Time For Impact Podcast

Time For Impact
  • 4.7 (3)
  • NON-PROFIT

Promoting and celebrating innovation and ground-breaking ideas and practice in the volunteering profession. Each episode we invite special guests to share their learning and creative ideas so we can all push the boundaries and drive the profession to new levels.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Accessible Volunteering & The Power of Lived Experience with Mencap’s Anne-Marie Zaritsky

    In this episode of the Time for Impact Podcast, host Matt Cobble is joined by Anne-Marie Zaritsky, the Head of Volunteering and Inclusion at the learning disilbilities charity, Mencap. Together, they explore the mechanisms behind Mencap’s success in creating a genuinely inclusive environment. Moving beyond tick-box exercises, Anne-Marie shares how the charity ensures volunteering is accessible not just for people with learning difficulties, but for everyone. Crucially, this conversation challenges the idea that large charities must have a "blueprint" for every issue. Matt and Anne-Marie discuss why Mencap does not try to speak for all communities. Instead, they explore the charity's role as a convenor—creating the space for local people to come together, share their lived experience, and build the solutions that actually work for them. Universal Inclusion: How Mencap breaks down barriers to make volunteering accessible and inclusive to all, creating a model that benefits the wider community. From Blueprint to Convenor: Why Mencap avoids top-down answers in favour of bringing local people together to solve community-specific issues. Representation at Every Level: How people with learning difficulties are involved in shaping Mencap’s work, from the ground floor to governance. Bridging HR and Volunteering: Maximising the learning exchange between volunteering departments and HR to create a holistic approach to inclusion. The Culture "Glue": A dive into how Mencap’s organisational culture binds these elements together and enables their continued success. We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into inclusive leadership. Please remember that Time for Impact is more than just a show—we are a dedicated resource for the third sector. We provide strategic insights for charities and volunteer professionals, offering services that include: Strategic Consultancy Professional Training Impact Measurement Tools Experience Surveys and Data Analysis If you are looking to elevate your organisation's impact, get in touch with us to see how we can help. If you found value in this episode and would like to say thank you, you can support the production of the show by buying us a virtual cup of coffee! 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi

    55 min

  2. 7 NOV

    Scotland's Volunteering Rebound: Inclusion challenges and a New Manifesto with Alan Stevenson, Volunteer Scotland

    🎧 Episode Summary In this crucial episode, we sit down with Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland, to unpack the brand new 2024 volunteering figures for Scotland. The data reveals a sector in recovery, with formal volunteering rates bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels. However, this positive headline masks a stark reality: significant inclusion gaps remain for people from deprived backgrounds and disabled people. Alan discusses Volunteer Scotland's new manifesto, designed to tackle these issues and more head-on in the run-up to next year's elections. We explore the volunteer action plan for Scotland. We also explore the vital lessons the formal sector must learn from the mutual aid boom, and why employer-supported volunteering is in urgent need of creative, long-term reform. 1. The Good News: Scotland's Volunteering Rebound The 2024 Figures: We dig into the latest Scottish Household Survey data. Formal volunteering is up to 25% (from 18% in 2023), bringing it in line with the pre-COVID level of 26% in 2019. A Sector in Recovery: After a challenging few years, the data signals a welcome return of volunteers to formal roles. 2. The Challenge: A Stubborn Inclusion Gap Who is being left behind? Disability: There is a 15-percentage-point gap between the volunteering rates of non-disabled adults (28%) and disabled adults (18%). Deprivation: A 10-percentage-point gap exists between those with a household income over £30,000 (29% volunteer) and those with low incomes (19% volunteer). Why it matters: True "impact" means volunteering must be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability. 3. A Manifesto for Change Election Ready: With Scottish elections on the horizon, Volunteer Scotland is launching a new policy manifesto. Core Aims: Alan outlines the key "asks" designed to secure the future of volunteering and directly address these systemic inclusion barriers. A Call to Action: The manifesto is a tool for the entire sector to lobby for meaningful investment and policy change. Volunteer Scotland: volunteerscotland.net Latest Research: Find the 2024 volunteering figures and analysis on our website https://www.timeforimpact.co.uk/blogs/our-blogs/volunteering-figures-scotland-2024 Volunteering Action Plan (VAP): Learn more about the strategic plan for volunteering in Scotland. https://www.volunteerscotland.net/news/launch-of-scotlands-volunteering-action-plan We are pleased to offer these insights without charge. However, as a consultant working within the charity sector, my ability to continue sharing expertise and intellectual property through consultancy and training is how I earn my living. If you find this content valuable and wish to support future ideas and inspiration, a small contribution of £4 via my Buy Me a Coffee account would be hugely appreciated. There's no pressure, but any generosity is gratefully received. You can contribute here https://buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi Thank You 🙏

