Events can be used strategically as a catalyst for growing or renewing local volunteering programmes that last beyond the event itself.
Effective Event Volunteering Programmes
Most events rely on the support of volunteers in order to take place. It is increasingly common for event organisers to develop volunteer programmes which run alongside an event and are tied to the wider volunteering strategy of a host place.
Events can also be used strategically as a catalyst for growing or renewing local volunteering programmes that last beyond the event itself.
Since the Games Makers were widely celebrated as one of the highlights of the London 2012 Games, major events have seen high quality, large-scale volunteering programmes as one of their key social legacies. Unlike participants and spectators, volunteers are likely to have a longer-term interaction with event organisers, often including training and support. This intense level of engagement offers more potential for wellbeing gains both during and after the event.
Volunteering for an event can be a route to more regular volunteering, but this requires well defined and signposted volunteer pathways, and a strategy which captures and channels the enthusiasm of volunteers from one opportunity to the next.
Head to the knowledge bank and filter for ‘Volunteering’ or get started with these featured picks on how to build effective volunteer programmes:
1Discover how events can boost volunteering
This was the first question asked by our Inquiry into the Power of Events. The report draws together extensive qualitative and quantitative research, polling and focus groups from across the UK to deliver succinct policy recommendations. Start here to understand who volunteers at events, who does not, and how we can better use events to support long-term volunteering.
2Explore different models of post-event legacy side by side
DHA’s ‘A Lasting Impact? Creating a Legacy for Event Volunteer Programmes’ report, which takes a detailed look at how events have worked, or could have worked to strengthen volunteering infrastructure. Looking at the volunteer legacies of events such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Hull 2017 UK Cities of Culture, the report explores what happened post event, and how this could help event organisers and host cities consider their own volunteer legacy. For a taster of the key challenges tackled in the report, look here.
3Understand the impacts of volunteering on subjective wellbeing
Reading this rapid evidence assessment, commissioned in partnership with the What Works Centre for Wellbeing. This report examines what we currently know about the impacts of volunteering on the subjective wellbeing of volunteers and aims to support organisations, policy makers and funders in designing and delivering volunteering opportunities and programmes, whether increasing the wellbeing of volunteers is a primary aim or not.
4Explore the perspectives of disabled volunteers
The Volunteering Together report uses data from Understanding Society, alongside case study interviews to explore the experience of disabled volunteers: how patterns of volunteering differ between disabled and non-disabled people, how organisations engage with disabled volunteers, and how volunteers would like to see their experience improve. It goes on to offer conclusions and ideas for action, with implications for both policy and practice.
5Check out our Volunteering Cities programme
Four bidders to UK City of Culture 2025 were funded to develop their local volunteering infrastructure, building upon the momentum from their City of Culture bid. Neighbourly Lab’s reflections on the programme is a great place to look at how events can be used to catalyse volunteering in a city or place, with practical examples of success and recommendations for funders.
We funded many different types of volunteering project over our lifespan. Here are three more examples from our Knowledge Bank to explore:
More Starter Packs
Creating Long-term Impact For Events
Creating Long-term Impact For Events
Designing Inclusive Events
Designing Inclusive Events
Improving Event Evaluation
Improving Event Evaluation
Embedding and evaluating wellbeing in your projects
Embedding and evaluating wellbeing in your projects
Building social cohesion through events
Building social cohesion through events
Increasing physical activity using events
