Capacitybuilders announce launch date for new £1m volunteer management bursary scheme

From Monday 22 March, individuals who support, coordinate, manage or have strategic responsibility for volunteers will be able to apply for one of 600-800 bursaries of up to £1950 to pay for skills development under Capacitybuilders’ Volunteer Management Programme.

Each bursary will fully fund an approved skills development package, delivered regionally by experienced, respected training providers and aligned to the national occupational standards in volunteer management.

Capacitybuilders is pleased to announce that this final strand of the Volunteer Management Programme will open for application on Monday 22 March. Application to the programme is being coordinated nationally through a single online entry point, accessible via www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/vmpskills. In the run up to the launch, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the website to find out more.

Training will be available at three levels, tailored to suit individual volunteer managers’ experience and role, each with the option of national accreditation and including online and distance learning opportunities.

Sean Cobley, Chair of the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM), said:

‘We are pleased to have been involved in the selection process for skills development providers under Strand C of the Volunteer Management Programme. This was just one way in which we have supported Capacitybuilders’ in their desire to listen to and involve volunteer managers in developing this final aspect of the programme. Given AVM’s leading role in developing our profession, we will be encouraging our members and others to make an early application.'

Dave Conroy, National Programme Manager for Capacitybuilders said:

"These bursaries will support people who manage volunteers in a more intensive way than may often be possible due to financial and other constraints. With all skills development packages aligned to the National Occupational Standard in Volunteer Management we are confident that those participating will benefit considerably at a time when more people are wishing to volunteer.”