Children’s Hospice Association Scotland

Name of Organisation

Children’s Hospice Association Scotland

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

We had had an external evaluation by VDS using the old standards before IiV was available in Scotland. We were then keen to achieve the standard when it was rolled out into Scotland.

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

It was a valuable opportunity to review all management practices in relation to volunteers, to develop areas where there were gaps and to involve staff and volunteers in assessing the organisation’s commitment to volunteers.

How did the assessment work in your organisation?

We involved a variety of staff in the completion of the self assessment and a group of volunteers in interviews with the assessor.

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

• Involve staff from all levels in the assessment
• Make sure volunteers are aware and supportive of the project
• Would suggest that it would be difficult for new organisations/new VM’s