DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities), based in County Durham, but with projects situated across the North of England, has achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard, recognising the excellent work they undertake with volunteers.
The organisation was assessed against a range of best practice standards and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers.
Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. Investing in Volunteers aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience for all volunteers and for organisations to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by volunteers.
Investing in Volunteers is managed by the UK Volunteering Forum and delivered by NCVO, Volunteering Scotland, Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
Ann Hall, Volunteer Co-ordinator at DISC, is delighted with the award ‘We are keen to support volunteers in achieving their end goal, whether that is to gain skills and experience or to be ready for paid employment. This award recognises the hard work both volunteers and staff have put into making working at DISC a rewarding experience.’
One recent volunteer with DISC was sure that the volunteering work they had undertaken made a real difference, not only to themselves, but to the people they worked with, and they felt an integral part of the organisation ‘DISC excels in involving volunteers in developing new and specialist roles and actively encourages volunteers to develop their own roles.’ Judith MacPherson, DISC’s Director of Services, mirrors the view of the importance of the contribution volunteers make. ‘We have a huge desire at DISC to involve volunteers and embedded them as part of the organisation. Over the past few years, people have realised the huge value of volunteers and now we have a great framework in place that enables us to continue to improve the volunteer experience.’
DISC thrives in working with volunteers to help deliver the very best services, and provides the ideal opportunity for those people who would like to participate in helping out the most vulnerable in society. Many volunteers have gone on from DISC to secure full and part time employment, just as many chose to volunteer as a way of supporting their community. For more information on how you can join DISC as a volunteer, and the range of opportunities available, please contact volunteering@disc-vol.org.uk or call Ann Hall, Volunteer Coordinator on 0113 2456464 for more information.
Further information about the Volunteers Quality Standard can be found at www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk.
Ann Hall, Volunteer Coordinator, DISC Central Support Services. who applied for the IiV award.
