Inkfire concept editorial

A useful brief starts with an outcome

A short guide for organisations preparing a skills-based volunteering role.

Describe the change you need

“Make our volunteer welcome easier to follow” gives a person a clearer starting point than “help with communications”. Name the audience, the problem and the output you hope to receive.

Separate essentials from nice-to-haves

List the skills the work genuinely needs. Explain the time commitment, how decisions are made and who can answer questions. Include practical access information so people can decide whether the work fits.

Agree what completion looks like

A small project needs a finish: an agreed output, a review and a handover. Ask separately before publishing a volunteer’s name, story or work.

Use the project-scoping checklist