Flexible Volunteering: The Key to Preserving Long‑Running Community Events
The BBC has reported that a Somerset event held for 60 years may not go ahead because of a lack of volunteers. The article suggests this isn’t a one‑off — many other county events are similarly at risk. Full article is here.
That shouldn’t surprise those of us who’ve worked on volunteering models and tech. In 2013, working with Luton Culture, we took a different approach: inspire the community first, then build relationships that lead to actions — including volunteering. We saw early on that treating volunteering like a job — an application process expecting large time commitments from a few people — would leave organisations facing chronic shortages, especially given an ageing volunteer base.
With partners we rolled the model out nationally as Volunteer Makers (now Community Makers), securing funding from Arts Council England and Creative England. Partners using Community Makers now work with thousands of volunteers who engage in ways that suit them — one‑offs, occasional shifts, micro‑volunteering, or more regular roles. That flexible pool makes it easier for organisers to find people who can commit the time needed and helps long‑running events continue.
Yet the issues the BBC highlights persist. Events such as the Wells Moat Boat Race and North Curry May Fair face:
– Competing demands on people’s time (work, family, online life);
Community Makers members span diverse ages and life stages — from students seeking experience to people wanting occasional, meaningful ways to contribute. Lots of bits of time, stack up to a long time of volunteer impact.
For local events, organisers and funders should consider:
– Investing in platforms and networks (like Community Makers) that help volunteers find the right fit.
