VAL Blogs


  • Exploring micro-volunteering

    Anna Barrow, Volunteering Development Officer for VAL, talks about what micro-volunteering is and how it can be beneficial to both volunteers and organisations.

  • Social media for charities – the basics

    Phil Welsh, VAL's Marketing and Communications Manager, gives some basic tips for charities and community groups to get started with social media.

  • How has volunteering been affected by the pandemic?

    Carolyn Newman, Advisor in VAL's Voluntary Sector Support team, talks about some of the major challenges volunteer-involving organisations are facing during the lockdown.

  • Temporary closure due to lockdown – what does the future look like?

    Helen Oparinde, Development Officer in VAL’s Voluntary Sector Support team, considers the impact of temporary closure on some charities and social enterprises and whether they can re-open their doors again.

  • Learning Disability Week 2020: virtual friendship during lockdown

    As part of Mencap's Learning Disability Week 2020, Ben McKeown, Team Manager for VAL's VALUES project, talks to some VALUES clients about their experience of the lockdown and communicating virtually.

  • Small Charity Week – local objectives

    Helen Oparinde, Development Officer in VAL’s Voluntary Sector Support team considers the objectives of Small Charity Week and its local context.

  • Adapting a learning disability service during lockdown

    Mikaela Paterson, Team Manager of VAL's VALUES - Learning Disability Support service, talks about the challenges and rewards of adapting the service during the lockdown.

  • Diversity – during the pandemic and beyond

    Helen Oparinde, Development Officer in VAL’s Voluntary Sector Support team explores what diversity means in the context of COVID-19.

  • Tackling systemic racism

    Heather Shawley and James Smalley from VAL’s Voluntary Sector Support team talk about how VAL, the voluntary sector and individuals can have a role in tackling systemic racism in our local communities.