Volunteer Friendly Award

This award was initially designed by Volunteer Centre Dundee and redeveloped in 2021 by Volunteer Scotland and the TSI Scotland Network. This is a user-friendly quality standard to support, recognise and reward groups who are good at involving volunteers.

It is very important for groups and organisations to be able to show how good they are at involving and managing their volunteers. Working through, and achieving, the award regardless of your group or organisation size or set up will reward and recognise the difference your volunteer programme makes, and your volunteers should be offered the best possible experience.

Who is it for?

The Volunteer Friendly Award is aimed at small to medium volunteer programmes. Requirements are set at an achievable level for each organisation, allowing more groups to engage and be recognised for the work they do.

There is a step by step process to follow from an initial self-assessment to help gauge what you are doing well and identify what needs to be developed.

This is portfolio based and is divided into five strands (below), and comprises up to 18 practices. Groups submit pieces of evidence to identify where they are currently are in relation to the standard. However, the requirements will vary from group to group, depending on their size and structure.

· Involving Volunteers (understanding why the group involves volunteers)

· Making Volunteering Happen (money, management, resources and keeping volunteers safe)

· Volunteer Inclusion (equal access to opportunities and fair recruitment)

· Welcoming Volunteers (developing roles, induction, training and support the needs of volunteers)

· Valuing Volunteers (recognition, feedback and creating positive endings)

The Volunteer Friendly Award is valid for three years.

How do you get involved?

To sign up for the Volunteer Friendly Award or to find out more information contact DVVA on admin@dvva.scot or 01382 305705. You can also visit the Volunteer Friendly Award website for additional information – https://volunteerfriendly.co.uk/