    1h 1m

  3. 7 OCT

    Tobi Johnson on the Challenging, Brave Journey of Volunteer Leadership

    In this episode, we're shifting our focus from pure innovation in programs to the personal innovations required to be a leader in the volunteer sector. We are incredibly honored to be joined by the one and only Tobi Johnson, CVA. While many of you will know Tobi from her exceptional Volpro training and the fantastic 'Volunteer Nation' podcast, this conversation goes behind the scenes. Tobi shares her personal leadership journey—the successes, the stumbles, and the crucial lessons learned from both. We explore the realities of leadership, from battling imposter syndrome to the complexities of leading diverse teams and navigating the challenges of movement-building. This is a candid, inspiring look at what it truly takes to lead and innovate in the world of volunteerism. Tobi Johnson is an internationally recognized expert and consultant in the field of volunteer engagement. She is the founder of Tobi Johnson & Associates and the President of VolunteerPro, an online professional development community for leaders of volunteers. Tobi is also the host of the popular Volunteer Nation podcast, providing practical tips and insights for engaging today's volunteers. The Leadership Journey is Not Linear: Tobi shares the pivotal moments and challenges that shaped her as a leader, emphasising that learning often comes from what goes wrong. Wrestling with Imposter Syndrome: A frank discussion about feeling like a fraud and the strategies Tobi has used to find her authentic leadership voice. Leading Diverse Groups: We explore the skills and mindset needed to effectively lead diverse teams of volunteers, ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose. From Management to Movement-Building: Tobi discusses the leap from managing volunteers to leading a movement, and the unique challenges that come with inspiring collective action. Lessons from Theory and Practice: We touch on key concepts from academic work in the sector and how they apply in the real world. VolunteerPro: Tobi's online training and coaching community for volunteer managers. Volunteer Nation Podcast: Tobi's podcast full of actionable tips for leaders of volunteers. Book: Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice by Jurgen Grotz and Ruth Buchanan. Follow us on Linked-in Visit our website: www.TimeForImpact.co.uk Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode! Connect & Continue the Conversation: Thank you for tuning in to Time for Impact! We are dedicated to bringing you the freshest thinking in volunteerism from professionals who are making a real difference. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you conversations with volunteerism leaders from around the world. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Time for Impact on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more professionals like you. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who believes in the power of connection. Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution. This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account:     ⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏 Time for Impact has recently launched its sector wide Volunteer Experience Survey - to find out more go to https://www.timeforimpact.co.uk/volunteering-strategies/volunteer-surveys

    59 min

  4. 8 SEPT

    Leading the Pack: Re-imagining Volunteer Engagement with Karen Leies, CEO of The Seeing Eye

    The world of volunteerism has fundamentally changed since 2020. How can established organisations adapt to shifting demographics, motivations, and a post-pandemic market? In this episode, we go straight to the source of innovation and legacy, speaking with Karen Leies, CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the world's oldest guide dog organisation. Karen shares the unique challenges The Seeing Eye faced and how they refused to stand still. We take a deep dive into their transformative partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to analyse the new volunteer landscape and develop a data-driven strategy. Discover how they are now marketing volunteer opportunities to entirely new audiences, and a focus on creating meaningful roles for families. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for any leader looking to energize their volunteer program and build a resilient community for the future. Plus, for our UK listeners, discover the foundational role The Seeing Eye played in helping to establish the UK's own Guide Dogs for the Blind association. About Our Guest: Karen Leies is the CEO and President of The Seeing Eye, the pioneering organisation that has been enhancing the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs since 1929. With a deep commitment to the organisation's mission, Karen leads a dedicated team of staff and volunteers in continuing a legacy of excellence and innovation in the guide dog movement. Resources Mentioned: The Seeing Eye: Learn more about their incredible work, mission, and volunteer opportunities at www.seeingeye.org. Boston Consulting Group (BCG): Explore their work in the social impact sector at www.bcg.com. Guide Dogs for the Blind (UK): For our UK listeners, learn more about the organisation The Seeing Eye helped inspire at www.guidedogs.org.uk. Connect & Continue the Conversation: Thank you for tuning in to Time for Impact! We are dedicated to bringing you the freshest thinking in volunteerism from professionals who are making a real difference. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you conversations with volunteerism leaders from around the world. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Time for Impact on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more professionals like you. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who believes in the power of connection. Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution. This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account:     ⁠⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

    52 min

  5. 18 AUG

    Catherine Johnstone CBE - RVS's New Front Door for Volunteering?

