Following a rigorous 12 month assessment process, Haemochromatosis UK is proud to be an Investing in Volunteers (IiV) achiever, having been awarded the quality mark this year for the first time. 

This award shows that we value our volunteers and demonstrates our commitment to volunteering within the organisation. 

HUK’s CEO Neil McClements commented “This is a tremendous achievement and follows a lot of hard work over the past year to refine and improve all aspects of volunteering with HUK. Both our small team and our amazing group of volunteers should be rightly proud of the work they are doing to support people affected by genetic haemochromatosis, which this award recognises.” 

Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. Investing in Volunteers aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience for all volunteers and demonstrates that organisations value the enormous contribution made by their volunteers. Investing in Volunteers is delivered by the national volunteering infrastructure bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Together they enable organisations across the UK to achieve the award. 

The charity was assessed against six quality areas and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers. 

During the assessment volunteers described the organisation as “very friendly and welcoming”. One said “it doesn’t matter what background you come from or how much you know or don’t know about the condition already, your offer of help is appreciated, and they help you find the best role for you”. 

The assessor was particularly impressed at the way in which volunteers for the charity receive induction and training. One volunteer remarked “it’s all very professional I was impressed with the recruitment process and the training". Another volunteer added, “I was very well inducted and have since attended workshops run by Cruse Bereavement, Mind and Samaritans – I felt nurtured when I joined”. 

The Chair of UKVF (the Awarding Body) said “UKVF is delighted to announce Haemochromatosis UK‘s successful achievement of this Award, they have demonstrated a real commitment to volunteering, proven that their volunteer management policies and procedures meet nationally recognised standards.” 

For further details of volunteering opportunities with Haemochromatosis UK are available on our website.

Investing in Volunteers is unique in that it is the only standard that focuses on volunteers. It is based on the following six quality areas: 

1. Vision for Volunteering 
2. Planning for Volunteers 
3. Volunteer inclusion 
4. Recruiting and welcoming volunteers 
5. Supporting volunteers 
6. Valuing and developing volunteers 

Further information about the Standard can be found on investinginvolunteers.co.uk.