We are delighted to announce that Scottish Refugee Council has received the Investing in Volunteers Award for 2023-2026.
The award is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. It is presented to organisations that meet a set of rigorous criteria.
Volunteer co-ordinator Gün Orgun said: “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of work. They play a vital role in supporting people seeking safety in Scotland. We are committed to providing our volunteers with the best possible experience. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers.”
The Investing in Volunteers Award acknowledges our ongoing commitment to our volunteers. We are incredibly grateful to each of them for their dedication and support.
Head of Funding Development, Flutura Shala said: “This is a great achievement for us. It acknowledges the contribution of our charity to volunteering as well as ensuring that we continue to reflect and improve the quality of experience for all amazing volunteers joining us.”
The award also recognises our dedication to supporting people with lived experience with volunteering opportunities. Volunteering can be a real lifeline for people in the asylum process, who are not able to work. It can help people make connections, contribute to their communities and make a positive difference. Volunteering can also reduce boredom and isolation and gives people a chance to make use of their existing skills and experience, as well as to learn new things.
Christina Haddad began volunteering with Greater Pollok Services after attending one of our volunteering information afternoons for refugees and people in the asylum system. She told us: “My favourite thing about volunteering is engaging with and getting to know people. The people I volunteer with have helped me feel supported and well surrounded in a country I was new to and to build friendships, but also to build a network that would be useful for my career.”
Another volunteer with lived experience of the asylum system, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I wanted to help [Scottish Refugee Council] as a volunteer because they helped me so much. Very quickly, they made me feel a member of the family.”
Find out more about volunteering with Scottish Refugee Council here
