New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership was successful in achieving the national standard Investing in Volunteers which recognises its commitment to good practice in volunteer management.

At the national Quality Assurance Panel held in London, New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership got through the last stage of a rigorous assessment process.

At a celebration event hosted by the Voluntary Service Bureau, the permanent secretary for the Department for Social Development, Alan Shannon, presented the awards and paid tribute to the excellent work carried out by the three organisations in Northern Ireland receiving the award this year.

Although unable to attend the event, Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie recognised the importance of the awards stating: “Organisations must aspire to excellence in volunteer management.

“Investing in volunteers helps organisations improve their management skills and develop interpersonal skills and bonding between them and their volunteers.”

New Lodge Duncairn Community Health Partnership could not provide vital services to their community without the contribution of volunteers.

Effective volunteer management means that volunteers are valued and their experience is positive which means they continue to give time to their organisation.

Recent research in Northern Ireland into volunteering (It’s All About Time 2007) showed that over 606,000 individuals are involved in voluntary work in their community.

Sandra Adair, assistant director with the Volunteer Development Agency with responsibility for rolling out Investing in Volunteers in Northern Ireland, said: “Effective volunteer management really matters.

“Achieving Investing in Volunteers demonstrates a real commitment to volunteering, proving that the organisation’s volunteer management policies and procedures meet nationally recognised standards.”

If you would like to get national recognition for your volunteer management go to www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk or contact the Volunteer Development Agency on 9023 6100 for information on how you could benefit from the standard.