After a dip in the volunteering spirit seen during the Olympic Games, a new website has been set to encourage more people to sign up by linking charities. councils, business and individuals.

It has been launched by the Big Society Co-operative (BSC) which helps voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to become more sustainable. It was launched at the Gallagher Stadium, Maidstone United’s Football Ground. Speakers stressed the importance of online recruiting and future predictions for reducing numbers of traditional-style volunteers.

BSC believes that if the divide between what people want from volunteering and what organisations offer is not bridged, people will continue to be less likely to take part.

Caroline Hallett, BSC director, said: “The website at www.bigsocietyweb.com acts as gateway to help charities save money and achieve better results. Charity workers can access it for free support and advice, to advertise jobs and access events. Our goal is to spread the word and get as many civil society organisations to be involved as possible, so they can help one another deal with the myriad of challenges they face.”

She added: “If you want to get involved or find out more, it is as simple as connecting a Facebook or LinkedIn account and you are up and running. It will take three minutes for an average user. Our unique matching software will then let you know when items of interest are posted on the site.”

Jo Godden, community fundraising manager for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Kent said: “My role involves providing support across a wide area and we are always on the lookout for new volunteers and supporters, so the website will be a hassle-free way to reach new people interested in supporting us with a minimum of fuss. I think it’s a great initiative and I am delighted to sign up.

“We have a number of new volunteering opportunities that go beyond the realms of the traditional roles. I want to get that message out to as wide an audience as possible and the website is a really excellent tool that will enable us to do that. It’s a really positive initiative and one I am looking forward to making the most of.”

Rob Jackson, a consultant and blogger for Third Sector Online magazine added: “The Big Society Web is an excellent resource. Volunteering is not the same as it was 20 years ago yet many organisations behave as if it is and then wonder why they struggle to engage volunteers. Society is changing and leaders of volunteers need to adapt and find new ways to attract and retain them.”

After a surge of interest in volunteering inspired by last year’s Olympics, the signs are that levels of people are once again dropping back to the lower levels they have been hovering around since the turn of the century.

Responding to this, speakers at a launch event, which was held at Maidstone United Football Ground on 17 April, stressed the importance of online recruiting and future predictions for reducing numbers of traditional-style volunteers.

“I think it’s positive that people will use the new website to seek out opportunities that they can sign up to on their own terms,” continued Rob. “This can mean, for example, not attending a particular place for hands-on work or putting in specific hours but instead working from home as and when time allows. This sort of volunteer, who will be weighing up a wide range of different options for how they can spend their spare time, could make a crucial difference to the future of their chosen voluntary organisation.”

Jo Godden, Community Fundraising Manager for the RNLI in Kent said: “My role involves providing support across a wide area and we are always on the lookout for new volunteers and supporters, so the website will be a hassle-free way to reach new people interested in supporting us with a minimum of fuss. I think it’s a great initiative and I am delighted to sign up.

“We have a number of new volunteering opportunities that go beyond the realms of the traditional roles. I want to get that message out to as wide an audience as possible and the website is a really excellent tool that will enable us to do that. It’s a really positive initiative and one I am looking forward to making the most of.”

Venetia Gibbs, a volunteer with MCCH Society Ltd, a charitable organisation that looks after the needs of those with mental health, learning disabilities and autism across the South East said: “It strikes me that Big Society Web is a great way to tap into virtual volunteers. I know people with mental health issues and learning difficulties who would benefit from voluntary work but may not be able to contribute regularly and I will be telling them about the website.”

As it develops, there are additional plans for the site to provide an online swap shop for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups wishing to trade office equipment and other resources.

More: www.bigsociety.web