A Day in the Life: Volunteer Recruitment and Development Coordinator

Welcome to our ‘Day in the Life’ blog series where we interview a Home-Start colleague to reflect on their role and experience with their local Home-Start in London. 

For our second interview, we had the privilege to speak with Angie Ahmed, Volunteer Recruitment and Development Coordinator at Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow. Angie walked us through her vital role in ensuring that her organisation maintains a well-trained, competent volunteer base capable of meeting the demands of their family support service.  Here are the highlights of our conversation: 

Introduce yourself: Who are you and what is your role at Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow?
I am Angie Ahmed, and I hold the position of Volunteer Recruitment and Development Coordinator at Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow. 

Tell us a bit about the work of Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow: where do you work and what kind of work do you do?
I work from our office in East Sheen, or I work from home when necessary, covering the three boroughs of Richmond, Kingston, and Hounslow. My primary responsibility is to ensure that Home-Start RKH maintains a well-trained, competent volunteer base capable of meeting the demand for our family support service. I oversee the entire volunteer experience from recruitment to retirement and strive to promote a nurturing and inclusive environment. 

Describe your role in 3 words.
Recruit, develop, nurture. 

What made you want to join Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow?
My professional background, before I had children, was in marketing. However, after my work at the local volunteer centre post-children, I became aware of how Home-Start supported local families. At the time, my boys were 8 and 5, but I remembered how isolated I felt when I first became a mum. I thought I’d like to offer support to other mums in similar situations.

I trained as a Home-Start Richmond volunteer in 2007 and supported three families over two and half years. During this time, I also volunteered in the office, helping to write the newsletter and annual report. From 2008 to 2017, I worked as the Marketing and Fundraising Coordinator. Alongside this, from 2012 to the present day, I have been the Volunteer Recruitment and Development Coordinator. In 2017, Home-Start Richmond merged with Kingston and Hounslow, making it impossible to work in both roles in the newly enlarged organization, so I resigned from the marketing role. 

Describe a typical day.
This week, my typical day has involved: 

  • Answering enquiries from potential volunteers, sending information packs, and addressing questions. 
  • Coordinating with the Family Support Coordinators regarding the current training course – updating presentations and managing logistics for the venue. 
  • Finalising arrangements for volunteer support at a fundraising event this week: the Barnes Fashion Show. 
  • Initiating the writing of the Autumn e-newsletter for our volunteers. 
  • Requesting DBS and references from our new volunteers in training. 
  • Planning and inviting volunteers to a Safeguarding Refresher session. 
  • Discussing with a colleague about running volunteer feedback focus groups. 
  • Celebrating two volunteers who are moving on to work or further education. 

What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
The most rewarding part of my role is seeing how our prospective volunteers transform over time. When I first interview them, they are often nervous and at a significant milestone in life, whether it’s their children starting primary or secondary school, returning to work, contemplating a career change, or retiring. Many say to me that they ‘haven’t been doing anything recently, just being a mum.’ I love to see them realise that the Home-Start volunteer role precisely requires these skills and that they can make a difference in another person’s life.

I witness their growth in confidence during our training and while they volunteer with us. They often recommend our volunteering role to friends, which is fantastic because it shows that they are gaining something from it as well. Volunteer feedback consistently tells us that volunteers feel rewarded by their role.

When volunteers leave Home-Start, it is often due to a positive development in their lives, such as deciding to apply for further education or a job in the charity or caring sector. I believe that their time at Home-Start has been a stepping stone for them in building their confidence and experience, and it feels great to be a part of that process.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future in the work you are doing?
My hope for the future is that Home-Start can raise its profile, attract more funding and volunteers to expand its reach and support more families who need us. However, I also hope that Home-Start will retain its core values of being community-based, providing individualised support, and not becoming a one-size-fits-all service.

What one thing would you like people to do after reading this article?
After reading this article, I’d love for people to spread the word about Home-Start, consider applying to be a volunteer, or donate to help support more families. Your support can make a tremendous difference in the lives of families in need.