Introducing the Volunteer Platform

Following a successful first stage, the RNLI is continuing to roll out the new Volunteer Platform.

This month, a further 500 volunteers across all regions in Engagement will be introduced to the new system, and given support and guidance via our Volunteer Development Team and Community Managers.

This next phase will help us to prepare for launching the system to all volunteers later in the year.

What is the Volunteer Platform?

The platform will help the RNLI to support, recognise and manage our incredible volunteers.

The system will enable us to carry out key activities, from managing the data the RNLI holds about volunteers and looking after recognition awards, to recording information about how volunteers are recruited and inducted into the RNLI.

Systems like this are widely used across the charity sector to attract, recruit, manage, retain and measure the impact of volunteering, in one secure system. The RNLI’s platform is being supplied by a company called Assemble, who work with charities like the RSPCA, British Red Cross and Save The Children UK.

How will the Volunteer Platform be used?

Initially, the RNLI’s Volunteer Platform will help us store and manage volunteer data across the organisation in a safe and compliant way. The RNLI holds data about our volunteers that helps us to support you in your role, this includes information like your name, volunteer role/s, where you are based and your contact details.

But we now want to empower volunteers to update your own details when necessary and manage what information the RNLI holds about you. This means you will be able to log on to the Volunteer Platform yourselves and manage this data.

The system will also give volunteer managers a more accurate view of their team’s data, as well as quicker and easier access to this data.

There are some other features launching too, including a Message Centre. This feature allows volunteers to send a message to your manager, team members or other volunteers.

The first phase of introducing the platform is focused on ensuring all volunteers can login and manage your own details. But it will also eventually offer other features, like recognition awards, recruitment and onboarding tools.

How does this support our strategy?

Volunteers are at the heart of the RNLI, and it’s important you feel supported and have the right tools to help you in your lifesaving roles. The new Volunteer Platform will provide a modern and secure platform to support and manage our volunteers, which will ultimately improve the way we recruit and retain volunteers in the future. This will help us to embed a sustainable approach to volunteering so we can continue to save lives long into the future.

How can you find out more?

We look forward to sharing more updates as the Volunteer Platform gets rolled out and becomes a valuable tool for so many teams across the RNLI.

In the meantime, if you would like to learn more or have any questions, please send any questions to the team at [email protected]