New Digital Platform Aims to Spark a Volunteering Revolution
Charities across Yorkshire and the Humber are being called upon to join a regional volunteer drive through a new digital platform created by the Royal Voluntary Service. Backed by funding from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the platform has been designed to modernise and simplify the volunteering experience, making it easier for individuals to find flexible opportunities with causes they care about.
With local Humber charities playing a crucial role in community well-being—from arts and sports to health, environmental, and animal welfare sectors—many are struggling to recruit volunteers in the post-pandemic landscape. However, recent research from the Royal Voluntary Service indicates that people in the region are willing to volunteer, provided it fits into their lifestyles. Nearly half (48%) of respondents from Yorkshire and the Humber Charities expressed that a flexible, digital method to browse and engage with volunteer opportunities would increase their likelihood of participating.
The platform is currently open for charity registration, offering free access to organisations across the region. From June, registered charities will be able to test the system by uploading roles in preparation for the full public launch in autumn 2025.
A Flexible and Inclusive Approach to Volunteer Engagement
The Royal Voluntary Service envisions the platform as a dynamic hub for volunteering, allowing individuals to browse, search, and sign up for roles that match their interests and availability. The platform’s design accommodates a variety of volunteering formats, including one-off, remote, team-based, and traditional roles, to attract a more diverse group of volunteers.
Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, highlighted the inclusive development process of the platform: “We have shaped this exciting new platform in partnership with charities big and small across the country. It’s about removing barriers to volunteering and making it a realistic and rewarding part of everyday life. We’re on the brink of a volunteer revolution, and I encourage all local causes to be part of this movement.”
The platform is designed with a streamlined registration process, allowing volunteers to complete identity checks once and move effortlessly between opportunities without re-entering basic information. In the future, free criminal record checks will also be available through the system, further reducing administrative burdens for charities.
Backing from People’s Postcode Lottery and Community Optimism
Clara Govier, Managing Director at People’s Postcode Lottery, expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential to strengthen civic engagement: “Thanks to our players, Royal Voluntary Service is developing a platform that simplifies how people find volunteering opportunities, both locally and online. Volunteers are the backbone of many charities, and this tool can help inspire new generations to give their time for the greater good.”
As the platform readies for public launch, the call is clear: charities in Yorkshire and the Humber Charities are encouraged to register, upload roles, and help ignite a new wave of community involvement. With easier access, lower admin costs, and broader role diversity, the platform promises to be a catalyst for change in how volunteering is approached in the digital age.
