September 2008
Complete our survey and win book vouchers
The Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR) is undertaking a piece of research looking at the impact of contracting and service level agreements on volunteers. At a time when the voluntary sector is getting increasingly involved in the delivery of public and social services, we recognise the need to understand the effects on volunteers more comprehensively. We would like to get your views on this issue and would be grateful if you could complete this short survey for us by 26th September 2008. By completing the survey you will be eligible to win one of two £25 book vouchers.
The results from the survey will be available publicly on the IVR website - www.ivr.org.uk on 10 October 2008. If you have any questions please contact joanna.stuart@volunteeringengland.org
- Complete the survey here
July 2008
New Research Bulletin
June 2008
Research bulletins out this month:
April 2008
Management matters: a national survey of volunteer managment capacity
The study was funded by Capacitybuilders as part of the ChangeUp programme delivered by the Volunteering Hub. It was undertaken by the Institute for Volunteering Research, with Carol Goldstone Associates and GfK NOP conducting the fieldwork. This study explored the capacity of organisations to involve and mange volunteers. It looked at the financial and human resources dedicated by organisations to supporting volunteers, and the roles and positions of those who manage volunteers.
Volunteering to lead: a study of leadership within small volunteer-led groups (2008)
This study, funded by the Volunteering Hub, was carried out by the Institute for Volunteering Research between May 2007 and March 2008. It explored issues of leadership within small, volunteer-led groups and the challenges associated with their growth and development. The research worked with six volunteer-led groups in two geographical locations in England.
The study found that these groups function, and are led, in ways that can be very different to those found within larger volunteer-involving organisations with paid staff. It also found that while such groups can be highly effective at what they do, they can experience numerous challenges, including the need to guard against becoming exclusive.
The impact of public policy on volunteering in community-based organisations (2008)
This study, funded by the Volunteering Hub, was carried out in partnership between the Institute for Volunteering Research and the Institute for Voluntary Action Research between May 2007 and March 2008. It worked with eight case study organisations across England to explore the impact of public policy on volunteering in community-based organisations.
The study’s key finding was that volunteering in these organisations is increasingly being moulded by external factors such as legislation, policy and funding programmes.
| Further findings from 'Helping Out' - the National survey of volunteering and charitable giving |
March 2008
Volunteering in the natural outdoors in the UK and Ireland: literature review
The Tomorrow Network has completed a piece of research on behalf of the Countryside Recreation Network (CRN) that explored volunteering within the natural outdoors throughout the UK and Ireland. The Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR) was asked by (CRN) to complete a literature review as part of this project which it completed in June 2007. The literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current policies and agendas affecting volunteering within the natural outdoors, the characteristics and levels of volunteering within the sector, tha challenges it is facing, and the current and future trends in volunteering within the sector.
The full research project by the Tomorrow Project is available at www.tomorrowproject.net
December 2007
October 2007
New report provides strongest ever evidence of impact of volunteering
Volunteering Works explores the impact of volunteering on government policies and agendas at the local, regional and national level throughout England. The report discusses the part volunteering can play in helping government work towards and achieve its priorities and objectives. It presents existing evidence from research, reports and evaluations that demonstrates this positive impact and relevance. This publication is the first such assembly of this information in one place and provides a foundation for anyone wishing to establish the relevance of volunteering.
September 2007
Popularity of volunteering and giving revealed in extensive national survey
July 2007
Volunteer Development Agencies and ChangeUp
As part of the work of the volunteering hub, IVR engaged in an exercise to look at how volunteer centres engaged with ChangeUp. A key element of ChangeUp was focussed on modernising the volunteering infrastructure. The mapping exercise found that work in this area ranged from the merger of volunteer centres through to partnership working, through to using money to extend opening hours or increase the physical accessibility of centres. The report shows how the volunteer centres network engaged with ChangeUp to increase its efficacy.
- Download the full report (PDF)
