How to attract and retain great charity shop volunteers @JayneCartwright
I can’t see what we’re going to achieve by it really How to attract & retain great charity shop volunteers 4 parts: • Charity retail volunteering statistics • How to attract great volunteers • How to retain great volunteers • Breaking the mould - recruiting YOUNG volunteers Charity shop volunteering by numbers • There are more than 221,000 volunteers nationwide, and some shops are run entirely by volunteers • The average charity shop has 20 volunteers • Numbers are in decline; down from 23 to 20 in the last year Charity shop volunteering by numbers How to attract volunteers (Part 1) • Use the tried and tested methods • Messaging in the shop: posters in the windows and instore, badged volunteers and staff, bookmarks, price labels • Maximise print, web and social media opportunities • Word of mouth – e.g. Bring a friend to work day • Join young volunteering schemes: Duke of Edinburgh, vInspired • Keep the shop attractive, warm, clean and welcoming
Marie Curie Shiney Things and Resource Project Compton Hospice Chris Wilkes, 52 Chris is one of Compton Hospice’s newest volunteers having been with us for just over 6 months. Here he tells us how volunteering has given him a new lease of life as well as a new circle of friends. I had been looking for an opportunity to volunteer for some time before I came across the Compton Hospice charity shop in Perton in November last year. I was quite ill last year and so was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to become active again. I was walking through Anders Square in Perton last November when I saw that a shop was being refurbished. A sign in the window was asking for volunteer support so I went knocking on the door. The people inside were so friendly and inviting, they gave me an application form and I brought it back within the hour. Scope How to attract volunteers (Part 2) Once you’ve used the tried and tested activities, think more specifically about your locality. Ask yourselves relevant questions about the area • What is happening in your charity shop locations? • Do you know the local employment statistics? • Do you understand the level of competition for volunteers? • What is your USP and who can it attract? • Create events that inspire relevant groups to get more involved Think of volunteering as an exchange, not a gift How not to do it Communicate the benefits of volunteering • 76 % of people said that volunteering makes them feel healthier • 94 % of people who volunteered in the last twelve months said that volunteering improved their mood • 78 % said that volunteering lowered their stress levels • 96 % said that volunteering enriched their sense of purpose in life
Finders keepers: retaining volunteers Recognise and reward • Volunteer certificates • Volunteer awards evening • Volunteer of the month • Volunteer open day • Birthday and Christmas cards • Volunteer newsletter • A word of thanks whenever you visit • Any more ideas?
Recognise and reward Why recruit younger volunteers? • To safeguard your charity’s future • Young volunteers have a vast amount to give – time and skills • Young people are often experts in new technology, video creation, social media, visual merchandising… • Young people will bring a fresh and youthful dynamic to your shop • Like attracts like – they bring more young volunteers, young customers and young donors • Charity shop teams should reflect the whole of their local community Youth volunteering increased by 52% in 5 years But they aren’t volunteering in charity shops What barriers do young people face? • Negative peer pressure - ‘not cool’ • Lack of confidence and fear of rejection • Access to information – knowing what is available • Lack of time • Costs • Lack of formal recognition
• Create roles that young people are interested in – visual merchandising, events planner, social media champion • Reflect volunteer diversity in newsletters and volunteer materials • Collect and monitor diversity data from your new volunteers – hold exit interviews to find out ways to improve • Advertise in youthful places, e.g. universities, on social media • Train shop managers on diversity to value young volunteers • Get involved in youth volunteering campaigns Any questions? and for more information…
For more information: [email protected] @JayneCartwright