The Volunteering Academy Quality Award is to help organisations give volunteers assurances on the quality of their experience.
Our first award was given to FareShare North East, read more. View our list of current holders of the award.
How to apply
Stage 1 - Application process
Complete the application form and then we'll send you a self-assessment handbook to work through.
Stage 2 - Desktop assessment
Applicants to forward the following documents:
- Copy of volunteering policy
- Insurance policy that covers volunteers
- Any other relevant policies that include volunteers
- Safeguarding policy
- Risk assessment
- Health and Safety policy
- Application form
Applicants are to forward volunteer questionnaires to their volunteers for completion.
Stage 3 - Site Visit
- Conversations with randomly selected volunteers
- Conversations with staff members including senior staff and those responsible for volunteers
- Review of other documentation including but not limited to:
- Induction processes
- Supervision processes and paperwork
- Any examples of support offered to volunteers
- Processes on how to raise an issue or complaint
- Any examples of case studies that demonstrate a volunteer’s journey
- Any awards, accolades, or recognitions
Stage 4 - Determination
The Volunteering Academy (VA) team will review all the evidence gathered and make a final judgement on the VAQA.
Stage 5 - Feedback
The VA team will provide verbal and written feedback to the organisation and offer support where appropriate.
Stage 6 - Award
The organisation if successful will be formally presented with the VAQA certificate and the logos to use on their website, socials etc. which will be valid for three years.
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The Junction receiving their award in June 2024.
Is my organisation eligible?
The award is open to all Volunteer Involving Organisations who have a footprint in Middlesbrough.
How was it developed?
We ran a pilot with seven volunteering-involved organisations (VIOs) to test the process.
The VAQA is based on the Tees Valley Infrastructure Partnership Volunteering Charter which many organisations across the Tees Valley have signed up to.
Any questions?
Get in touch with a member of the Volunteering Academy team and we'll be happy to help.
Call: 01642 803613
Email: hello@volunteeringacademy.org.uk
Facebook: @volunteeringacademy
Current VAQA Holders
FareShare North East aims to fight hunger and tackle food waste. Working in partnership with FareShare UK, they redistribute surplus food to frontline charities and community groups that support vulnerable people.
Hundreds of dedicated volunteers freely give their time at FareShare North East to help sort, pack and deliver food, as well as helping in our admin office. Help from volunteers allows FareShare North East to tackle more food waste and provide food that can be used to create meals for communities & vulnerable people in the North East.
Volunteering at FareShare provides the opportunity to be active and social in a friendly environment, whilst gaining skills such as route planning, organisation, and communication. Volunteers can also gain warehouse management skills such as a Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene certificate, forklift training, food safety and manual handling if available at the site
Tees Valley Together CIO (TVT) was established during the pandemic and supported many causes. Currently they offer various services to the community including Home From Home (brings preloved clothing and small household items from our home to yours), Eco shop, Community living room among other things.
TVT volunteers do a large range of activities, so if you prefer to be back of the house sorting and pricing, or face to face chatting and helping people, they have a role for you. Volunteers can choose to help regularly or pop in when they have a spare hour, whatever works best for them.
The Junction Foundation is a vibrant charity, empowering children, young people, and their families in Tees Valley. "We believe in building trust, self-belief, and a sense of belonging through positive relationships and meaningful participation." They are proud of their reputation for championing children and young people's voices and driving positive change through social action.
Their volunteering roles help support positive outcomes for children and young people. There are opportunities to gain skills, knowledge and experience that can help to access employment and training in working with children, young people and families.
Teesside Hospice is changing lives across Teesside by supporting people and families who've been affected by a terminal illness.
"For over 40 years we’ve been providing care across Teesside by supporting people and families who’ve been affected by terminal illness. We help them make the most of every day, ensuring they receive the best possible care by creating experiences and memories that last a life time.
"We rely on the support of over 200 hardworking volunteers and it is thanks to them they are able to hold fundraising events, successfully operate 13 charity shops, provide a reception service to those visiting the Inpatient Unit, plus much, much more. By becoming a volunteer and giving up just a few hours on a morning or afternoon, you are making a real difference to the lives of local people."