ACE – Action in Caerau & Ely is proud to be an Investing in Volunteers (IiV) achiever, having been awarded the quality mark/standard in April 2023 for the first time.
Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. It shows that ACE values our volunteers and demonstrates our commitment to volunteering within the organisation.
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.
ACE was assessed against six quality areas and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers.
The Chair of UKVF (the Awarding Body) said:
“UKVF is delighted to announce ACE’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.”
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:
- Vision for Volunteering
- Planning for Volunteers
- Volunteer inclusion
- Recruiting and welcoming volunteers
- Supporting volunteers
- Valuing and developing volunteers
We are so proud of ACE volunteers and all that they achieve with and for the Ely & Caerau communities. ACE volunteers support projects in the Dusty Forge, in the CAER Heritage Centre and in Diana Gardens.
Volunteers were interviewed as part of the Investing in Volunteers assessment to ensure that what we said we did in practice met with the reality of volunteering on the ground.
Below are some quotes from those interviews:
‘I love volunteering, my confidence was at a low and I finally feel able to look forward to the future, I advise others in the community of the help ACE can offer them’
‘ACE helps us see the impact we are having in a community with very little, it helps families and people in the community to connect. ACE has really built up my confidence – it’s amazing,’
‘ACE has been a lifeline for me’.
‘I feel safe in my role. We have received clear induction training’.
‘I have regular communication with the Volunteer Development Officer but all the staff here are supportive and help you whenever you need it, we are like one big family’
‘I have made friends with people who I would not have met before volunteering’.
‘We are all here to help each other and help with barriers. I love it here’.
‘ACE are really friendly to everyone, it is not a threatening place to volunteer and we always have a tap on the back after each volunteer session’
‘Staff see me each time I volunteer and help me feel I make a difference’,
‘ACE is open to ideas, I feel I can always discuss this with them and they get back to me with options or advise reasons if it is not possible now.’
‘I feel valued. staff are always encouraging, and ACE is part of my life, staff know my difficulties and have helped me to forget I have anxiety when I am here,’
‘Volunteering is very rewarding; volunteering at ACE saved my life and helped me learn I have a future. I’ve learnt new skills, it’s improved my confidence and communication and it’s great meeting new people,’
‘I get to access all kinds of training that I normally would have to pay for and it has shown me that I can do more with my life….volunteering with ACE gives me a sense of purpose and belonging’.
‘ACE is a life line for people, they are so lovely, and I have made some lovely, long-lasting friendships’
‘I love it so much I have told other people who struggle to come and access support and volunteer’.
‘I always feel welcome and not judged, I enjoy coming here, it has given me my social life back,’