A collaborative project led by Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Voluntary Norfolk has received a £540,000 grant to support volunteering, recognising the important role volunteering plays across health and care in Norfolk and Waveney.

The funding has been awarded to address the decline in volunteering over the past 10 years, which has seen the number of people regularly volunteering decline by over 10%.

“Over the past decade, the decline in volunteers has put immense strain on voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, particularly smaller ones that rely heavily on volunteer support,” commented Lucy Hogg, Director of VCSE Support at Voluntary Norfolk.

“These organisations are struggling to deliver services, from mental health support to community outreach, at a time when there is increasing demand. At Voluntary Norfolk, we’re helping groups and organisations to adapt to the changing nature of volunteering. More flexible, ad hoc volunteering is becoming the norm, as volunteering roles seek to fit around people’s limited time and other responsibilities. This shift demands that we as an integrated health and care system work effectively together to share more innovative ways of involving more diverse communities in volunteering.”

The grant is part of the Volunteering for Health programme which is a £10 million programme being delivered in partnership by NHS England, NHS Charities Together and CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Volunteering for Health aims to maximise the benefits of volunteers as they play a valued part in delivering health and social care nationally and locally, whilst strengthening volunteering infrastructure.

This is one of 15 partnerships across the UK to successfully bid for funding. Partnerships are made up of VCSE organisations, NHS Trusts, integrated care boards (ICBs), local authorities (LAs) and NHS charities.

Locally it brings together NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), Voluntary Norfolk, Norfolk County Council, Community Action Norfolk, Community Action Suffolk, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and the Institute for Volunteering Research at the University of East Anglia (UEA).

In Norfolk there are about 3,600 registered charities but the total number of VCSE organisations is thought to be closer to 10,000 with around 6,500 smaller informal groups and at least 200 social enterprises. Many of these will be making a difference in the health and social care sector, which this fund is focussed on.

Mark Burgis, Executive Director of Patients and Communities at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Volunteers make a significant difference in Norfolk and Waveney, enhancing patient and visitor experience in health settings and providing valuable services in the community. Volunteers can never replace professional staff but they can use their time to provide support, making a health or care experience that little bit less daunting or lonely.  

He added: “Giving your time does so much more than help other people, it can also give people a sense of connection, build confidence and improve health, wellbeing and employability. We know that people are looking for more flexible, accessible and inclusive ways to get involved and gift their time whilst reaping the personal benefits. Taking part in Volunteering for Health is a unique chance to work with local and national partners to find new approaches which meet the changing needs of our communities, ensuring the best experience for people who get involved and secure a sustainable future for volunteering.”

In Norfolk the grant will better support organisations who rely on volunteers, improve their access to people interested in volunteering, support organisations to tailor opportunities based on the changing ways people want to volunteer, as well as making the case for investment in the VCSE, NHS and social care sector.

The national Volunteer for Health programme is part of NHS England’s response to the NHS Volunteering Taskforce which brought together health charities, volunteers, clinicians, civil servants and policy makers. The Taskforce published its recommendations in June 2023, concluding that more can be done nationally and locally to maximise the benefits of volunteers and volunteering in the NHS.

Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said: “Volunteers, as partners with our skilled staff, make a significant contribution across NHS and care services and positively impact the lives of many people.

“There are currently more than 300 ways that people can volunteer for the NHS, ranging from running a hospital radio show to helping combat loneliness. This programme will further harness the power of volunteering for the benefit of patients, staff and communities.”

Local VCSE organisations interested in this programme, should contact NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB’s Volunteering Programme Manager Jules Alderson, by emailing: jules.alderson@nhs.net  

Visit www.getinvolvednorfolk.org.uk/ to find out more about how to volunteer in Norfolk or www.volunteersuffolk.org.uk for opportunities in Suffolk.