Investing in Volunteers Case Study
Name of Organisation
The Children’s Trust, Tadworth
Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?
Four years ago we were very proud to participate in the pilot programme of Investing in Volunteers. We wished to re-apply to Volunteer England for re-accreditation.
What benefits have you found from working towards Investing in Volunteers?
It gave us the opportunity to go back and review our policies and procedures. We were able to identify our weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
It has enhanced the status of volunteering internally and externally.
How did the assessment work in your organisation?
We found the re-accreditation more user friendly with the 10 Standards than the 16 Standards in the previous assessment.
It has given us pride and confidence in our abilities to recruit manage and retain a network of volunteers. Each and every volunteer here at The Children’s Trust brings something to the quality of life to our children and young people who have multiple disabilities and complex health needs.
5 Practical tips you would give another organisation working towards Investing in Volunteers
- Don’t be daunted by the paperwork – you will have excellent back up help in your assessor.
- Involve a small and reliable working group to go through the standards.
- Set realistic targets – make sure the group is methodical and organised
- It gives you the opportunity to involve board members staff and volunteers and enables you to raise the profile of volunteering.
- Make sure the assessment day is a positive and enjoyable time for you and the volunteers
From: Rachel Turner
Sent: 03 August 2005 16:26
To: Sonet Geyer
Subject: FW: Investing in Volunteers
"... Achieving the standard will give us a renewed pride and confidence in our abilities to recruit, manage and retain a network of volunteers at The Childrens Trust. The staff also make sure that the volunteer is part of their “team” Each and every volunteer here adds something to the quality of life at The Children’s Trust.
We would also like to thank Fiona Rochford for her support and advice she has given to the volunteers dept. The feed back from the volunteers who she interviewed say she made the assessment day a positive and enjoyable experience for them.... "
Regards
Rachel Turner
The Children's Trust, Tadworth
