Celebrating Volunteer Managers

Celebrating Volunteer Managers

by | Sep 8, 2026 | Infrastructure, Volunteering

At CVST, we see every day how volunteering strengthens local organisations and brings people together. Behind every successful volunteer role is usually someone quietly making sure people feel welcomed, guided and encouraged often while juggling three conversations, a printer that has given up and a meeting that started five minutes ago.

As Volunteer Managers you are not just filling gaps on a rota. You are helping people feel at home and share what they have to offer. It is quiet, steady, important work and it makes a real difference in our communities.

For those of us who support volunteers, our role is about much more than keeping things ticking over. At its heart, volunteering is about people choosing to give a little bit of themselves to something that matters. It is the responsibility of everyone within our organisations to help make people feel that they are a welcome and useful part of the team.

Warm welcomes matter

We all know the difference a friendly face can make. A welcoming hello, a proper introduction and someone taking the time to explain things can help to turn first-day nerves into confidence. A cup of tea may not solve everything, but it is often a very good place to start!

People come through your door for all sorts of reasons. They may want to learn something new, support a cause close to their heart, or simply to meet others and feel useful again. If we take time to understand what has brought them to us, we are much more likely to help them find the right place in your organisation.

Not everyone volunteers in the same way

Some people can give a regular morning every week. Others can help now and again, from home or at an event. Or maybe they can help with that one small but very important task that somehow saves the day. What’s important is that the more flexible we can be, the more people we can include.

Volunteers usually bring far more than the role they first sign up for. They also bring with them their life experience and local knowledge, their kindness, practical skills and their ideas. Sometimes our job as Volunteer Managers is simply to spot those gifts and give people the confidence to use them.

Keeping people connected

Good volunteer management is as much about listening as leading. Checking in, saying thank you and being clear about expectations and being honest when something is not working all help build trust.
Life changes too. We know that work, health, caring responsibilities and family life can all affect how much time someone has to give. If we can keep the door open even when someone needs to step back, we show that they are valued as a person and not just for the hours they can offer our organisations.

So, to every Volunteer Manager quietly keeping things moving, thank you for all you do. You help people take that first step and get involved in their communities in ways that can change people’s lives… including their own.

Join us at our next Volunteer Managers Network at Imperial House, Rosemary Road, Clacton on 2 October at 8.30am, where we’ll be discussing how AI tools can support volunteer management by saving time and enhancing volunteer recruitment, engagement and recognition.

A great opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences and learn something new over a coffee. To book, click here for the booking page or email events@cvstendring.org.uk.

Spotlight on Young Minds and how CVST helped it begin

Spotlight on Young Minds and how CVST helped it begin

by | Jun 23, 2026 | Infrastructure

By Karen Barber

The 10-Year Fight for Answers:

After 10 years of exemplary promotions and appraisals in the civil service, I was dismissed due to poor performance caused by a disease that took a decade to diagnose. It was a relief to finally get that diagnosis. Even though medical professionals told me it was all in my mind, I knew something was wrong.

Falling Through the Gaps:

After attending a cognitive therapy course at the Kingswood Centre in Colchester Hospital, I found there was no support out there for people of my age; I simply did not fit into the more senior groups. There is such a gap for people with young onset dementia, and it is unacceptable that we are just being forgotten. I decided to help others like myself who fell through the gaps without the support we needed.

Building a Vision with Community Partners:

I am so grateful for the community partners who understood the need. The Stroke and Wellness Foundation for hiring us a hall, and Sports for Confidence who designed our logo and poster when we had no funds. To CVST who when I contacted them believed in the project, my vision, passion, and ambition, they are a true example of how a voluntary service should work by helping with advice, policies, and providing my excellent volunteers, who have worked tirelessly and with all this support we have made it a success. Together, we opened the Young Minds Dementia Group and secured grants from Grassroots, the Tudwick Foundation, and the Essex Foundation.

Speaking Out in Parliament and the Media:

Our group is steadily growing. I am speaking out not for myself, but for everyone out there who does not have a voice. I’ve raised awareness on ITV Anglia, in Alzheimer’s Magazine, and an upcoming Daily Mail article. In May, I was invited to speak in Parliament, where I made our message clear:

Dementia needs to be a medical condition not a social care issue… We will not be silenced, we are valued members of society, yet for far too long we have been forgotten. We are the nation’s untapped capital, not a burden to be managed.”

