voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Flexibility and recognition: the secret to retaining volunteers
Created: 04/02/2025The UK’s tradition of volunteering has long been the backbone of charitable work, from historic healthcare services to the crisis response efforts seen during COVID-19. Yet, even with over 170,000 registered charities, many organisations today struggle with a critical challenge - recruiting and retaining volunteers.
For charities like the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), volunteers are vital. Representing 85% of their team, around 14,000 people generously give their time to help protect nature and wildlife. Recognising their importance, the RSPB has focused on transforming the volunteer experience, tailoring roles, and embedding flexibility to ensure volunteers feel valued and supported.
Alan Murray, Head of Volunteering at the RSPB, explains“Volunteers today need flexibility. By understanding their motivations and providing tailored roles, we’ve been able to create a fulfilling experience that keeps them engaged.”
Access Not For Profit has released an article discussing the evolution of volunteering roles and and retention over recruitment.