How we helped a local Hospice stand out
We recently worked with a much-loved charity in Worcestershire providing hospice care and support to local families. They wanted to attract new volunteers and set themselves apart from other charities in a competitive market for people’s time and commitment.
Working through Worcestershire County Council‘s workforce planning programme, they came to us to create a volunteer culture book, timed to launch at an upcoming event.
We met with their Head of People, reviewed their website and social media, and worked closely with the team to shape a 20-page visual culture book that felt fun, warm, and entirely them. It included a welcome from the Chief Executive, the charity’s history and values, a range of volunteer stories and roles, the volunteer agreement and benefits, and a clear picture of what joining the hospice community looks and feels like.
Their Head of People and Operations, said:
“The process helped us reflect on how we present our offer to volunteers and gave us space to shape a resource that communicates what we stand for in a more visual and accessible way. The consultancy gave us an opportunity to pause, review, and refocus. It’s supported us in moving forward with greater clarity and intention around our volunteer communications and experience.”
The result was a resource that could be used at events, on the website, and as part of the onboarding process, giving potential volunteers a compelling reason to choose us.
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Need Help Attracting and Retaining Volunteers?
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Three things any charity can do now
- Review your volunteer-facing materials. Read them as a potential volunteer would. Is it clear what you stand for, what the experience will be like, and why someone should choose you?
- Create a simple, visual volunteer welcome resource. It doesn’t need to be 20 pages. Even a well-designed four-page PDF that brings your charity to life is a significant step forward from nothing.
- Audit your onboarding process. Map out what happens between someone expressing interest and their first day. Where do people fall through the gaps?
If you run a charity and want help thinking about how to present your volunteer offer more effectively, book a free 30-minute discovery call and let’s talk about what that could look like for your organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Do volunteers have the same legal rights as employees?
Generally no, volunteers are not employees or workers in the legal sense, and are not entitled to the same statutory rights such as the National Minimum Wage, holiday pay, or sick pay. However, if a volunteer arrangement starts to look like a working relationship, for example if there are regular hours, set tasks, and an expectation of ongoing attendance, there is a risk that a tribunal could find the person to be a worker. It’s worth getting HR advice if you’re unsure about the nature of your volunteer arrangements.
What should be in a volunteer welcome pack?
A volunteer welcome pack should cover who the charity is and what it stands for, the range of volunteer roles available, what volunteers can expect from the charity in terms of support, training, and recognition, what the charity expects of volunteers in terms of commitment and conduct, key practical information like expenses and contact details, and ideally some real stories from existing volunteers. It should be visual, on-brand, and genuinely engaging.
How can charities retain volunteers once they’ve recruited them?
Retention comes down to three things: connection, recognition, and growth. Volunteers who feel genuinely part of the organisation, whose contribution is acknowledged, and who are offered opportunities to develop or take on more responsibility are the ones who stay. Regular communication, team events, and a named contact who checks in on their experience make a significant difference.
Can we access funded support for volunteer recruitment in Worcestershire?
Worcestershire County Council’s workforce planning programme has supported charities in developing their volunteer offer, as this Hospice found. Limelite HR works closely with the Council and can advise on whether similar funded support might be available for your organisation. Get in touch to find out.
About the Author
Helen Scullion, Assc CIPD, is an HR Client Manager at Limelite HR. She supports charities, care providers, and small businesses across Worcestershire with people strategy, volunteer management, and culture development.
