Valuing volunteers

Volunteers are without a doubt Walking for Health’s most valued and valuable asset. It is because of our 11,000 active volunteer walk leaders that health walks around the country are flourishing.

2011 is the European Year of Volunteering. The EYV seeks both to celebrate the commitment of volunteers and challenge more people to make a difference by becoming volunteers.

To mark this year of volunteering, we are exploring:

• Recruiting and retaining volunteers – one scheme’s experience
• National initiatives to reward and recognise volunteers

Recruiting and retaining volunteers in Bucks

Recruiting volunteers

Most health walks go through times when it is hard to recruit volunteers. Walkers themselves are often the best source of new walk leaders and here the culture of the group or scheme is all important.

If the culture is one of shared responsibility – where everyone is in it together – then walkers and leaders feel themselves to be part of a team. Once this is established, the progression from walker to walk leader can become self-perpetuating.

I think it works best if we emphasise during training that people should aim to be walk facilitators rather than walk leaders. This develops the sense of ‘we’ rather than ‘us’ and ‘them’. It avoids the problem of lack of ownership where everyone thinks the walks are someone else’s responsibility.

Fiona Broadbent, co-ordinator Simply Walk Health Walks, Bucks

New walkers joining the Simply Walk scheme in Bucks are told that the health walks are a free service but it is possible to contribute something in return. In this way, the seed of an idea, in terms of progressing to become a walk leader, is planted at the moment of joining.

Whenever a walk leader training session has been planned, fliers are handed out to walkers inviting them to attend.

The problem of ‘us’ and ‘them’ is not one-sided. However, a culture of shared responsibility, means that walk leaders are not separate and don’t become ‘cliquey’ -  one of the most discouraging things for new walkers and new walk leaders alike.

Some of our volunteers have been leading walks for eight years now. The best are those who are doing it to give something back. They become ambassadors for the group and this encourages others.

Fiona Broadbent

Retaining volunteers

A lot of effort goes into recruitment and training but, obviously, this is only the start of the process. Continuing support for walk leaders is vital.

Simply Walk, like many other health walk schemes, holds quarterly meetings for all its volunteers so that they know and experience the support of a network.

We discuss recruitment and a wide range of other matters of concern to walk leaders. We also get together for social events such as a recent walk leaders’ picnic at a National Trust site to which 52 of our volunteers came along.

Fiona Broadbent

One of the best ways to retain and celebrate volunteers is to reward their dedication with a ‘thank you’ event that recognises them and highlights the importance of their work. South Shropshire’s Away Day is an excellent example.

National initiatives to recognise and reward volunteers

The Exceptional Service Award 

(Please Note - Nominations by 23 November 2011)

How do you reward the dedication, enthusiasm and selflessness of volunteers? How do you show them and the world that their leadership and inspiration is appreciated?

Many walk leaders would say that their reward is all the ‘thank yous’ and good stories they receive from their walkers

WfH has come up with an Exceptional Service Award (ESA) to do just this.

When the ESA was piloted earlier this year, nominations poured in and more than 250 walk leaders were presented with an award in recognition of the skill, time and dedication they have given to health walks.

The overwhelming success of the pilot scheme led to the launch of a national ESA initiative in June 2011.

In the first fortnight we have already received over 50 nominations. It’s wonderful that walk leaders are being nominated not only by scheme co-ordinators but also by their walkers and fellow walk leaders.

Rachel Swale, WfH co-ordinator

Walk leaders who gain an ESA receive a certificate and a branded WfH fleece or pin badge.

Not motivated by an award?

However, we are also aware that each walk leader gives what they can, sometimes under difficult personal circumstances, and those who most deserve recognition may not want or be motivated by an award.

For this reason, events like the Shropshire Away Day and the Buckinghamshire picnic (see above) - which celebrate all volunteers and make everyone feel equally valued for their contribution and part of a team – are very important.

A selection of comments from ESA nominations

Joy has been involved in the scheme for about eight years. She was the first volunteer and has developed and tested all the walks that we do – 64 routes in total…

Ted continually goes the extra mile to ensure the project delivers. He is reliable, friendly, helpful and will stand in for others at short notice rather than see a walk cancelled.

Christina is the heart and soul of our scheme, encouraging others to become walk leaders and committee members. In her first year she was the volunteer who recruited the most walkers.

Nominate a volunteer for an exceptional service award »

Olympic torch bearers

WfH invited nominations for walk leaders, co-ordinators and inspirational walkers to carry the Olympic torch during the 2012 Olympic Torch relay.

With one year to go until the Olympic Flame arrives in the UK, the search is on for 8,000 torch bearers – individuals whose personal stories will inspire millions of people as the 70-day relay travels the length and breadth of the UK.

Nominations closed on 29 June and the chosen torch bearers will be announced in December.

Go to the London 2012 website to find out more and make your nomination.

June 2011