Celebrating International Volunteer Managers Day

On 5th November, we celebrate International Volunteer Managers Day, a chance to recognise the amazing people who make volunteering possible. This year’s theme, “Be Bold. Make a Change.”, feels especially relevant as the voluntary sector continues to face big challenges.

We all know that volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities but behind every great volunteer team, there’s usually a dedicated volunteer manager making it all happen. From recruiting and training to keeping everyone motivated, volunteer managers make sure that good intentions turn into real impact.

Why Volunteer Managers Matter So Much

In tough financial times, it’s easy for charities to focus their limited resources elsewhere. But cutting back on volunteer management can actually cost more in the long run. Rosterfy’s State of UK Volunteer Management Report 2025 found that having a clear volunteer strategy makes a huge difference: boosting recruitment, retention, and overall volunteer satisfaction. When volunteers feel supported, they stay longer and give more of their time and energy.

Volunteer managers are the glue that holds it all together. They create welcoming spaces, resolve tricky situations, and make sure everyone feels part of something meaningful. Without them, volunteering simply wouldn’t have the same impact.

The risk of overlooking Volunteer Management Another powerful report, What If Everyone Stopped Volunteering?, reminds us just how much society relies on volunteers and what could happen if they disappeared. One of the key recommendations from this report is to recognise volunteer management as a profession and for funders to rethink how they support volunteering.

That means properly funding volunteer expenses, training, and even salaries for volunteer managers. Managing volunteers isn’t just an add-on, it’s a skilled, professional role that deserves recognition and investment.

How We're Supporting Volunteer Managers at Wessex Community Action

Here at Wessex Community Action, we know how important it is to support the people who support volunteers. That’s why we run our Volunteer Managers Forum, a friendly space for volunteer managers to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another.

Each forum focuses on a different topic, like:

• Recruiting and keeping great volunteers
• How to make employer-supported volunteering work
• Managing tricky conversations with volunteers
• Sharing what’s working (and what’s not!)

It’s all about building confidence, learning together, and reminding each other that you’re not alone in the challenges you face.

Let's Be Bold. Let's Make a Change

This International Volunteer Managers Day, let’s take a moment to say thank you to every volunteer manager, for your patience, creativity, and passion.

Let’s also be bold in calling for more investment in volunteer management. Because when we support the people who support volunteers, we strengthen the entire voluntary sector.

To every volunteer manager making things happen: thank you for your hard work, your ideas, and your impact.

#IVMDay25 #BeBoldMakeAChange #VolunteerManagers #WessexCommunityAction #Volunteering