Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award
The Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award
is a user-friendly quality standard award to
support, recognise and reward organisations and groups who can demonstrate good
practice when involving volunteers.
Introduction
It has never been more important for organisations and groups to be
able to demonstrate how good they are at involving, managing and supporting their volunteers. Here in South Ayrshire, we believe that
no matter the size or set up of your organisation or group you should be rewarded for good volunteering practice and recognised for the
difference your volunteers make across South Ayrshire.
Developed in 2025 by Voluntary Action South Ayrshire (VASA), with
reference to existing, current practice standards and policy, the
Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award is set at a thorough, but achievable level, so enabling more organisations and groups to
engage with the Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Awards and work
towards gaining recognition for the work they do involving
volunteers.
The Aims
The Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award has direct benefits
to both volunteers and to organisations/groups.
The Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award aims to:
Ensure that Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) are able to offer rewarding volunteering opportunities with best practice policies in place.
Help improve the volunteer experience
Ensure that the wellbeing of volunteers is supported
Ensure that the contributions of volunteers is recognised and valued.
Promote inclusive volunteering as a fundamental feature of volunteering
practice across South Ayrshire.
Support effective risk, safety and safeguarding practices.
Provide best practice guidance and benchmarks to help organisations attract, manage and retain volunteers.
Good Practice Strands
Volunteers are engaged in meaningful roles which contribute to the
organisation or group’s purpose and meet volunteer interests and preferred style of participation.
Good Practice Strand 5: Welcoming and Supporting Volunteers
Volunteers understand their roles and gain the knowledge, skills and feedback needed to participate safely and effectively.
Good Practice Strand 6: Volunteer Safety and Wellbeing is Protected
The health, safety and wellbeing of volunteers is protected, and volunteers understand their rights and responsibilities.
Information and Guidance: The Process
1. Contact with South Ayrshire TSI (VASA Volunteering Team)
Receive Information
Initial meeting (face to face/online/by phone)
Sign up to Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award* * There is an administrative fee of £100 payable by organisation/group
2. Receive and review Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award resources and guidance
3. Complete self-assessment
4. Submit your self-assessment portfolio
5. Continue to develop volunteering practice
6. Achieve Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award
For more information on the Volunteer Ready South Ayrshire Award or to find out how to get started, please contact the Volunteering Team at VASA: Phone: 01292 432661 Email: volunteer@vasa.scot