    One topic seems to have divided opinion in volunteerism in the UK recently. The Time for Impact Podcast is all about exploring innovation so we had to take a look at RVS's new platform plans. In this episode of "Time for Impact," we're joined by a true giant of the UK's charity and volunteering sector, Catherine Johnstone CBE, the CEO of the Royal Voluntary Service. Known as a positive disrupter, Catherine has a remarkable track record of leading and innovating in organisations like Samaritans and now the RVS. We dive into her latest, and perhaps most debated, project: a new national volunteering platform funded by the People's Postcode Lottery. Is it a much-needed innovation or a threat to local volunteering infrastructure? We explore the pros and cons. Catherine Johnstone CBE is a leader who has dedicated her career to public service and voluntary action. She started as a nurse in the NHS before moving into the charity sector, where she has held numerous high-profile leadership roles. CEO of Royal Voluntary Service (RVS): Catherine leads one of the UK's largest volunteering organisations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was instrumental in developing large-scale initiatives to support the NHS, including the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Former CEO of Samaritans: For nearly seven years, she led the suicide prevention charity, developing a long-term strategy that established it as a thought leader in suicide prevention and postvention services. Her work was recognised with a CBE in 2016. A Champion for the Sector: Her wide-ranging experience includes roles in asylum and refugee support, CEO positions in local infrastructure bodies (CVS/Volunteer Bureaus), and Chair of the Directory of Social Change. She has been at the heart of government funding decisions and is a passionate advocate for collaboration, co-chairing the Shaping the Future with Volunteering coalition. Catherine is also one of the key architects behind the Big Help Out campaign. In our conversation, we cover: The "Positive Disrupter" Mindset: What drives Catherine's passion for challenging the status quo in the volunteering sector? Lessons from a Career of Impact: From her beginnings as a nurse to leading national charities, we explore the key lessons Catherine has learned about enabling the "gift of voluntary service." The Big Help Out: We discuss the genesis and impact of this major national event and what it tells us about the future of mass participation in volunteering. The New RVS Volunteering Platform: The central topic of our discussion. Catherine outlines the vision behind the new sign-up and brokerage platform. The Future of Volunteering: What does Catherine believe the future holds? We discuss the role of digital innovation, collaboration, and the importance of supporting both large-scale and grassroots community action. Find out about the new platform here And all about how Time for Impact can help your volunteering plans here Thank you for listening to Time for Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with someone who believes in the power of connection. Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution. This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account:     ⁠⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

    1h 9m

  6. 4 AUG

    Volunteering 2.0: How ENGin is Building a Global Community Online

    What does the future of volunteering look like? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Katerina Manoff, the dynamic CEO of the US charity, ENGin. Katerina, whose journey has taken her from Ukraine to Harvard and across the commercial and education sectors, shares how she is channeling her unique expertise into pioneering a new model for non-profits. ENGin connects Ukrainians of all ages looking to improve their conversational English with a global network of fluent speakers. But it's the how that is truly impressive for us. We explore how ENGin has built a slick, user-friendly, and incredibly flexible digital platform that supports thousands of volunteers without sacrificing a warm, inclusive, and welcoming community feel. Join us as we discuss the art of scaling volunteer engagement, the critical role of technology in building community, and the profound personal and professional growth that occurs on both sides of the screen. We delve into the power of individual stories to demonstrate impact and celebrate the meaningful, cross-cultural connections that are changing lives one conversation at a time. I was so moved by ENGin's mission and model that I've even signed up as a volunteer myself! About Our Guest: Katerina Manoff is the CEO of ENGin. Born in Ukraine and educated in the United States, Katerina is a Harvard graduate who brings a powerful blend of commercial strategy and educational passion to the non-profit sector. Her leadership is shaping the future of digital volunteering, creating scalable solutions that foster deep human connection. In This Episode, We Discuss: Crafting an Exceptional Volunteer Experience: How ENGin has made its onboarding and participation process so slick, user-friendly, and welcoming. The Power of Flexibility: Why modern, digital-first volunteering must be adaptable to volunteers' lives. Scaling with Soul: The challenges and triumphs of growing a volunteer base into the thousands while maintaining a strong sense of community. Tech for Good: Leveraging technology not just for efficiency, but to build genuine, inclusive communities. More Than Altruism: The unexpected pathways for professional and personal growth that volunteering can offer. The Impact of a Story: How sharing authentic experiences from volunteers and students demonstrates the true impact of the mission. A Two-Way Street: Exploring the mutual benefits of volunteering and the value it brings to both the student and the mentor. Beyond Borders: The importance of building meaningful, one-on-one connections across different cultures. Resources & How to Get Involved: Learn more about ENGin's mission: https://www.enginprogram.org/ Become a Volunteer: Inspired by our conversation? Join me and thousands of others making a difference. The commitment is flexible, and the impact is immense. https://www.enginprogram.org/volunteer Follow ENGin on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/65703219/admin/feed/posts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enginprogram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enginprogram/Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/enginprogram.bsky.socialYouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@ENGinprogramTelegram: https://t.me/ENGinprogram Thank you for listening to Time for Impact. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with someone who believes in the power of connection. Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution. This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account:     ⁠buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi ⁠ . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

