Hampshire Cultural Trust has been awarded £75,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Innovation Fund for the second phase of a project to continue the development of its volunteer programme.
After completing the Explore phase of the project earlier this year, this second Test phase will help the trust to strengthen, grow and diversify its volunteer base as well as improve the impact of its volunteering programme.
At the heart of this programme lie the incredible talent, passion and commitment of the trust’s 400 plus volunteers, many of whom have been volunteering with the organization for several years. The volunteers support the trust’s work in many broad and diverse ways: from providing a welcome at venues and enhancing the visitor experience, to improving and maintaining outdoor spaces, caring for the 2.5 million objects in the collections cared for by the trust, providing research and sharing both their knowledge and experience.
With this funding, the trust intends to build on the successes of its existing programme, as well as engaging new volunteers who are eager to provide their time and talents. The funding will also enable the trust to bring on board a new, dedicated Volunteer Programme Manager to lead the change programme, which will feature:
- The implementation of a volunteer management system
- The exploration of new communications channels and networking opportunities
- The creation of learning and development pathways
- Improved governance policies and processes
- A marketing campaign to attract new volunteers
- The development of a recognition programme to celebrate our volunteers’ contributions
Members of the trust’s team will also continue to participate in the Young Foundation’s Learning Programme, benefitting from the workshops, masterclasses and individual support that it provides, as well as maintaining and extending collaboration with other organisations from the Explore phase of the project and across the sector, where project learnings will be shared.