Health & Social Care

Butterwick Hospice

Name of Organisation

Butterwick Hospice

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?
  • To enable us to physically prove our commitment to the volunteering experience at Butterwick Hospice.
  • To enable us to make sure we were following best practice in terms of our policies and procedures.
  • To allow volunteers to be more involved in decision making and have appropriate forum for feedback.

What benefits have you found from working towards Investing in Volunteers?
  • Greater clarity amongst staff, volunteers and partner agencies regarding the work we do in ensuring the environment is conducive to an enjoyable volunteering experience.
  • Improved access to funding streams and grants.
  • Confounded our belief that our policies / procedures etc are following best practice guidelines.
  • Acknowledgement for the hard work that the Voluntary Services Team and its many volunteers carry out.

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

 
  • The assessor was helpful and approachable at each stage.
  • The assessor eases you into the assessment period and ensures that everyone involved is comfortable with it.
  • The assessment proved to be an enjoyable experience for all involved.
  • The assessor makes you aware that they are there to gain a try picture of the organisation and not trying to pick fault. It is a productive, though occasionally demanding process.

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

 

  • Give yourself the time you need to be aware of the structure of your organisation and individual department before you start the assessment process.
  • Ask as many questions as you need to of your assessor at the initial ‘brainstorming’ meeting.
  • Make use of your local Volunteer Centre for advice and information about the process.
  • Don’t rush – use your time wisely and make sure you are confident with the improvements you plan to make before you proceed to the next stage of the assessment.
  • Make sure you keep everyone in your organisation aware of what is happening at every stage of the assessment.