Volunteer Centre Sutton

Name of Organisation

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

Renewal of existing award.

We are an IiV Partner, so feel we have a duty to lead by example and hold the award ourselves

Lots of staff changes since we first got the award, so it was a good chance to make sure everyone was up-to-standard and behaviour was consistent across projects

As part of the pilot and first round of accreditations, it would look very strange if we ceased to hold the award.

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

A chance to check all projects are working to the procedures and standards.

Received some very useful feedback from volunteers which we can use to further develop our service

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

Assessment process went well, it was good that it is an extended process which expects Action Plans and changes to be needed, so we were not working in the dark, but had clear goals and directions as we worked towards the award.

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

·Don’t be afraid to talk to your volunteers, or for your volunteers to talk to the assessor.

·Make sure staff, volunteers and trustees are all involved in the Self-assessment and the action plan

·People (staff and volunteers) may worry about talking to the assessor.Reassure them that this is a learning process for your organisation, there are no right answers and they should be honest.Don’t give them a script of what to say, even if they ask for one.