Transcript

We’re nearing the end of the course now. Last week, you explored power and empowerment in the voluntary sector, particularly in relation to beneficiaries. This week, you’ll focus on one very important group, the volunteers, who are the lifeblood of most voluntary organisations. Having unpaid input, whether as trustees or front-line workers, is a defining feature of most voluntary organisations. In the last few years, the profile of volunteers has risen as they’ve hit the headlines as key contributors to events such as the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Commonwealth Games. You’ll explore what volunteering is, what type of activities volunteers carry out, who volunteers, and the complex reasons why people volunteer. By the end of the week you’ll have a better idea of the important role of volunteers in organisations, and you’ll also have explored how they contribute to an organisation you’re familiar with.