Listening to Single Parent Volunteers- Barriers, Motivations and Incentives

SPW is experiencing an influx of volunteers and we are seeing first hand the benefits for single parents of volunteering.  We have investigated and coproduced with our single-parent volunteers, other volunteer organisations and wider membership about the challenges, motivations, and incentives that shape their engagement and retention into volunteering. To create a volunteer model that works for single parents. 

Focusing on mental health volunteering, we delve into the success stories and strategies that have proven effective in sustaining and expanding this impactful initiative. Retaining and including single parent volunteers for long-term impact.

Challenges and Barriers

Time Constraints: 

• Single parents face the challenge of balancing numerous responsibilities, often perceiving a lack of time for volunteering despite no set minimum requirements.

  Flexible Roles: 

• Some struggle with confidence and capacity in organising events, emphasising the need for adaptable volunteer roles, and being able to ‘buddy up’ with other volunteers. 

Mental Health:

• Feeling isolated and lonely, feeling unheard in the services offered to single parent households,  not having a current sense of purpose or meaning. 

Finance:

• Cost of travel and other volunteer expenses like childcare. Being able to bring your children along to model volunteer is important to single parents and having teas and coffees and travel expenses paid for is important. 

  Paperwork and Sign Up Process:

• The time of completing lengthy contracts, the DBS checks and need for references and interviews puts off alot of adhoc volunteers that want to ‘help out’ occasionally. 

  Motivations for Single-Parent Volunteers

• Wellbeing Impact: Volunteers experience improved overall wellbeing, confidence, social connections, and empowering skill development. 

• Emotional Support: Support from SPW, including peer-led training and coordinator support, contributes to volunteer success. Volunteers feel part of a safe connected community. 

• Professional Development: Volunteer roles enhance personal and professional growth for single parents, including moving onto paid roles within SPW. 

• Diverse and Expanded Events Offerings: Single parents get to lead the way and organise events, workshops and meet ups around what they need. For example Menopause club. Whilst addressing the staff capacity for SPW being able to expand the events offering. 

Volunteering Around Mental Health:

• Supportive Environment: Creating a safe space for single parents to engage in activities positively impacting mental health.

• Peer-Led Approach: Understanding and addressing mental health concerns within the single-parent community. Wellbeing Ambassadors' highlighted the transformative power of peer support, community, and the desire to "give back."

• Mental Health Focus: SPW addresses mental health needs, offering a platform for contribution while providing support. Volunteers chose what they want to organise and be a part of. 

Incentives for Volunteering

• Non-Monetary Rewards: Time credits, certificates, and recognition.

• Training Opportunities: Skill development courses and workshops.

• Impact Recognition: Informing volunteers about the impact of their contributions.

• Negotiated Discounts: Exclusive discounts for volunteers.

• CPD:  Using volunteer hours for professional development and training.

SPW Best Practice

1:1 Support and Group Meet-ups recognises the need for a sense of community and developing peer support. 

Flexible volunteer roles  are essential for busy single parents, allowing them to contribute on their terms while considering mental health. Recognizing the need for occasional pauses supports a healthier and sustainable volunteer engagement.

Sign-up Process involves easy paperwork, straightforward agreements, observed references, and a clear job description. We conduct informal interviews to create a welcoming atmosphere, balancing simplicity with necessary safeguards.

Continuous training and development which tailors training for volunteers keeps them well-prepared, focusing on their specific needs. This approach fosters personal growth, maximizes contributions, and creates a skilled and motivated volunteer community. 

Ongoing SPW support involves consistent engagement and assistance from a dedicated staff member, ensuring sustained motivation and a compassionate connection to single parent volunteers.

Simple yet effective incentives, such as time credits, a cuppa, and travel cost coverage, not only recognise volunteers' efforts but also remove barriers to their engagement. Acknowledging and including them in decisions strengthens their sense of contribution and motivation.

The success of our single-parent volunteers, particularly in mental health volunteering, is evident in increased Wellbeing Ambassadors, ongoing engagement, and positive feedback. Overcoming barriers and offering tailored incentives, especially those addressing mental health, are essential for sustaining and expanding this impactful initiative.