Family Volunteering

The story so far…

Why family volunteering:

Family groups volunteering already

Family groups enquiring

Further involvement for project participants

Fits with NT strategy

Lack of information across sector

The story so far…

Innovation group:

Trials

Case studies

Development of toolkit

Persuading document

Funding for Project Officer (Big Lottery Fund)

Toolkit

Toolkit contents:

What is family volunteering?

Risk

CRB guidance

Insurance

Documentation

Marketing

Reward and recognition

BLF Funding – Project Officer

Aims:

Develop range of exciting family volunteering opportunities

Train staff and volunteers appropriately

Develop a family volunteering programme

Evaluate impact on families and the organisation

Share learning across sector

So what did the families do…

…clean a handling object collection…make bird boxes…build a dry stone wall…trial interpretation…create a perfect photo shoot…make artwork for a ‘family map’…show other family groups around…present a family tour to other family groups…clean some very old railings…make family learning fun…advise on what family groups visiting places might want or need…litter pick…clear woodland…create their own family orchard…build a wildlife habitat…care for an allotment…play georgian games…develop trails…tell others about family volunteering…evaluate all of this….!...

So what did the families do….

Quotes

‘This is great, my mum would have a fit if she saw me now, I’m not usually allowed near sharp heavy things’ (holding a slasher hook)

Child at Family Volunteering Day, shrub clearing

‘I had never been here before today. It always seemed like a ‘big house’, a bit scary to come in to. I was surprised at how friendly everyone was! The kids asked if we could come next week….!’

Parent at Family Volunteering Day, conservation cleaning

‘I want my kids to grow up to look after things around them – this was a fun way of doing and learning about that together’

Parent at Family Volunteering Day, litter picking

Key Challenges

‘Wow, that sounds brilliant. It is something I am interested in, butcan't see in the slightest how it would work here’.

Learning and Community Officer, National Trust

Perceptions of staff and volunteers (working with family groups)

Concern (risk and insurance, the unknown, no work will get done)

Limitations of current structures (inflexible roles)

Family groups may have barriers to volunteering (concept of volunteering, practicalities – transport, childcare)

Key Lessons

Family volunteering:

Looks different at each property

Needs staff and volunteer ‘buy in’

Requires clear guidance on elements of risk

Works best if well organised

Needs to be approached with a ‘can do’ attitude

Should to be trialled

Face to face marketing and recruitment works well

Reward and recognition should not be forgotten

Benefits

Family groups can:

Gain access to a place and its expertise

Feel a sense of achievement

Gain new skills

Build confidence

Make friends

Learn new things

Spend quality time together

Enjoy themselves

Places can:

Diversify their volunteers

Gain access to specialist advice

Broaden perceptions

Get jobs done

Feel more family friendly

Challenge their existing practice

Build staff / volunteer confidence

Make local links

Widen their volunteering offer

Top tips to get started

Get staff and volunteers involved from the start

Examine your existing volunteering processes

Link up with a local family involving organisation

Use face to face marketing techniques

Hold a taster day

And…

Have fun!