Haringey Community Collaborative Meets the Seoul Volunteer Centre

The Seoul Volunteer Centre recognise the UK as having a leading position in the nonprofit sector, with thriving voluntary and community sector organisations supported by organised local CVS’ and capacity building infrastructure organisations. They also view the UK as having strong community engagement and action at grassroots level. They were particularly interested in learning about our volunteer engagement and recognition strategies. We explored how volunteering can build connections across neighbourhoods, empower residents, and promote inclusion – values deeply shared by both organisations.

We opened with some context about the VCS in the London borough of Haringey, explaining the different organisational structures and highlighted social inequalities across our borough. The Seoul Volunteer Centre shared insights into the composition and governance of the voluntary sector in Seoul. They detailed inspiring examples of how they mobilise large numbers of volunteers to respond to local emergencies, while also engaging volunteers to support local need and social innovation. In turn, we shared our approaches to managing data, introduced Haringey Community Collaborative’s ‘VCS Challenge Fund’ models, and gave examples of partnership working. We highlighting the importance of co-production and collaboration among local services, communities, and residents.

The conversation was warm, open, and full of mutual curiosity. Both sides expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and exploring future opportunities for exchange and collaboration. It was a meaningful reminder that, wherever we are in the world, communities thrive when people come together to care, listen, and take collective action.