Valuing Volunteer Management in Hertfordshire Awards 2011
The Valuing Volunteer Management in Herts Award is sponsored by the
Hertfordshire Community Foundation. This award is very special because it goes to an organisation which is nominated by its volunteers for the way they are welcomed, trained and supported.
The winning organisation gets £300, a certificate and a crystal trophy, which is kept for a year.There are also runners up awards.
1st prize: Bishop Stortford Museum
2nd prize: Turnford Netball Club
3rd prize: Herts MS Therapy Centre
Now in its fourth year, the Hertfordshire Valuing Volunteer Management Awards are bigger than ever - a record number of nominations were received from volunteers who help a wide range of organisations across the County.
The Awards which were set up by Volunteer Centres Hertfordshire and sponsored by Hertfordshire Community Foundation are presented to organisations that demonstrate excellence in volunteer management.
David Fitzpatrick, CEO of Hertfordshire Community Foundation said:
"The Foundation is committed to building a sustainable community in the county. It is clear to us that these Awards are vital part of that work and we are very pleased to support the 2011 Awards. As we know, volunteering is a key element within 'Big Society', but it is good to know that Hertfordshire is ahead of the game in already building a strong volunteering community. Congratulations go to all the winners."
Judge, Hannah Gray explained: "the thing that makes these awards so special is that nominations can only be made by volunteers. This means that we get a unique perspective of an organisation as well as find out what policies and procedures are in place to ensure that volunteers have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. The idea of the awards is to champion those organisations which demonstrate quality in volunteer management as well as to encourage those who may need some help, to get in touch with their local Volunteer Centre to see how and where they can improve."
The Awards were presented by Lord Charles Cecil, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire at the Volunteer Centres Hertfordshire Annual Meeting held at Hatfield’s Beales Hotel on July 11th . The High Sheriff commented on the range of support services offered by voluntary and community groups in Hertfordshire.
Overall winners, Bishops Stortford Museum were thrilled to receive the first prize of £300, certificate and crystal trophy and Sarah Turner, Museum Curator who accepted the award on behalf of the museum said: "We are delighted to have won this award. Our volunteers are so important to us and without their support and dedication we simply would not exist." One of the volunteers who nominated the museum explained "volunteering has literally changed my life" and another said "the staff are always available to speak to us and hear our suggestions or concerns. We are treated as equals and feel very valued."
The keynote speaker at the event was Tony Edwards, Deputy Chief Executive of Volunteering England. Tony emphasized the importance of good practice in working with volunteers and highlighted the support available through his organisation. He also presented Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA) certicates to the Volunteer Centres.
To support the annual awards, Volunteer Centres in Hertfordshire have developed a new initiative called the Valuing Volunteer Management 6 Point Promise. Volunteer involving organisations who sign up to the Promise will confirm their commitment to good practice in 6 areas of volunteer management by using an online checklist. Organisations signing up to the 6 Point Promise will be issued with a certificate and listed on the Volunteering Herts website. Heather Allen MBE from Volunteering Herts explained, "By encouraging volunteer involving organisations to self assess their current volunteer policies, practices and procedures we hope to enhance the experience for people volunteering in Hertfordshire and help organisations to retain their volunteers. Any organisations which are interested in the 6 Point Promise can contact their local Volunteer Centre for further information and a password for the online checklist. Most organisations will already be meeting the elements of the 6 Point Promise and we will help those which identify gaps" said Heather.
To be eligible for nomination in the 2012 awards, organisations will need to be signed up to the 6 Point Promise.
Volunteer Centres Hertfordshire gratefully acknowledge the support of :-
Hertfordshire Community Foundation for the award
Beales Hotel for hosting the event
GARDEN HOUSE HOSPICE SHOP ROYSTON - WINNERS IN 2010
1st. Garden House Hospice (Royston Shop)
2nd. Age Concern Dacorum
3rd. St. Albans Sea Cadets
Winners are pictured with the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Gerald Corbett, and Stuart Lewis, Chairman of Trustees for the Hertfordshire Community Foundation.
Garden House Hospice staff and volunteer, Sarah Simpson were thrilled to learn that the Garden House Hospice shop in Royston had been named the overall winner of the 2010 Award. Sarah who volunteers at the Royston shop nominated her organisation along with her Mum, Susan. Sarah has Down’s Syndrome and has volunteered for the past six years. She has received great support and opportunities to develop her confidence and independence. Susan said: "Sarah has gained her NVQ Level 1 in retail through her voluntary work and is hoping to be supported to do level 2 next year. I cannot speak highly enough of the support and encouragement which the team and the manageress at the Royston shop have given".
PARENTLINE PLUS - WINNERS IN 2009
1st: Parentline Plus
2nd: Herts Hearing Advisory Service
3rd: SW Herts Samaritans
At the Annual Volunteer Centres Hertfordshire Open Meeting on June 17th 2009, Parentline Plus walked away with the Valuing Volunteer Management in Herts Award 2009. A crystal trophy and a cheque were presented by the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Janie Wentworth-Stanley. This is the 2nd year of this prestigious countywide award and what makes it so special is that nominations can only be made by volunteers. Volunteers working for Parentline Plus, Herts Hearing Advice Service and SW Herts Samaritans showed that they really appreciated the way in which they were welcomed and supported in their voluntary work.
Pictured are the winners with Janie Wentworth-Stanley, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 2009.
GADDESDEN PLACE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED - WINNERS IN 2008
RDA Gaddesden Place
The keynote speaker at the launch of the Valuing Volunteer Management Award in 2008 was Susan Ellis, author, expert on volunteer management and President of Energize Inc in Philadelphia,USA.
www.energizeinc.com
pictured left to right:
Susan J Ellis, President of Energize Inc in Philadelphia, David Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Hertfordshire Community Foundation, Judy Barnes and Lizzie Roberts from Gaddesden Place RDA, and the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Paul Cherry.