Sheffield Royal Society For The Blind

Name of Organisation

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

We thought it would be beneficial to our organisation as it would show other organisations and perspective volunteers that we were serious about our volunteers. We also thought it would be a valuable process that would make us look at our procedures and question them.

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

Knowing that we are doing it right!!!!!
It really does make you question why you do what you do and re-look at all your policies, paperwork and procedures.

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

There were two staff members and three volunteers to begin with that were part of the process - although sometimes it was difficult to arrange suitable times for all.

The initial process of looking at the ten indicators in detail took much longer than I’d anticipated, but we did look at everything. This time factor alone can make you feel like you’re not really getting anywhere. I did all the indicators before I began reviewing them as some info does relate to more than one indicator.

Once that it had been done it was getting to grips with what needed to be changed how we could do it and rechecking all policies etc.

It is a very time consuming process – but what a sense of achievement when it’s done! You really feel like you do know everything – every single word of every single policy!!!!

To actually receive the award is a buzz one which I will highly recommend.

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

Before you actually begin put everything you have in to a box and keep adding to it. This box will become an extension of you!!!

Don’t expect to do it quickly

Do ask other staff members and volunteers for input and to look at what you’ve done

Contact other orgs to talk

If at all possible take some time out of the office to concentrate on the paperwork