Volunteering in 2026 and Beyond - Online conference on Thursday 14 May

Interested in sponsoring this event? Please email [email protected] for more information.

Volunteers continue to be at the heart of what charities do. They bring their time, skills, compassion and energy to the causes they care about, and many organisations simply couldn’t operate without them. As the world keeps changing, so does volunteering and charities are working hard to make sure volunteers feel supported, valued and able to give their best. 

But it isn’t always easy. Many organisations are still finding it challenging to recruit new volunteers, and existing teams are navigating busier lives, different expectations and, in some cases, increasing pressures in the communities they serve. At the same time, volunteer managers are balancing wellbeing, inclusion, safeguarding, digital tools and organisational change — often with limited time and resources. 

This conference brings together volunteer managers, co-ordinators and leaders for a practical, encouraging and forward-thinking day. We’ll explore what’s helping volunteers thrive right now, how to create positive and welcoming volunteer experiences, and how to respond confidently to the challenges we’re all facing.  

You will hear from a range of speakers who are experts in volunteering. You will also be able to network with other volunteer managers to share advice, knowledge and current challenges.  

At the end of the day, we hope you will leave the event inspired and come away with practical advice, guidance and tips to work more effectively and efficiently, whatever the size of your charity. 

Who should attend? 

This conference is for anyone currently working with volunteers to learn best practice, share knowledge and network with others doing a similar role. 

It’s also relevant for charities looking to take that first step into utilising volunteers to support their services and how to do this successfully. 

The conference is especially relevant for: 

• Volunteer Managers
• Volunteer Leads
• Anyone working closely with volunteers 

What delegates said about the 2025 event

‘This was my first time attending a DSC event, and I was thrilled to find it so useful in genuinely practical ways. Even though the content and handbook will be shared subsequently, I still took many pages of notes and had so many “yes, we’ve talked about exactly this” or “this is just what we need to think about” moments. I also really appreciated the links and suggestions to related resources. We’re a small, local organisation in an industry where funding is a huge challenge, so any free or low cost resources particularly in relation to guiding, supporting and training volunteer managers are especially welcome to know about.’– Pamela Luna, St Nicholas Hospice Care.

‘Very interesting with some very good and inspiring speakers – lots of ‘food for thought’, lots of guidance and knowledge sharing. A great day well spent.’– Juliet Cain, Rebuild with Hope Foundation.

What’s included in the price? 

• Attendance to the online conference, keynote sessions, session talks and networking sessions
• Access to all presentations and handouts
• A digital copy of Speed Read: Inductions  

Agenda

Chair: Emily Hughes, Head of Volunteer Experience, Girlguiding.

09.45: Welcome  

Join us for introductions, housekeeping rules. 

09.50:  Celebration of Volunteers 

A short, uplifting moment to recognise the brilliant work volunteers do every day. We’ll share photos sent in by participants, showcasing volunteers in action and celebrating the impact they make across our communities. A reminder of just how incredible you and your teams are and how much their contribution matters. 

09.55:  Keynote: What’s Changing in Volunteering and What Still Matters Most 

Volunteering continues to evolve, from changing time pressures to new motivations and expectations. This opening session looks at how volunteer involvement is shifting, what volunteers are telling us they need and the key things that Volunteer Managers still need to prioritise.  

10.30: Developing a Volunteer Strategy That Works for Your Organisation 

Having a strategy gives you a clear sense of direction, helping you make decisions with confidence and support your volunteers more effectively. Whether you already have a volunteer strategy or are thinking about creating one for the first time, this session will help you take a clear, practical look at where you are and what you need next. We’ll explore: 

• How to review what you already have and decide what still works
• Where to begin if you’re starting from scratch
• What to consider when planning for the future of volunteering
• Simple, realistic steps to keep your strategy useful and relevant 

By the end, you’ll have a better sense of what a good volunteer strategy looks like for your oganisation, whether that means building it, refreshing it or strengthening what’s already there. 

11.15: Coffee break 

11.30:  Recruiting and Welcoming New Volunteers 

Recruitment is changing and many charities are still finding it tough. This session focuses on practical actions that organisations of all sizes can do to reach new volunteers and create a welcoming environment. We’ll also look at how to make volunteering more inclusive so all can participate and feel welcome.  

12.15:  Guided Networking: Sharing Ideas and Challenges 

This 30-minute session gives you the chance to connect in smaller breakout rooms and talk with others facing similar experiences. We will give you simple prompts to help guide the conversation, making it easy for everyone to take part. You’ll have time to share what’s working well, explore common challenges and gather practical ideas from peers. We’ll specifically look at: 

• What’s working well in your volunteering programme right now?
• What’s one challenge you’d like ideas on?
• What’s something you’ve tried that others might find useful? 

12.45: Lunch break 

13.45: Panel Discussion: What’s Helping Volunteer Teams and Volunteers Thrive Right Now 

Volunteers are working in a world that can feel increasingly pressured – from community tensions and online conflict to the emotional weight that comes with supporting people in difficult circumstances. In this panel discussion, we’ll explore how organisations are supporting volunteers’ wellbeing and creating environments where people can truly thrive. We’ll also look at what helps volunteer teams (and those who lead them) stay strong, resilient and able to perform at their best. 

14.45: Break  

15.00:  Working Through Challenges in Volunteer Management 

Managing volunteers is rewarding, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges. In this session we’ll look at how to overcome these and will discuss managing difficult conversations, supporting volunteers through change and managing expectations amongst other key challenges. 

15.45:  Closing Session: Keeping Volunteers Engaged 

Small actions that help volunteers feel appreciated, listened to and part of something meaningful can go a long way in keeping them engaged and supporting your cause. In this session, we’ll explore what really makes a difference to volunteer satisfaction, and share simple, practical ways to build a positive volunteer experience that encourages people to stay involved.  

16.15:  Closing remarks

16.30:  Conference ends 

Thinking of attending more DSC conferences?

A season ticket for all 11 events in 2026 might be just the ticket – Find out more here.

Prices

Early Bird booking period to Tuesday 31 March.

Regular booking from Wednesday 1 April.