kiaora@standtall.nz
Despite being only a couple years old, here at Stand Tall, we’re super committed to making sure we’re heading down the right track. Recently, Ash Cross, Stand Tall volunteer pursuing his Masters at The University of Waikato conducted a comprehensive survey as part of his studies. This initiative aimed not only to celebrate achievements but also to uncover areas where we can grow and innovate. Over 70 generous volunteers from our local community give time as mentors, judges or coaches across our programmes.
Those who completed the survey have provided us with invaluable insights that’ll help the future of Stand Tall. By understanding what works well and identifying opportunities for enhancement, we can better support our volunteers and, in turn, improve their support for our young people.
The results reveal that there’s a desire from volunteers to be used with their skills. Meaning they want to provide knowledge, not only time. Overall, our volunteers express high satisfaction levels (76%), feeling well-supported and enjoying their experiences with Stand Tall. However, satisfaction with volunteer outcomes, particularly concerning their impact on youth, falls below expectations and presents areas for improvement. Volunteers occasionally struggle to distinguish between Stand Tall and the YES Programme, indicating a need for clearer communication regarding Stand Tall's distinct value and activities (Hint: watch out for the next post!). Volunteers also expressed wanting regular updates from Stand Tall about the progress or outcomes from the programmes where individuals raised their hands to help out.
So, as we look ahead, the recommendations arising from the survey are leaving us with a lot of actionable points that can improve our connections with our amazing volunteers. First up, we are going to put a plan in place to start a regular newsletter that shared our updates, stories and opportunities for more volunteer sign ups!
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to this survey. Your dedication, generosity and passion are the driving force behind everything we do. So keep your eyes peeled for the new things coming in the next few months.
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