Quality Standards & Principles
High‑quality volunteering doesn’t happen by accident. Clear principles and robust standards are essential to ensuring that volunteers feel respected, supported, and able to make a meaningful contribution.
Building on this foundation, principles and quality frameworks help organisations, communities, and employers design volunteering that is safe, inclusive, and impactful. They also demonstrate accountability, build trust with funders and partners, and ensure that volunteer programmes are well‑managed and sustainable.
The Volunteer Charter sets out the core principles that shape positive and meaningful volunteer experiences. It supports anyone involved in volunteering—organisations, community groups, individuals, and those influencing how volunteering is supported, resourced, or represented in policy.
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) complements these principles with a UK‑wide quality framework that helps organisations celebrate volunteers, strengthen their reputation, and continually improve volunteer management.
Together, the Charter and IiV show volunteers how deeply they are valued. They also evidence your commitment to best practice, volunteer development, impact, and creating inclusive, positive volunteering experiences.
Principles and quality standards are equally important for employers delivering an Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) programme. The Volunteer Charter’s clear set of principles helps employers develop ESV initiatives that are respectful, inclusive, and volunteer‑centred – ensuring staff who volunteer are supported, valued, and treated fairly.
By combining these principles with recognised quality frameworks, organisations can develop ESV programmes that are structured, purposeful, and aligned with both business goals and community needs.
Investing in Volunteers supports employers to design safe and well‑managed ESV programmes while demonstrating accountability and impact to staff, partners, and stakeholders. This not only enhances the volunteering experience for employees but also strengthens your reputation as a responsible and community‑minded employer.