V-Base
V-Base is the volunteer management software YouthNet has created to help organisations manage their volunteers and get their opportunities out to the public via the internet. Find out here how you can use it to recruit and manage more volunteers.
Developed by YouthNet in partnership with volunteering agencies, V-Base provides sophisticated tools to get the most out of your volunteering programme or project. It's simple to use, and it allows you to manage information on current and potential volunteers, organisations that you work with (or your branches and regions) and existing volunteering opportunities.
"It's quite intuitive to learn. Most of us have taken V-Base training days with do-it.org.uk and picked up new tricks each time."
How we use V-Base
Heather Allen, Manager, Volunteer Centre Dacorum, talks about the benefits of using V-Base.What do you like most about using V-Base?
V-Base was devised by someone who really understood what we do. It covers our day-to-day work in a straightforward and logical way.
Which functions do you use most often?
We use everything: daily recording of volunteers; opportunities and organisations; the activity log; the reporting function (particularly good for reports to funders); and, most importantly, the calendar function.
Has V-Base changed the way your organisation works?
Definitely! The calendar function enables efficient management of information. We have a different staff/volunteer combination in the office every day, so it enables messages to be carried forward and for us to field phone calls, enquiries etc. in a businesslike manner with all the previous information to hand. Pre-booking follow-ups is a great function too. It enables any of our volunteers to walk in and immediately have a job to do.
How many people in your organisation use V-Base?
Four members of staff and six volunteers. It's quite intuitive to learn. Most of us have taken V-Base training days with do-it.org.uk and picked up new tricks each time. We now feel confident enough to share our knowledge with any newcomers. We have found that a non-networked laptop is useful for training purposes and to let learners play without fear of messing up the master records. We back up onto memory sticks daily – a different colour for each day of the week!
On top of this, V-Base enables you to automatically advertise your vacancies on do-it.org.uk and other websites that syndicate do-it.org.uk's National Volunteering Database. Some organisations that syndicate our database are Jobcentre Plus and Directgov.
Who uses V-Base?
V-Base has the largest installed user base of any volunteering management software currently on the market in the UK. We partner over 400 organisations actively using V-Base in the everyday running of their organisation. We partner with volunteer-involving organisations such as Volunteer Centre Dacorum (see case study).
So what else can V-Base do?
As well as enabling you to automatically match volunteer interests and skills with those required for opportunities within organisations, V-Base helps with a wide range of management tasks, such as customer relationship communications and monitoring of trends and statistics.
Using V-Base means you can:
- Build an activity log of contact history and schedule tasks to track the progress of volunteers, organisations and opportunities;
- Create merged letters and maintain email mailing lists;
- Generate statistical reports to illustrate the work of your organisation and provide information to stakeholders; and
- Receive technical support from a dedicated team running the V-Base helpdesk, Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm.
"It's really good to encounter such a 'can do' attitude."
V-Base is purchased for a fixed price per licensed copy. Thereafter there is an annual fee which covers the telephone and email technical support.
For more info, including cost please contact us through this form or call 020 72505700
V-Base and the future
V-Base is about to see a step-change in its development. A new version is being built and will revolutionise how voluntary and community sector organisations manage their volunteers.
In response to ChangeUp, the capacity building and infrastructure framework for the Voluntary and Community sector, published by the Active Community Unit in June 2004, many organisations, including Volunteer Centres, are seeking to work collaboratively, to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication.
Since its inception, V-Base has had significant interest from other organisations and groups looking for a database application that will allow them to manage information about individuals, organisations and groups, particularly with contact management and reporting functionality.
To support these initiatives, YouthNet is looking to add new functionality to what is already a highly-regarded product, taking advantage of new advancements in technology.
What might you see in V-Base version 3?
- The sharing of information between organisations.
- The multiple recording of contacts and addresses.
- The generation of customised statistical reports available for reuse.
We will be consulting many stakeholders to ensure V-Base is a robust product that meets and supports the needs of its diverse users. If you would like to participate in our research, or would like more information about the project, then please contact us through this form.