Recognition for local volunteers

A leading local charity, Devon Wildlife Trust, has recently achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard, recognising the excellent work it does with volunteers. Devon Wildlife Trust regularly receives help from more than 300 volunteers, all of whom give up their time and talents to help the charity's vital work for local wildlife. The Trust's Dawn Lenn, who coordinates their efforts said: 'This has come as wonderful news. We try hard to manage volunteers well and to give people the opportunity to contribute positively to nature conservation. It's lovely to know we are getting it right. The benefit to Devon Wildlife Trust's work is tremendous with the number of hours volunteers donate each year in the tens of thousands.' Investing in Volunteers is the UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers. It aims to improve the quality of the volunteering experience for all volunteers and for organisations to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by volunteers. The award scheme is managed by the UK Volunteering Forum and delivered by Volunteering England. Devon Wildlife Trust was assessed against a range of best practice standards and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers. Dawn added: 'DWT was set up by volunteers 50 years ago, and volunteers have remained central to its activities ever since. I hope that achieving this award in our 50th anniversary year will help demonstrate to everyone who ever helped DWT just how highly they are regarded.' Devon Wildlife Trust's volunteers come from all backgrounds and all parts of the county. The range of tasks they undertake varies from office administration to undertaking practical management tasks on the Trust's nature reserves. Anyone wishing to join as a volunteer should visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call 01392 279244.