Together with a variety of volunteering stakeholders we’re excited to launch our New Approach to Volunteering for Wales.
Launched today at gofod3, we’ve been working with variety of volunteering stakeholders as part of the Volunteering Cross Sectoral Leadership Group (VCSLG) to co-create what we are now calling a ‘New Approach’ to volunteering in Wales.
WHY A NEW APPROACH?
The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, made a key Statement in Trustees’ Week.
‘I want to build an active and determined approach to giving volunteers the conditions and the support they need and deserve, so they can grow and flourish in the vital work they do for all of Wales, its people, places and communities.’
To do this, we need to recognise the changing nature of people’s lives and the ways in which volunteering interacts with their day to day experiences. Its vital that we evolve how we attract, recruit and retain volunteers across the volunteering spectrum, from the informal support networks we saw during lockdowns to employer supported volunteering.
READY TO LAUNCH
After months of consulting with the sector in the initial development of the New Approach’s Vision and Delivery Framework, followed by wider consultation on the drafts, the New Approach is now published and available for use.
The New Approach was launched at WCVA’s flagship event, gofod3 by Jane Hutt MS, with the support from a number of stakeholders who support the Vision and the approach that is being taken. They included:
- Derek Walker, Future Generation’s Commissioner
- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
- Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, WCVA Executive
- Anthony Hunt, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council
- Nick Speed, BT’s Head of Nations & Regions, Policy and Public Affairs
WHAT’S NEXT?
The VCSLG will be focusing on creating an implementation plan to support the adoption of the New Approach across Wales, including the development of guidance and resources. Keep a look out for those in the near future.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in being involved and helping to achieve the Vision, please get in touch so we can discuss how we can support you. Contact us at volunteering@wcva.cymru.