Diversify your volunteer base: People living in rural communities

Overview

Rural communities bring unique strengths and challenges to volunteering – Horsham is classified by the Rural Services Network (RSN) as over 60% rural. Research by the RSN found that engagement by rural volunteers often happens informal, with volunteers taking on broad, service-based roles. However, research by the LSE  found that shorter commute times are linked to higher volunteering rates, meaning rural isolation can be a significant barrier to volunteering.

Key Challenges and Barriers

• Distance and isolation
• Outmigration and ageing populations – an intersectional approach is necessary to address challenges associated with both age and rural location
• Volunteer fatigue - RSN research shows that rural volunteers often take on multiple roles and can find themselves feeling overextended
• Limited awareness of volunteering opportunities in rural areas

Practical Suggestions for Engagement

Recruitment

• Advertise roles in local rural spaces – libraries, cafés, leisure centres, noticeboards
• Attend community events – galas, fairs, markets etc – to showcase your charity
• Offer “try-it-out” sessions before asking for long-term commitment. This can be a slower way of getting involved
• Promote the impact of volunteering through stories and imagery
• Emphasise social capital – volunteering builds local networks and friendships
• Appeal to a sense of community - highlight the local environmental and social benefits

Role Design

• Focus on smaller, manageable tasks rather than long term, big projects – this allows volunteers to help out when they can
• Share responsibilities across 2–3 volunteers to reduce pressure on individual volunteers
• Align roles with rural interests and local expertise
• Design roles around place or issue
• Offer progression opportunities for leadership and deeper engagement

Volunteer Experience

• Encourage peer connections between volunteers in similar rural areas
• Offer transport support – taxi reimbursements or community transport
• Host thank-you events to celebrate rural volunteers’ contributions
• Acknowledge that rural volunteering can be a larger commitment – show appreciation to your volunteers living in rural locations

Additional Resources for Further Reading

1. Rural Wisdom – Tips for Getting People Involved
2. Shaping the Future with Volunteering - Rethinking Volunteering in Rural Areas: The Contribution of National Voluntary Organisations

Resources used to make this page

1. Volunteer Pro – Unique Challenges & Solutions for Rural Volunteers
2. Rural Services Network – The Importance of Rural Volunteers
3. Rural Services Network – Rural Funding: The Facts for Horsham
4. National Library of Medicine – Needs and Challenges for Volunteering in Rural Areas: Lessons Learned from a Survey of a Service Organization in Rural Michigan