The Students’ Union at the University of Huddersfield has received the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award.
The award is managed by Third Sector Leaders Kirklees – the accredited Volunteer Centre for Kirklees – and is recognised across Yorkshire.
The Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award process involves a rigorous assessment where organisations must evidence they are offering high quality volunteering and following national good practice.
Quality award assessors also meet with volunteers to gain their feedback on their experiences.
Huddersfield Students’ Union engage over 1,500 student volunteers in a wide range of roles from academic reps, who represent students studying every course in the university, to committee members running societies and sports clubs.
Clubs and societies are led by students’ interests ranging from a Chess Club to a newly-formed Taylor Swift Society!
The Quality Award assessors highlighted a range of good practice at the Students’ Union including how they motivate and value volunteers and offer flexible volunteer roles with high quality training opportunities.
Becky Bracey, volunteer services lead at Third Sector Leaders, said: “We were delighted to present Huddersfield Students’ Union with the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award for the second time.
“They offer inclusive volunteering opportunities and recognise and celebrate the huge contribution volunteers make to the work of the Students Union.
“Volunteering is well-resourced and they are always striving to make improvements and listen to the voice of volunteers.”
Heather Wade, voice and representation manager at Huddersfield Students’ Union, said: “Working with Third Sector Leaders Kirklees to achieve the Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award gives us a measurable framework to work through to ensure that the opportunities we are offering for students are valuable to them as they build their skills and experience.
“It helps us to ensure that our systems are robust and fair; the team are a critical friend who help us to question ourselves and our practices making us the best that we can be.
“Maintaining the award gives us a lens through which we can see our work clearly and provides students with legitimacy for their skills and experience that is transferable into the job market and their long-term personal development.
“We are committed to maintaining this award, proud to have received it for a second time, and delighted to be able to share our innovative and collaborative approach to the power of volunteering.”
To find out more about Kirklees Volunteering Quality Award email becky@tslkirklees.org.uk or go to the website HERE.
