Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for organisations involving volunteers. It aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience and to encourage organisations to better recognise the enormous contribution made by volunteers. 

Investing in Volunteers is managed in Wales by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.  

Each year, more than 350 of Discovery’s student volunteers deliver community-based projects to enrich the lives of adults and children with disabilities, elderly people, those suffering mental health issues, and refugees and asylum seekers. The charity works with more than 400 people with the aim of increasing understanding and equality, and reducing isolation.

Discovery has been empowering disadvantaged people in Swansea for nearly fifty years. In 2014, the organisation received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and its Managing Director, Christine Watson, received an MBE for Services to Student Volunteering and to Education in Swansea.

Picture: (l-r) Chris Marshall, Shaun Gillespie, Christine Watson MBE and Katie Padfield of Discovery with the Investing in Volunteers Award.

Christine Watson said:

“The Investing in Volunteers award demonstrates that Discovery is committed to supporting, developing and celebrating its volunteers, and that everyone who contributes to the organisation is highly appreciated. We have some incredible feedback from the people and projects we support, and that’s really down to the volunteers. They are the reason that Discovery makes such a big difference.”
 
To achieve Investing in Volunteers status, Discovery SVS was assessed against a range of best practice standards and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers.  

Further information about Investing in Volunteers 

Find out more about Discovery SVS

Facebook.com/DiscoverySVS
Twitter:    @DiscoverySVS