Item 21 - Volunteering Strategy Report
North Lanarkshire Council · 22 March 2023
Back to Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board — 22 March 2023 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 Item No: 21 North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 – 2026 Approved by North Lanarkshire Partnership Board Feb. 2023 Referred to March 2023 IJB for consideration and approval. To be referred to North Lanarkshire Council Communities Committee for consideration and approval. Once approved, this document will be designed prior to publication.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 Contents 1. Background and Introduction 2. Vision and Mission 3. Principles 4. Strategic Objectives 5. Implementation Appendices Appendix One: North Lanarkshire Local Context Appendix Two: National Context
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 1. Background and Introduction 1.1. Volunteering 1.1.1. Volunteering is a freely given, unpaid contribution by individuals to support others directly and/or their community or society more generally. Volunteering can be informal – such as people helping an elderly neighbour on an occasional basis, or formal volunteering, where a person is appointed to a volunteer role offered by an organisation. Volunteers are also diverse and include people of all ages and backgrounds, although the majority of volunteers are young people and people of working age. 1.1.2. Formal volunteer roles may involve a few hours a month, week or day. It is estimated that over 1.2 million people volunteer in Scotland and that 24% of adults in North Lanarkshire, an estimated 66,257 people, volunteer formally through an organisation or group. Whilst this is very welcome and a high figure, it is below the national average in 2018 of 26% (source: Volunteer Scotland). 1.1.3. Formal volunteer roles are diverse and include a wide range of activities that make a vital contribution to society, complementing public services. For example: befriending or mentoring contributing to a local church or faith group driving someone to a vital appointment litter picking environmental improvements such as planting trees providing mental health support providing money advice through a Citizen’s Advice Bureau running a mother and toddler’s group, a children’s uniformed group (such as brownies) or youth group charity trusteeship 1.1.4. Volunteering supports volunteers’ physical and mental health and is linked to well-evidenced benefits of volunteering such as: strengthening volunteers’ social connections and sense of belonging improving volunteers’ self-regard related to helping others and contributing positively to society and strengthening skills improved employment opportunities for volunteers 1.1.5. Volunteering also supports “active citizenship” by enabling people to help others and participate in their communities. 1.1.6. Volunteering also makes a significant, positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of the people and communities supported by volunteers.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 1.1.7. Whilst volunteers give their time for free and is a very cost-effective way of helping people, volunteering needs adequate resources to support volunteer recruitment, training and retention, as well as travel and other activity costs such as venue hire and equipment. 1.1.8. Volunteering in North Lanarkshire is actively supported by the Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) – including Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL); public sector and local businesses (see Appendix One.) However, there are opportunities to build on and strengthen volunteering across North Lanarkshire to benefit both volunteers and our communities – including: provision of health and social care support – for example advocacy; befriending; community transport; community sport, exercise and walking groups support for people on low income – for example money and welfare advice; charity shops; community food support. climate and green action – for example conservation; community gardens; green energy support - “green wellbeing” charity governance – all registered charities must be governed by volunteer trustees. 1.1.9. Volunteering plays a key role in supporting delivery of our Community Plan – The Plan for North Lanarkshire and nine Local Outcome Improvement Plans, as well as linked strategies and initiatives including: Health and Social Care NL’s Commissioning Plan and Community Solutions Programme Towards a Fairer North Lanarkshire Tackling Poverty Strategy Action on Climate Together NL initiative 1.2. Strategy 1.2.1. The purpose of this strategy is to set out partnership goals and activities to strengthen volunteering across North Lanarkshire, building on the significant progress that has already been achieved locally and contributing to achievement of the national Volunteering Framework and outcomes (see Appendix Two). 1.2.2. This partnership strategy has been co-produced by the following North Lanarkshire (community planning) Partnership (NLP) and Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL) partner organisations through the North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership. Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire and representatives from the wider North Lanarkshire Community and Voluntary Sector NHS Lanarkshire North Lanarkshire Council Lanarkshire division, Police Scotland Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lanarkshire
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 2. Vision and Mission 2.1. Vision All citizens in North Lanarkshire, regardless of their background, experience or support needs, are able to volunteer to support their own wellbeing and contribute to the wellbeing of their community. Volunteers and the vital contribution of volunteering to society, are valued, celebrated and supported effectively in North Lanarkshire - by the public; all sectors; and volunteering-involving organisations. 2.2. Mission To promote, engage and support North Lanarkshire residents from all ages, backgrounds and abilities in accessing and sustaining fulfilling volunteering opportunities. To continue to build the capacity of volunteer-involving organisations to contribute to the shaping and delivery of quality, inclusive and diverse volunteering opportunities in North Lanarkshire that support the wellbeing of volunteers and the people and communities they support and assist their host organisation in achieving their goals. 3. Principles 3.1. This strategy and its implementation and evaluation are guided by the following principles. Volunteering roles are designed to benefit the volunteer and the people / community receiving support. Volunteering is a respected and valued aspect of active citizenship, with resources provided to support the volunteer and their volunteering role effectively. Volunteering is open to all and supports inclusion and equality. Volunteering is a freely chosen activity. Volunteers receive support and training by their host organisation to enable volunteers to fulfil their volunteer role to the best of their ability. Volunteer-involving organisations protect the health, safety and wellbeing of volunteers. Volunteering is not done for financial gain. Volunteering may support volunteers’ employment prospects but is not a substitute for a paid role.
