Home-Start London has begun an exciting new research project on volunteering during the time of COVID-19. The study is exploring the personal attributes and other supportive structures that help Home-Start volunteers continue to work with families (with a special focus on COVID-19). Dr. Vimala Uttarkar is leading this new research project.
Looking at the factors that help volunteers deal with the emotional impact of the work, how volunteers sustain their motivation throughout this work, and what specific structures can be put in place to ensure the volunteers’ resilience and capacity to continue this work, are just some of the themes that will be covered by this new study.
Home-Start volunteers have so far, attended focus groups, completed questionnaires, and given in-depth interviews to discuss the themes of the research.
Helena Konneh, Director of Home-Start London, comments “Through this research, it is hoped that not only will Home-Start submit these innovative findings to academic journals and other publishing mediums, but, more importantly, that Home-Start can use this research and evidence to fully strengthen their volunteering programme and enhance the overall support that they give to their fantastic and much-valued volunteers.”
Watch this space for the announcement of the completed research paper!
(Dr. Vimala Uttarkar)
“I am an independent researcher very much interested in the occupational resilience of people. My previous research explored this topic amongst employed professionals. I am especially interested in the impact of the world-wide pandemic particularly on volunteers who are not paid or required to do their work. I very much look forward to continuing my research activities and presenting the results of these in the new year.”