to develop your idea with the intention of bringing it into the physical space once it is safe to do so.
Some examples of groups that have been set up are craft groups, a book club and Ki Gong. You could also set up a group to support a cause that is important to you, such as the environment or tackling loneliness. Whatever your idea, please contact Giselle at giselle.monbiot@kingston.gov.uk to speak further about this.
That’s a wrap! We’ve come to the end of another amazing Volunteers’ Week. It may have taken on a different format to our usual volunteering fairs and celebrations, however, it was just as memorable! The #TimeToSayThanks theme felt very fitting for both the volunteers who have been present all year round and those who have stepped up to help in the COVID-19 response. What has really been highlighted during the week is how much the organisations we work with appreciate their volunteers – their dedication really does make the world go round!
Throughout the week we heard different Kingston volunteer stories. Ailsa, who after attending our previous volunteering fair, began volunteering for Kingston Churches Action on Homeless, and now works as their Volunteer Coordinator. For us, it’s so lovely to be able to hear the stories of volunteers that we have placed throughout the year. We also heard how volunteers for Kingston Association for the Blind have adapted in the last few months. Alex, who usually exercises with a visually impaired man every week, has taken to chatting with him regularly, as well as running errands for other members of the KAB community.
We shared our #TimeToSayThanks video in Kingston – with lots of organisations taking part, including a special message from Ian Thomas, the CEO of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. It was great to see so many faces in the video!
We also shared a series of blogs on our website on various topics relating to volunteering in the current climate. Check out our Volunteers’ Week blog series for a look back on what we shared throughout the week.
Kingston Stronger Together also had a shout-out on BBC Radio London, thanking local volunteers for their dedication in the last few months.
So as we say goodbye to Volunteers’ Week 2020, it’s important to recognise the dedication and impact made by volunteers year-round. Thank you for being a part of Volunteers’ Week!
National Volunteering Week has become as much of an annual mainstay of my year as Christmas and Yorkshire Day. I had become used to the three months of planning, the themes developed, the ever-changing venue arrangements and the anticipation of a busy and packed week, and up to 2019 had assumed this ritual would continue for years to come. 2020 has shook that assumption to the core and made all of us engaged in volunteer management projects reassess the true importance of volunteers, this is not a bad thing.
Whilst I would be the first to say the National Volunteering week activities in years past did celebrate the contribution of the volunteers, individually and collectively, with some passion I would also now admit recent events have made me reassess whether handing out certificates and tokens of appreciation in set-piece events to valued volunteers is really enough. What the last few months has taught me is that reaching out beyond our comfort zones is where the ‘new normal’ is going to settle.
Now those same civic-minded people are at the front line of the community-based fight against COVID-19. It is no exaggeration to say the sheer scale of people’s commitment is greater than has been seen in peacetime for over half a century, this both humbles volunteer managers and focuses our thinking going forward. There can’t be, and there won’t be, a return to pre– COVID-19 levels of appreciation of volunteers, we now must think differently in how we show our thanks.
Circumstances have forced the 2020 National Volunteers’ Week to be digitally and virtually centred. Within a variety of project contributions, we will see a lot of testimony of the vital role volunteers have played in responding to the current situation. For example, where I reside, over one thousand volunteers have helped ensure food is delivered, medication provided, vulnerable people supported, those at highest risk shielded. Community resilience strengthened well beyond the weekly clap for these heroes (paid or otherwise). We should cherish the testimonies we accrue through this week; they are from a unique people who are part of a special response.
Hopefully, in 2021 we will have sufficient control of this situation so that open door events may be possible, we are after-all nothing if not a people-centric sector. But in terms of future National Volunteering Week approaches so much more will be needed if we are to truly reflect the enormity of what volunteers are doing for us through this period. The history of volunteer management tells us the future will involve new approaches, feeding inspirational ideas from across the sector that will enhance our future annual celebrations. One thing is for sure, the importance of National Volunteers’ Week going forward will mean it is now much more significant, it is a reminder for years to come of the scale of commitment we will continue to gratefully receive.
