Prestigious status accolade for Prospect Hospice

Prospect Hospice has been awarded Investing in Volunteers status for the second time.

Investing in Volunteers (IiV) is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.
The award to the Wroughton-based charity recognises the way it supports the volunteers - there are about 850 - who give up their time for the organisation.
Volunteers help the charity to deliver end-of-life care and raise the £8m a year it takes to be able to offer all of its services at no charge to patients and their loved ones and supporters.
Prospect head of volunteering, learning and inclusion Su Starkey said: “Our volunteers are an integral part of the charity and we work hard to ensure each individual is given a full induction to their role, that the role is well suited to them and that they have the opportunity to feedback and help their role and the hospice develop.“Investing in Volunteers status for us is incredibly important. It’s not easy to get we’re the only organisation in north Wiltshire to carry the accreditation. It demonstrates the commitment we make to each of our volunteers to ensure that their experience with us is a good one.

“As an organisation, we’ve made a commitment to ensuring that our volunteering opportunities are open to all so, regardless of your experience, your age, your race, gender or religion, if you’d like to volunteer with us, we’ll work with you to find something that suits both you and the hospice to ensure you get the most out of your time with us.”

Just under 60 percent of those who volunteer with Prospect Hospice do so in charity shops across the local area, with others taking on roles helping at events, assisting administration staff and supporting patients.

All volunteers who join the hospice team undergo an induction process, preparing them with anything they need to be able to carry out their role. 

"All volunteers are given a dedicated person in the charity to report to for help and guidance.  The volunteer services team is in regular contact to make sure they’re happy and thriving in their role.

Volunteers are also kept up to date with developments at the hospice via a quarterly magazine, and further information can also be found on a dedicated volunteer website. 

Those who have committed a large amount of time are also rewarded at the annual long service awards, with other social events taking place throughout the year for all those who volunteer. 

Due to the pandemic, the hospice isn’t currently seeking new volunteers as it is unable to take them through the full induction at this time. However it is keeping in contact with those who would like to donate their time to the hospice in the future.

Further information can be found at www.prospect-hospice.net/volunteering and the team can be contacted at [email protected] and on 01793 816193.