Local Hard Of Hearing Group Scoops National Award

Today the Dumfries & Galloway Hard of Hearing Group received confirmation that they have achieved the prestigious INVESTING IN VOLUNTEERS AWARD.

This national award which is independently scrutinised confirms that the charity has achieved the highest standard of volunteer management and it comes after a lengthy process of reviewing and improving all aspects of volunteering within the organisation.

On hearing the news, the charity’s Chairperson Ann Ferguson said “This is not an easy award to achieve. It required us to examine, and where necessary, improve our volunteer recruitment, management and support, including how we inform and involve our volunteers in all that we do”.

Jon Joy a volunteer who runs one of the charity’s care & maintenance drop-in clinics in Whithorn was delighted with the news. “At a time when we are bombarded with so much bad news it’s great that the charity and especially the volunteers who deliver the services have succeeded in their efforts to achieve this significant award.” He concluded “We certainly have a lot to celebrate”

Service co-ordinator Sián Woolner’s response was to thank all of the volunteers for embracing the challenges and opportunities going for the award has brought. She said, “This is the culmination of months of work, but it has been so rewarding” She encourages other organisations with volunteers to consider applying. She added “No organisation should be afraid of closely examining what they do and to be told at the end that we have reached the high standards required for this award has just been fantastic”