Volunteer Managers

As Volunteer Managers you have the rewarding but not always straight forward job of recruiting, coordinating and supporting your team of Volunteer Walk leaders to help deliver your projects aims. Outlined below are a number of resources and information sources that will hopefully help you in your role.

We have also commissioned research that proves the physical health and well-being benefits of being a volunteer walk leader, read the full report for more information. If there are any areas where you feel Paths for All could offer more support or you would like to pass on ideas to other Scheme Coordinators then please do get in touch by emailing volunteer@pathsforall.org.uk or call 01463 725125.

Policy and Procedures

A number of example policy and document templates have been drafted to help you get started with your volunteer policies and procedures. These are designed for you to edit, personalise and adapt. A lot of schemes develop ‘Volunteer Welcome Packs’ to ensure that new volunteers have access to all the information that they need before they start to volunteer.

Best Practice Information Sheets

Recruiting Volunteers
PVG Guidance
Supporting and Recognising your Volunteers

Volunteer Newsletter

We also produce a quarterly newsletter for Volunteer Walk Leaders called Footnotes. Previous editions can be viewed here. You can submit articles, news or photos for publication in the newsletter by emailing volunteer@pathsforall.org.uk

Volunteer Support Fund

A volunteer support fund has been developed to help projects that have limited or no funds available to support their volunteers. Applications are invited from projects working with adults and supporting Walking for Health Volunteers. Proposals can be up to £500 for equipment, training, events, resources and any other volunteer support need identified by your project. To receive an application from email volunteer@pathsforall.org.uk or visit the Grants and Funding pages of the website.

Volunteer Management Training Event

Paths for All delivered a Volunteer Management Training Event for Scheme Coordinators in November last year. The event covered a range of topics and featured speakers from current projects and volunteer support organisations.

Friends of the Pentlands – Case Study 

Volunteer Awards

• Bronze (for volunteers leading 15+ walks)
• Silver (for volunteers leading 50+ walks)
• Gold (for volunteers leading 100+ walks)
• Long Service Award (for volunteers who have worked with the project a significant period of time)
• Outstanding Contribution (for volunteers that have made an outstanding contribution to the project)

Each award comes with a certificate and gift (currently a badge and personal radio, pedometer or flask) and can be ordered from Paths for All using the form here (Please only order the exact number you require rather than ordering more and storing for future use).

We are also running our National awards, these are open to all schemes across Scotland and aim to recognise our outstanding volunteers and the work they do. The Awards will be presented at the regional Networking Events and the wining volunteers will be presented with a prize, along with a certificate and commemorative gift.

• Committed Volunteer of the Year
• Inspiring Volunteer of the Year
• Workplace Volunteer of the Year

Nominations are to be submitted by Scheme Coordinators, but for more information contact volunteer@pathsforall.org.uk.

Investing in Volunteers and Volunteer Friendly Awards

Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK award, managed in Scotland by Volunteer Development Scotland, which recognises an organisation’s commitment to high quality volunteer involvement.  There is a huge amount of evidence to show that organisation’s that have invested time in ensuring that their volunteers are treated well, attract more volunteers and keep them for longer.

Unlike other quality awards IiV has a unique focus on volunteering, giving organisations the opportunity to improve and develop practice – making a good organisation even better.

• Planning for volunteer involvement
• Recruiting volunteers
• Selecting and matching volunteers
• Supporting and retaining volunteers

Organisations registering for the award must be able to demonstrate that a basic framework for involving volunteers is already in place. You should have at least some policies and practices to support the recruitment and involvement of volunteers.

Paths for All are able to help you through the process, providing support and examples of best practice in other similar projects. Contact your Development Officer if you would like more information. More information about the award.

The Volunteer Friendly Award is a new award which helps you to take a systematic look at what you do and how you do it.  It offers a flexible approach which allows your group to work at its own pace, with full support from your local Volunteer Centre. It is based on the national standard Investing in Volunteers (IiV) but is designed for small organisations which may not be ready to undertake IiV yet, or which may be looking for a stepping stone towards IiV. It’s currently being rolled out across the country so contact your local Volunteer Centre for more details.

For more information visit:

Volunteer Development Scotland
Training, Policy advice, Investing in Volunteers Award, resources.

Disclosure Scotland
Criminal Records Bureau Scotland.