How South West Advocacy Network built a more diverse volunteer team with support from Spark Somerset.
Anna Temblett, Operations Support Manager at South West Advocacy Network (SWAN), regularly attends our networking events and forums.
SWAN is a charity that provides independent advocacy, ensuring that everyone- especially the most vulnerable – has equal rights and opportunities. A key priority for the organisation is making sure their volunteers reflect the communities they support.
Keen to attract people from a wider range of backgrounds, Anna has taken part in several of our Volunteer Coordinator Forums. These have focused on topics such as equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), cultural competency, autism awareness, and inclusive recruitment practices with Thrive. She shares how she has put what she learned into practice.
“Spark Somerset’s guidance and the topics covered encouraged us to think differently about how we present our volunteering opportunities and how we reach people who may not have previously considered helping us.
“As a result, we’ve been able to adapt our messaging, broaden our reach, and target specific groups more effectively, which has strengthened the diversity and relevance of our volunteer base.
“One example of this is the shift we’ve seen in the types of enquiries we now receive. After making changes based on Spark’s advice, we began hearing from individuals with lived experience and from communities that had been underrepresented in our volunteer team.
This has had a positive impact on way SWAN connects with the people they support. Volunteers now bring a wider range of perspectives and experiences which in turn improves the services they offer. As one client explains: “My Volunteer Advocacy Coach and I worked hard together to form a relationship that worked and once we had that and understanding my problem was solved with his help.
“This just would not have been possible without this service, and I owe my Advocacy Coach a huge debt of thanks for not only his perseverance but his patience at times as well.”
And the benefits extend both ways. J, a volunteer with autism describes how their role at SWAN has boosted their confidence and opened up new opportunities: “Volunteering with SWAN is great because it has provided me with a professional working environment, where I am well supported by my co-workers and the work is structured around my abilities.
“I have been able to gain skills in admin that have given me the confidence to apply for a paid position, and I have been successful in getting the role.”
Anna concludes: “Overall, Spark Somerset have helped us build a more confident and sustainable approach to volunteer engagement. By improving how we attract and involve volunteers, we’ve strengthened our ability to deliver on our mission and ensure that the people who our services benefit from a team that is skilled, representative, and well supported.”
If you would like some support with recruiting and managing volunteers visit our dedicated webpage.
To join our Volunteer Coordinators Networking and receive our regular newsletter and invitations to our regular forums, click here.
“Overall, Spark Somerset have helped us build a more confident and sustainable approach to volunteer engagement…”
Anna Temblett, Operations Manager