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Volunteer and paid staff in volunteer-involving organistions can contribute to volunteering policy and procedures. These principles align with the Scottish Volunteering Charter agreed between Volunteering Scotland and the STUC (see Appendix Two.)
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 4. Strategic Objectives Objective 1: Volunteering and the benefits of volunteering are actively promoted to support recruitment and placement of volunteers across North Lanarkshire in suitable roles – ensuring equal opportunities to participation for all groups. Objective 2: Volunteering-involving organisations are supported to provide high-quality and inclusive volunteering opportunities in North Lanarkshire, which provide the following. Volunteering opportunities for all equality groups including: o disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and challenges relating to their health o LGBTQi and community o people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups o young people and older adults Volunteering roles which support our people and communities on key issues such as: o physical and mental health and wellbeing – through for example, exercise; crisis and recovery support o social inclusion, support and care – through for example, befriending; digital inclusion skills o action to tackle poverty – such as money and welfare advice; community food support; employability support o action to help tackle the climate emergency, including community conservation and greening initiatives. Public safeguarding by ensuring prospective volunteers pass appropriate Protection of Vulnerable Group checks. Volunteers are matched and supported well in appropriate roles. Objective 3: Volunteers have a positive volunteering experience with recognition and, where appropriate, accreditation for their participation and skills gained through volunteering. Objective 4: Employers in all sectors – business, public and CVS – increase their support for Employer-Supported volunteering as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility contribution and to support their workforces’ development and retention. Objective 5: Volunteer-involving organisations are supported to evaluate and report on their volunteering activities, including reach and benefits for volunteers, people receiving support, wider community and their own organisation.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 5. Implementation 5.1. VANL will facilitate effective joint working between members of The North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership to support resourcing and delivery of this Strategy including: preparation of a rolling annual, Implementation Plan undertaking an Equality Impact Assessment securing additional resources to support delivery of the strategy where possible agreeing performance measures to support monitoring, evaluation and progress reporting, with reference to the national volunteering outcomes.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 Appendix One: North Lanarkshire Local Context 1. Support for Volunteering 1.1. The Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) is the major sector for providing volunteer opportunities in North Lanarkshire. Smaller CVS groups are often entirely run by volunteers – for example mother and toddler groups; community lunch clubs; volunteer driver schemes. Most medium to larger CVS organisations also involve volunteers – these are usually registered charities or social enterprises, including trustees/directors to support governance and volunteers to support delivery of activities and services. 2. Public Bodies 2.1. The major public bodies serving North Lanarkshire support volunteering directly and through participation in the Volunteering Partnership. 2.2. North Lanarkshire Council supports volunteering through schools and youth work including the Duke of Edinburgh and Saltire Award schemes. 2.3. NHS Lanarkshire supports volunteering within the NHS to help people gain pre- qualification experience in the health care sector and also roles that complement paid-staff roles, for example greeting and signposting at hospitals and volunteer driving. 2.4. Both Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service involve volunteers in various community-supporting roles. Police Scotland – volunteers have actively supported policing in Scotland for over 100 years. Police Scotland’s Special Constables are volunteers who undergo extensive training and deploy with regular officers to enhance community safety across Scotland. The Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Programme was established in 2014 and comprises over 1000 young people aged 13-18. The programme gives young people of all backgrounds a positive means of engagement with the police service. Through regular training and participation in community safety initiatives, youth volunteers are given opportunities to overcome barriers and discover their talents while making a positive contribution to their communities. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – SFRS’s Youth Volunteer Scheme (YVS) is a national youth initiative that creates opportunities for young people aged 12-18 to work together for a Safer Scotland.