My Vision for the Future: It shouldn’t be on people like me to establish these groups to make our own support. Unless action is taken, the vacuum of care will only deepen into a social catastrophe. My vision is to get charity status and funding to see Young Minds Dementia Groups across Essex, rectifying this inequality so that we are finally seen, supported, and valued. I couldn’t do this without the support of my excellent volunteers and community support of CVST and so many organisations in Tendring. I thank you all for believing in my vision and for not letting those with young onset dementia be forgotten

We provide the “hidden wiring” connecting Tendring

We provide the “hidden wiring” connecting Tendring

by | May 21, 2026 | Infrastructure

Behind the people, the services, and the organisations in Tendring sits a layer of support that often goes unseen, the “hidden wiring” that keeps everything connected and working smoothly.
That hidden wiring is exactly the role CVST plays. Across Tendring, we work to bring people and organisations together. We help local groups navigate challenges and build their capacity to grow in ways that make them more sustainable. We advocate for the voluntary sector so that the voices of smaller and marginalised organisations are heard in the rooms where decisions are made. We help create the conditions where volunteering gives local people meaningful ways to contribute to the place they call home.
For our partners, this means having a trusted bridge into the community; an organisation that understands the local landscape and can convene the right people to help shape solutions that reflect real lived experience. For local groups, it means having someone in your corner offering the practical support that hopefully will help you to thrive rather than just survive.
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Report highlights what makes good infrastructure

The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action’s (NAVCA) latest report on what good local infrastructure looks like really connects with CVST’s work as it talks about something that we see every day in Tendring… that when people have places to connect and services that genuinely understand their needs, the whole community becomes more healthy and confident.
What this NAVCA report highlights is that good infrastructure isn’t about a particular structure or model, it’s about relationships and collaboration. That’s why at CVST we invest so much time in listening to local groups and building strong partnerships with partners and funders. When those relationships are strong, it feels like everything else is more possible.
We run a number of different opportunities for groups and organisations to come together to share their skills, knowledge and experiences. For more information look around this website or email events@cvstendring.org.uk. If you’re a local partner, funder or voluntary sector organisations or community group who wants to work together to strengthen our area, we’re always ready for a conversation!
The NAVCA report makes a powerful point. When local infrastructure is recognised and properly resourced, the whole system benefits. Public services become more effective, voluntary and community organisations and groups become stronger, and local people feel more connected and able to take part in their communities. Who doesn’t want to be a part of that?
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Join us

– If you’re a charity or community group, become a member today! Visit our membership page for all the benefit and how to apply. Affiliated Members – CVS Tendring
Proud to be a Trustee

Proud to be a Trustee

by | Nov 3, 2025 | Infrastructure

What a journey I have had over the last two years. I have always ensured I have given something back to the community I live in and have had several different volunteering roles in the past including being a chair of governors for a primary school and an Ambulance Community First Responder.

My journey into trusteeship began at the CVST AGM in September 2023. A presentation was given about trusteeship and an offer from CVST’s Yvette Wetton to provide more of an insight into what being a trustee entails and to support me in finding an organisation that my skills would align with. Following a very fruitful conversation with Yvette, I went away with a renewed passion and very soon after I applied to be a trustee at the Youth Enquiry Service. Following a successful interview and completing the mandatory Trustee training provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) I formally became a trustee in April 2024.

I have found my first 18 months as a trustee very rewarding, working alongside my fellow trustees undertaking a skills audit and enabling each of us to be aligned to a head of section depending on our skills and background. This has been a very supportive way to enable a collaborative approach to the challenges around funding and working differently in this uncertain time across the sector. Being there to support the CEO, offering advice and support and understanding more about the service offerings has provided me with a sense of pride in being part of an amazing organisation which supports one of our most vulnerable cohorts across North East Essex, our young people.

The time commitment as a trustee is flexible, you can give as much or as little as you are able as long as you manage your statutory duties in reviewing board meeting documents such as budget papers, heads of service reports and provide constructive feedback as part of the regular board meetings, which are held bi monthly with an option of face to face and MS teams.

If you ever want to get more involved with a ‘special community voluntary sector faith enterprise group’ in your area please do so – we all have transferable skills that could make a real difference and a greater impact than you could imagine to many people in your community.

Why I became a trustee – and why you should too by Ali Blake

Why I became a trustee – and why you should too by Ali Blake

by | Nov 3, 2025 | Infrastructure, Volunteering

Why I, Alistair Blake, became a Trustee (And why you should consider it too)

Eight years ago, I became a trustee, despite concerns I wasn’t qualified enough or have enough time. Today I chair the board.

How and why, I became a Trustee

My journey with Summit Services began in 2008. Having just finished a multimedia degree and struggling to find work the media sector, I took a receptionist position at what was then called ‘The Advocacy Service’ in Clacton, where I grew up. I didn’t know what advocacy was or have any understanding of mental health services. But I quickly fell in love with the work – largely driven by amazing mentors, the passion of the staff and witnessing first-hand the impact on people’s lives.

