Volunteering really matters

Cumbria CVS has produced some resources to support Volunteer Managers to look at how they can start to safely bring volunteers back during Covid-19. Please note Government announcements are changing frequently so this information is valid from 26 June 2020. These resources are as follws:

Volunteer Managers Virtual Coffee and Chat:How can you get the most out of digital to help your organisation when involving volunteers
Thursday 9 July 2020
10am-11am
We will be joined by Kelly from Digital Candle, who is a coach working in the technology industry, coaching software development teams. She uses digital regularly in her role for training, workshops and 1:1 coaching. Kelly lives near London and has volunteered her time and skills to plan and to deliver the session amongst her normal working day. Kelly is really keen to help Volunteer Managers in Cumbria and so will run this workshop to help us explore and share ideas on how digital can help charities and organisations solve problems when involving volunteers.

The session will cover:

  • What does ‘digital’ mean for your organisation
  • How to engage existing volunteers using digital channels
  • How to recruit, interview, train and onboard new volunteers online
  • How to promote your volunteers’ work online
  • How to convert physical training and information to digital versions
  • Where you can get further help and advice for shifting work online

If you would like to join in please email: judiths@cumbriacvs.org.uk


Volunteer Managers Virtual Coffee and Chat: Charity Shop Meeting
Friday 17 July 2020
11am-12noon
This meeting will bring together Cumbria Charity Shop Managers or Volunteer Managers involved with recruiting or retaining volunteers for charity shops, providing an opportunity to share ideas and offer support in terms of shops re-opening after Lockdown. It is a great opportunity for Charity Shops to network and learn from each other. If your charity shop would like to join the next meeting, email: judiths@cumbriacvs.org.uk  If your charity shop does need new volunteers then please do contact Judith at Cumbria CVS.


Queens Award for Voluntary Service
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is an annual award made to recognise and reward the most exceptional and innovative groups who provide voluntary led activities carried out by local groups in the community. It is a highly competitive and prestigious award and only about half of the nominations can expect to win. The award was announced in 2002 as part of the celebrations for The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and was first known as The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award.

Any group of two or more people doing outstanding volunteering work can be nominated for the award. Most importantly the group must be volunteer led and the majority of the group must be volunteers; more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK. The groups should also have been running for three years or more to be eligible.

To be nominated they should do work that:

  • provides a service and meets a need for people living in the local community
  • is supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it
  • is run locally

Cumbria CVS would like to congratulate these three groups for winning this prestigous award. Well done.

Queens Award for Voluntary Service
Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award.

For further details about the award and how to nominate visit – https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service/overview 

Nominations for the 2021 awards close on 25 September 2020.