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 3. Business Organisations 3.1. Some businesses based in and/or serving North Lanarkshire, support their employees to volunteer as part of staff development and their contribution to local communities. There are significant opportunities to expand this through more structured approaches and wider support for “employer-supported volunteering”. 4. Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) 4.1. VANL plays a major role in supporting volunteering across North Lanarkshire by: promoting volunteering for all ages and groups. supporting recruitment of volunteers, including matching supporting volunteer-involving organisations, including Volunteer-Friendly accreditation supporting Saltire (volunteering) Awards for young people supporting strategic development of volunteering through the Community Solutions Programme; Action on Climate Together North Lanarkshire; and Green Health Partnership. convening and supporting the North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership. 4.2. VANL receives some dedicated, recurrent annual funding to support delivery of the above volunteering work through Health and Social Care NL and is currently negotiating an increase in this amount from April 2023. VANL also receives some one-off, small grants to supplement its volunteering work and is seeking additional grant funding. 5. North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership 5.1. This partnership was established by VANL in February 2020 to support improved, strategic and operational collaboration on volunteering between VANL, CVS, public bodies and business sector. 5.2. This strategy was developed with members of the Partnership, who will co- ordinate and support implementation, review and reporting as set out above with reference to the Scottish Government Volunteering Framework.
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North Lanarkshire Draft Volunteering Strategy 2023 to 2026 Appendix Two: National Context 1. Volunteering for All: National Framework 1.1. In April 2019 the Scottish Government launched its Volunteering For All National Framework. The Framework was developed by the Scottish Government with partners from the Voluntary and Community Sector, local government, NHS, academics and social researchers and with volunteers. 1.2. The Framework: Sets out a coherent and compelling narrative for volunteering. Defines the desired outcomes for volunteering in Scotland over the next ten years. Identifies the key data and evidence that will inform, indicate and drive performance at a national and local level. Enables informed debate and decision about the optimal combination of volunteering programmes, investments and interventions. 1.3. The Framework has the following five outcomes. Volunteering participation is valued, supported and enabled from the earliest possible age and throughout life. Volunteering in all its forms is integrated and recognised in our lives through national and local policy. There is an environment and culture which celebrates volunteers and volunteering and all of its benefits. The places and spaces where we volunteer are developed, supported and sustained. There are diverse, quality and inclusive opportunities for everyone to get involved and stay involved. 1.4. The Scottish Government launched Scotland's Volunteering Action Plan in June 2022 to support delivery of the framework.
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2. Volunteer Charter Volunteer Scotland and STUC developed a Volunteer Charter to which sets out the ten principles below, to support a good volunteer experience and help ensure that volunteer-involving groups and organisations respect the spirit and values of volunteering and support good volunteer practice. 1. Any volunteer activity is a freely made choice of the individual. If there is any compulsion, threat of sanctions or force, then any such activity is not volunteering. 2. Volunteers should receive no financial reward for their time however out of pocket expenses should be covered; no one should be prevented from volunteering due to their income. 3. Effective structures should be put in place to support, train and develop volunteers and their collaboration with paid workers. 4. Volunteers and paid workers should be able to carry out their duties in safe, secure and healthy environments that are free from harassment, intimidation, bullying, violence and discrimination. 5. Volunteers should not carry out duties formerly carried out by paid workers nor should they be used to disguise the effects of non-filled vacancies or cuts in services. 6. Volunteers should not be used instead of paid workers or undercut their pay and conditions of service nor undertake the work of paid workers during industrial disputes. 7. Volunteers should not be used to reduce contract costs nor be a replacement for paid workers in competitive tenders or procurement processes. 8. Volunteers should not be used to bypass minimum wage legislation nor generate profit for owners. 9. Volunteers and paid workers should be given the opportunity to contribute to the development and monitoring of volunteering policies and procedures, including the need for policies that resolve any issues or conflicts that may arise. 10. Volunteer roles should be designed and negotiated around the needs and interests of volunteers, involving organisations and wider stakeholders. Finding legitimacy and avoiding exploitation through consensus depends on mutual trust and respect [document ends]