Volunteering-NI

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To date 22 organisations have achieved the Investing in Volunteers award in Northern Ireland! They each retain the award for three years, having demonstrated policies and procedures which value volunteers and support positive volunteering experiences.

Sandra Adair, Assistant Director with the Volunteer Development Agency said "Achieving Investing in Volunteers demonstrates a real commitment to volunteering, proving that the organisations volunteer management policies and procedures meet nationally recognised standards."

Below is a list of the Northern Ireland Achievers and some quotes and case studies from the organisations.

Rethink	Belfast Central Mission
Action Cancer	Arthritis Care NI
Voluntary Service Belfast	Newlodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership
Young at Art	Strabane Community Project
Downs Syndrome Association	Down District Volunteer Centre
Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC)	Forthspring Inter Community Group
The Cedar Foundation	NIACRO
RNID NI	Colin Glen Trust
Home-start Antrim	Lisburn Citizens Advice Bureau
North Down Citizens Advice Bureau	North Down YMCA
Off the Street Initiative	Strabane Citizens Advice Bureau

"We are so proud to have received this award. Our staff and volunteers now have the confidence that we are operating within recognised best practice. Certain changes needed to be made at an organisational level and having Investing in Volunteers to back up why these changes needed to happen gave more weight to our argument."
RNID NI

"Undertaking and achieving the Investing in Volunteers award has been a very positive experience for Down District Volunteer Centre. It has brought the Committee, staff and volunteers together to work on core systems and procedures, and has highlighted to our stakeholders why we involve and value volunteers. We promote good practice in volunteer management within our local community; having achieved the standard we can now lead by example."
Down District Volunteer Centre

Name of Organisation

Strabane Community Project (SCP)

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

To raise the profile of SCP;
To assist in volunteer recruitment;
To boost staff and volunteers' morale;
To avail of funding and reassure money is well spent.

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

Volunteers know we are committed to quality and will provide them with the best placement and training to suit their needs.

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

A lot of hard work involved in updating policies and procedures but the IiV team was always there to help and support us.

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

Be realistic on how long things will take;
Be honest when meeting indicators;
Ensure you have a well motivated steering group;
Ensure everyone in the organisation is committed to achieving the standard;
Build up good relations with IiV Advisors - we had great help and support from Paula Hackett.

Name of Organisation

Arthritis Care NI

Why did you decide to go for Investing in Volunteers?

To ensure that the volunteering practices that we are implementing are of a high standard and in keeping with good practices in valuing what volunteers can bring to an organisation.

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

Enabled the organisation both staff and volunteers, working together, to assess how we work together, the practices and procedures used are inclusive and that both staff and volunteers are working towards the same objectives to enhance the quality of life for people with arthritis.

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

The assessment process was extremely supportive. It was clear, transparent and easy to follow. Both the pre-assessment and assessment staff were courteous, supportive and engaged well with both volunteers and staff. The process made you feel that people wanted you to succeed.

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

Make sure that volunteers are involved at every level of the process;
Be honest and transparent about the types and numbers of volunteers;
Know that it is not a quick fix or quick process. Plan for at least 1 year;
Use the expertise offered from your assessors;
The process can bring real benefits especially enabling you to stand back and look at all aspects of your volunteering programme and objectively assess it.