We are pleased to announce that Richmondshire Volunteer Centre has once again achieved the Volunteering England Quality Accreditation.
VCQA is a quality framework for Volunteer Centres, specifically addressing the delivery of six core functions of volunteering infrastructure at a local level. These are:
- Brokerage - matching both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community
- Marketing - encouraging local interest in volunteering using a variety of initiatives
- Promotion of good practice - promoting good practice in volunteer management to organisations through advice, guidance and training
- Developing local volunteering opportunities - working with organisations to develop new opportunities for people of all abilities and ensure that those who face barriers to volunteering are able to contribute
- Policy response & training - identifying and respond to proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering
- Strategic development of volunteering - networking at a local, regional and national level in the strategic development of volunteering
The assessment process for Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation examines the activity of a volunteer centre in delivering these six core functions, and for each of them, the centre is asked to demonstrate that it has processes in place to deliver that function and to monitor the outcome of its delivery
Richmondshire Volunteer Centre has been judged as meeting these objectives and performing all six core functions within the District of Richmondshire,
Our Volunteering England Quality Accreditation was awarded in June 2008 and will be valid for the next three years.
A NEW BEFRIENDING SERVICE IN RICHMONDSHIRE
St John’s Centre, Catterick Garrison, has been given a grant by Age Concern to set up a Befriending service for older people, to serve the whole of the Richmondshire.
Befrienders support people who are socially or geographically isolated, by visiting or telephoning them regularly, and sometimes running errands if the person is housebound. It is a practical, hands-on way of volunteering which can fit in with the volunteers’ own commitments, yet really makes a difference to someone who may have no other visitors.
St John’s Centre Chair, Deirdre Edgar said “We are seeking friendly people who can give some time regularly. They may support people to go shopping or accompany them on outings. We would also like to help people who have been discharged from hospital and have lost confidence.
Volunteers will be given training and will be police checked. They will not be expected to provide any personal care. All expenses incurred will be re-imbursed.
If you could offer some time to support someone who is experiencing loneliness, or isolation, please call The Volunteer Centre, and we will pass your details to the project manager. Alternatively you may call St John’s Centre direct on 01748 832271, or email: stjohns.centre@btinternet
Local Area Agreement Stretch Targets
In support of a Local Area Agreement Stretch Target programme to measure the increase in volunteering over a period of three years, Volunteer Centres across North Yorkshire are working together to collect statistics from 10 voluntary organisations in each district. (Local Area Agreements are three-year agreements that set out the priorities for a local area agreed between central government and the local authorities and their partners at local level.)
LAAs are structured around four blocks (or policy fields)
- Children and young people
- Healthy Communities and older people
- Economic Development and Enterprise
- Safer and Stronger Communities
The results achieved through the LAA will be measured by putting in place targets for improvement in key services affecting quality of life within these blocks. Central government funding will be available to the LAAs, and there will be cash rewards for local areas which achieve the targets.
Volunteer Centres are involved in all LAA policy fields, but particularly in the Stronger Communities block, within which the need to increase volunteering is mandatory. All VCs want to increase the numbers of their volunteers and particularly those who are traditionally more difficult to attract. A major barrier to 
this work is lack of time and funding resources. If targets are achieved, the 12 Volunteer Centres in North Yorkshire will share a Performance Reward Grant, which in turn will benefit the community as VCs will be able to offer more support. In the meantime, VCs will be working closely with the organisations taking part in the survey to help increase their numbers.
