Making Change Happen: Celebrating Bold Leadership Across Retail
To mark International Volunteer Managers Day, we are celebrating the incredible leadership and dedication of our Retail Volunteer Managers, who have truly embodied this year’s theme - Be Bold. Make Change.
This theme perfectly captures their approach to leading volunteers through the rollout of our new volunteer management system, Assemble.
They have navigated challenges, inspired confidence and built stronger teams along the way.
Across our retail sites, change has been embraced with energy, teamwork, and determination.
The introduction of Assemble has transformed how we manage, communicate, and connect with our volunteers.
Sonia's Story - Building Confidence, One Step at a Time
For Sonia, learning how to work with Assemble was a shared journey between her and her team. Although the rollout was a steep learning curve, it quickly became clear that this new platform would be much more user-friendly and intuitive than any previous software we have used.
"In CHAS Retail, we always say that we are taking our volunteers on a journey with us, so the rollout of Assemble has been the next part of our shared journey."
Sonia's leadership shows that change doesn't have to be intimidating when it's approached with understanding and encouragement. By taking it step by step, Sonia helped her team grow in both skill and confidence.
Lisa's Story - Turning Change into Opportunity
Lisa saw the introduction of Assemble as an opportunity to bring her team closer together. She focused on showing volunteers how Assemble could simplify communication and help everyone stay connected. She encouraged her team to ask questions and share feedback, creating an open environment where everyone could learn together. Lisa's positivity helped turn what could have been a stressful transition into something empowering.
When asked how she would describe her approach to "Be Bold. Make Change" when managing volunteers through this rollout Lisa said "Embrace the change and adapt!"
Lisa's approach embodies what it means to Be Bold. Make Change. She saw change not as a hurdle, but as a way to improve how her team works and communicates every day.
Sophie's Story - Leading with Patience and Positivity
Sophie recognised early on that every volunteer's journey with Assemble would be different. Some volunteers were confident; others needed more time and reassurance. She made sure that everyone felt supported and no one was left behind.
Her calm leadership style helped volunteers feel comfortable asking for help. Sophie's thoughtful approach built trust and confidence across her team.
"A lot of our volunteers are retired and aren't here to learn new ways of doing things electronically, so I tried to make it as simple as possible, so it didn't look like too much of a change." Sophie's story shows how empathy and patience can turn uncertainty into achievement - and how good leadership is about helping others believe in themselves.
Celebrating Bold Leadership in Retail
The rollout of Assemble is an ongoing journey, and one that continues to evolve as we learn, adapt and grow together. It's not just a technical change, but a cultural one that is shaping how we work and connect across CHAS.
Our Retail Volunteer Managers have led the way with resilience, positivity and creativity, helping their volunteers navigate each stage of this transformation. But the journey doesn't stop here. We're continuing to learn more about how Assemble can support our teams, strengthen communication and make volunteering even more rewarding.
Together, we're still embracing the spirit of this year's theme - Be Bold. Make Change by taking each new step with confidence, curiosity and a shared commitment to making a difference.