58i

Name of Organisation

58i

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

Because we wanted a tool that would help us to implement a framework for better quality, more consistent methods of approach to volunteer involvement on all levels.

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

We understand better how the volunteers relate to the organisation, we have a more streamlined system for integration, it has brought great clarity to volunteers and staff involved in volunteer management and support.

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

The assessor was very personable and helpful. She was calm and clear about the process, despite the fact that 58i, and therefore the job of assessing us, is fairly complex! Expectations on us for the final assessment were not clear until quite late in the day and made the preparation and lining up of volunteers quite stressful, but the day itself went to plan and the assessor worked a long day to accommodate us, which was much appreciated.

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

·Understand what you want to achieve from IiV

·Communicate the process and the benefits to your volunteers from the start to engender ownership and buy in

·Communicate regularly – it will benefit you to assess where you’re at and it’s important to keep volunteers informed throughout what can be a lengthy process

·Be prepared for some brain bending detail – it’s worth sweating it to get things right

·See the process as ongoing, rather than finite – there’s always room for improvement