Royal Voluntary Service launches new digital platform to make it easier than ever to lend charities a hand

The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) has launched a new digital platform to help recruit more volunteers than ever before.

Named GoVo, the UK’s national volunteer charity created the digital volunteering programme in a bid to help people easily find opportunities to fit around their schedule.

The platform, which connects individuals with flexible, local and remote jobs, comes as charities across Britain revealed they expect to experience a shortage of three million volunteers over the next year, according to the RVS’ research.

Thankfully, the organisation found that 164 million additional volunteering hours could be unlocked each month if more flexible, digital placements were available.

Nottingham Trent University also found that 44 per cent of charities report rising requests for help, while one in four (27 per cent) say they are unable to meet demand.

More than 3,000 charities have signed up to GoVo so far, including Guide Dogs, the RSPCA, The Conservation Volunteers, Bookmark Reading Charity and Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland.

Current opportunities on GoVo, which has been developed using support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, range from hairdressing volunteer to ‘puppy socialiser’ and the website also offers volunteering in the realm of content creation.

RVS has also partnered with ITV to get stars such as Rochelle Humes, Ryan Thomas, Dr Amir Khan and Ellie Simmonds to draw on their own charitable experiences and call on the nation to embrace volunteering.

Ryan Thomas is pictured cheering on volunteers after he collaborated with the RVS to help spread the word about how rewarding the volunteering experience can be

Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas said: ‘I’ve always thought of volunteering as a chance to roll up your sleeves, make a difference and have a laugh along the way.

‘But what’s really surprised me since taking part in this campaign is all the different opportunities that volunteering offers.

‘It’s amazing to think that you can have a positive impact whilst also enjoying your favourite hobby or discovering a new passion, so I really hope I can inspire more people to give it a go.’

Dr Amir Khan, a regular guest on ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, said some volunteering placements can help with reducing anxiety and increasing physical activity.

British Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds added: ‘I’ve got so much out of the work I’ve done with charities over the years, which is why I’m excited to be a part of this campaign to help more people find their volunteering role of a lifetime.

‘Whatever your passions, from sport to walking spaniels and everything in between, I’ve learnt that there really is a volunteering role for everyone.’

Local and regional non–profit organisations, such as Dementia Disco, Wilderness Foundation, Wheels for All, Marauders Men’s Health and Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, are also standing with the RVS’s urgent call for volunteers.

Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: ‘We are thrilled to be supporting the launch of RVS’ volunteering platform to help recruit more volunteers to the charity sector.

‘The Stroke Association relies on a dedicated team of around 1,200 volunteers who help stroke survivors by providing a listening ear, running support groups, helping at events, raising awareness of strokes and championing our work.

‘We look forward to benefiting from the platform in the future, to help us support the 1.4million stroke survivors and their loved ones.’

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said, ‘Britain’s charities are facing an unprecedented volunteer shortfall, and vital services risk being unable to meet growing needs.

‘Charities are standing together like never before, but they cannot do it alone – volunteering is essential.

‘Every contribution, no matter how much time someone can give, helps sustain services, provide support, and make a real difference to causes and communities.’

She said GoVo will make it ‘easy’ for individuals wanting to give back to the community to find opportunities that fit with their schedules.