GoVo One Year On

GoVo, the digital platform designed to help better connect charities and volunteers, is marking its first anniversary.

Launched by Royal Voluntary Service, GoVo was made possible with £5 Million in funding raised by Postcode Lottery players.

Around 2,000 charities and community groups have now joined GoVo, listing opportunities that can be searched by potential volunteers.

One of the ambitions for GoVo was to showcase the diversity and variety of volunteering opportunities on offer and there are now more than 10,000 roles available across 14 different cause areas.

Charities of all shapes and sizes have received volunteer applications via GoVo.

Hedgehog rescue charity, Suffolk Prickles, is one of them. The charity rescues, cares for and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs.

Eleanor Goldberg Mitchell found out about Suffolk Prickles through GoVo and is now a regular volunteer.

Eleanor said: "I was in the car and I heard on the radio an advert for GoVo. I had a look online and couldn’t resist getting involved because I love wildlife and I thought it would be cute and rewarding, which it is. I do this alongside my full-time job and it feels really nice to help a smaller organisation."

Inclusive cycling charity Wheels for All is another organisation to have found new volunteers through GoVo.

Austin Eze now helps out every week at their hub in Essex.

Austin said: "For me, volunteering is about being able to give my time to help improve people’s lives. I wanted something that was community focused and enable me to give back.

"I enjoy all the activities, meeting the participants and seeing the smiles on their faces. I’d encourage anyone interested in volunteering to just go for it."

Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: "Volunteers are not only mission-critical to much of our work, but their support helps to build stronger, kinder and more connected communities - outcomes that society can’t afford to miss out on.

"Whether people are simply inspired by GoVo or find their role through GoVo, we will have realised our vision if more people from all walks of life end up benefitting their community and themselves by volunteering.

"And none of this would have been possible without the support of Postcode Lottery players. They have been amazing."