AVOW Achieves Investing in Volunteer Quality Standard
AVOW (The Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) has recently received confirmation that they have achieved the Investing in Volunteers Award. The Award demonstrates a model of good practice in volunteer management and will enable AVOW to advise and support the voluntary and community sector in Wrexham on matters of good practice.
AVOW is the county Voluntary Council for Wrexham Borough and has been serving voluntary and community groups in Wrexham for over 25yrs.AVOW takes the lead in promoting citizenship, volunteering and social enterprise bringing together advice, information, financial and community development and support services for charities and community groups.
AVOW has a total of 54 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who volunteer on a regular basis in a variety of roles including, mail-outs admin, Reception, Ollie’s Café, Wrexham Carers Project, 3rdSector Doctor Project, the Land Playground and the Substance Misuse Reaching Forward Project (SURF)
The challenge of the award has been to create a model of good practice that enabled all volunteers to be treated and valued in the same way irrespective of their background, role or length of service.
John Gallanders AVOW Chief Officer said ‘We are delighted to receive this Award. It demonstrates our commitment to all the volunteers at AVOW and enables us to promote a model of volunteer management good practice in the voluntary and community sector in Wrexham’.
AVOW is keen to demonstrate how volunteers enhance the work of the organisation and to demonstrate the added value they bring. The current economic value that volunteers save the organisation on a yearly basis can be quantified above £52,000 and this will only increase in the future.
Young Volunteers between the ages of 14-25yrs are encouraged to access volunteer awards through the Millennium Volunteer Awards Scheme and the locally developed AVOW Volunteer Star Awards Programme. This programme is open to all volunteers aged outside the Millennium Volunteer Programme. These awards demonstrate the commitment demonstrated by all our volunteers and together with a reference can enhance CV’s, job prospects and wellbeing.
Business Support Volunteer Natalie Griffiths said ‘I really enjoy volunteering at AVOW and look forward to coming in each Wednesday afternoon. I always feel supported, it’s a great place to be’.
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