Wednesday 26 March 2025 | 9.30am to 12.30pm | Online via Zoom
Ticket prices: Members £27 | Non-members £43
Whether raising funds, cheering at events or working directly with your beneficiaries, volunteers play a critical part in a charity’s success, so recognising them appropriately is fundamental to the volunteers’ experience and your overall retention strategy.
At this event, we will be joined by three speakers who will all provide insights into various aspects of recognising and rewarding volunteers.
Victoria Dickenson, a charity consultant, will give an overview of the importance of volunteer recruitment and how it starts from the moment they are recruited. Victoria will draw on her extensive knowledge of the voluntary sector and also incorporate some recent findings from sector research on current trends.
Joe Langtree will speak about the Room to Reward awards programme. Room to Reward is a fantastic concept where hotels all around the country donate unsold rooms so that volunteers nominated by their charity can benefit from a two night hotel stay. There is no cost to the charity and Joe will explain this simple but rewarding scheme.
Leah Parolin from MacMillan Cancer Support will talk about how MacMillan co-created their MacMillan Moments ongoing recognition scheme with the input and feedback directly from volunteers. From survey feedback the charity realised there was a gap in their recognition programme which needed to fit a diverse range of volunteers and that recognised those volunteers who need a special thank you throughout the year. This concept was low cost and easily adaptable to any organisation. Leah will also speak about some of the charity’s other methods of recognition.
This event will cover:
- A strategic overview of the importance of recognition based on recent research
- Ideas on successful recognition with little or no budget
- How to make existing volunteers feel valued and appreciated, encouraging them to stay involved and spread the word
- How to involve volunteers in the design of your recognition programme to ensure it recognises the diversity of your volunteers and is meaningful to them.
About the Speakers
Victoria Dickinson – Consultant
Victoria Dickinson is an independent consultant (VA Consultancy) bringing over 30 years of expertise in volunteer management. She specialises in collaborating with organisations to design and implement volunteering programmes that foster lasting, positive change. Victoria has recently partnered with organisations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the English-Speaking Union, the Touch Trust, and Advocacy People, delivering impactful solutions tailored to their needs. As an experienced trainer, she conducts high-quality workshops covering all aspects of volunteering, equipping individuals and teams with the knowledge and skills needed for success. In addition to her own consultancy work, Victoria is a NCVO Associate Consultant and a consultant with HRAtkinson. She contributes her time and expertise as a Trustee at Community People and volunteers to support young children’s education.
Joe Langtree – Room to Reward
Joe Langtree joined Room to Reward in October 2018 and became Operations Director in early 2020. Room to Reward uses donated unsold rooms from over 900 hotels across the UK to give nominated volunteers the chance to enjoy a well-earned break. So far, R2R partners have donated over 3000 breaks to volunteers nominated by over 1000 organisations. R2R breaks are for 2 nights, 2 people, on a bed & breakfast basis and at no cost.
Leah Parolin – MacMillan Cancer Support
Leah Parolin is a Volunteering Support Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, working for the past 4 years as part of a team whose remit is to improve the overall volunteer experience. Her work has a particular focus on delivering and developing Volunteer Reward and Recognition initiatives that thank and motivate those who give their time in an inclusive, sustainable way.
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.
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