Report on Survey for Wokingham District Volunteer Development Agency

March 2004

A survey was commissioned by the Trustees of Wokingham District Volunteer Development Agency to update their database of volunteering opportunities across Wokingham District. The work also included a series of questions to find out how WDVDA interacted with the voluntary sector and how the service could be improved. Finally, questions on the future of the Agency and its funding were asked. Julia Bonewell, an independent researcher, was asked to undertake this work.

This paper reports on the outcome of the survey.

What was done

Julia contacted 204 voluntary organisations by telephone, working mainly from home. Organisations’ needs for volunteers were checked against records already registered on the database. Contact details were updated and outdated information deleted. The result of this work has provided a clear and accurate picture of the current need for volunteers in the Wokingham District. Julia visited the WDVDA office regularly in order to record changes on the database and new paper records were printed and filed. The work was carried out between November 2003 and March 2004.

Survey Results

What do you think WDVDA’s role is?

All organisations understood that WDVDA provides a service to recruit volunteers, to encourage volunteering and perhaps open a door to a new opportunity.

"The role of WDVDA is a crucial one in finding our volunteers."

"The role of WDVDA is a significant one, helping to advertise the charity in need of a volunteer."

There was a mixed reaction to this question. The majority said that WDVDA was successful but some said that they "could not possibly remember who or even if any came from WDVDA". Many felt that WDVDA did their level best and exceeded themselves and one said "How will we manage without WDVDA?". Only four organisations specifically said "unsuccessful", their reasoning being that when requesting help from WDVDA, an appropriate volunteer did not come forward.

How would you describe the impact of WDVDA‘s work on your organisation?

Organisations generally did not seem very clear about how their volunteers had come to them. Those who did know were very happy with their volunteers and felt WDVDA had made a great impact on their organisation. One organisation said, " the impact was fabulous as the volunteer signed up for six weeks and is still with us after three years, albeit in another role now". Another organisation named two volunteers working in one of its projects and said that they had been wonderful.

What improvements could WDVDA make?

• Make more regular contact.
• Make more personal visits, however several organisations were very grateful for the personal touch that has been bestowed on them by members of the WDVDA Team already.
• Broker training opportunities.
• Increase promotional activity both for WDVDA and the organisations which need volunteers.
• "M.A.D. Team"/"Make a Difference Team" should be retained, WDVDA in full is too long to recognise and relate to.

"No improvements, doing a good job already."

"Just being a brilliant help, otherwise would have to do it ourselves, a big headache."

"They should never have changed their name, they were commonly known as the MAD Team, nobody recognises WDVDA, this caused great confusion."

How do you think WDVDA should be funded?

Approximately 50% of organisations felt that WDVDA should be funded by the local authority, 40% thought that central government should fund volunteer development agencies/volunteer bureaux and the remainder suggested the Lottery or fundraising by WDVDA. One organisation said that WDVDA should not be funded.

"Government grant, certainly Wokingham District Council."

"Should be funded partly by the council, but not totally, should be supported by the local community."

"WDVDA should be council funded"

"WDVDA should not be funded at all."

What are your views on WDVDA’s use of the local media (eg local newspapers, local radio etc)?

The use of the media was satisfactory, but there was always room for improvement. Bigger advertising would be more noticeable, thus more attractive to a volunteer.

"Good thing using the media, papers and local radio"

"Using the local papers has been immensely rewarding in attracting new volunteers"

Considering the local voluntary sector overall, what do you believe would be the best option for the future of WDVDA?

99% of organisations said that WDVDA should remain independent, but if this is difficult, then merge, possibly with the CVS or Wokingham Volunteer Centre, no other was mentioned. Two organisations, however, suggested that closure would be the most appropriate option open to WDVDA.

"Must stay independent, would have more impact for volunteers"

"Please do not close, stay independent, we have a good rapport, so keep doing good work."

How would your organisation attract volunteers if WDVDA had to close?

Organisations would continue to advertise as they do now by:

• Word of mouth
• Connections to the organisation already in place, parents etc.
• Press Release
• Flyers in newspapers or in local shopping centres, libraries.
• Official functions, fetes, demonstrations etc.
• VDAs in other local authority areas

"We find volunteers through client groups, service users and their families, letters to parents and carers alike."

"Would not bother, if I had to, I would run round the corner shop with an hand-written advertisement, no!! too much effort, don’t close."

"If WDVDA had to close, we would use VDAs in Reading, Bracknell and Windsor"

The Trustees would like to thank Julia for her work on this project and all the organisations which took part for their time and patience.

On behalf of the Trustees of WDVDA

John Tomlinson

Chair

29^th March 2004