Investing in Volunteers (IiV)
What is Investing in Volunteers?
Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK Quality Standard that helps you assess and improve the quality of your volunteer management and involvement, prove and improve the effectiveness of your work with volunteers and enhance your organisation’s reputation.
Achieving the standard shows your current, and potential, volunteers how much they are valued and gives them confidence in your ability to provide an outstanding volunteer experience. It also reassures funders of the quality of your practices.
What does the IiV standard cover?
The Investing in Volunteers (IiV) standards have been active since 1995 and were most recently updated in March 2021. There are six quality areas that a volunteer involving organisation needs to work on to achieve the award:
1. Vision for volunteering
Volunteering is embedded within the overall vision, values, culture and aims of the organisation and its impact is recognised and communicated. Organisations understand why they involve volunteers.
2. Planning for volunteers
People, policies and procedures have been put in place to ensure volunteering is well-managed.
3. Volunteer inclusion
There is a positive approach to inclusion, equity and diversity and a proactive approach to making volunteering accessible.
4. Recruiting and welcoming volunteers
It is easy for people to find out about opportunities, explore whether they are right for them, and get involved.
5. Supporting volunteers
Volunteers feel supported at all times, that they are a part of the organisation and that their contribution makes a difference.
6. Valuing and developing volunteers
Volunteers are valued and there are opportunities for volunteers to develop and grow through their experience.
Investing in Volunteers in Scotland
In Scotland, the IiV process is delivered in collaboration with Volunteer Scotland. Your organisation will be supported throughout the six steps of the standard by a team of qualified assessors who offer professional mentoring, guidance and practical support. This includes helping volunteer managers strengthen volunteer recruitment, refine policies and procedures, and build confidence in delivering a high‑quality volunteer experience.
As part of the process, you will receive a full evaluation of your volunteer programme. Assessors speak to volunteers, staff and board members to build a clear picture of your strengths and opportunities. You will then receive a detailed evaluation report with recommendations to help further develop and enhance your volunteer programme.
Investing in Volunteers in Scotland
There are currently more than 65 Investing in Volunteers Achievers in Scotland from 1st time Achievers to 7th! View all on the IiV website via the button below.
Investing in Volunteers in Scotland
Volunteer Scotland can support any size of company that offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer through their employer supported volunteer programme. Investing in Volunteers (IiV) will evaluate current practice, support the development of new ways of working, and celebrate effective employee volunteering.
IiV is flexible enough to recognise the full range of volunteering that may be offered by an employer.
What is the IiV process?
Once you have registered for IiV, it follows a straightforward process with six steps:
Step 1: Getting started
Your organisation will be offered an introductory workshop with an allocated IiV assessor who will be there to support you throughout your IiV journey. There is a library of materials and resources to inform and guide you through the process too.
Step 2: Self-assessment
You’ll complete a self-assessment checklist to identify where your organisation is currently in relation to the standard, and your assessor will give you feedback on this.
Step 3: Improving practice
With your assessor you’ll develop an improving practice plan, highlighting what you need to do to meet the standard. You can discuss how you want to use the opportunity to improve your volunteers’ experience.
Step 4: Assessment
The assessor(s) will meet with your organisation, online, by telephone, or in person, and speak to some of your volunteers, staff, board members and trustees. They will also review some written documentation. They will provide you with a written report to document how you meet the standard.
Step 5: Achieving and celebrating the award
Once you achieve your award, you will be contacted with information about the certificate, plaque and logo and encouraged to celebrate and publicise your success. Your award is active for three years.
Step 6: Continual improvement and renewing your award
Now you’ve achieved your award, this is your opportunity to maintain the good practice you’ve achieved and continue to make improvements to your volunteer management programme, including any development areas identified in your report.