Discovery Phaseby Alexandra Clarke

Discovery Phase

CRI

Crime Reduction Initiative• www.cri.org.uk

National scheme to create safer communities and reintegrate offenders, drug users etc. back into their local community.

Began as a merger of numerous companies, grew very rapidly due to demand for services. Now due to merge with Sova, a similar organisation.

Local volunteers connect the services to the communities they serve.“ “

David Royce, Chief Exec.

Discovery Phase

CRI

Who volunteers?• Ex-service users• Community members• Social work students

Reasons for volunteering:

• Ex-service user• Work experience• Initiative to go back

to school• Job prospects with CRI

Have created a 5 year plan to ensure that they are developing and are prepared for growth of service requirement, or for contraction of funds.

Discovery Phase

Sova:Recovery

• sovarecycling.org.uk

Part of Sova charity, this business to remove unwanted household/office items, for reuse, recycing or resale.

• Employees are ex-service users

• Cost for service• Re-sale of items• Responsible recycling

of unwanted items

Discovery Phase

• www.sharecarsnotcake.com/

SCNC was a campaign for SuffolkCarShare, backed by the local gov. to reduce carbon emissions and congestion on the roads. The awareness/advertising campaign also had support from local environmental groups.

The online platform was run by Liftshare, a UK based site that allows participants to find those on the same route.

Share Cars, Not Cake/Suffolk Car Sharing/Liftshare

Discovery PhaseShare Cars, Not Cake/Suffolk Car Sharing/Liftshare

Why join?• To save money• Help the environment• Luxury of car travel,

instead of buses etc.• Access to rural areas

The campaign has ended, but both sites still run. I am doubtful that the workers were voluntary - but maybe the participants could receive a car stickers when they join, making them the volunteers and continuing the campaign going?

Discovery Phase

Bucky Box

• www.buckybox.com

An online site that aims to help small farms sell their produce to the local community, by creating an online ordering system to make the relevant information/payment between client/farmer much simpler.

I feel this shows a response to ‘what is already available?’ It is an international tool, yet supports the local communities.

Discovery Phase

Bucky Box

• Is the farmer the volunteer?

• Is the community the investor, or is the farmer also investor?

Although this is not an example of a sustainable “volunteering” model, I think it is a great example of creating a sustainable model to aid smaller businnesses/communities.

Discovery Phase

The Bevy

• www.thebevy.co.uk

The Bevy is a ‘co-operative’ pub in Brighton, bought by the community after raising £200k in capital.

They are aiming to develop a community hub; a pub, cafe and ‘training and experience for our young people’.

They are hoping to create a sense of community and ownership, that will motivate people to volunteer and get involved with the pub.

Discovery Phase

Exeter St Hall

• exeterstreehall.org

The community are hoping to buy the hall, as it is used for Brownies, daycare etc.

How is it sustainable?• Renting out the space• Relying on community

volunteers - community bought shares to buy it.

They have created a 3 year plan, want to spend the first year renovating some areas, and believe they can generate a profit through events, etc.

Discovery Phase

Age Concern, Brighton

• www.ageuk.org.uk

Volunteering with them:

• Majority are retirement age, have spare time, are lonely

• Younger come for work experience

• Range of roles, incl.admin etc.

• Sense of purpose• A lot of responsibility

Funding has been cut, so can no longer offer indepth training.

Clients must now pay for care at home service.

Discovery Phase

The Clock TowerSanctuary

• theclocktowersanctuary.org.uk

The CTS was established in 1998 and is a drop in centre for the homeless/insecurely housed, aged between 16-25.

Primarily volunteer based, with 2 full-time staff and 1 part-time member.

In 2011, they saw a 42% rise in service users due to cuts in services for homeless people.

Discovery Phase

The Clock TowerSanctuary

Who volunteers?• Retired - bored &

have time to spare• Young - for work

experience/training• Mid-lifers - Mum’s

who are trying to get back into work, and

• Men who want a change of career

Ex-service users are not allowed to volunteer.

All volunteers must sign up for 6 months.

Discovery Phase

Vodafone World of Difference

Opportunity to be an intern with the Clock Tower Sanctuary.

Why I would do this:

• Make a difference• Part-time hours• Relevant to studies• Related to running of

charity?• It is paid

Why I wouldn’t do this:

• Time constraints• 4 month commitment

Discovery Phase

Questionnaire

• Why just charity shops?

Reasons for volunteering:

• Social, meet people• Work experience• Give back to the

community• Passion• Learn a skill

No one said why they didn’t volunteer - could they be embarrassed?

Discovery Phase

Repair the World

• werepair.org

A report into the motivation of young US Jewish community re: volunteering/values.

Found that:

• Personal meaning• Infreqent & episodic• Would volunteer

with anyone, not just Jewish organisations

• Give back to the local community

• Univeral values more important than Jewish

Discovery Phase

Chat with Amy

• www.scope.org.uk

Amy works for Scope - a charity that provides care for disabled people.

• A lot of competition,• Facing a lot of cuts,

affecting resources...• Don’t have many

‘volunteers’ - has a few people who need the specific experience

If funding is being cut, then maybe the various organisations should merge to be able to share resources etc?

A lot of people are in jobs where they are not stimulated, unchallenged.“ “

Discovery Phase...What can I conclude?• Similar charities/organizations should join forces• ‘What is already there’ should be ‘What could

improve those services?’• Network is important - online network vital in

engaging with the younger generation • All ages volunteer - though primarily retired, and

younger generation• Maybe more incentives related to career prospects

Where am I now going?• Final research• Contacts from Amy: Moulescombe forest, garden

and allotments; Emaus• Consider motivations/lack of funding in creating a

sustainable volunteering model• Compare notes and discuss with peers