Those who are returning will also need support as returning to any role after a significant time out can be challenging and daunting. Often people report that the first day is the biggest hurdle. You can help volunteers to overcome this by setting out what they can expect on their ‘first day back’ and what kind of support is in place to help them navigate it.

Depending on your context, some group or organisations will need to offer additional training or re-training to volunteers who are returning.

It is worth looking at how training might change. The way you do training will likely change. Many organisations have moved their training online, often using it as a way to connect volunteers during the lockdown. For example, Sustrans recently held an online FestiVol webinar with speakers and a Q&A session. They have also used the opportunity to connect more broadly, mirroring the social aspects of training and meetings by organising informal events like quizzes in tandem with more formal training.

The way training is done will change, as will the content of the training. All the changes that you are considering at the moment are changes that need to be communicated to volunteers. For example, imagine they are about where volunteering takes place (e.g. it has moved online), this has significant implications for volunteers. Do they know how to use the systems, are there differences between doing something face to face or online. You will need to consider how to what kinds of additional training might a volunteer need to offer support at a distance and how you will provide that training.

These challenges affect all organisations. For example, Volunteer Scotland have reacted to the COVID-19 situation by developing online Learning Bite Webinars. Learners who have attended have feedback to the Volunteer Practice team - click here to view which courses and their availability. The content has also changed, with the Volunteer Scotland Action and Learning Group's regular meetings often focusing on the COVID-19 landscape. Please email hello@volunteerscotland.org.uk for more information regarding the Action and Learning Group. Another free learning resource Volunteer Scotland have to offer is the Radio V archive, where volunteers, volunteer involving groups and organisations share stories on ways which COVID-19 has impacted on them. Click here to find the Radio V episode archive and listen to the full range of subjects covered during the 12-week series.