PDSA

Name of Organisation

PDSA

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

Lots of reasons!

• To formally underpin and relaunch PDSA’s volunteering policy

• To formally recognise the vital role of volunteers within PDSA

• To facilitate a review of the way PDSA involves volunteers

• To enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteers

• To enhance PDSA’s reputation as a leader in best practice

• To demonstrate PDSA’s commitment to volunteering

What benefits have you found from working towards Investing in Volunteers?

It was a golden opportunity to really highlight the importance of volunteers to PDSA at every level and gain support and commitment to the management of volunteering.

It was also good to stand back and take a fresh look at everything PDSA does relating to the involvement of volunteers. This was particularly useful as all the policies and procedures, National Volunteering Centre set up, documents etc had all been originated by myself, and so having to compare against a set of standards and with a project group, meant that I avoided being precious about my creations!

In addition, agreeing our response against each practice with the project group members (representing each department that utilises volunteers), ensured that I got a really thorough understanding of how each aspect was working in practice out in the field.

It has also highlighted a number of longer term projects that, whilst not necessary to achieve the award, will really enhance the volunteering experience at PDSA.

Tell us about your experience of the assessment process in your organisation.

Being a large and UK wide charity, organising 27 local assessments involving 89 volunteers and 41 staff was a bit of a nightmare! Staff in the field were very anxious about the actual assessment interviews, but they all said how friendly the Assessment team were and how well they handled the meetings with volunteers. Everyone involved, from the Director General to shop managers and volunteers, said they appreciated being involved in this important process and a great feeling of camaraderie was fostered.

5 Practical tips you would give another organisation working towards Investing in Volunteers

• Get buy in from Trustees/Directors/Senior Managers before you start the process

• Use every opportunity and all available communication channels to convey the benefits and the process to everyone within the organisation

• Set up a Project Group with key personnel involved with volunteering - and don’t forget to include volunteers themselves

• Don’t be afraid to ask your Lead Assessor for clarification and guidance

• Take the opportunity whilst the focus is on volunteering to really reassess your total volunteer “package” - don’t just stop at what is required to meet the standard.