Working together to transform the future of volunteering
We are delighted to be part of an exciting new programme to transform Home-Start volunteering, making it more inclusive and accessible. Led by Home-Start UK and funded by the Pears Foundation, the programme brings together Home-Start teams from across the UK to develop and test new models and approaches to volunteer recruitment and support.
Our partnership in London
At Home-Start London, we are proud to be partnering with Home-Start Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow, Home-Start Hillingdon, Home-Start Sutton, Home-Start Lambeth and Home-Start Westminster Kensington and Chelsea Hammersmith and Fulham.
Over 18 months, we will work together to research, develop and test a more streamlined approach to volunteer management that uses digital solutions to enhance the volunteer experience and increase efficiencies – enabling us to grow our vital support for families across the capital.
As Jessica Greenhalf, Director at Home-Start London explains, “Volunteers are at the heart of Home-Start. We are excited to work together as a partnership to reimagine what the volunteer experience can look like – making it easier for more people to get involved, stay engaged, and make a lasting difference in their community.”
Building on learning and innovations already underway
Home-Start teams across London are already busy evolving their volunteer models, for example:
- Home-Start Sutton has boosted volunteer recruitment and retention by moving their application process online and introducing a “volunteer hub” where volunteers can connect with each other and access rewards.
- Several local Home-Starts are reaching new volunteer pools by offering a range of opportunities alongside home visiting – from parent ambassadors to group volunteers to event champions. There is a role for everyone!
- Home-Start Hillingdon has diversified their volunteer pool through action research to identify barriers and test ways of addressing, including introducing coffee mornings in the community to explain what home-visiting involves and offer support with the application process.
- Home-Start Barnet, Brent and Harrow has piloted a board shadowing scheme to support prospective trustees from underrepresented communities to build their confidence before stepping into a trustee role.
We are inspired by these and other innovations across the London network and excited to build on them as we take forward our work to transform volunteering.
Sharing our learning
A key focus for the wider programme is developing scalable models and approaches that can be adapted and shared more widely within Home-Start. To support this, we will be documenting and sharing our learning as we go. Watch this space! A big thank you to the Pears Foundation for making this vital work possible.