    50 min

  7. 24 JUL

    Giving Back, Transforming Care: Supercharging the Future of NHS Volunteering

    How can volunteering move from being a 'nice-to-have' to a strategic asset that helps the NHS meet its most critical targets? In this episode, we uncover how HelpForce and its partners are revolutionising the role of volunteers, transforming them into a powerful force for change. We're joined by Amerjit Chohan, the new CEO of HelpForce, Laura Greene from Kingston and Richmond NHS Trust, and dedicated volunteer Ray Symons. During our conversation, we learned why HelpForce were described as alchemists, supercharging the impact and leverage of NHS volunteering teams. We explore how HelpForce's expert approach to impact evaluation is proving how volunteers are critical in helping patients get home sooner and freeing up vital NHS resources. We also delve into their innovative programmes, from creating pathways to employment to providing a robust consultancy model that gives volunteering professionals bigger backup. This is a story about delivering proven national solutions while celebrating local flavour, power, and fit. Please do check out their new initiative 'Giving Back, Transforming Care'. https://helpforce.community/giving-back-transforming-care Guests: Amerjit Chohan: The new CEO of HelpForce. He discusses his vision for embedding volunteering into the strategic fabric of the NHS, using data and evaluation to drive transformational change. Laura Greene: Head of Volunteering and Community Partnerships at Kingston and Richmond NHS Trust. Laura shares the on-the-ground perspective of partnering with HelpForce and how their support provides "bigger backup" to local volunteer managers. Ray Symons: A dedicated volunteer at Kingston Hospital. Ray provides the essential human element, sharing how the structured support and clear goals empower him to make an even greater difference to patients and staff. NEW CAMPAIGN - Giving Back, Transforming Care: Explore the new initiative and find out how you can support it. Link: https://helpforce.community/giving-back-transforming-care HelpForce: Learn more about their national work, programmes, and impact evaluation. Website: www.helpforce.community Kingston Hospital Volunteering: Find out more about the work Laura and Ray are involved in. Website: www.kingstonhospital.nhs.uk/get-involved/volunteering/ Thank You for Listening to Time for Impact! If this conversation sparked an idea or inspired you, please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform and leave us a review—it helps us prove our own impact! Like any creative endeavour, bringing the podcast to life involves real costs in production, editing, planning, and execution. As a small charity consultancy, our primary income comes from providing paid advice and training, allowing us to freely share our hard-earned expertise and insights through this podcast and our blog. We believe deeply in empowering the charity sector's success. This podcast is our gift to the profession. However, If you find the Time for Impact Podcast valuable and wish to fuel future inspiring conversations and ideas, please consider a small, entirely voluntary contribution of £4 through our Buy Me a Coffee account:     buymeacoffee.com/chriswadetfi  . Your generosity, however small, directly supports our ability to continue producing this resource for the sector. Thank you for being part of our community. 🙏

    56 min

  8. 18 JUL

    Episode 26 - Breaking Down Barriers: A Live Masterclass in Inclusive Volunteering hosted by NAVCA

    In this powerful live-recorded episode, we were thrilled to partner with NAVCA (The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) to host a vital conversation in front of their members. Following up on NAVCA's excellent Guide to Inclusive Volunteering, hosts Chris Wade and Matt Cobble are joined by an expert panel to explore how we can move from intention to action. How do we adapt our cultures, processes, and language to make our organisations genuinely welcoming and inclusive for everyone? We are joined by three incredible guests who share their frontline experience: Holly Notcutt from Volunteering Matters, who champions youth social action; Debbie Saddler from Unlock, an organisation working with people with criminal records; and Ciara Devlin, CEO of Breaking Barriers, a charity helping refugees into employment. This episode is packed with practical advice, challenging questions, and inspiring insights for any organisation looking to build a more diverse, dynamic, and truly representative volunteer team. Meet Our Expert Panel Holly Notcutt (Volunteering Matters): Holly works on the #iWill movement, a UK-wide campaign that believes all children and young people should be supported and empowered to make a positive difference on the issues that affect their lives, their communities, and broader society. Learn more at: https://www.iwill.org.uk/ and https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/ Debbie Saddler (Unlock): Debbie is the Head of Delivery and Programmes at Unlock, a national advocacy charity that provides a voice and support for people with criminal records, helping them to move on positively with their lives. Learn more at: https://unlock.org.uk/ Ciara Devlin (Breaking Barriers): Ciara is the CEO of Breaking Barriers, a charity dedicated to helping refugees in the UK acquire meaningful employment. Learn more at: https://breaking-barriers.co.uk/

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Promoting and celebrating innovation and ground-breaking ideas and practice in the volunteering profession. Each episode we invite special guests to share their learning and creative ideas so we can all push the boundaries and drive the profession to new levels.

Information

  • Creator
    Time For Impact
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Time For Impact
  • Show Website
    Time For Impact Podcast