How to recruit more volunteers despite a decline in volunteering

It seems people do want to help. So what’s stopping them? According to the Marie Curie survey, time is the biggest barrier, with half of respondents citing it as the reason they don’t volunteer.

Concerns about commitment, uncertainty about how to get involved and not knowing of local opportunities were also factors. 

Despite offering some optimism, the charities with the most successful volunteer recruitment programmes are tackling the challenges head-on, rather than leaving recruitment to chance. 

We know more people want to give their time and we understand what’s getting in the way for most. So how can you adapt your recruitment strategy to overcome the challenges and recruit more volunteers? 

Make finding and applying for roles simple

From your socials to community platforms, promote your roles where would-be volunteers are most likely to look. On your website, make sure opportunities are easy to find and filter, so visitors aren’t put off by endless searching and scrolling. 

Make it easy to take the next step while enthusiasm is high with online applications. Often it happens on mobile, so keep forms simple.

Remember: Accessibility is key to making your recruitment process inclusive.  

Also, keep ads consistent in how they look and what they share. That way, volunteers can quickly scan roles to see whether they’re a good fit.

Make sure the application process is straightforward too: embedded on your website and with automated workflows where possible to keep applicants moving through the process. Volunteer recruitment software like Access Assemble makes it lightwork for applicants as well as volunteer teams. 

Tailor volunteering to fit different lifestyles 

Hitting ‘apply’ depends on would-be volunteers finding the right roles. Commitments like work, family and caring duties come first, and so volunteering needs to fit around them. Recruiting more volunteers might mean shorter-term or flexible support, whether that relates to time, hours or location.

• Micro-volunteering: Short-term, low-commitment opportunities that take up less time.  
• Remote roles: Activities that can take place from home online, over the phone or in the community.

Flexible opportunities also make volunteering accessible to people who face barriers to traditional roles, widening your pool of applicants and offering truly inclusive volunteering. 

Setting out what they can’t do and when they can’t help can make volunteers feel like a nuisance. Giving them the means (and tech like the Access Assemble app) to choose what they do and when allows them to get involved on their terms and enjoy a more positive experience. 

Keep in touch  

In a climate where volunteering has been in decline, charities can’t afford to let would-be volunteers lose interest between application and induction.

With competing demands, their time is precious. So, signing up to volunteer is a big decision. Responding quickly and staying in touch as their application progresses shows you value their time.   

It sounds simple, yet for overstretched volunteer management teams, it can be anything but. Automated, personalised communication is a feature of Access Assemble our clients find most useful – especially the in-app messaging.

For volunteer management teams already spinning several plates, it can feel unrealistic to make even the smallest changes. But with the right systems in place, you can scale up your volunteer recruitment and save time too.

That’s what happened when the lovely Make-A-Wish UK charity introduced Access Assemble.

Managing and recruiting volunteers was a challenge. Spreadsheets, emails and disconnected systems made recruitment and engagement difficult – especially at scale. And they were losing volunteers because of complicated tech.

After integrating Access Assemble with their existing CRM, Make-A-Wish UK has been able to scale its operations while keeping the volunteer experience simple and rewarding.

“We’re recruiting around 100 wish makers this quarter. We’ve had over 90 applications in just four weeks. That’s because Assemble makes it so easy for people to apply.”

The team creates consistent ads, customises application forms for specific roles, promotes them across channels and tracks responses in real time. Whether it’s a gala event or a wish discovery, they adapt quickly and get the right people in place. 

Because onboarding is automated – from application acknowledgement to welcoming updates and friendly reminders - the charity is recruiting faster too. And volunteers are self-serving, logging into the app multiple times a day, assigning themselves to tasks, filling gaps in rotas and accessing everything they need.  

Mass recruitment, streamlined onboarding and real-time task coordination. Access Assemble has helped Make-A-Wish UK build a connected, empowered volunteer community, ready to deliver joy to every eligible child.

“Assemble helps us connects volunteers with our wish families and events quickly and meaningfully.”

The charities bucking the decline in volunteering are applying best practice and adapting to the realities of modern life and the shifting expectations of would-be volunteers. By simplifying recruitment, offering flexible opportunities and keeping communication regular and meaningful, they’re making sure their roles stand out and live up to expectations in the face of stiff competition. 

And like Make-A-Wish UK, they’re investing in volunteer recruitment software such as Access Assemble, to make it all possible.