5.8 Volunteer Friendly

5.8.1 What is Volunteer Friendly?

The Volunteer Friendly (VF) Award is a Scottish quality standard for volunteer programmes, managed by Volunteer Scotland and delivered through VASLan as your local Third Sector Interface (TSI). It is a user-friendly quality standard to support, recognise and reward groups who are good at involving volunteers.

It has never been more important for groups to be able to show how good they are at involving and managing their volunteers. We believe you should be rewarded and recognised for the difference your volunteer programme makes.

If your organisation's income is less than £200,000 per annum, and you have already committed to ‘quality’ practice by signing up to The Volunteer Charter, The Volunteer Friendly Award is the next step in the Volunteer Scotland Quality Standards Pipeline - shown below. 

5.8.2 What is the process?

The Volunteer Friendly Award has been designed to involve a six-step process. It ensures that your volunteers receive the best possible support, and that your organisation receives the maximum benefits from your volunteers’ contribution. Please see the diagram below with information about the process. 

5.8.3 How long does it take? 

There is no fixed timeline or deadline for completing the award, but we would expect organisations to complete the six steps within 6 - 9 months.

5.8.4 What are the 5 Volunteer Friendly strands?

The 5 foundation strands are the key principles for good volunteering practice. These provide a roadmap that will enable your organisation to develop best practice and ensure a positive experience for volunteers. The strands start by covering the basic requirements to involve volunteers within your organisation and progress through the key areas that need to be embedded into your volunteer programme.

5.8.5 What are the benefits of achieving the Volunteer Friendly quality standards?

The benefits of achieving this quality standard are:

• It is volunteer focused to ensure all volunteers have a great experience.
• It sets an achievable level for all volunteer programmes.
• It highlights and demonstrated good practice in volunteer management. 
• It shows volunteers your commitment and value.
• It is a supportive developmental opportunity. 

5.8.6 Start your journey now! 

If you are interested in working towards your Volunteer Friendly award, you can register your interest now. It is easy to get started, simply click the link here and complete a quick online form to register your interest. After this, a member of the VASLan team will contact you to talk you through the next steps. 

If you are having any issues please get in touch - call 01698 300 390 or email qualitystandards@vaslan.org.uk.