Wednesday 25 Feb 2026 | 9.30am to 12.30pm | Online via Zoom
Ticket prices: Members £43 | Non-Members £65
A great volunteer strategy is the launchpad for building a movement around your cause. If you’re thinking of developing your organisation’s first volunteer strategy this workshop is for you.
You will learn how different organisations approach volunteer strategy development, learn hints and tips about ensuring your volunteer strategy will succeed and explore with peers new approaches to strategy development in your organisation.
The session will use real life case studies and tips to cover:
- Exploring why you might need a volunteer strategy
- Co-producing the strategy with volunteers and volunteer managers
- The difference between a strategy, plan and tactics
- Understanding the internal and external landscape
- Audit and analysis
- Aligning with your organisation’s cause and goal
- Aligning to volunteer motivations and preferences
- Staffing, budget and ways of working – resourcing the strategy
- Some ideas for implementation
- Evaluating and reviewing your strategy live.
About the trainer
Laura Elson has worked in volunteer involvement for over 20 years and now works as an independent consultant specialising in supporting organisations to build ambitious and cohesive volunteer strategies that build movements around a cause.
Laura has worked in volunteer leadership roles at a number of grassroots organisations, and at Volunteer Centre Leeds, Parkinson’s UK, and England Netball. As a consultant she has helped over 40 organisations with their strategic volunteering including Citizens Advice, Butterfly Conservation Trust, Dogs Trust, and more.
Laura is an Associate Consultant with NCVO, Consultants for Good and the Association of Chairs. Laura is a serial volunteer with several local and national charities.
© Laura Elson Consulting Ltd. All course content and materials are copyright and may not be reproduced without permission.
AVM Members’ discount
AVM members are eligible for a discount on the event ticket price. Please login to your account so that your discount can be automatically applied.
If you’re not an AVM member, you can join AVM today to gain access to this event, as well as receiving lots of other benefits, including access to free member-only events, discounts for all public events and the annual AVM conference.
You will also have access to the AVM BiteSize webcasts and AVM Replay videos of previous events, including our annual conference. Members also have the opportunity to join our Mentoring Scheme and build their professional network through AVM Connect.
Join AVM today to access your discount for this event.
What are your payment and cancellation terms?
Payment must be made by the date of the event.
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If you have to cancel or want to arrange a swap, please let us know in writing.
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- Cancellations received 19–0 days before the start of the event, regardless of date booked, will incur a 100% cancellation charge, whether the place has been paid for or not.
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What are your accessibility arrangements?
AVM is committed to providing access to our events for everyone. We aim to hold all our events at venues that are wheelchair accessible, and make closed captions available at online events. Please note that we do not allow the use of AI Notetakers at any online events, but we can provide a transcript from the event if it is requested in advance. If you have specific requirements to ensure you can fully take part in an event, please let us know when you book, or as soon as you can.
If you require a personal assistant, carer or BSL interpreter to attend the event with you, they are very welcome, and their place will be free. Please email hello@volunteermanagers.org.uk to arrange this. If you require us to source a BSL interpreter for you, please let us know at time of booking, or at least one month in advance.
AVM tries to ensure all dietary requirements are provided for, and commits to providing a menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options. Please let us know if you have specific dietary needs at the time of booking, or as soon as possible.
AVM disclaimers
Whilst the programme is correct at time of going to press, AVM reserves the right to change details of an event without notice. Alterations may occasionally be necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.
Views expressed by speakers are their own. AVM disclaims any liability for advice given, or views expressed, by any speaker at the event or in any documentation provided to delegates.
Professional photography and video production will be taking place at the event, and these images may be used on future promotional and training materials for AVM members. Please note that by attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any AVM promotional materials or video recordings.
On the day of the event the delegate list (name, job title and organisation only) may be shared with attendees to facilitate networking. If you do not want your details in the list, please let us know at least three weeks in advance of the event. This delegate list should not be used for sales to our delegates, either during or after the event.
