Many NGOs have limited resources, and in the midst of everyday work there is not always enough time for communications. Creating announcements on Lähellä.fi may fall behind, even though visibility on the platform can attract new participants and increase impact. At the same time, many volunteers are looking for meaningful and flexible roles – also in digital environments. The solution may lie in combining these two needs. It is worth considering whether a volunteer could create Lähellä.fi announcements on your behalf.
A volunteer supporting communications
Creating Lähellä.fi announcements is well suited as a volunteer role. It does not require physical presence and can be done regardless of time or location. Especially for people interested in communications, writing or digital services, it can be a meaningful way to contribute to an NGO’s activities.
A volunteer can, for example:
- create and publish event announcements
- update existing information
- ensure announcements are up to date and appealing
- describe activities clearly and engagingly
At the same time, the NGO gains visibility and the volunteer develops their skills.
The volunteer journey to the role
To make the role work well, it is important to consider the volunteer journey from start to finish:
1. Sparking interest
Describe the role clearly in volunteer recruitment: what will be done, what skills are needed, and what the volunteer will gain. For example, “digital volunteer” or “communications volunteer” can be an attractive and concrete role.
2. Orientation
A short introduction goes a long way. Show the volunteer:
- how to log in to the Lähellä.fi service
- what a good announcement looks like
- what to consider (clarity, timeliness, target group)
It is good practice to provide an example of a completed announcement.
You can also make use of the Lähellä network’s trainings, info sessions and guidance materials as part of the orientation. Volunteers can be directed to free training sessions where they learn how to use the service and how to create effective announcements. This reduces the NGO’s own onboarding effort and ensures the volunteer receives up-to-date information.
The volunteer can also develop their skills further through the Lähellä network’s communication trainings.
3. Support and contact person
The volunteer needs an approachable contact person they can turn to with questions. Support can be light, but its availability increases confidence and motivation.
You can also make use of ready-made support materials such as instructions, checklists and examples of good announcements. This allows the volunteer to return to the materials independently when needed. Additional support is available from the Lähellä network’s regional actors and national support services.
4. Independent work and development
Once the basics are clear, the volunteer can take responsibility for announcements independently according to the agreed role. The role can also be expanded to include other communication tasks within the NGO.
5. Appreciation and feedback
Remember to thank the volunteer and provide feedback. Concrete information on how many people have been reached through the announcements can increase the sense of meaningfulness.
A small effort, a big benefit
Engaging a volunteer in creating Lähellä.fi announcements is a low-threshold way to strengthen communications. At the same time, it offers a new type of volunteer role that can attract people who might not otherwise participate in the NGO’s activities.
When the role is clear, support is in place and there are opportunities to learn, a volunteer can become a significant resource – and at best, an enthusiastic contributor who helps develop the NGO’s communications further.
More information
Instructions: https://www.lahella.fi/en-GB/user-instructions
Info sessions and training: https://www.lahellapro.fi/infot (in Finnish)
Regional actors: https://www.lahella.fi/en-GB/about-the-service
National support: https://www.lahella.fi/kayttotuki (in Finnish)
