Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) wins fresh accreditation for Investing in Volunteers Award
THE 'backbone' status of volunteers with a Wester Ross community group has been reiterated with a fresh accreditation.
Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) has secured reaccreditation of the highly regarded Investing in Volunteers Award from Volunteer Scotland.
GALE Action Forum represents communities in the Gairloch and Loch ewe area. Its purpose is to socially, environmentally and economically regenerate the area through participatory community action and community owned social enterprise.
The largest and best-known of its community projects is the GALE Centre, which acts as a community hub, providing year-round employment for around 25 employees. The centre, which has been operational since 2012, houses a community café, shop and tourist information.
The recognition showcases the group's "unwavering commitment" to volunteer engagement and its dedication to delivering outstanding opportunities and experiences for its "invaluable volunteers".
The rigorous accreditation programme assesses an organisation's volunteer management practices against a set of nationally recognised standards.
By meeting these standards, GALE has demonstrated excellence in all aspects of volunteer involvement, ranging from recruitment and training to support and recognition.
The IiV assessor reported that: “All volunteers asked felt that the organisation, particularly the volunteer coordinator, did their best to communicate in different ways with volunteers according to their preference.”
GALE chair Cory Jones said: “Volunteers Week is June 1-7 and the award has been the perfect way to mark the dedication of our volunteers and the wider GALE team.”
Rebecca Wolfenden, GALE volunteer programme co-ordinator, said: “At GALE we firmly believe that volunteers are the backbone of our organisation. Their selflessness and dedication enable us to create lasting positive change in our community. Achieving the Investing in Volunteers Award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to volunteer excellence and reinforces our resolve to continuously improve our volunteer management practices.
"I want thank Volunteer Scotland for their expertise and most of all our volunteers who willingly spoke with the IiV assessor during the reviewing process.”
The assessor commented: “All volunteers described feeling valued in their roles, and that this was mentioned often by different people within the organisation...Due to the wide range of recognition approaches, many volunteers felt that how they received recognition was tailored to their individual needs...”
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The Investing in Volunteers Award highlights several key benefits for GALE and its volunteers:
1. Enhanced volunteer recruitment: The accreditation provides external validation of GALE’s commitment to quality volunteer engagement. This recognition serves as a powerful tool to attract talented and passionate individuals who seek meaningful opportunities to make a difference in their community.
2. Improved volunteer management practices: The rigorous evaluation process of the Investing in Volunteers Award has enabled GALE to refine and enhance our volunteer management strategies. This ensures GALE is equipped with the necessary structures, policies, and systems to support our volunteers effectively.
3. Increased volunteer retention: By investing in volunteers and providing them with a rewarding experience, GALE has experienced higher rates of volunteer retention. This continuity allows it to build stronger relationships and harness the expertise and dedication of our volunteers for longer-term impact.
4. Strengthened community connections: The Investing in Volunteers Award demonstrates GALE’s commitment to collaborating with the community, as it requires engagement with stakeholders, including volunteers, beneficiaries, and partner organisations. This strengthens GALE’s ties with the community and enhances the overall effectiveness in achieving our mission.
One volunteer was quoted: “They keep in touch when you’re having personal challenges; it’s a very human approach.”
A GALE trustee said: “I approached the organisation looking for a volunteer role and carried out a few shifts in the centre before being given the opportunity to find out more about a board member role, where I could commit more of my skills and experience to GALE.”