This post is part of our Volunteers’ Week blog series written by Michael Green. Michael is Volunteer Projects Manager at Groundwork London and a Kingston resident.
For this Volunteers Week, we heard from volunteers from Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB), who spoke about their experiences for Volunteers’ Week.
Alex P is a Volunteer Eye Buddy for Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB) and they go out for exercise with a visually impaired man every week. During lockdown “unfortunately our usual routine has been temporarily suspended, although we still stay in touch. I’ve joked with my buddy that I need to find someone else to take me on my weekly walk and he’s always in good spirits – luckily he has family who can help him to remain safe and stocked up with food.”
Some of the members of KAB are self-isolating entirely to protect themselves or on the shielded list. Alex P has been dropping off phone cards from the post office from one member, so she can continue to stay in contact with her sister abroad. Alex P says “It’s a pretty simple task but it can make a big difference to someone, who’s no doubt finding this period a lot more difficult than me. And personally, it feels satisfying to know that I’m helping out – because even the small things will add up.”
Another Alex and KAB volunteer was due to help at their first Ten Pin Bowling Group for Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB) when the COVID 19 lockdown kicked in. He says “Naturally, it was frustrating to be locked away from everyone but it quickly dawned on me that I was in a very privileged position. I’m young, relatively safe and have lots of free time to help those in need, who really cannot leave their homes.”
“Then KAB got in contact with me to see if I could help a visually impaired elderly lady near me, doing a food shop and prescription pick-up. Again, I was nervous – will I buy the right thing? What if they haven’t got what she wants? What if I’m not being hygienic enough? These worries went quickly as I got into a routine, ringing up weekly to catch up. I learnt a bit more about Maureen and we get on very well – we’ve found out a lot about each other. One day, we wish to sit down and share a cup of tea and a biscuit, but for now, we’ll just have to keep going how we are – and that’s okay.”
Maureen says “what a lovely young man Alex is and how lucky his parents are to have him!”
James N has been volunteering for KAB for three years taking members out on a tandem bike, providing exercise and freedom. As this has been on pause during this period he has been relaxing in his hammock, enjoying the quiet roads and keeping fit on his bike for when he can return to volunteer.
Sally H has been a Volunteer Eye Buddy with a lady called Catherine for sixteen months. She says “we have grown very fond of each and have a good rapport.” During the Lockdown, while she couldn’t meet with Catherine they have kept in regular contact. “Although her family have bought her ‘Alexa’ and she now has talking books and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, she says it’s no substitute for me and she still wants me back!! Phew!” Sally has also bought and delivered get well gifts for two friends of Catherine who have been unwell.
With the easing of some restrictions, Catherine and Sally have discussed meeting in Catherine’s garden (while obviously obeying social distancing rules and taking care of hygiene). Sally says “It will be lovely to see her again”.
We think it’s #TimeToSayThanks to these wonderful volunteers, who have volunteered all year round, and made such a difference.
Most regular volunteering activities will have stopped during this time as a result of social distancing precautions. Please check in with your volunteers regularly, especially if they are living alone.
If you are able to include volunteers in some way, please ask them if they’d like to be involved. Having something to do and feeling useful is really important for good mental health, especially during this period of social distancing.
Here are some ideas of things they can do to stay involved:
If your volunteers don’t use the internet or are not tech-savvy, they could:
Volunteering with other organisations:
Let us know if you have any other ideas or would like any support.
If you are going to volunteer either as part of an organised volunteer response team, with a local or mutual aid group, or running errands for a friend or neighbour it’s important to take the following precautions for your own safety but also to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you have any questions, concerns or you are worried about any individuals, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to support you and make referrals.
Other precautions you should take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when volunteering are:
The most important thing to consider before volunteering is to make sure you are healthy enough to volunteer. You also don’t want to risk making someone else unwell. Please follow NHS advice and stay home if you have either:
Stay safe, stay healthy!