Use of Volunteers at Tadcaster Swimming Pool

1. Use of Volunteers at Tadcaster Swimming Pool Chris Porter Facility Manager

2. History • Identified a lack of Facilities • 1992 – Community formed a fundraising group • Charitable Trust was formed • Three breweries collaborated, donated land, capital and materials. • Cost was £2m opened December 1994 - 25m Main Pool, Teaching Pool and a 16 station Fitness Suite

3. History continued • Trustees – Sought a manager with experience of working with a Trust & Volunteers. • Recruited local volunteers • Trained in all areas of the Facility • Opened with volunteers from day one! - Supported by 8 fulltime employees

4. Trusts Objectives Mission Statement: To construct, maintain and operate a swimming pool for the benefit of improving the conditions of life, for the residents and visitors to the town and vicinity of Tadcaster. • Under Review – no mention of volunteers!!!

5. Current Structure 5 x Voluntary Trustees 1 x Facility Manager 3 x Assistant Managers 3 x Sports Supervisors 3 x Sports Apprentices 10 x Casuals Employees and Swimming Instructors Over 100 Volunteers!!!

6. Volunteer Roles • Volunteer Lifeguards • Receptionists • Swim Squad Coaches • Swimming Instructors • Gardeners & Maintenance • Fitness Instructors • Fundraising Committee

7. Volunteers – who they are? • Retired people • Students • Full-time workers • Part-time workers • Redundant workers • Unemployed

8. Recruitment • NPLQ Course – Free of charge • Advertising & Website • Word of mouth – regular customers • Relationships with schools, colleges and universities • Presentations with local groups • Community Days and Fundraising events

9. Training • NPLQ training sessions • Reception Training & Cash handling • Maintenance training • Fundraising • IT and Computing • Customer Service • Large role of the Full-time employees

10. Benefits for the Trust • Improved Atmosphere • Volunteers want to be here • Wide range of skills and expertise • Community cohesion • Flexibility – respond to demand • Employment – Commercial perspective

11. Benefits • Cost saving of £80,000 per year • Approx 150 hours per week are covered by volunteers • The Trust would not be able to operate without the dedication of its volunteers (we don’t keep this a secret)

12. Volunteer Benefits • Reduced rates for Swimming and Fitness • Free use of the Facility at certain times • Gain nationally recognised Qualifications • Social aspect • Improves C.V’s and UCAS applications • Sense of achievement • Flexibility around commiments

13. Motivation How do we keep volunteers motivated? • Regular training • Nationally recognized qualifications • Quarterly Social events • Involve them in ideas and events • Appreciation!!!

14. Success Stories • Non Swimmer to Swimming Teacher & Lifeguard • Volunteer to Deputy Manager • Casual Swimmer to Chair of Trustees • Apprentice to Facility Manager

15. Tile Failure - 2007 • Pool Tile failure closed the pool for 8 months • No payout from the insurance or building contractors. • Cost of repair £150,000 • Impact on the community

16. The Outcome • £50,000 from Sport England • £25,000 from the Local Authority • £5,000 from the Town Council • £50,000 from Sponsor-a-tile appeal • Other community events

17. According to NCVO – National Councils of Voluntary Organisations 17.1 million adults in England volunteered formally over the last 12 months. Around one million full-time workers would be needed to replace them, at a cost of £18 billion to the economy. 22% Volunteered at Sports and exercise-based organisations. Volunteer Stats

18. In 2011 we recruited more volunteers then ever! People who have been made redundant Job losses Early retirement University students Duke of Edinburgh students Example of last two recruits: Health & Safety executive – local company Head of Sales & Marketing at a large Insurance Company Volunteers are out there!