“Simply Connect is a partner who listens to us, and supports us whenever we need it”

Case Study

Mike Plows, Chief Executive – Bath & North East Somerset Community Volunteering

Previously, we were using Do-it to host our volunteering opportunities for the area. Unfortunately we had numerous problems with it, and as a Volunteer Centre, it allowed us minimum flexibility.

During the initial year of Do-it going live we had to increase our staff resources by six hours a week to manage the database. We also weren’t able to get the information we needed from Do-it, so we were running VBase alongside it, causing us additional work and duplication.

Our trustee board had concerns about staying with Do-it for several reasons;

• the increase in resource costs
• the lack of flexibility with the system
• the customer service we received from Do-it – we felt they didn’t care about the issues we were raising.

Moving to Simply Connect

The first time we heard about Simply Connect’s volunteer management software was when one of our volunteers was holidaying in Dorset and picked up the local volunteering newsletter there. It included information about a new database and service they were introducing there – ‘Volunteer Connect’.

We were interested to find out more so had an initial discussion with Marie Waterman, the manager at Volunteer Centre Dorset. Alongside this, we also met with two other database providers to look at different systems too.

We made our decision to go with Simply Connect and found the transition process very straight forward. We were supported extremely well by a professional and caring team at Simply Connect. There were a couple of obstacles to overcome, which you would expect when moving to a new system, but any problems the team have been there to help and advise us.

The most challenging aspect of moving database systems was encouraging the staff team to let go and embrace the new! Also it was initially quite a challenge working with our local organisations, because it was yet another change for them. However now it’s a lot better and our customers are a lot more confident in managing their own volunteering roles now on our Simply Connect platform.

First class customer service and support

We opted for the two-day onsite training package, and then ongoing telephone support thereafter. Although we must have been a challenge at times for the Simply Connect team, they have never made us feel like we were stupid, but always willing to help and answer any questions we may have.

The level of support from the Simply Connect support team is first class and professional. I am now using them as the benchmark for my staff in regards to customer service!

My advice to other Volunteer Centres’ considering a new volunteer management system is to speak to the Simply Connect team – and also speak to other Volunteer Centres’ around the country who also use the system.

The Biggest Benefit

The biggest benefit of Simply Connect’s volunteer management system for us is regaining control of our own destiny. We now have one system that provides us with everything we need as a Volunteer Centre. We also have a partner in Simply Connect who listens to us, and are readily there to support us whenever we need it.

 

Our Volunteer Management Software