Recruiting and supporting volunteers - a key governance responsibility for trustees
Volunteers are the lifeblood of many charities. However, for trustees, volunteer involvement in an operational context is not only a strength, but also an area of governance responsibility. Read on to find out more
Across the UK, millions of people give their time to support causes they care about, helping organisations deliver services, raise funds and connect with communities. The contribution that volunteers generously make can enable charities and small organisations to keep going.
Many new trustees assume volunteer recruitment and management is purely an operational matter. Yet while staff may oversee day-to-day volunteer coordination, trustees are responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems, policies and oversight exist.
One of the most important reasons for this is safeguarding.
Safeguarding refers to the measures organisations take to protect people from harm, abuse or exploitation. According to the Charity Commission’s guidance Safeguarding for charities and trustees, trustees have a responsibility to ensure their charity protects anyone who comes into contact with it, including staff, volunteers and beneficiaries.
Volunteers often work directly with service users, including children or vulnerable adults. Without appropriate recruitment checks, training and supervision, there is a risk of harm to individuals and reputational damage to the charity.
‘When volunteers are recruited and supported well, however, they become powerful advocates and ambassadors for the charity’s mission’
Even organisations that do not work with vulnerable groups still face governance risks. Volunteers who feel unsupported or unclear about their responsibilities may unintentionally act outside organisational policies or represent the charity in ways that create confusion.
Good governance helps prevent these issues.
Trustees should ensure their charity has a clear volunteer policy outlining recruitment, supervision, training and support. Many charities also use volunteer role descriptions or agreements to clarify expectations and boundaries.
In addition, trustees should consider whether their charity provides inclusive and accessible volunteering opportunities. A diverse volunteer base can strengthen connections with communities and bring valuable perspectives to the organisation.
If charities fail to address volunteer governance, the risks may include:
Safeguarding concerns
Reputational damage
Volunteer dissatisfaction and turnover
Operational disruption
When volunteers are recruited and supported well, however, they become powerful advocates and ambassadors for the charity’s mission.
For trustees, the goal is not to manage volunteers directly but to ensure that the framework for volunteering is safe, inclusive and well-governed.
Take it further
Find useful template resources on our website.
Read the Charity Commission’s guidance:
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