Customer Story: Dorothy House Retail Volunteering
Transforming charity volunteering with Access Assemble
Discover why Dorothy House trusts Access Assemble for their volunteer management. In this customer story, you will learn how Access Assemble has transformed volunteer coordination for Dorothy House Hospice Care, a renowned charity based in Wiltshire. Gain insights into their success and see how Access Assemble can benefit your organisation too.
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Dorothy House shares their story of using Access Assemble
Dorothy House, an adult hospice, currently has 1,157 volunteers who support patients in the community, assist with fundraising, work in retail shops and much more. They chose Access Assemble for its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive features that streamline recruitment and volunteer engagement across all areas of their organisation. Rachel Stewart, Head of Volunteering exclaims:
Yeah, I would recommend the Access Group. The initial setup was pretty good, with comprehensive webinars and training. The support has been very good overall, and the cost is quite competitive compared to similar systems. There's still a lot more we can explore and use more effectively within the system, so I highly recommend it.
Key takeaways from the video
Improved recruitment efficiency
Access Assemble has significantly enhanced the recruitment process at Dorothy House. The software’s integration with their website allows potential volunteers to easily apply online. This streamlined approach has accelerated recruitment and reduced paperwork. Sarah, Charity Shop Manager says:
Our Shop Managers have praised the system for speeding up the recruitment process. It allows us to get back to volunteers very quickly, making it more likely that they volunteer with us and not someone else!
Enhanced volunteer engagement
Access Assemble provides a holistic view of the volunteer workforce, helping managers to better allocate resources and monitor activities. This visibility is crucial for planning and reporting.
The platform’s user-friendly app helps volunteers stay informed and engaged. They can quickly log hours, log expenses, check news updates, and access important documents, making volunteering more efficient and satisfying. Rachel Stewart explains:
We had 637 volunteers last month who completed 2,908 activities. The app allows volunteers to report hours and activities quickly, enhancing our ability to capture vital data and see the true impact our volunteers make each month.
Flexible communication tools
The system's built-in messaging and event management features streamline communication, allowing for better coordination and volunteer involvement. Rachel shares that:
Using Assemble, volunteers can easily book themselves directly onto events. Even if they call us, we can promptly register them and provide all necessary information. The system shows who is attending, and we can send automated reminders and announcements, ensuring everyone is informed about our events. I really like that about the system.
Effective corporate volunteering management
Dorothy House has been able to manage corporate volunteering opportunities more effectively. By creating one-off opportunities within the system, they can capture the impact of these short-term volunteers efficiently. Rachel explains that:
We now do corporate volunteering in a different way than we’ve previously managed to capture it. We can now put an opportunity on there that’s a one-off opportunity for that group of corporate volunteers. These opportunities are tracked, and we have visibility of it and it’s removed as soon as the day is over.
About Access Assemble
Access Assemble is a leading volunteer management software designed to simplify and enhance the way organisations recruit, manage, and retain volunteers. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Access Assemble helps charities and non-profits optimise their volunteer programs, ensuring a seamless experience for both managers and volunteers. For more information, click here.
Key benefits for charities investing in Access Assemble
- Accelerates the volunteer recruitment process
- Simplifies volunteer task management
- Provides clear visibility of volunteer hours and activities
- Enhances volunteer engagement and retention
- Streamlines communication between managers and volunteers
- Offers a competitive pricing model