Over the next few years, I trained as an advocate and also used my skills in unexpected ways from developing interactive and accessible materials to running music groups and sports teams.

But I still dreamed of working in media, and in late 2011, an opportunity to work for a television company came up which I couldn’t refuse. So, I moved to London and spent the next few years doing exactly what I’d always planned.

Yet something was missing. And as I became more aware of my own mental health, I reflected on how critical Summit’s work was.

That’s when I thought about trusteeship. Despite concerns about what I could offer and whether I’d have enough time, I got in contact, went through the interview process, and was appointed to the board.

What does being a Trustee actually involve?

We meet formally every 6 weeks, with occasional sub-committee work between. Some months it’s just a few hours; others require more time when we’re navigating challenges or establishing new initiatives. But it’s manageable alongside full-time work and family.

As Trustees, we provide governance and strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability, and support the CEO and staff team. It’s not about doing day-to-day work; our excellent staff do that. It’s about acting in the best interest of our beneficiaries and ensuring the organisation can continue its mission effectively.

What Have I Learned?

In eight years as a trustee, now as Chair, I’ve seen enormous change. Leadership transitions, funding and service evolution, staff and trustees moving on. What hasn’t changed is our mission: Advocating Empowerment. Supporting Independence.

Clacton has the second-highest mental health need in the country and seven areas in Tendring are among the most deprived 10% in England. While the statistics are eye-opening, behind every statistic is a person – someone struggling to access support, someone feeling isolated, or someone simply trying to live a fulfilled and independent life. Which is why this work really matters.

What surprised me most about trusteeship is how much my perspective counts. My media and business experience has practical value, but the real contribution is diverse thinking. The board needs people who aren’t necessarily mental health professionals, people who ask different questions and represent the community we serve.

I still don’t feel I give enough time. I still sometimes question what I offer. But I’ve learned that’s okay and what really matters is showing up, having a voice, and bringing genuine commitment.

What do I get out of it?

There’s the satisfaction of contributing to meaningful work, staying connected to advocacy while pursuing my corporate career. But I’ve also developed skills in governance, strategic thinking, and leadership that I would not have gained otherwise. I’ve been part of decisions that genuinely changed outcomes for people in our community.

Why you should consider it

Tendring’s voluntary organisations need trustees. Not just people with medical, legal or financial backgrounds, but people with all kinds of experiences: project management, HR, marketing, IT, lived experience, or simply a passion for the cause and willingness to learn.

If you’re thinking you aren’t qualified or don’t have time – I thought the same. But your doubts probably mean you’re a thoughtful person who’d make a good trustee.

You don’t need to be an expert in the organisation’s field. You need to be willing to ask questions, think strategically, and commit to the mission. The time commitment, while real, is more flexible than traditional volunteering.

If you have skills from work or life, if you care about your community, if you’ve valued local services, or if you want to make tangible difference then trusteeship might be for you.

Summit Services (TMHS) has been here since 1976. Lasting this long requires embracing change, being adaptable and resilient – and that needs fresh perspectives and people willing to contribute.

I never planned to work in mental health advocacy or chair a charity board, but it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. If you’re curious about trusteeship, explore opportunities in Tendring. Reach out to organisations you care about, contact the Community Voluntary Services, or search for trustee vacancies online and ask questions.

Your community needs you, and you might be surprised by what you have to offer and what you have to gain.

Would you like a Safeguarding top-up at our next Trustee Forum?

Would you like a Safeguarding top-up at our next Trustee Forum?

by | Aug 14, 2025 | Infrastructure

If something went wrong in your organisation tomorrow… could you honestly say you’d done everything possible to keep people safe?

For small voluntary and community organisations, it can be easy to assume that safeguarding is “someone else’s job” or only relevant in certain settings. But as a Trustee, you hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring your organisation protects the people it serves, especially those who are vulnerable.

That means more than simply having a safeguarding policy in place. As a Trustee you need to ensure procedures are not just clear and accessible, but also actively followed, from recruitment checks to reporting concerns. It also means creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up, and where safeguarding is embedded in every activity.

Laws, best practice, and risks evolve over time and Trustees have a duty to stay informed, seek training, and regularly review your organisations safeguarding arrangements. Neglecting this could expose your organisation to serious harm both to the individuals you serve and to your reputation and sustainability.

At CVST we want to support Trustees to be able to fulfil their safeguarding obligations. At our next Trustee Forum on the 4th September at 6pm we will be welcoming Alison Clark who is the Head of Safeguarding in Adult Social Care at Essex County Council to talk about the role of  Trustees in making their organisation’s operations safer and provide information about where to go and what to do if you have concerns.

To register to attend – please contact CVST at events@cvstendring.org.uk

 

 

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