Second organisation goes for volunteering gold
Following the launch of VAST’s Volunteering Quality Standards Scheme, a second organisation achieves the top award of gold for their volunteering practices.
Working with the Volunteering team, Middleport Matters has been accredited with the gold award for volunteering through VAST’s Volunteering Quality Standards award scheme.
The Volunteering Quality Standards sets benchmarks for working with volunteers in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire; providing a solid foundation on which to build a volunteering framework that is, amongst other things, consistent, effective, and inclusive.
Middleport Matters is a successful, well-established community organisation in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, working with local people to help make Middleport a safer, more welcoming place to be — a thriving community. Through a range of community activities, Middleport Matters helps to reduce loneliness and isolation, improve health and wellbeing, enhance learning and educational opportunities, and much more.
VAST Volunteering Project Officer, Sian Osborn said: “Middleport Matters offer an incredible range of volunteer opportunities and have a wonderful approach to volunteering. It was fantastic to meet some of their volunteers during the award presentation too. The volunteers speak so highly of Middleport Matters, and what an enormous difference that volunteering has made to them.”
We know that volunteers thrive when placed in the right environment, and Middleport Matters has a great approach to volunteering. We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Middleport Matters volunteer strategy, and their approach to volunteer management.”
We’ve seen the benefits of volunteers having a dedicated volunteer coordinator, and Alex does an amazing job. We are excited to support Middleport Matters as they grow and develop their volunteering offer further.”
You can read a story about one of their amazing volunteers here.
Middleport Matters’ Volunteer Coordinator, Alex said: “We’re extremely proud to have achieved the gold standard for our volunteering programme. We are committed to making our volunteers’ experience with us positive and rewarding. We work hard to support our volunteers and to show our appreciation for their invaluable contribution to the work we do in the community.
Being able to access VAST’s Volunteering Quality Standards scheme has been great. The framework is easy to follow, and the targets are realistic. We have welcomed the opportunity to assess our policies and procedures for new and existing volunteers to ensure they can thrive in the most supportive environment. We look forward to working with VAST to find ways to improve even more!”
Vicki, Operations Manager at Middleport Matters said: “We are really pleased to have achieved the Gold Volunteering Standard for Middleport Matters. We have worked hard over the years to offer voluntary opportunities that meet the needs of individuals as well as make a difference in the local area, so this recognition is lovely. The standards created by VAST are useful to identify areas of good practice, and continually look at ways to improve.”
Your organisation can also get VAST quality-assured through the Volunteering Quality Standards scheme. As long as you’re based in Stoke-on-Trent or North Staffordshire, and involve volunteers, you can access the awards free of charge.
If you have any questions, or would like to speak to someone about the scheme, please email volunteering@vast.org.uk.
