2. Fulfilling the ‘Brief’
Reminder –
Volunteering in the context of social cohesion
Key EU agenda following 2011 European Year of
Volunteering
Undiminished concern (EU-wide) to promote volunteering –
especially in view of economic crisis / lack of jobs.
IVISOC –
Promoting EU objectives around volunteering (e.g. relating
to the creation of ‘enabling and facilitating environments’
for volunteering)
Showing how to do it via the ‘Volunteering Framework’!
3. Context
Different positions in different countries
benchmark in the 2010 GHK European report
emergence of ‘fourth sector’…
Knowledge and expertise of IVISOC partners
exchange of this knowledge … guided by our three themes
around Recruitment, Retention and Recognition…
But no common definition of ‘volunteering’
what is a true volunteer?
limited clarity regarding the boundary between volunteering
and (e.g.) neighbourly caring
dilemmas around payment, reward, use of volunteering as
‘training’ or as gift to others…
4. Towards a ‘Framework’ [1]
The ‘Volunteering Framework’ needs to:
clearly state and work within the boundaries of our project
…but recognise some ‘blurring’ at the boundaries (e.g.)
social support having benefits in terms of health / well-
being both for volunteers and beneficiaries
draw on the expertise and knowledge of the partners in all
countries… in examples / case studies (etc) that will ‘bring
to life’ and give pointers to the applicability and usefulness
of the Volunteering Framework
avoid rigidity… in view of the diverse nature of volunteering
that we have found in the different countries.
5. Towards a ‘Framework’ [2]
The ‘Volunteering Framework’ needs to:
offer (or adopt) a common definition of volunteering that
captures its diverse nature
systematically address the ‘3Rs’ viz. Recruitment,
Retention and Recognition – plus training
differentiate throughout in respect of the different needs
and motivations of volunteers and (therefore) the types of
training and support that are necessary… both inherent in
the volunteering tasks concerned and for the personal
development of volunteers
provide a simple way of judging the effectiveness of the
support given to volunteers in relation to the volunteering
tasks concerned.
6. Towards a ‘Framework’ [3]
The ‘Volunteering Framework’ needs to:
address insurance matters
look at the nature of rewards and payments made (without
undermining the flexibility that will relate to different
contexts for volunteering)*
consider restrictions on volunteers (eligibility criteria)
specify the nature of induction and on-going training, plus
(perhaps) suggestions around qualifications
acknowledge the need to avoid an approach that over-
professionalises volunteers (and need for clarity regarding
relationships and status vis à vis paid staff)
encourage partnership working.
7. Towards a ‘Framework’ [4]
Finally, the Framework needs to be seen as
conducive to wider EU objectives of increasing
the level of volunteering. It, therefore needs to:
be simple and easily understood
be applicable in different volunteering contexts within social
care
be relevant and applicable to people wanting to develop
skills for (e.g.) work purposes and those who want to ‘give’
be able to offer signposting to ways in which it can be
publicised, disseminated, and adopted by different social
care organisations.
8. Framework Review
The Framework Review will note:
the way that the Framework has emerged from the work
undertaken – taking account of:
different types of volunteer, and
the context in different EU countries…
the way that input from:
partner organisations, and
‘the volunteer voice’ have helped shape the
Framework…
the way in which the Framework positions itself in relation
to EC objectives.
