--- tags: JLU --- # Ambassador Hub Just Like Us have seen the need to improve certain parts of their provision for their 'Ambassadors' - LGBT+ 18-25s who volunteer to help with programme delivery across the UK. Ambassadors currently need access to a range of resources, updates and opportunities, as well as a social place to discuss volunteering. The current system using mailouts and Facebook groups works well with some minor frustrations, but with an expected growth of Ambassador numbers over the next few years, this system will not suffice, and a more tailored 'hub' for this provision will be neccessary. --- ## How Might We Questions These questions came out of exploring the user group and platform in our workshop with the Volunteering team at Just Like Us **encouraging engagement (promotion)** * HMW re-engage ambassadors who have been dormant for a while? * HMW ensure all ambassadors feel secure engaging with JLU online? * hmw ensure that Ambassadors are aware of new features, updates and platforms so none are left in the dark * HMW ensure the transition between the current, more manual methods of vol opportunity promotion and a new website dashboard is successful. * hmw get Ambassadors to migrate to using a new communication platform - e.g. slack or discord if that was a popular solution **JLU Maintenance** * HMW ensure volunteering opportunities are regularly updated- (e.g. spaces available are up to date, full opportunities are removed etc) * HMW ensure the platform is easy to maintain by JLU staff? * hmw ensure that any solution is scalable with the growth of Ambassadors as a group **The platform** * HMW provide a resource bank for mentees to access? * HMW keep everything streamlined and on one platform? * HMW be able to group and tag different types of activities for ambassadors e.g. training, volunteeirng opportunities, things for just Birmingham ambassadors, things that are online etc? **sign up / onboarding** * HMW streamline the signup and onboarding process for mentees * HMW add some sort of online signup or EOI process for mentors * HMW streamline the signup and onboarding process for ambassadors **accessibility** * HMW ensure that the ambassador area of the website takes into account accessibility needs **networking** * HMW ensure that volunteering (rather than socialising) remains the primary JLU activity in ambassadors' minds? * HMW create a safe space for ambassadors to network/connect with one another? * HMW maintain a sense of community for ambassadors when their first interaction with us/ each other will be virtual? * HMW create online opportunities for ambassadors to learn that are interactive and allow them to express themselves? **Ensuring an ambassador area is used (retention)** * HMW ambassadors be able to filter stuff that they specifically want to see? * hmw promote and make the ambassador area attractive for use * hmw make sure that the area for ambassadors is used widely * hmw ensure that an ambassador area fits with ambassador's habits - e.g. mobile use * HMW continue to engage with ambassadors using methods they find engaging, functional and receptive to their needs * HMW give ambassadors recognition on our platforms? **Acting on feedback and learnings** * HMW keep up with trends in media / platform use by ambassadors? * hmw get feedback on the platform that is implemented * hmw learn from the difficulties of the original ambassador area * hmw define what are the useful resources for the ambassadors **Reporting and analytics** * HMW report on usage of the platform? * HMW be able keep track of which ambassadors are engaging in conversations and accessing tools on our platforms? --- ## User Stories Having explored Ambassadors (and the subgroup Mentees) in this workshop we decided that there was additional user research to be done before user stories should be made. Mainly there was some indication that an advanced comms platform such as Discord or Slack could potentially cover all the tasks required of an Ambassador Hub, but this was also not certain. A previous iteration of a website based hub had not fared well, but may be required due to required functionality. Would this have much uptake by a mobile-first user group? We have a set of questions that can be sent to users to get feedback on this, and a couple of prototyping opportunities, but as our development partner is still in their own discovery phase we have passed the baton of Ambassadors back to them, and may or may not pick it up further into our programme.