What do Volunteer Development Agencies do?
Volunteer Development Agencies
provide support at a local level for individual
volunteers and volunteer involving organisations. They have six core functions:
- Brokerage
VDAs primary function is to match both
individuals and groups interested in
volunteering with appropriate opportunities in
the local community. VDAs hold information on a
comprehensive range of opportunities. They offer
potential volunteers support and advice matching
their motivation to volunteer with appropriate
volunteering opportunities.
- Marketing
volunteering
VDAs stimulate and encourage local interest in
volunteering and community activity. This may
include promoting and
marketing volunteering
through local, regional and national events and
campaigns .VDAs will manage and promote a national brand for volunteering.
- Good practice
development
VDAs promote good practice in working with
volunteers to all volunteer involving
organisations. They deliver training and
accreditation for potential volunteers,
volunteers, volunteer managers and the
volunteering infrastructure.
- Develop
volunteering opportunities
VDAs work in close partnership with statutory,
voluntary and private sector agencies as well as
community groups and faith groups to develop
local volunteering opportunities. VDAs
understand the potential offered by the local
communities and work with them to realise this
potential. VDA will target specific groups which
face barriers to volunteering. VDA work
creatively to develop imaginative, non-formal
opportunities for potential volunteers.
- Policy
response and campaigning
VDAs identify proposals or legislation that may
impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or
participate in campaigns on issues that affect
volunteers or volunteering. VDAs campaign
proactively for a more volunteer-literate and
volunteer-friendly climate.
- Strategic
development of volunteering
As the local experts on volunteering VDAs inform
strategic thinking and planning at a regional
and national level.
