Jennie Mann, Head of Volunteering at Home-Start UK, has been appointed to the Association of Volunteer Managers Board of Directors. 

The Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) is a UK wide independent membership body that aims to support, represent and champion people who manage volunteers; regardless of field, discipline or sector. It has been set up by and for people who manage volunteers.

Jennie, whose main role includes recruiting, supporting and developing the volunteering schemes, as well as being the primary point of contact regarding members of staff of manage volunteers throughout the Home-Start network has been elected onto the board until 2022.

She has worked for over 15 years in volunteer management positions, with specific experiences in growing and implementing new volunteer services at both a local and national level.

Jennie, who passionately believes in the power of volunteering said; “The Association of Volunteer Managers is a vital resource for anyone supporting and working with volunteers.

"Volunteer management can sometimes be a lonely role within organisations, which is why having a network of other professionals to share experiences with and learn good practice from is vital and something I continue to value."

She continues, “I hope that my new AVM role will benefit Home-Start UK; learning from some of the UK’s leading volunteering organisations whilst raising the profile of Home-Start within the volunteering sector.”

Jennie has had plenty of experience as a volunteer herself. She got started as a volunteer at the age of five helping out at a Blue Peter bring and buy sale. She has also volunteered her time building an aqueduct to provide drinking water to families in Nicaragua as part of Raleigh International, giving advice and support to Asylum Seekers and Refugees and acting as Chair of the National Student Volunteering Network.

The Home-Start network has over 13,000 trained volunteers who help over 27,000 families across the United Kingdom to ensure that those early years count. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer yourself, you can sign up, here.  

Register your interest to become a volunteer today