In this section, we consider whether it is appropriate to restart (or for everyone to restart) the volunteer programme. In the next activity, the focus is on what decision-making tools can help you understand whether it is the right time to resume volunteer activity. Volunteer Scotland have listened to people across the sector who have or are planning to return, below is Top Ten Questions people have asked.

Top Ten Questions

1.   Is the volunteering role still relevant and or needed?

2.   How do you know which volunteers are ready to return?

3.   Will individuals need specific support or input to return to their roles?

4.   Can all roles be resumed? Do those roles need to be changed?

5.   What can you learn from the return of staff to their roles; have you been given guidance by your board or senior management?

6.   What do you need to feedback to your leaders?

7.   What kinds of tasks do volunteers do?

8.   Where do these take place?

9.   What will you need to put into place to ensure social distancing and other safety measures?

10. What are the drivers for restarting your volunteer programme?

These questions are strategic in that they ask you to consider:

• Where do volunteering and the roles they perform sit in the wider context for your group or organisation?
• Is it about delivering services or something else?
• How do they relate to your group or organisational values?
• How does it provide purpose and engagement for volunteers and staff?
• What about questions of economic sustainability if our organisations rely on volunteers to generate income?

They are also operational, if they can start again, how can they be done so safely. For example, in June and July 2020 an increase in COVID-19 cases in Leicestershire led to a “local lockdown” with complications for staff coming back from lockdown and those looking to restart programmes, click to read Voluntary Action Leicestershire's blog here