Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen hundreds of media and creative industry professionals step up to support the charity sector in its time of need. This has included registering to become a Media Trust volunteer via our Volunteer Platform, running a training webinar or providing expert advice during a mentoring session.
It’s no secret that charities often have little to no budgets, resources or the time to do everything themselves. Thanks to the volunteer support we’ve been able to facilitate, charities have been able to better support their beneficiaries, raise awareness of their cause and engage with stakeholders during this critical time.
After being introduced to Media Trust a few years ago by her former employer, YouTube, Selvi Sahin Altunoz, Strategic Partner Manager for Gaming Creators at Facebook, knew where to go when she wanted to support communities in need during the pandemic.
HOMELINK posted an opportunity on Media Trust’s Volunteer Platform over the summer to recruit a volunteer to support them with an online challenge campaign and Facebook Live event on World Homeless Day in October.
I was worried that with lockdown ongoing, volunteering opportunities would be scarce. But through Media Trust's platform and my work with HOMELINK, I really felt the opportunity to grow myself personally and professionally, and most importantly support a charity that supports such a great cause.
Selvi Sahin Altunoz, Strategic Partner Manager for Gaming Creators at Facebook
Selvi was a perfect match for HOMELINK’s opportunity as her skillset specialised in live video content on social platforms and she had expert knowledge of Facebook’s systems. She said: “It was incredibly satisfying to use my work skills (which can feel quite ordinary, even mundane in my day-to-day) in an advisory capacity, and to deliver something truly meaningful to a cause that I feel strongly for.”
Through weekly meetings, Selvi and her contact at HOMELINK, Georgina, worked together to build the campaign and deliver a brilliant Facebook live which raised nearly £6,000 for the charity.
With her help we were able to deliver a social media strategy and produce a Facebook Premiere event supported by BBC One's Linda Barker. Our resulting fundraising auction raised nearly £6000 – half our yearly fundraising budget! We are over the moon to have had the benefit of Selvi's talents on our project.
Georgina Clare, Administration & Development Officer at HOMELINK
Industry support
Throughout the year we have also received voluntary support from staff at our Corporate Partners. In October, 15 volunteers from Twitter attended our Black History Month speed mentoring event which partnered them with voluntary organisations led by or supporting black people and communities. The digital mentors provided on the spot advice, guidance and answered specific questions on how to use Twitter to engage, grow and connect with their beneficiaries.
It feels rewarding to listen and consult with BAME focused charities on their marketing challenges. I appreciate Media Trust and Twitter for the opportunity to aid organisations that are aiding many people with real challenges during this difficult time.
Benson Mensah-Bonsu, Sports Partners Manager at Twitter
Give back this Giving Tuesday
We’re so grateful for all the support volunteers have given to our charities this year and hope to see this continue in December and into the new year. Charities still need your help. The Covid-19 Charity Tracker Survey by Pro Bono Economics found that a fifth of charities think they’re unlikely to be able to adequately deliver services this Christmas.
If you haven’t registered as a volunteer yet on Media Trust’s Volunteer Platform yet, you can do so here. For those of you who are already registered, why not take a look at what opportunities are live on the platform here. To discover how your organisation can get involved in one of our volunteering events, contact carlyb@mediatrust.org.
By sharing your skills with charities when they are experiencing high demand for their services, whilst managing a loss of income and overstretched resources, you can make a real impact.
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