County Durham Youth Offending Service has recently achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard, recognising the excellent work it does with volunteers.
It’s the first Durham County Council service to get the recognition and staff and volunteers are delighted.
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 them.
Assessors commented that the Durham County Council service excelled in all aspects of working with its volunteers.
Gill Eshelby, strategic manager, County Durham Youth Offending Service, said:
‘We are delighted to be awarded the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard. It reflects the high quality of our volunteers, the excellent work they do, and our investment in them. It’s a real privilege.’
County Durham Youth Offending Service believes volunteering is a two-way process benefiting both volunteers and the service. Full support, extensive training and including volunteers in developing the service are crucial ways of ensuring they feel valued and are able to deliver top quality work. Volunteers act as referral panel members deciding which work will be undertaken with young people under court orders, act as mentors for young people and act as appropriate adults in police interviews.
As part of the assessment process, NCVO interviewed volunteers, staff and managers who all confirmed that volunteers are considered central to the work of the service.
