Microsoft UK Go MAD with Investing in Volunteers

Technology leader is among 14 organisations to receive the UK’s prestigious volunteering accreditation mark in latest round of awards

Volunteering England is delighted to announce today that Microsoft UK has been awarded IiVE (Investing in Volunteers for Employers) status in the latest round of accreditations which took place earlier this month.The accreditation scheme, which is overseen by the UK Volunteering Forum, and managed within England by Volunteering England, is in recognition of all staff volunteers who make a difference to their local community. Microsoft UK is the first IT company to be awarded IiVE status in the UK, and is one of 14 organisations to receive the award in this round of accreditation.

Microsoft UK promotes employee involvement as an integral part of its citizenship programmes. Hundreds of Microsoft Employees across the UK take part in volunteering initiatives each year, examples of these initiatives include: team challenges, enterprise days, and internet safety speakers, which deliver internet safety training to young people, parents and teachers

Microsoft works in close partnership with a number of organisations to enable staff to volunteer including: Leonard Cheshire, CEOP, IT4C, and YouthNet.

In spring 2008, Microsoft employee volunteering was given a new impetus through the launch of Go MAD (Make a Difference), which provides a cohesive brand strategy across employee volunteering and fundraising. A dedicated Citizenship team was created to promote and manage their employee involvement programme.

Matt Lambert Director of Corporate Affairs and Citizenship, Microsoft UK says

“Volunteering is part of the DNA at Microsoft and our employees are proud to be able to give something back to the community. Given the tough economic circumstances it is encouraging to see the number of volunteers growing.This award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work of our employees and the difference they make."

Justin Davis Smith, Chief Executive at Volunteering England adds

“Congratulations to the Microsoft UK which is the first information technology company to have achieved this award. It’s great that even in a recession industry leaders are still committed to supporting volunteering – for the benefit of their employees and their communities.”

Investing in Volunteers for Employers (IiVE) is an award given to UK based organisations, recognising commitment to best practice in employer supported volunteering. It is designed for any size of organisation that supports its employees to volunteer and is flexible enough to recognise the full range of volunteering that may be offered by an employer.

Other organisations across the UK to achieve the IiV or IiVE standard were:

• East London Food Access (ELFA) LTD
• Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance – the first air ambulance service to receive the award
• National Autistic Society Parent Telephone Support Services
• North Yorkshire County Council Countryside Service – North Yorkshire Countryside Volunteers
• Outward
• Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust [RAPt]
• Second Step, Bristol
• The Children’s Society – PACT Project, York
• NIACRO
• RNID Northern Ireland
• Glasgow Homelessness Network
• Castle Furniture

The Investing in Volunteers Standard is designed to improve the experience of volunteers and all those who work with volunteers. Volunteering England has found that enabling people to volunteer in a positive and supportive environment with proper management systems in place can also help with people recruitment, retention and productivity.

If you would like to know more about the Investing in Volunteers Standard, please contact Sinead Whelan, Head of Marketing and Operations, 020 7520 8982 or email sinead.whelan@volunteeringengland.org