Purpose

REASON FOR THE DECISION
The reason for this decision is:
• City of Doncaster Council’s Heritage & Culture
Services will achieve direct benefit through the delivery of an
additional programme, supporting volunteering and chronic
loneliness, as well as subsequent learning.
• Being part of a network of 27 projects funded by DCMS
developing, delivering and sharing knowledge across library
services.
• Doncaster residents will be able to access new activity with
a focus on addressing loneliness.

Content

To accept the £82,112 grant from
Libraries Connected for the ‘Danum Volunteers’ project.
This includes employing a Volunteer Co-ordinator for 5 days per
week on grade eight (subject to job grade evaluation) for 18
months. The postholder will develop a project that will
support
volunteering in Doncaster’s libraries as well as addressing
the issue of chronic loneliness.
The Volunteer Co-ordinator’s exact salary is to be
determined, dependent on a grade evaluation by HR; the salary,
on-costs and project expenditure will be met by the grant.
The project will:
• Employ a volunteer co-ordinator to lead the programme
• Establish a consistent process for recruiting, supporting
and progressing volunteers
• Target individuals at risk of chronic loneliness
• Increase Heritage and Culture Services knowledge of the
needs of chronically lonely people
Doncaster Libraries are one of 27 areas who are eligible to access
the Libraries Connected Know Your Neighbourhood Fund (via DCMS).
The DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Project is a £29
million package of funding designed to widen participation in
volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across
England. A key focus of the programme will be to generate and share
learning on how people in disadvantaged areas can be supported to
volunteer and improve their social connections, which will help to
support sustained action beyond the lifetime of the fund.
The Danum Volunteers project has been designed to meet the needs of
a group of chronically lonely people in Doncaster by providing
meaningful engagement and support though volunteering and activity
in Doncaster’s libraries.
The libraries team will create welcoming and flexible volunteer
positions that will aim to reduce isolation - giving individuals an
opportunity to experience something different, develop skills
and
improve confidence.

Alternative options considered

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND
REJECTED
The alternative option was for Doncaster to do nothing and not
submit a proposal to access the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund.
Therefore, not progressing this important area of work with the
additional funding resource. This would have risked reputational
damage with DCMS, Libraires Connected and other funders.