The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant and this has led to significant change in the volunteer sector.

While COVID-19 has self-isolated billions of people, it has prompted millions to volunteer in many innovative ways — from making face masks to helping elderly neighbours with shopping to virtual concerts and Yoga classes.

We are learning that volunteers want a lot more flexibility in positions, that they are younger and open to online positions and working from home.

While online volunteering isn’t a new concept, the pandemic was forcing change at a greater speed.
We know volunteers or potential volunteers have been looking for more flexible opportunities for many years… but I think it’s been hard for volunteer-involving organisations to think about how they can reorganise the way that they do their work to create these more flexible opportunities. 

Volunteers are vital players in the ways your organisation and your community will recover and move forward.

Plan for the future – Your organisation and the way it works will look different when the pandemic finally ends. Make sure volunteers are part of the discussion about future ways of working.

Think in new ways – The economic impact of COVID-19 has been and will continue to be significant. New challenges will call for fresh solutions to address your community’s needs. Think of how you can engage volunteers online in marketing, promotion and social media positions, calling people to check on their welfare, business planning. One thing Volunteer for Knox learned during the pandemic is that there are many highly skilled people waiting to give back.