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| Volunteer Centre Leicestershire | |
|---|---|
| Name | Volunteer Centre Leicestershire |
| Formation | 1960s |
| Type | Charity |
| Headquarters | Leicester |
| Region served | Leicestershire, Rutland |
Volunteer Centre Leicestershire is a county-wide charity based in Leicester that connects volunteers with voluntary organisations across Leicestershire and Rutland. It operates as a hub coordinating activity between local authorities, NHS trusts, community groups and national charities to support civic participation and service delivery. The centre works alongside institutions such as Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council, University of Leicester, Leicester Tigers, and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust to expand volunteering opportunities.
Volunteer Centre Leicestershire traces roots to post-war civic movements influenced by organisations like Voluntary Service Overseas, British Red Cross, Royal Voluntary Service, and Civil Defence initiatives. Early collaborations involved regional bodies including Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, and voluntary networks patterned after the NCVO model. During the 1980s and 1990s the centre adapted to policy shifts linked to debates in Parliament of the United Kingdom and grant regimes from funders such as Big Lottery Fund and Comic Relief. In the 2000s it forged partnerships with public sector actors including NHS England and educational partners like De Montfort University to respond to community needs after events that mobilised volunteers nationally such as the Millennium Dome projects and disaster responses to incidents akin to 2005 London bombings.
The centre’s mission aligns with principles championed by organisations such as NCVO, Volunteer Now, and Do-it to increase civic engagement, match volunteers to roles, and build organisational capacity. Core services mirror practices used by Citizens Advice and Shelter (charity) volunteers programmes: role brokerage, DBS checks consistent with Disclosure and Barring Service procedures, volunteer insurance support similar to provisions by Charity Commission for England and Wales, and advice on safeguarding standards articulated by NSPCC. It provides strategic advice like that offered by Locality and training comparable to offerings from RSA and Institute of Fundraising.
Governance follows charity management norms found at bodies such as Charity Commission for England and Wales and corporate governance patterns used by organisations like Oxfam and Save the Children. A volunteer board draws expertise from sectors represented by leaders associated with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Police, NHS England, and academia from University of Leicester and De Montfort University. Operational teams incorporate best practice from membership organisations like Association of Volunteer Managers and standards promulgated by ISO frameworks where applicable. Annual reporting aligns with expectations shaped by legislation debated at the House of Commons and financial audit practices used by Grant Thornton and PwC.
Programmatic activity spans programs modelled on initiatives by Age UK, British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, and community projects similar to The Conservation Volunteers. Partnerships include collaborations with emergency response partners such as Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, health partners like Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, and education partners including Leicester Adult Education College and Rutland County College. The centre has supported campaigns inspired by national efforts from TimeBank and coordinated placements in schemes resembling Work Programme and European Voluntary Service exchanges. It contributes to local initiatives in collaboration with arts organisations such as Curve (theatre), sports clubs like Leicester City F.C., and cultural institutions including King Richard III Visitor Centre.
Recruitment strategies employ channels used by national platforms such as Do-it, Recruitment and Employment Confederation, and local media outlets including Leicester Mercury and community radio stations akin to BBC Radio Leicester. Training curricula cover safeguarding aligned with NSPCC guidance, first aid standards from St John Ambulance, and diversity and inclusion practice paralleling Stonewall resources. The centre runs induction modules similar to those of Royal Voluntary Service and specialist training co-delivered with sector experts from Citizens Advice, Mind (charity), and Samaritans.
Impact measurement uses methodologies recommended by evaluators like NCVO, New Philanthropy Capital, and tools inspired by Social Value UK to quantify social return and outcomes for stakeholders including Leicester City Council and public health partners such as Public Health England. Evaluation reports reference indicators comparable to those used by Office for National Statistics community metrics and commissioning frameworks used by NHS England. Independent reviews have involved auditors and assessors similar to Charity Commission for England and Wales inspection approaches and academic evaluations from researchers at University of Leicester.
Funding streams reflect a mix typical of local infrastructure charities: grants from funders like National Lottery Community Fund, trusts such as Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, corporate partnerships with firms resembling Amazon (company), Sainsbury's, and service contracts awarded by commissioners including Leicestershire County Council and NHS commissioning bodies akin to Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Financial oversight follows accounting practice endorsed by Charity Commission for England and Wales and auditing standards used by firms like KPMG and PwC. Budget cycles and sustainability planning incorporate guidance from organisations such as ACEVO and Institute of Fundraising.
Category:Charities based in Leicestershire