Designing a Functional Recreational Day to Improve Volunteer Engagement at Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Uusimaa District Perhetalo Unikko
Onu, Jena Faria; Abeleda, Clarisa (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061322994
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061322994
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this thesis focuses on developing a well-founded recommendation to create a recreational day at Perhetalo Unikko, a family center under the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Uusimaa District in Helsinki, to improve volunteer engagement. The purpose is to better understand what drives and challenges volunteers, as well as to find out what kinds of activities, experiences, and support volunteers find meaningful in order to design an event that promotes a stronger sense of community, motivation, and commitment. As a non-governmental organization (NGO) that supports a culturally diverse group of families, Perhetalo Unikko relies heavily on the contributions of volunteers to deliver its services and programs. This study will give the organization simple event plan insights and recommendations that they can use in the future to make volunteering a more positive and meaningful experience.
The theoretical framework is built on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the DRAMMA model, which highlight psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and purpose in promoting motivation and engagement.
This thesis was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. An online survey was held with current volunteers to explore their experiences, motivations, and challenges as a quantitative research method. Semi-structured interview was held with the coordinators of MLL Perhetalo Unikko as a qualitative research method to get detailed insights using open-ended discussion regarding volunteer engagement and recreational day.
The commissioner, Perhetalo Unikko, considers this thesis beneficial in enhancing its volunteer management practices. The findings provide a structured approach to planning engagement-focused activities, helping the organization create a supportive and rewarding environment for its volunteers. Additionally, the study highlights new perspectives and strategies that can be applied to future volunteer engagement initiatives.
Keywords: Volunteer motivation and engagement, Recreational activities, Recreational event concept
The theoretical framework is built on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the DRAMMA model, which highlight psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and purpose in promoting motivation and engagement.
This thesis was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. An online survey was held with current volunteers to explore their experiences, motivations, and challenges as a quantitative research method. Semi-structured interview was held with the coordinators of MLL Perhetalo Unikko as a qualitative research method to get detailed insights using open-ended discussion regarding volunteer engagement and recreational day.
The commissioner, Perhetalo Unikko, considers this thesis beneficial in enhancing its volunteer management practices. The findings provide a structured approach to planning engagement-focused activities, helping the organization create a supportive and rewarding environment for its volunteers. Additionally, the study highlights new perspectives and strategies that can be applied to future volunteer engagement initiatives.
Keywords: Volunteer motivation and engagement, Recreational activities, Recreational event concept