Herefordshire Council has launched a new initiative to enable residents, voluntary groups and community organisations to get more involved and thrive through volunteering activities.
This follows the award of a contract to develop and build volunteering capacity and opportunities in Herefordshire to Goal 17, a social enterprise dedicated to creating and running volunteer-based programmes that support vulnerable members of society, following a tender evaluation process. The service will be coordinated through Talk Community and is for an initial period of two years.
Goal 17’s key responsibilities will be to:
- Provide training and guidance for volunteer managers
- Share best practices in recruitment and management
- Develop protocols for volunteer referral and support
- Offer one-to-one mentoring and consultancy to build organisational capacity and resilience
- Match volunteers with opportunities
- Raise awareness through campaigns
- Support organisations in creating inclusive roles
- Represent volunteers in decision-making forums
Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said:
Volunteers play a vital role in communities across the county and volunteering sits at the heart of our county’s community spirit.
Everyone in Herefordshire should have the opportunity to volunteer in a way that suits their skills, interests and availability. This new service will empower people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved and make a difference, while equipping local groups with the support they need to flourish.
Fran Boorman, Founder and CEO at Goal 17, commented:
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Herefordshire Council to deliver this vital programme.
At Goal 17, we bring a unique perspective - both as an organisation that has run our own volunteer-led programmes and as one that supports others to build their volunteer capacity. This dual lens helps us understand the challenges and opportunities from all angles.
We’re excited to be working in Herefordshire, a place with such a strong sense of community, and we look forward to building on the brilliant work already happening across the county.
Initial kick-off meetings between council officers and Goal 17 will ensure swift progress is made to establish and promote the service to volunteers and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) groups in the county. The service is expected to be fully operational by the end of May 2025.
A new online portal to showcase the services and support on offer is currently under development.