Agenda item

Report of Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received an update on the Volunteer Plan report. The Volunteer Plan was derived from one of the Council’s Vision 2030’s six big ideas – ‘Gateshead Volunteers’. This will be the final update of the plan before it is refreshed for 2018.

Gateshead Volunteers seeks to achieve the following outcomes which were summarised:  

·         The voluntary and community sector thrives within Gateshead

·         Vibrant, sustainable communities through a culture of supporting community and voluntary sector organisations in the delivery of local services

·         Volunteering recognised as important in career development

·         Volunteering frameworks that help volunteers develop their skills

·         Gateshead known as a national leader in promoting and supporting volunteering

·         Social responsibility is achieved through local businesses participating in supporting volunteers

It was explained that since the volunteer plan was launched in 2013 the number of registered volunteers has increased from 50 to 1,687. Additionally, there has been an estimated 82% increase in volunteering within Gateshead from 4,426 to 8,065. The current estimate of the number of volunteers across Council services and within the voluntary and community sector is:

·         Community Links - 60

·         Countryside & Environment - 500

·         School Governors - 1,200

·         General School Volunteers - 900

·         Community Centres - 800

·         Youth Offending Team - 25

·         Youth Council - 30

·         Children Centres - 50

·         VCS Organisations and others - 1,000

·         Sports - 400

·         Heritage, Events & General Culture - 500

·         Libraries - 800

·         Employee Volunteers - 50

·         Private Sector Employee Volunteers - 250

·         Jewish Community - 1,500

·         Total – 8,065

It was noted that there has been an increase in external organisations participating in voluntary opportunities; this has an economic investment of £123,863 being calculated for Gateshead in 2016/2017. Organisations including Virgin Media, Costa Coffee, Gateshead College and the National Citizenship Service have participated. It was also explained that the targets set for informal and formal volunteering have been achieved.

An overview of the Council’s engagement with TUC and Volunteering England was provided. A joint charter entitled ‘Strengthening Relations’ makes it clear that volunteering is distinct from paid work. The Council’s Volunteers Plan principles endorse and support this.

The Committee were advised that during Gateshead Volunteers Month (June 2017) 106,189 hours of volunteering were recorded. This equates to £1,380,457 economic value and is a 5% increase on the previous year.

It was noted from the report that in May 2014 the Gateshead Council Employees Volunteering Policy was refreshed enabling employees to request up to 15 hours paid time to volunteer in Gateshead over a 12 month period.  This needs to be matched by at least 15 hours pro rata of employees own time. Currently there are 60 employees registered as volunteers although it was also noted this figure is likely to be higher due to underreporting.

A summary of Environmental ‘Friends of’ Groups was given. Throughout Gateshead there are a number of different Friends of Groups that support the community and enable them to form informal ‘Friends of’ groups to support with the maintenance and upkeep of Gateshead’s open spaces and parks. It was advised that lessons have been learned around the necessity for public liability insurance for these groups and a procedure has been established to enable ‘Friends of’ groups to receive tailored support around tasks within designated open spaces.

The Committee were updated on the joint work between Neighbourhood Management & Volunteering and students from Northumbria University. Four students from the University formed a consultancy as part of a project for their Master’s Degrees. The consultancy was tasked with identifying improvements needed to the volunteer recruitment process. The main findings from the report concluded that the current volunteer recruitment process has some issues including:

·         Being outdated (being first implemented in 2013)

·         Is unable to deal with the fast flowing increase of volunteers

·         Will be unsustainable in the current format

·         Putting administration pressures on the one officer supporting the process

The main improvement identified was for the current process to move to an online platform; this will be developed in partnership with Open Lab at Newcastle University.

Future actions identified in the delivery of the Volunteers Plan are:

·         Create a new Volunteers Plan

·         Create a new management system to record volunteers, employee volunteers and volunteer hours contributed by voluntary groups as well as Council services, are collated in one location in partnership with Newcastle University

·         Continue promotion of the Employee Volunteering Scheme

·         Identify opportunities for group volunteering projects for teams

·         Explore arrangements for joint working with other agencies and external organisations

·         Consider how volunteers can add further value to current services provided by Gateshead Council

·         Continue to develop and promote the corporate volunteer opportunities

·         Continue to provide lead support for volunteering with the Voluntary & Community sector as well as for council service projects and roles

·         Develop closer working relationships with Trade Unions regarding the creation of further volunteering opportunities

It was asked if the new online system would allow local organisations to register and source volunteers for their projects; the committee were advised this would be possible as well as matching individuals to organisations with volunteering opportunities. It was also noted that the new website would sit separate to Gateshead Council’s website however a link would be provided via the main site.

A question was raised about the potential cost of developing and running the new website. It was explained that there would be no cost to the Council for developing the website due to the partnership with Newcastle University and that the cost for the maintenance of the website would be low. More detailed information regarding cost will be provided to the Committee when it is established.

A comment was made that many residents who volunteer within Gateshead are individuals or groups who chose to volunteer off their own backs. It was noted that registering as a volunteer via Gateshead Council was not a prerequisite however in doing so individuals and groups can be appropriately vetted and supported in the voluntary activities they chose to undertake. The Committee were advised that there are focus groups planned as to how best to develop this scheme with the University.

A concern around the safeguarding of individuals and organisations was raised. It was noted that appropriate safeguards should be put in place for the new system to protect those who are registered by ensuring that opportunities listed and the individuals registered are genuine and safe.

RESOLVED

(i)            That the comments on the progress of the implementation of the

Volunteers Plan are noted.

(ii)          That the future actions identified in the delivery of the Volunteers Plan are considered.