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Is Giving Blood a Volunteering Experience? My 36th Donation Got Me Thinking

Yesterday evening, I sat in a chair at a local Mercure hotel and made my 36th blood donation. As the process unfolded, my mind, ever in ‘volunteering consultant’ mode, started buzzing. Is this an act of volunteering? And more importantly, what can the world of volunteer engagement learn from this slick, vital operation?

First off, let's address the core question. While I was donating blood, I was also consciously giving my time. Including travel, it was a couple of hours of my evening—my perishable time—that I chose to spend there instead of anywhere else. So yes, I believe it is a powerful act of volunteering.

But the parallels go much deeper. The experience offered a some important learning in supporter engagement, and I think we as volunteering professionals should take note.

What the Volunteering Sector Can Learn from the NHS Blood and Transplant

The entire process felt designed around me, the donor. It was a powerful reminder of what truly motivates people.

• 1. Flexibility is Freedom: The booking process was flawless. I found a time and venue that suited my schedule with a few clicks. I was in control of the when and where I gave my time, a level of autonomy we don't always afford our volunteers.

• 2. Cause is King: I was there for one reason: I believe in the cause. The need for blood is urgent and clear. It’s a powerful reminder that while perks are nice, a compelling mission is the ultimate driver. Do we always make our cause that clear and central to the volunteer experience?

• 3. Seamless Tech: The user experience was superb. No paper application forms, no waiting to talk to a person for basic admin. It was efficient, modern, and respected my time.

• 4. Building a Movement: I know that in a few days, an email will arrive. It will keep me connected to the cause and make me feel part of something bigger. This consistent communication builds a sense of community long after the act of giving is over.

• 5. The Power of Impact: Soon, I’ll get another email telling me which hospital received my blood. This simple, anonymised piece of information closes the loop. It shows me exactly how I made a difference, turning an abstract act into a tangible outcome.

• 6. Reward and Recognition: During my session, a gentleman made his 50th donation. The staff paused, and everyone—staff and donors—gave him a round of applause. It was a simple, beautiful moment that made us all feel like a team. My own 25-donation badge and the running tally in my app are brilliant examples of gamification that motivate me to return.

• 7. The Two Magic Words: "Thank You": I was thanked by every single staff member I interacted with, from the welcome desk to the person handing me a beaker of squash. It costs nothing, yet its value is immeasurable. This should be non-negotiable in any organisation that works with volunteers, especially from its leaders.

The Next Level: From Donation to a Lifelong Movement

As impressive as it was, I also saw opportunities to apply volunteering best practice to make it even better. How could the NHS Blood and Transplant service move from facilitating a transaction to fostering a true community of lifesavers (I use that label deliberately and maybe so should NHS Blood and Transplant ?)

• From Spontaneity to Social Habits: The tech is great, but its rigidity means walk-ins aren't possible. This prevents a donor from spontaneously bringing a friend or family member along—a missed opportunity for peer-to-peer recruitment. Could we build in a "bring a friend" booking option?

• Inspiring the Next Generation: How can we normalise giving blood for future generations? What if parents were encouraged to bring their children, with a small, supervised area and some educational materials to introduce them to the concept? Tackling the childcare barrier for single parents could also unlock a whole new group of potential donors.

• Activating Your Advocates: Donors are your most powerful communication tool. What if we were actively encouraged to share our experiences? Our reach is limitless - use us more.

• Building Real Communities: The supporters who give their blood are a vast, untapped resource.

• Make the experience more sociable: Many people give time because they seek a social interaction. Yet, the waiting areas and drink areas feel like hospital waiting rooms. Get some external help in room design to foster more of a communal feel.

• Scorecards: How about a scorecard showing running tally of donations that day, perhaps with an indication of lives saved. Gamification linking us collectively to impact.

• Digital badges: We all like to show off our good deeds. Why not create a digital badge that donors can display on social media. That would be great recognition, motivation and could be great publicity.

• Local Community Reach : Leverage your supporters to build local community support. Coffee mornings , awareness sessions etc could all be run by local people, including supporters who can no longer give blood.

• Build supporter Journeys: Think how our reach, contacts, ideas, lived experience and professional skills could be channeled to help develop the cause. It does not all have to be done by staff.

• Sign up our employers: I know this already happens a bit. But can we be more incentivised to bring donation events to our workplaces?

Ultimately, my 36th donation reminded me that the principles of great engagement are universal. It’s about making it easy, showing the impact, and building a community with a shared purpose.

What are the best examples you've seen of organisations building a true community of supporters? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

#Volunteering #BloodDonation #CommunityEngagement #Charity #Leadership #SupporterExperience #GiveBlood #NonProfit #VolunteerManagement

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