On request

Gap Finder: Volunteer Activation

Turn one-off volunteers into long-term champions with content that actually supports their journey.

About this workshop

You’ve got plenty of people who say they’d like to help, but too few who follow through. Or stick around. Sound familiar?

This practical workshop is designed to help charities and purpose-driven organisations improve their volunteer journey using Lighthouse’s Value Ladder. We’ll guide you through a content audit that maps your touchpoints across key stages of volunteer engagement, from discovery and sign-up, to activation, training, and retention.

When?
On request
Location
Event type

What You’ll Learn

This isn’t just another volunteer management webinar, it’s a focused, practical session built around a core goal: helping you understand why volunteers aren’t showing up, staying engaged, or coming back, and what to do about it.
How to apply the Value Ladder to your volunteer journey
We’ll show you how to structure your content and communications from first awareness through to long-term advocacy, so volunteers feel informed, motivated, and valued at every stage.
The difference between awareness, activation, and retention gaps
Is the problem a lack of visibility? Are people signing up but not following through? Or are you losing them after one event? Learn how to diagnose the specific points where your volunteer journey is breaking down, and why.
Where most volunteer journeys fall apart, and how to fix them
We’ll explore the common pain points, such as too many asks upfront, unclear expectations, lack of training, or silence after the first shift. You’ll learn what to watch out for and what to change.
How to run a volunteer journey audit with your team
Using our Gap Finder audit template, you’ll map your current journey, spot inconsistencies, and identify the missed moments that are costing you energy, goodwill, and long-term supporters.
What to prioritise for immediate impact
You’ll leave with a clear focus and practical next steps, whether that’s improving your onboarding comms, adding a ‘next step’ CTA after events, or creating better support materials for new joiners.

Is This Workshop For You?

This session is designed for teams responsible for volunteer recruitment, engagement, training, or retention.

Got plenty of interest, but few volunteers turning up?

Your outreach may be working, but your sign-up process might be unclear or off-putting.

Seeing first-time volunteers, but not second-time ones?

You may have an activation gap, volunteers sign up, show up once, then disappear.

Struggling to build long-term commitment or leadership?

That’s a retention issue, but the seeds are often planted early through missed feedback, poor support, or unclear progression.

Feeling stuck in reactive mode, always chasing last-minute help?

You need a structured journey with clear steps and content to guide volunteers from curious to committed, not just another push for more sign-ups.

Agenda

5 mins -

Welcome & Introduction

Meet your hosts and set the tone for a strategic, hands-on session focused on practical impact.

10 mins -

The Volunteer Journey: What’s Really Going On?

Explore the hidden blockers that stop volunteers from getting involved, staying engaged, or coming back.

10 mins -

The Value Ladder Framework

Learn a clear, repeatable model to connect awareness, activation, and long-term retention in your volunteer experience.

15 mins -

Live Audit Walkthrough: Where Are the Gaps?

Use our Gap Finder worksheet to map your current journey, highlight friction points, and uncover quick wins.

10 mins -

Systems vs Campaigns

Find out why one-off volunteer drives aren’t enough, and what kind of system you need to build instead.

10 mins -

Planning for Impact

Clarify your biggest opportunity, and leave with a realistic plan to improve it right away with your team.

10 mins -

Live Q&A and Workshop Close

Ask questions, share insights, and access tools and resources to take your next step with confidence.

Key Takeaways

Uncover your biggest volunteer engagement gap
Whether the issue is awareness, activation, or retention, you’ll leave knowing exactly where things are breaking down.
Get our Volunteer Journey Audit Worksheet
A practical tool to help you assess and improve every stage of the volunteer experience.
Leave with clarity, and a clear next step
No fluff. Just a focused framework your team can apply straight away.
Start building a system, not just another push for sign-ups
Design a joined-up volunteer journey that works together, not in disconnected moments.

Your Hosts

Mike Scott
Chief Tea Boy and Marketeer
Mike helps membership organisations build systems that drive member value and reduce churn — using the best of inbound marketing, HubSpot, and a strategic dash of common sense.
Archie Homer
Digital Project Manager & University Lecturer
Equal parts strategist and practitioner, Archie helps teams translate member experience challenges into digital solutions — and teaches Digital Business at Harper Adams University.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mike Scott
17/06/2025
Dan Twigg
01/07/2025
Dan Twigg
25/06/2025
Dan Twigg
01/07/2025
Book a workshop
Gap Finder: Volunteer Activation
Turn one-off volunteers into long-term champions with content that actually supports their journey.