PRESS RELEASE
9 November 2006
For immediate release
Three volunteer-involving organisations have scored sector “firsts” through the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) Quality Assurance scheme, run by national volunteering development agency Volunteering England.
The Parks Trust, North England Refugee Service (NERS) and the Cheshire Special Constabulary have set the standard in their respective sectors of Environment, Refugee and Asylum, and Police.
Organisations that achieve the IiV mark have exceptional volunteer programmes which contribute to the development of the volunteers themselves as well as benefiting the wider community. Accreditation involves meeting a set of strict criteria, including: demonstrating diversity; promoting the value of volunteering; and committing the time, money and materials necessary for a positive volunteering experience.
The twelve organisations in England that gained QA accreditation are:
- Butterwick Hospice Care
- Cheshire Constabulary
- Doncaster Women’s Centre YWCA
- Dorothy House Hospice Care
- North of England Refugee Service
- Nubian Life Resource Centre Ltd
- Nuneaton and Bedworth Citizens Advice Bureau
- Suffolk Young Peoples Health Project
- The Carers’ Information Service
- The Children’s Society PAR Project (West Sussex)
- The Parks Trust
- Woodside Bereavement Service
In addition, the Volunteering Hub in conjunction with ChangeUp, provided grants for 75 small, rural, BME and faith groups to complete the Investing in Volunteers process. Doncaster Women’s Centre YWCA and the Nubian Life Resource Centre were the first of these to receive accreditation during this quality assurance round.
Gina Aylward, manager of Investing in Volunteers, said: “I am delighted that so many communities are benefiting from the work of volunteer involving organisations who have achieved this Quality Accreditation. Volunteering is gaining in popularity and profile, and it is more important than ever to ensure that volunteering opportunities and experiences are well managed and valued.”
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Case study:
Brian Woodward, 43, Special Constable with the Cheshire Specials since 1 December 2005
I was inspired to join by the TV adverts that showed an ordinary man transforming himself into a police officer to fight crime and then returning to his life as a shopkeeper. The catchphrase was “I couldn’t do that – could you?” I thought about it a lot and decided I probably could. The deciding factor for me was the belief that this was the best way of putting something back into the community and a great way of helping to preserve the safe and peaceful environment we enjoy in the UK.
The foundation course I attended introduced me to some fine people of all ages and backgrounds who have since become firm friends. I feel a lot of satisfaction after each session of duty, whether I’ve been talking to the public about local issues or dealing with the prevention of crime. The regular officers I work with are fully supportive of the Special Constabulary and always make me feel part of the team. On a personal level, the sense of achievement from the tasks I perform and the pride it gives me and my family is superb.
Notes to Editors:
- For more information and to arrange interviews, call Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932; email cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org . During out of office hours, please call Sonya Roberts on: 07952 128057
- For more information on Investing in Volunteers, visit: www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk or call Sonet Geyer on 020 7520 8982
- The indicators against which the organisation was judged include commitment to and recognition of volunteers, reflecting the diversity of the local community and ongoing support. For a full list of all ten, please contact Cat Dean.
Volunteering England’s mission is to support an increase in the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England. It aims to raise awareness of volunteering and its value to society in all sectors and to secure a sustainable volunteering infrastructure that promotes and enables volunteering and community involvement.
