Embedding volunteering in health and care

Volunteers for Health (VfH), Northants is a pioneering programme funded by NHS England, NHS Charities Together, and CW+, and led by Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire. Running until June 2027, this initiative aims to embed innovative and sustainable volunteering models into the health and care system across Northamptonshire.

Our mission

To build a more inclusive, coordinated, and impactful volunteering infrastructure that supports health and wellbeing across our communities.

What we’re tackling

• Fragmentation: Volunteering is often siloed across organisations.
• Lack of diversity: Volunteer demographics don’t reflect the communities they serve.
• Poor communication: Opportunities are not effectively shared.
• Recruitment and retention: Attracting and keeping volunteers remains a challenge.

Our approach

We’re working with a dedicated Steering Group and delivery partners to:

• Embed volunteering at a strategic level.
• Improve systems, structures, and collaboration.
• Enhance diversity, accessibility, and volunteer experience.
• Support organisations through training, development, and Test & Learn funding.

Insights from our community

At our recent conference (attended by 40 people from 34 organisations) and through our survey, we heard directly from the sector. Key takeaways included:

• The need for diversity training and community engagement.
• Offering flexible, virtual, innovative and short-term roles.
• Recognising volunteer contributions as standard
• Creating or developing a user-friendly volunteer platform.
• Supporting mental health and wellbeing for volunteers and staff.

Get involved

If your organisation wants to engage with Volunteers for Health or learn more, contact:

John Soto, Project Manager
john.soto@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

Stay connected

• Follow us for updates on Test and Learn funding, events, and project news.
• View our evolving Theory of Change via NCVO