• Recognise and promote the value of volunteering across North Somerset.

• Enhance accessibility and diversity, ensuring volunteering is welcoming, safe and inclusive for everyone.

• Improve the volunteer experience through strong recruitment, induction, training and recognition.

• Support and strengthen the volunteering infrastructure, providing guidance to organisations on good practice and volunteer management.

• Recruit and retain more volunteers for the wider VCFSE sector.

• Encourage young people into volunteering and promote volunteering as a route into employment.

• Develop the online Volunteer Centre, making it easier for individuals and organisations to connect.

• VANS believes volunteering should be a two-way relationship - one that benefits both the volunteer and the organisation.

Volunteers:

• Individuals of all ages and backgrounds

• Young people seeking experience and skills

• Those experiencing life transitions (retirement, redundancy, bereavement)

• People looking to improve confidence, wellbeing or employability

Organisations (VCFSE sector):

• Local charities

• Community groups

• Health and social care partners

• Faith groups

• Place-based organisations

• Community of interest groups

The Wider Community:

• Vulnerable residents

• Isolated individuals

• Communities experiencing inequality

• North Somerset residents benefiting from stronger, more connected neighbourhoods

• Operating a Volunteer Recruitment Service connecting residents with local opportunities.

• Supporting organisations with volunteer management guidance, governance advice and training.

• Facilitating collaboration across the VCFSE sector, including forums and partnership working.

• Coordinating large-scale volunteering efforts such as health sector initiatives (e.g. Mass Vaccination support across BNSSG region).

• Supporting measurable impact through CRM data collection, surveys and evaluation.

• Celebrating and recognising volunteers annually through Volunteers Week and ongoing acknowledgement initiatives.

• Volunteers consistently report increased confidence, improved wellbeing and stronger social connections as a result of their involvement.

• Further development of the Online Volunteer Centre to improve accessibility and matching.

• Growing the Volunteer Coordinators Network (VCN) to empower, inspire and champion voluntary communities.

• Expanding support resources, including inclusive volunteering guidance, DBS information and safeguarding links.

• Increasing engagement with businesses through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships.

• Encouraging more young people into volunteering pathways linked to employability.

• Continuing to build a shared Vision for Volunteering in North Somerset that organisations can formally sign up to.

Voluntary and community groups are welcome to attend

For Individuals:

• Visit the VANS Online Volunteer Centre

• Register your details

• Browse opportunities aligned with your interests and skills

• Attend induction and begin your volunteer journey

For Organisations:

• Upload volunteering opportunities via the Volunteer Centre

• Access 1:1 volunteer management support

• Join the Volunteer Coordinators Network

• Access guidance on safeguarding, DBS and best practice

Volunteering can be flexible, occasional or long-term - there is something for everyone.