Rosterfy is delighted to welcome Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP) to our growing community of organisations transforming their volunteer management and elevating the volunteer experience.
Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the five-year project aims to deliver 100,000 volunteer hours - with an impressive 25,000 hours already achieved in under two years thanks to the dedication of 60 active volunteers. From beach cleans and citizen science surveys to heritage asset tours and public engagement events, the diverse programme connects communities with Plymouth’s rich marine heritage and “blue spaces”, fostering pride and purpose in the local environment.
From Spreadsheets to Streamlined Systems
Before Rosterfy, the team relied on spreadsheets and email chains to coordinate volunteers - a process that was time-consuming and difficult to scale. As a local authority-led initiative, accurate tracking of DBS checks, training completion, and safeguarding requirements is essential. Managing all of this manually placed a significant administrative burden on a small team, making a dedicated volunteer management system a natural next step.
“It can be very labour intensive and not the best way of keeping people’s data secure and up to date,” said Sam Balderson, PSNMP Head Ranger.
“We needed a more efficient way of tracking things like DBS checks and training - that was really important. I wanted to free up capacity within the team by investing in the software that could do some of that management for us.”
After exploring options, Rosterfy stood out for its functionality, its ability to manage a geographically dispersed volunteer base across multiple partner sites, and the flexibility to offer both one-off event opportunities and ongoing role-based volunteering. The platform also supports a fully inclusive and accessible volunteer journey - with tailored training and buddy systems in place for those who require extra support.
Better Communication, Stronger Connections
Since launching the platform to volunteers in December 2024, the transformation has been clear. PSNMP has seen a 200% increase in active volunteers across the eight months, growing from 20 to 60, while also improving day-to-day communication.
“Because we’ve got the system now, we’ve been able to grow the programme,” said Amelia Groom, Assistant Ranger.
“Rosterfy makes it easier to track everything, keep on top of where everyone needs to be, and see how they’re getting on. Communication has improved and it’s a lot easier to manage more people well.”
The Rosterfy mobile app has quickly become a favourite among younger volunteers who can now check schedules, sign up for opportunities, and access resources on the go. The ability to track volunteer interactions and generate inactivity reports has also enabled the team to re-engage those who have been absent - strengthening relationships and boosting retention.
“Something we’ve found really useful is keeping track of interactions with different volunteers and the inactivity data we can download,” Amelia added. “It’s really important to be able to regularly check in on people and make sure they feel connected with us and know what’s happening.”
Building for the Future
Rosterfy is also helping PSNMP expand and diversify its volunteer offer. Alongside the popular one-off events that bring the community together, the team is creating more role-based opportunities for those who want to be part of long-term project outcomes.
“We’re working on giving people more specific roles,” Amelia said. “It’s about giving them something regular that they’re passionate about - whether that’s painting the lido or working on a heritage site - and seeing the difference they’ve made over time.”
Plans are also underway for at-home volunteering opportunities to further improve accessibility, and monthly social events - from swim and coffee mornings to Christmas wreath-making - are helping volunteers connect with each other and celebrate collective achievements, all shared and signed up for through Rosterfy.
With Rosterfy in place, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park has moved from manual processes to a streamlined, secure, and inclusive volunteer programme. The result is more time for staff to focus on impact, better communication with volunteers, and a stronger, more engaged community ready to protect and celebrate Plymouth’s unique marine environment.
About Rosterfy
Rosterfy is a global volunteer and workforce management platform helping organisations recruit, train, engage, and retain volunteers at scale. Trusted by nonprofits, events, and government programmes worldwide, Rosterfy empowers impactful volunteer experiences through automation, compliance tools, and powerful integrations.
www.rosterfy.com
About Plymouth Sound National Marine Park
Plymouth Sound National Marine Park is the UK’s first National Marine Park, dedicated to celebrating and protecting Plymouth’s unique marine and maritime heritage. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the five-year programme connects communities with the city’s “blue spaces” through volunteering, events, education, and conservation projects.
www.plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com
www.heritagefund.org.uk