The Difference a Skilled Volunteer Can Make
A month ago I wrote about finding purpose after redundancy. Since then I’ve had further personal insight into what skills-based volunteering can really look like in practice.
I came into the role of volunteer fundraiser at a community library less than two months ago. Community libraries are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Most operate like ours: books, IT facilities, a rent free building and guidance from a county support team are funded and available. Everything else needed to keep the doors open is funded by the library itself.
It didn’t take long to see that the fundraising approach needed a rethink. The traditional method of attending local fetes to make £50 on book sales with two volunteers donating their time is not going to keep the lights on. Events like that have value for community building and visibility but they need to be thought of as marketing, not fundraising. Government grants are increasingly competitive and increasingly thin. Last year our library received just £500.
I was soon invited to join the management committee as a trustee. I got to work analysing current active fundraising initiatives, footfall, borrowing figures, membership figures and our online visibility. And then I started building.
What the last two months have actually looked like
I’ve now taken the lead managing social media for the library. Building a wider reach is going to be absolutely essential in building impact and fundraising potential. At the moment all socials are on Facebook (we will broaden networks over time). Every day I’ve posted, shared interesting stories and grabbed hearts. Facebook reach on our community chat group has gone from around 60 views per post to some posts now hitting 2,500. Reactions were also up over 2000% within the first month. That growth gave me the confidence to propose and construct a dedicated Facebook Page, which launched yesterday – follow us here . We will continue to run both the chat and the official page whilst interest remains in both.
We had a brand that wasn’t doing justice to the library’s story, particularly with the 10th anniversary approaching. I developed a full new brand identity, now live across social media and official paperwork, and rolling out to in-library displays and marketing materials within the week.
I’ve set up Gofundme and I’m awaiting final confirmation of acceptance for PayPal Giving, which I genuinely believe will transform our fundraising reach.
I’ve signed us up to Neighbourly with two live projects running currently. If anyone reading this would like to connect, please do. Search ‘Sapcote Community Library’ on Neighbourly. We have small funding requests for projects with real impact at the heart of a rural community.
We’ve been successful with one local grant funding application and a second funding application is in the planning. Our building connections with local Councillors, and the district council team has been useful in understanding funding opportunities available.
And most excitingly, on 20th June I’m launching a fundraising campaign. Ten weeks of storytelling across social media, local papers lined up for press coverage, activities in the library in the planning and a rationale delivered to a committee and volunteer team who have never fundraised this way before. Not being a professional fundraiser by trade I’ve loved developing this – I hope it goes on to prove a successful endeavour.
Beyond the income generation it’s been truly great to see the enthusiasm the team has shown to this campaign and all the work behind the fundraising and social media plans. I can see and feel the backing of the team behind these projects and the initiatives; and have been thrilled when team members have added to the thinking. We are a small team who all pull together hard to keep the doors open, enjoying successes together is superb.
And as a side to all of this, I’ve taken on the lead role in overhauling our Volunteer Management System at a point when it’s also due a significant upgrade from its developers. Currently it’s underutilised and the forthcoming updates will require a lead with good understanding of the use of such software.
The results so far
This May, book loans were up 95% on May last year, the highest growth of any community library in Leicestershire. New memberships are up 250%. That’s not just because of my input. That’s a whole team pulling in the same direction.
What I’ve learnt
I give everything to whatever I take on, that’s just who I am, I always give 110%. But this experience has taught me something beyond that.
In a large organisation, skills are valuable but you’re often siloed. In a small team you stretch. You see the whole picture. You feel the impact. The learning and aligned impact have been incredibly motivational.
Small charities need skilled volunteers. They have drive and passion, but they often lose out to larger organisations with more visibility, better connections and broader reach. And often they don’t know what they’re missing until someone walks in and helps them see what’s possible.
My ask of you
If your employer offers volunteer days, consider reaching out with one of those days to a local small charity, they might not know where to start with your offer, but will incredibly grateful for the time you give and the impact you can make.
If you’re between roles, consider giving some of your time to a charity in your community. It might give back more than you expect: real impact, genuine connection, new skills, rebuilt confidence and the knowledge that you’ve made a difference somewhere it truly counts.
And please, visit your local library. They’re measured on footfall, they’ll be glad to see you and they are worth fighting to keep.