Coordinating volunteers

It’s important that volunteers have someone to support them. This helps them do their role well and be safe.

It takes time to recruit, train and support volunteers. This should be a clear part of someone's role, not added to an already busy workload.

A volunteer coordinator is generally responsible for organising volunteers.

Some organisations call this role a volunteer manager or volunteer organiser.

A volunteer coordinator's role often includes:

• creating roles for volunteers
• recruiting, onboarding and inducting volunteers
• supporting and supervising volunteers
• troubleshooting volunteer issues
• highlighting the role volunteers play in the organisation and evaluating their impact
• ensuring that the experience of volunteering is inclusive and accessible
• training and developing volunteers and helping them progress into new roles.

Sometimes people responsible for volunteers have other job titles or roles. Working with volunteers will still be an important part of their job.

For example, a fundraising manager might have to supervise volunteers at events.

Volunteer management is a unique and valuable skill. It's important to make sure anyone working with volunteers has the time, knowledge and resources to do this well.

• Anyone who manages volunteers in England (including volunteers themselves) can join the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM).
• People who manage volunteers in the heritage sector can join the Heritage Volunteering Group.
• National Association of Voluntary Service Managers (NAVSM) is a network that supports volunteer managers in the NHS.
• Association of Voluntary Service Managers is a network of volunteer managers in hospice and palliative care.
• Some Volunteer Centres also run workshops on managing volunteers. Find your local Volunteer Centre.