Campaign message 2: You can do it
Campaign ingredients:
- Explains that volunteering is for everyone.
- Asks people to reflect on their personal experiences and problems they've faced in their lives.
- Establishes a real need for volunteers and explains exactly what volunteers do.
- Encourages people to share their skills and talents.
- Stresses the importance of the work volunteers do.
- Shows how volunteers are combating a particular problem.
- Often includes photos and case studies of volunteers.
Benefits:
- Brings in committed volunteers who are more willing to go through training and become long term supporters of the charity’s work.
- Boosts people's confidence about getting involved.
- Makes volunteers feel valued and important.
- Helps people realise the value of their life experience and shows them how they could use their skills in their community.
Downside:
- For this kind of message to be effective it often depends on a fairly high level of public awareness in the charity/ the issue already.
- It can be off-putting to some volunteers as the campaign is often asking for a high level of commitment.
Examples:
- ChildLine: "Whatever you do, you can do this too"
- Crime Concern: "What if... you'd make the wrong choices when you were growing up?"
- Get on Board: "Bring your passion to the table"
- Home-Start: "Supernannies not wanted"
- Parentline Plus: "Parenting is tough"
- The Scout Association: "Inspire!"
- TimeBank: "Match your time and passions to the needs of your local community"
- WRVS: "Anyone can be a WRVS volunteer"
Read the next article in this section... Campaign message 3: The challenge
