Published 2010

The purpose of this report is to help inland waterway organisations to attract, integrate and retain more volunteers. It draws on inspiration from a wide range of volunteering case study organisations operating in sectors outside of inland waterways.

Within this, the more specific aims of the report are to:

• Research evidence that is relevant to the operation of inland waterways in England, Scotland and Wales of how organisations successfully attract, integrate and retain volunteers
• Identify and explore those factors that make some organisations particularly successful in attracting, integrating and retaining volunteers

The Key Conclusions

A central theme throughout the case studies is the adoption of an explicit strategy of change focused on volunteering but encompassing capacity building, organisational development and promoting the increased diversity of volunteers and volunteering opportunities. In practical terms, these strategies have resulted in key actions including planned staff development programmes to incorporate volunteer management and new partnerships with local organisations to engage new groups of volunteers.

These actions are linked to a re-assessment of the breadth of roles that volunteers can play in an organisation and an increased appreciation of the contribution volunteers can play as co-workers. For most of the case studies, this change has been brought about through an investment of time, money and management effort, but has brought significant benefits to the organisations considered as a result of an increase in volunteering activity.